While you can turn up at an event, and compete with a standard road car, there are a few simple modifications that will help you be more competitive. The first thing to do, which is essential, especially when competing on dry tarmac, is to pump up the tyre pressure. Generally, we would recommend adding, at least 10 to 15 extra P.S.I. to your tyre pressures. This will help hugely with the car’s handling and will help minimize tyre damage. It is very important to remember to return the pressures to standard for driving home at the end of the day!

The next modification would be to get some gaffer tape, and tape down the button on the hand brake. This will give you a ‘fly off’ hand brake, which will prevent the brake accidentally staying on, after a hand brake turn. Before you go to the event, it is worth checking that the hand brake is working well and equally on both rear wheels.

Reducing as much weight from the car as possible will also help the car’s handling and performance. Having half a tank of fuel at the start of an event will offer the best balance of having enough fuel to last you for the day against reducing weight. Before you go to the event, remove as much stuff from inside your car, as is possible. When you arrive at the event, take your spare wheel, jack and any other removable items from your car.

The final, basic modification would be to fix a ‘spinner’ handle to the top of your steering wheel. These handles can be bought from JCB, agricultural or fork lift truck suppliers. Fitting this will allow you to steer quickly and accurately with your right hand, while your left hand pulls hand brake turns and looks after the gear changes.

For the serious autotester, there can be no limit to the amount of car development that can be undertaken. Weight saving is probable the main area for performance and handling gains. Removing all interior trim, replacing all the glass (except windscreen) with Perspex, and even replacing body panels with fibre glass or carbon fibre parts are all worth while modifications. Lowering and stiffening suspension will help with the cars handling too. Few engine tuning modifications are required, as generally light weight cars don’t need excessive levels of power. An induction kit and performance exhaust will help the engine rev a little more freely, and help with the ‘off the mark’ acceleration.

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