another dreamer wondering about costs?
Discussion
So yes, I'm one of the many fools who turn up in here and ask "oooh, can I have a go?" and I'm also a massive cheapskate.
The problem is, while I can look at the costs for helmet & suit, doing the test, etc. and come up with a number, I've got basically no clue how much money it takes to actually get a car. A "how long is a piece of string" question if ever there was one.
Basically, I've got a spare car knocking about - a Rover 214 - which has a resale value of next-to-nothing, but fits in nicely as 1400cc. The thing is, how much would it run to for getting it all prepared as a ballpark figure (assuming that's for all the stuff like rollcage, fire extinguisher, safety cutoffs and such but not the stuff like brake pads and tyres etc)? Would it be something that could be done for around £3-4k ? Would it be cheaper to just go and buy a car that's already been put together?
thanks for any advice and/or dire warnings!
The problem is, while I can look at the costs for helmet & suit, doing the test, etc. and come up with a number, I've got basically no clue how much money it takes to actually get a car. A "how long is a piece of string" question if ever there was one.
Basically, I've got a spare car knocking about - a Rover 214 - which has a resale value of next-to-nothing, but fits in nicely as 1400cc. The thing is, how much would it run to for getting it all prepared as a ballpark figure (assuming that's for all the stuff like rollcage, fire extinguisher, safety cutoffs and such but not the stuff like brake pads and tyres etc)? Would it be something that could be done for around £3-4k ? Would it be cheaper to just go and buy a car that's already been put together?
thanks for any advice and/or dire warnings!
Always far cheaper to buy a car that has already been preapred than it is to prepare/ convert your own.
You could buy a race prepared Fiesta/ Metro/ Fiat Uno/ Alfa 33/ MG Maestro/ Rover 216 etc for circa £2K & race in a number of championships/ series.
Have a look in the classified sction of PH under the motor sport tab or look on "Racecarsdirect" or "fastroadandtrack" etc.
You could buy a race prepared Fiesta/ Metro/ Fiat Uno/ Alfa 33/ MG Maestro/ Rover 216 etc for circa £2K & race in a number of championships/ series.
Have a look in the classified sction of PH under the motor sport tab or look on "Racecarsdirect" or "fastroadandtrack" etc.
I have just built a car over the winter. It's a Peugeot106 and it was done on a budget.
Rough total cost was £1700 Inc the car:
car 600
cage 600
seat 350
ext 100
cut off 35
I can't weld etc so I sent it all off to TMSport who converted it from a shopping car to a race car for about £500.
I then had some extras done such as repairing a sill and adjusting rear suspension which upped the bill a little bit.
Further to the above, my motivation came last September when I watched the north west sports & saloons at oulton park. Whilst there I decided I wanted to race and got chatting to a competitor who helped me throughout my build.
There is always a reason to NOT do something and I was fed up of that.
Just get stuck in, you will love it. My only regret is not doing it sooner!
Rough total cost was £1700 Inc the car:
car 600
cage 600
seat 350
ext 100
cut off 35
I can't weld etc so I sent it all off to TMSport who converted it from a shopping car to a race car for about £500.
I then had some extras done such as repairing a sill and adjusting rear suspension which upped the bill a little bit.
Further to the above, my motivation came last September when I watched the north west sports & saloons at oulton park. Whilst there I decided I wanted to race and got chatting to a competitor who helped me throughout my build.
There is always a reason to NOT do something and I was fed up of that.
Just get stuck in, you will love it. My only regret is not doing it sooner!
buy a proven ready built race car & save your self all the hassle & pain out of building & developing a car, a competitive ex stock hatch car will be no more than £3k
just make sure:
seat belts & fire ex in date
it still has its transponder (as they are now bandit prices)
when was engine/box/suspension last rebuilt ?
If you go down the 'ill build one my self' route you will not only miss the rest of this season building it but will probably waste most of next season trying to get it remotly competitive
Just remember buying a car is the cheap part........running it will cost the money.
But once you finsh your first race, nothing else will matter, the fast road cars, holidays abroard & even track days will now seem a bit dull............
just make sure:
seat belts & fire ex in date
it still has its transponder (as they are now bandit prices)
when was engine/box/suspension last rebuilt ?
If you go down the 'ill build one my self' route you will not only miss the rest of this season building it but will probably waste most of next season trying to get it remotly competitive
Just remember buying a car is the cheap part........running it will cost the money.
But once you finsh your first race, nothing else will matter, the fast road cars, holidays abroard & even track days will now seem a bit dull............
Edited by andy rob on Friday 23 April 11:59
Why not just sprint the rover in the road going production up to 1400cc class.
OK so there's no wheel to wheel racing but prep cost will be almost nothing, all you'll need is:
a national B race license which doesn't require an ards test do save a few hundred pounds
A fire proof race overall
An appropriate crash helmet
Fire proof gloves
in the road going class all that is mandatory for car preparation is a timing strut, the battery earth marked in yellow and a sticker on the ignition showing which way off is.
I expect I've missed something but it really is a cheap way to get a car on track.
OK so there's no wheel to wheel racing but prep cost will be almost nothing, all you'll need is:
a national B race license which doesn't require an ards test do save a few hundred pounds
A fire proof race overall
An appropriate crash helmet
Fire proof gloves
in the road going class all that is mandatory for car preparation is a timing strut, the battery earth marked in yellow and a sticker on the ignition showing which way off is.
I expect I've missed something but it really is a cheap way to get a car on track.
andye30m3 said:
Why not just sprint the rover in the road going production up to 1400cc class.
