Whats the cheapest form of racing (other than karting)?

Whats the cheapest form of racing (other than karting)?

Author
Discussion

General Bilko

266 posts

185 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
NBW said:
I saw the Locost (I think) when I went to look a the Compact’s at Donington.. Am I right, do they run at the same events… it's good close racing! Mind you they both are!

Edited by NBW on Friday 5th October 21:39
Yes, both run with the 750MC. Compacts & Locosts are similar lap times, bigger grid with Locosts though (41 vs 22) so you're almost guaranteed to have someone to race with, whether you're at the front, in the middle, or at the back.
Also worth pointing out Locosts now don't have to run with headlights so they look like Caterham superlights smile but a lot less money!

CDP

7,451 posts

253 months

Friday 5th October 2012
quotequote all
I'd say Locost is probably best (but I'm biased). Very close racing, you can do all your own repairs cheaply and if there's a job too big for you to handle (my car needed a complete new front end) then there are several very good specialists who can do it for sensible money. A very friendly championship too where the competitors help one another out.

Second is Stockhatch, probably cheaper than Locost but harder to fix. MR2s look fun but they've had a few too many shunts.

Formula Vee is the most cost effective single seater category and the cars are quick.

Formula four is probably about £1000 per year more but they're mostly 1800cc F Fords with wings and slicks so very fast.

We're at Snetterton on Sunday, testing Saturday. I'm racing Locost 59 and Matt (Procomp) has already introduced himself.

You'll be welcomed.

Carl

geeks

9,100 posts

138 months

Monday 8th October 2012
quotequote all
General Bilko said:
Yes, both run with the 750MC. Compacts & Locosts are similar lap times, bigger grid with Locosts though (41 vs 22) so you're almost guaranteed to have someone to race with, whether you're at the front, in the middle, or at the back.
Also worth pointing out Locosts now don't have to run with headlights so they look like Caterham superlights smile but a lot less money!
Actually 22 for the compact cup was our smallest grid this year at Anglesey which is the circuit all formula run a smaller grid. Our average has been 28! (sorry I'm splitting hairs but that's my job) and the biggest Locost grid has been 41 this year with an average of around 30...

98elise

Original Poster:

26,325 posts

160 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Yazza54 said:
98elise said:
After watching the rallycross episode of top gear again, I was wondering whats the cheapest way to go racing?

I was thinking in terms of racing a small hatch back on the odd weekend. Something where I can just turn up with the car, pay a fee, and race. Something I can do as a hobby rather than it taking over my life.

Ideally I'd like to be able to keep the car road legal, so that I can drive it to an from the track, with just a change of tyres for the journey.

Is there such a thing?

Edit.....I go karting once every couple of months, which is why I want to step up from that.
When you say you go karting every couple of months is the club racing with your own kart or just going to an arrive and drive. Anything is a step up from arrive and drive. Don't dismiss karting, I'm going back to it in 250 national gearbox, would kick the arse of most cars on a circuit, most definitely a stock hatch. There's a reason pretty much every professional driver comes from karting and still do it to keep sharp.

Proper karting to stock hatch racing would be a step back not forwards IMO.

Edited by Yazza54 on Sunday 23 September 20:25
Just arrive and drive. I don't mind that the karts are crap, as long as they are equal smile

General Bilko

266 posts

185 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
geeks said:
General Bilko said:
Yes, both run with the 750MC. Compacts & Locosts are similar lap times, bigger grid with Locosts though (41 vs 22) so you're almost guaranteed to have someone to race with, whether you're at the front, in the middle, or at the back.
Also worth pointing out Locosts now don't have to run with headlights so they look like Caterham superlights smile but a lot less money!
Actually 22 for the compact cup was our smallest grid this year at Anglesey which is the circuit all formula run a smaller grid. Our average has been 28! (sorry I'm splitting hairs but that's my job) and the biggest Locost grid has been 41 this year with an average of around 30...
Hi Geeks, I think the BMW Compacts are a great series and I wish it every success. However.....

