Bogus Basin Hill Climb

Hi all,
I just wrote a check for my PCA regions annual "Hill climb". (they close off a section of road between the highway and this lodge at a ski resort just north of Boise ID. Entrance Fee was $60. I am very excited and it looks like it will be an incredible amount of fun. I have never done this before so I have a few questions. I've been in the PCA for a little under three years now and have never actually participated in any events
This is due partially to the fact that I live an hour away, and am "on call" often because I'm on the USAFs Bomb Squad, plus I wanted to get my car looking real nice before I show it off! The car runs fine and I don't expect any mechanical problems. (just ordered a new clutch cable) I know alot of you are into club racing among other things and I was hoping that you guys might have some tips to prepare me for the event. I'm not looking to take 1st (or even 10th) place. I just want to have fun. What should I do to prepare myself and the car for the weekend?
I'm going to use my motorcycle helmet (minus visor) but other than that I really don't have any other gear. Should I remove uneccessary weight like my spare tire or would that even be benificial?

Bottom line is: I don't want to show up to my first event looking like a putz...(either not prepared or maybe even a little "over" prepared if you get my drift.
Either way I'm gonna have a blast!

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Leland Pate

___79 SC Targa

Never participated in a hill climb but I have done a few autocrosses....your helmet will probably need to be DOT and Snell approved. You will need to empty the car of all non-essential items...spare tire, jacks, maps, kids toys etc...., the battery will need to be secured....most race clubs will check your wheel bearings, brakes, fluids etc...

You might want to check with the club on harness requirements. Most stock classes will allow three point safety belts....BUT some require a bar and five to six point harnesses...some even require long sleeve shirts, pants OR the more restrictive...driving suits, gloves etc....it is better to get a rule book and read up...the above is just what to expect...

Leland:

You ought to check with the Region that is doing the hill climb; for many, if not all, Regions, will NOT let you run with motorcycle helmets. The helmet must be an "SE" helmet, not an "M", since the SE has "fireproof" liner material. I tried this once, since I also ride motorcycles, and NOT ONE Region allowed me to use the MC helmets.

I have run hill climbs both here in the States and in Europe, and they are a blast, but can be scary. The most important thing to remember is that there are often steep drops off on the sides - if you overcook it, the risk is tremendous. That's why the Pike's Peak HillClimb is such a great sport. There is risk, but there is reward for the risk taken and overcome.

Mike has it right, do all those things. Other than that, don't forget that "every Porsche ever built is a race car". Just don't try to be a hero on your first few attempots, and you should have lots of fun. It is exhilirating!!!!!..........Andras

See, I even asked about the helmet issue and the answer that I got was it has to be a snell 90 or above. Mine is brand new so he said it would work. The only problem I see is the fact that my battery has never had a tie down strap. I hope it dosen't cause me any trouble.
Thanks for the replies

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Leland Pate

___79 SC Targa

On my '83 SC, at the front end of the battery, the end closest to the cool Porsche hood badge, there is a threaded hole in the trunk just past the edge of the battery. A bolt goes through this hole which holds down a bent steel plate which clamps onto the lip at the bottom of the battery and holds it down. This should be sufficient if your is like this. If yours is missing, you can steal one off any Rabbit, as far as I know. Mine was missing, and I stole the one from my '84 Rabbit.

You're going to have a BLAST!

Not all helmets are created equal, and not all DOT approved helmets have SNELL approval ... I'm not sure where the price dividing line is, used to be around $150, but it may be different, now. Some clubs are less picky, after all, it's your head, and turning down someone who has a brand new DOT helmet could rub some members the wrong way! I would put my 15-year old helmet with the Snell-80 certificate in it, and no scratches on it, up against anyone's new DOT helmet any day!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

I guess I'm going to have to fabricate something for the battery. I don't know why it hasn't ever orrured to me before that there should be SOMETHING holding it down.
I'll figure something out.

My helmet is a brand new Shoei RFR. Nice little helmet. And of course its Snell approved. I wouldn't get on my GSX-R 750cc with out one!
Someone said something about the helmet must have a fire retardant liner. My helmet dosen't, but do you think it would be OK if I just wore a Nomex Baklava (one of the perks of defusing bombs )under the helmet if it were required?

Leland:

I would make certain that you can use a non-SE rated helmet before you go, rather than having the "safety Nazis" deny your participation.

Mid Ohio Region, Allegheny Region, Potomac Region, Northern New Jersey Region, and Porsche Owner's Club all do not allow motorcycle helmets, since they are not SE rated. God knows I've tried to argue with them, since I don't go anywhere on my Intereceptor or Sabre without a helmet. In fact, I now have four helmets, since I had to get an SE rated one. But I did get an open-faced SE helmet from Bell, one of the few manufacturers who make these things. Cost was $150 three years ago.

Anyone know what to do with four helmets, and only one head?..........Andras

911s have 4 seats don't they?

Leland: Please consider my earlier note above, if you haven't already, regarding the battery hold-down. If you car has the threaded hole just forward of the leading edge of your battery, then a quick trip to your local junk yard with a 13mm socket, extension and wrench will solve your problem as Rabbit batteries are held down the same way as my '83 SC.

Thanks for the tip on the battery hold down strap Superman. I'll give it a whirl if I car locate a car as exotic as a Rabbit in a junk yard .
Andras: Do you think I could substitute a SE rated helmet with a motorcycle helmet by wearing a Nomex Baklava. I would think it would serve the same point. Either way, I don't think it will be a problem because the sign up sheet I got in the mail said that a Snell 90 or newer, long sleeve shirt and pants were all that were required. I will call the event cordinator again just to check. Plus the gent. I talked to said that my helmet would work if it was Snell 90 or newer. And I even mentioned it was a motorcycle helmet.
If they give me any crap I'm gonna pitch a fit. I'll just call my mechanic, Red Jones at "Motorsports NorthWest" the guys top notch (PCA "member of the year" a while back)
he will give me a straight answer as well as any other things I might need to do to the car to prepare it.

Anyway, thanks so much for the replies!
you guys (and girls?) are the best!

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Leland Pate

___79 SC Targa

I just got back from a drivers ed at Mid-Ohio and my brother and I used motorcycle helmets. These were both expensive brands but they were motorcyle helmets none the less. All they look for is a "Snell" inscription somewhere inside the helmet. Perhaps earlier models are less clear on the ratings but new motorcycle helmets are usually ok. I think on older helmets they are looking for a "M" code to be ok, at least in the region I am in, Allegheny.

leland,
i came accross the following story on how to prepare for PCA driver ed.
it may be of interest. http://www.porschenet.com/norest19.html

regards
Pazz
79 SC targa