OK so there's no wheel to wheel racing but prep cost will be almost nothing, all you'll need is:
a national B race license which doesn't require an ards test do save a few hundred pounds
A fire proof race overall
An appropriate crash helmet
Fire proof gloves
in the road going class all that is mandatory for car preparation is a timing strut, the battery earth marked in yellow and a sticker on the ignition showing which way off is.
I expect I've missed something but it really is a cheap way to get a car on track.
Indeed. Licence (non-race Nat B) is about 30 quid, overalls less than £100 if you get Proban, helmet you can get from v2sport or racelidz for £140 and gloves for about 30 quid from AWS. OK so there's no wheel to wheel racing but prep cost will be almost nothing, all you'll need is:
a national B race license which doesn't require an ards test do save a few hundred pounds
A fire proof race overall
An appropriate crash helmet
Fire proof gloves
in the road going class all that is mandatory for car preparation is a timing strut, the battery earth marked in yellow and a sticker on the ignition showing which way off is.
I expect I've missed something but it really is a cheap way to get a car on track.
mrcnc53 said:
Go and watch some races/championships and talk to the drivers.
You'r very welcome to join me and the Max5 racing guys at any of our rounds. Ask as many questions as you like, get a feel for what its all about etc. We can help you with your race licence and even hire you a car for a day if you like.....http://www.max5racing.com/
All the best
Paul
turbo-ww said:
Nobody has mentioned running costs?
Entrance fees
Petrol/tyres etc
Insurance?
If you're not going to drive the car to the circuit, tow car and trailer?
etc, etc.
I'm preparing a spreadsheet with a full set of costs for a sprint season, including buying a car, insuring, etc. (but not gear like overalls as I already had them). Entry fees are £50-£70 an event if it's an airfield, or up to £180 if it's a race track.Entrance fees
Petrol/tyres etc
Insurance?
If you're not going to drive the car to the circuit, tow car and trailer?
etc, etc.
Having been in similar situation my suggestion would be, as mentioned previously, go sprinting first. It will give you a great deal of insight into the whole racing scene for very little expense. Road going class will be next to nothing for car preparation. No ARDS test (£250-£300 plus), Helmet, gloves, boots etc equivalent expense, minimum £250, Proban suit (£100 rather than £300 for basic Nomex, Proban outlawed for sprints next year though), License £30 (£50 Go racing pack then another £50 for license after passing ARDS), entry fees, average Sprint £100 - £140 against race £250ish, far greater running cost of race car over sprint/hillclimbing. The more competitive you want to be, the more you spend.
I stopped Sprinting (reluctantly) 2-3 years ago.........
but started racing this year, the difference is unbelievable, the costs have to be considered but the thrill is very very different
I stopped Sprinting (reluctantly) 2-3 years ago.........
but started racing this year, the difference is unbelievable, the costs have to be considered but the thrill is very very different
Right......
What do you want to do ?
How much cash have you got ?
Do you want to "go racing" by bumbling round at the back in an under prepared old Rover, or do you want to go wheel to wheel? Do you want prove yourself as driver or just get better as a driver? Are you going to build your own car or get someone to do it for you ?
Sorry, we need more before giving you any real advise apart from (as mentioned before)
1. Go to meeting and talk to some people
2. Do it
The costs which come after car preparation are quite significant and soon add up-
suit 350
boots 70
gloves 30
helmet 200
vest 35
go racing pack 50
ards 250
licence 50
club membership ?
My first race costs:
entry 300 double header
fuel 45 race car
fuel 30 tow car
food 15
Then there is stuff like tyres, brakes, oil and filter changes, brake fluid, and in my case repairing a blown head gasket!
Regrets? None!
I am now trying to save up and buy an exBTCC 306! I assume it's yours Andy?
suit 350
boots 70
gloves 30
helmet 200
vest 35
go racing pack 50
ards 250
licence 50
club membership ?
My first race costs:
entry 300 double header
fuel 45 race car
fuel 30 tow car
food 15
Then there is stuff like tyres, brakes, oil and filter changes, brake fluid, and in my case repairing a blown head gasket!
Regrets? None!
I am now trying to save up and buy an exBTCC 306! I assume it's yours Andy?
andye30m3 said:
Why not just sprint the rover in the road going production up to 1400cc class.
OK so there's no wheel to wheel racing but prep cost will be almost nothing, all you'll need is:
a national B race license which doesn't require an ards test do save a few hundred pounds
A fire proof race overall
An appropriate crash helmet
Fire proof gloves
in the road going class all that is mandatory for car preparation is a timing strut, the battery earth marked in yellow and a sticker on the ignition showing which way off is.
I expect I've missed something but it really is a cheap way to get a car on track.
As this gent probably realises from another thread I have just completed my very 1st hillclimb in a Renault Clio 172, costs were minimal, £37.00 for Nat.B license, helmet to correct std I already owned but about £350, fireproof suit & gloves about £350.00 though you can get cheaper. Entry fee to 1st 2 hillclimbs (sat & sun) was £80.00 per day. The car was completely std except as stated above the yellow tape, ignition marker & a timing beam strut, none of which cost more than pennies! Drove the car to the event & drove it home again (it did slow me down slightly on the wet sunday knowing I had to drive home mind!). Woolbridge MC run a class (W) specifically for novices but after a few meets we'll all have to move over to the correct class (A3 in my case) but it is a fantastic (& relatively cheap) introduction to motorsport. Whatever you decide to do, good luck & have fun - I know I did!OK so there's no wheel to wheel racing but prep cost will be almost nothing, all you'll need is:
a national B race license which doesn't require an ards test do save a few hundred pounds
A fire proof race overall
An appropriate crash helmet
Fire proof gloves
in the road going class all that is mandatory for car preparation is a timing strut, the battery earth marked in yellow and a sticker on the ignition showing which way off is.
I expect I've missed something but it really is a cheap way to get a car on track.
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