The lowest Compacts entry was 16 at Anglesey, where Locosts had their lowest at 32. The 41 vs 22 comparison was at Donnington, so perhaps not the most accurate as the average Compacts entry is just under 24, whereas Locosts are averaging just over 38. And the biggest grid this year was Snetterton with 45.

But both are great series and if you want RWD racing (why would you want anything else???) then either are a good choice.

smile

Yazza54

18,450 posts

180 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
98elise said:
Yazza54 said:
98elise said:
After watching the rallycross episode of top gear again, I was wondering whats the cheapest way to go racing?

I was thinking in terms of racing a small hatch back on the odd weekend. Something where I can just turn up with the car, pay a fee, and race. Something I can do as a hobby rather than it taking over my life.

Ideally I'd like to be able to keep the car road legal, so that I can drive it to an from the track, with just a change of tyres for the journey.

Is there such a thing?

Edit.....I go karting once every couple of months, which is why I want to step up from that.
When you say you go karting every couple of months is the club racing with your own kart or just going to an arrive and drive. Anything is a step up from arrive and drive. Don't dismiss karting, I'm going back to it in 250 national gearbox, would kick the arse of most cars on a circuit, most definitely a stock hatch. There's a reason pretty much every professional driver comes from karting and still do it to keep sharp.

Proper karting to stock hatch racing would be a step back not forwards IMO.

Edited by Yazza54 on Sunday 23 September 20:25
Just arrive and drive. I don't mind that the karts are crap, as long as they are equal smile
Arrive and drive is worlds apart from proper karting. A proper long circuit gearbox kart will wipe the floor with plenty of exotica on track.

Ah well, if it doesn't float your boat.. Something like stock hatch will be cheaper though if that's the main factor. We've had a good few grand invested per kart engine, never mind rebuild intervals, chassis, tyres etc etc.

CDP

7,451 posts

253 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Yazza54 said:
Arrive and drive is worlds apart from proper karting. A proper long circuit gearbox kart will wipe the floor with plenty of exotica on track.

Ah well, if it doesn't float your boat.. Something like stock hatch will be cheaper though if that's the main factor. We've had a good few grand invested per kart engine, never mind rebuild intervals, chassis, tyres etc etc.
Both points true. Gearbox karts hold the outright record at several circuits. You can carry one in a Ford Transit too.

But they are top level racers and have bills to match. A Locost or Classic Stockhatch will be cheaper to race.

Don't forget Formula Vee and F4 either.

anotherdeadhero

4 posts

138 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
quotequote all
Got to be autocross, or 12-cars, nav scatters etc. Road rallying can be cheap if you use a standard car.

Maldini35

2,913 posts

187 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
quotequote all
General Bilko said:
geeks said:
General Bilko said:
Yes, both run with the 750MC. Compacts & Locosts are similar lap times, bigger grid with Locosts though (41 vs 22) so you're almost guaranteed to have someone to race with, whether you're at the front, in the middle, or at the back.
Also worth pointing out Locosts now don't have to run with headlights so they look like Caterham superlights smile but a lot less money!
Actually 22 for the compact cup was our smallest grid this year at Anglesey which is the circuit all formula run a smaller grid. Our average has been 28! (sorry I'm splitting hairs but that's my job) and the biggest Locost grid has been 41 this year with an average of around 30...
Hi Geeks, I think the BMW Compacts are a great series and I wish it every success. However.....

The lowest Compacts entry was 16 at Anglesey, where Locosts had their lowest at 32. The 41 vs 22 comparison was at Donnington, so perhaps not the most accurate as the average Compacts entry is just under 24, whereas Locosts are averaging just over 38. And the biggest grid this year was Snetterton with 45.

But both are great series and if you want RWD racing (why would you want anything else???) then either are a good choice.

PBMW grids are never less than the circuit maximum. On average 36 cars per race. All the same power and spec piling into the first bend. Awesome fun.

smile

BeirutTaxi

6,627 posts

213 months

Monday 22nd October 2012
quotequote all
Hey guys,

I am tempted by Autocross at some point in the future. Where are the rules on the cars you are allowed to run? Also I reside in two abodes; North Wales and Southampton. What racing is there around both of these locations?

