For old times sake - Cossey's Farm Road 2014

[Jac Mac]

I think things must have changed in terms of eligible vehicles, most gravel sprints/hillclimbs seem to be orientated toward the rally cars with cages etc, the thought of ordinary road cars being allowed to participate in these events seems to be discouraged, at least down in my neck o the woods, heard about a fellow from AKL a few years ago & wanted to run in the Bluff hillclimb while he was down this way, but was told his road car was not allowed, he was somewhat miffed as he had competed in similar events up north, yet watching coverage of Waimate last week on the TV maybe thats not the case... perhaps Crunch or Carlo can elaborate..

[Jeff]

Yes I certainly agree Jac Mac.
I looked at building up a little ( Daihatsu Charade ) club car a few years ago to compete in local hillclimb / bent sprint / car club events for fun but discovered I couldn't "just run" a road car cheaply.
A home made sumpguard and half rollcage these days has to be built and inspected by an engineer etc...
and it just gets sillier for "just a bit of fun".
It's a shame but it's the way the world has gone

I think things must have changed in terms of eligible vehicles, most gravel sprints/hillclimbs seem to be orientated toward the rally cars with cages etc, the thought of ordinary road cars being allowed to participate in these events seems to be discouraged, at least down in my neck o the woods, heard about a fellow from AKL a few years ago & wanted to run in the Bluff hillclimb while he was down this way, but was told his road car was not allowed, he was somewhat miffed as he had competed in similar events up north, yet watching coverage of Waimate last week on the TV maybe thats not the case... perhaps Crunch or Carlo can elaborate..

[Trevor Sheffield]

Yes I certainly agree Jac Mac.
I looked at building up a little ( Daihatsu Charade ) club car a few years ago to compete in local hillclimb / bent sprint / car club events for fun but discovered I couldn't "just run" a road car cheaply.
A home made sumpguard and half rollcage these days has to be built and inspected by an engineer etc...
and it just gets sillier for "just a bit of fun".
It's a shame but it's the way the world has gone

Jeff,

The Cossey's farm era more or less marked the ending of low budget racing for fun. I always placed family first when it came to expenditure and every car I used for competition had to also serve as a practical road car. The majority of competitors were in the same boat and cars on a trailer were nor the norm. The serious guys at best used an A frame. Roll over protection was for sissies. LOL

I recall my last event at Cossey's as impressing on me that the fun days were over. I was ranning a moderately warmed 1275 Mini Cooper, as usual driven to the event. There must have been a lot of cow shite on the concrete start pad, as no matter how I tried, the clock ticked mercilessly as I groped endlessly for traction. On the day front wheel drive and road tyres was an impossible handicap. At that point specialist very expensively rally cars were in evidence and writing was well and truly on the wall with money fast becaming an essential requirement.

My memory is a little hazy, but as I recall the owners of the farm drove a very nice Brooklands Riley, which could have been a built up replica, and later on an E type Jaguar. They did not compete, except maybe once, but were certainly seriously car minded. I also recall the hill as being much steeper than as shown in the video and a right hand sweeping corner which called for bravery due to a steep drop off. I think there was a stone quarry close by. Please can someone straighten out my memory.

Here's to memories. Trevor.