The CSCC Special Saloons + Modsports series
New for 2020 onwards...Series expansion with new clases for cars with post 1993 engines
'The CSCC remains committed to this superb, slick-shod series' - CSCC Director David Smitheram
The CSCC Special Saloons + Modsports series has proven to be one of the most interesting, crowd pleasing and probably unique racing series under any club's banner in UK racing since it started up back in 2011. Most of the cars are indeed unique one-off specials that whilst looks familiar such as Anglias, Healeys or Moggy Minors yet look more like charactertures that have taken a few steroids too many . Their wide wheel arches, low stances and wings make them crowd favourites along with of course the superb noises from those engines. It`s this last area that has been the area of much debate and consideration between the club and it`s competitors. Until now only engines built before 1994 have been allowed to be used, in theory anyway. Grid sizes have not grown beyond around 20 cars per meeting so the club have responded with an bold expansion plan for the future for period cars to be able to run any engine built up to 2019. Thus there will be 2 sets of classes for those running to the existing 2011 rules with pre-94 units and now a second set for cars with post-93 ones.
In a press release from CSCC Director David Smitheram said 'Full 2020 regulations will follow, but the main change are new, separate classes and overall winner for pre-1994 cars running technology and engines from a later period. This will keep the look of the grid correct, but permit newer engines from cars or motorbikes. The series actually already has a number of original cars racing with newer Chevy LS and Honda VTEC engines, where owners have removed the expensive original engines for safe keeping. We have previously turned away otherwise correct cars such as Mini’s and Imps running bike engines and Escort mk1s and 2s with Millington, Duratec and Honda S2000 engines alike, these can now be welcomed'.
Classes are proposed as follows:
Classic Engine Group ( pre-94 ) :
Class CA – over 6000cc and all forced induction engines
Class CB – 2101cc to 6000cc
Class CC – 1501cc to 2100cc
Class CD – 1151cc to 1500cc
Class CE – up to 1150cc
Modern Engine Group ( post-93 ) :
Class MA – over 2301cc and all forced induction engines
Class MB – 1401cc to 2300cc
Class MC – up to 1400cc
Class T – Taster
Thoughts on the expansion by Dave Smith
Old race engines don't last forever and sometimes cant be replaced like-for-like. Take for example Ron Harper and his venerable Triumph Spitfire. Ron ( 76 ) from Middlesborough has been racing his Modsport Spitfire since 1971 ! The 1992 BARC N.W Sports/Saloon Champion is just one that has had to switch to a completly different engine to keep him and his son Jack able to compete. It`s not so much engines blow up in special saloons + Modsports thankfully but wear and tear on ageing tired units. Engine blocks can become pourous or even cracked. Whether replacing a Triumph 1500 unit or a Cosworth YB as some of the series Class A competitors run, its expensive and maybe its just possible to source a replacement. Ron switched engines to a more modern high revving Honda V-Tec unit a few years ago to be able to continue and was granted special dispensation to compete in the CSCC series given his engine was technically outside of the rules. Now under the new rules this true Modsports car is legitamised for the series and long may the Harper family enjoy their racing. This is an example of a classic race car now using modern engines and it`s hoped similar cars like this will come forward to join the series.
One group of racers that the new rules could really help the CSCC's series connect with are the many Mini racers currently active. Minis historically were the most prominant car in special saloon racing and by the end of the 70s some had moved with times with now iconic spaceframe versions such as Peter Baldwin's Reg Wards,Mike Parkes' Maguire versions. These created a template for wide arched ,spaceframed and highly tuned very exciting Minis. Those keeping with the BMC-based engine in some cases have with enough expenditure pushed power figures up to 300 bhp. As time has passed into the 21st century more of the spaceframe Minis have been fitted with Bike engines for more cost effective power and for their weight and compactness . These are the cars that under the CSCC`s original rules rended them not eligible as Minis in period before 1994 didnt use Bike engines. Only Suzuki SC100 cars are eligible to use Bike engines under the old CSCC rules .
Now Minis with ANY engine are eligible for the CSCC Special saloons series in the 'Modern' engine group and would make for a welcome addition to the series indeed as these wonderful have been under represented thus far in the series.
Who knows what wonderful racing machines might appear at the next CSCC rounds under the extended rules on engines. Here`s one such thats hoped to join for 2020...the Escort of Michael Saunders. It`s got a claim to fame that it was ,when in its Escort Mexico form ,the car that Jeremy Clarkson made his race debut in on Top Gear. Now its got its bubble arches but most of all its running a V8 AJP 4.7 engine from a TVR Cerbera ! 'It was technically eligible for the old class but I’m happy to be put in whatever class people want me in. The car is great fun to drive and a complete handful! ' . The series has had many Escorts but this one may well be the first to use a non-Ford related engine. This is an example of a classic car with a much newer engine thats now able to compete in the series. Michael also races an actual TVR Cerbera in selected GT events so he knows his stuff.
CONTACT US :
Drivers interested wishing to check if their car is eligable please contact the series representative Ricky Parker-Morris using the email adress below...