I am interested in the Stock Hatch series, and it would be on a shoestring.

Best regards,

Matt

NBW

36 posts

137 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Ive spent most of the year at club meets researching which way to go as a newbie in 2013…

The grid numbers are of interest to me to some degree and with that in mind the Compact’s seem to be experiencing growth unseen before (according to the press), let’s not forget it’s 18 months old and if this topic came up next year I’m sure we’d see completely different numbers altogether

I’m interested in comparable laptimes (J. PLATO – Performance Parity) and cost control, Stock Hatch, Locost and Compact’s stand out for me, unless ive got it wrong the other relative (cost) formula’s have a much wider spread on power/pounds..

Although I’m still not there yet I think I’ll have a 750MC membership next year!

CDP

7,451 posts

253 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
It's the Birkett Relay on Saturday at Silverstone. If you can stand the cold you'll get chance to see probably the most eclectic range of cars you'll ever see competing in the same race. There should certainly be Locosts, Compacts, Stock Hatch and MR2s.

Another one to look for is the new 750 MC roadsport series though I'm not sure how close these grids will be.

NBW

36 posts

137 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Hats and gloves at the ready… we’re in already, let’s say its decider day for me and my pal.
I’ve read Compacts have a couple of teams competing, do you know if Stocks & Locost are?


Edited by NBW on Tuesday 23 October 23:39

CDP

7,451 posts

253 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
NBW said:
Hats and gloves at the ready… we’re in already, let’s say its decider day for me and my pal.
I’ve read Compacts have a couple of teams competing, do you know if Stocks & Locost do?
At least two Locost teams and I'd be amazed if there were no Stock Hatch or MR2. If it snows it will really fall into the hands of Stock Hatch or at least certainly won't help the Radicals.

NBW

36 posts

137 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Is there an entry list anywhere that we can look at ?

CDP

7,451 posts

253 months

Wednesday 24th October 2012
quotequote all
NBW said:
Is there an entry list anywhere that we can look at ?
The final instructions are available from 750mc.co.uk

Twincam16

27,646 posts

257 months

Wednesday 24th October 2012
quotequote all
anotherdeadhero said:
Got to be autocross, or 12-cars, nav scatters etc. Road rallying can be cheap if you use a standard car.
True, although surely that's rallying rather than racing?

Maldini35

2,913 posts

187 months

Wednesday 24th October 2012
quotequote all
NBW said:
Hats and gloves at the ready… we’re in already, let’s say its decider day for me and my pal.
I’ve read Compacts have a couple of teams competing, do you know if Stocks & Locost are?


Edited by NBW on Tuesday 23 October 23:39
Swing by garage 1C and say hi. We're a team of Production BMW's (and me in an E36). I'd be happy to have a chat and show you around the cars.

Should be a fun day

dapearson

4,239 posts

223 months

Wednesday 24th October 2012
quotequote all
NBW said:
Hats and gloves at the ready… we’re in already, let’s say its decider day for me and my pal.
I’ve read Compacts have a couple of teams competing, do you know if Stocks & Locost are?


Edited by NBW on Tuesday 23 October 23:39
There will be at least one team of caterhams from the Graduates Club (www.graduates.org.uk). Pop in and say hello, i'm sure they'll sing the praises of the club.

BaronVonVaderham

2,314 posts

146 months

Wednesday 24th October 2012
quotequote all
FWDRacer said:
G600 said:
There are a few different levels for original minis I think some of those were relatively cheap.
www.mini7.co.uk

Europes longest running single make series.

/thread

Edited by FWDRacer on Friday 5th October 12:37
http://www.brscc.co.uk/Championships/MIGHTY-MINIS-CHAMPIONSHIP

I'm planning on doing this next year as an upgrade from hammering my road car on trackdays. Seems to be one of the cheapest series running and ive been told that front wings are best purchased in pack of 10!