I want to go racing....
Discussion
I've been doing track days and karting for the last three years, but I'm now at the stage where I'm ready to progress.
So, next year, I'll be competing (in the vaguest sense of the word!) in some sprints and hillclimbs in my MX5.
The following year, 2018, I want to progress to circuit racing. It's this point where I'm asking for some help, as I'm not entirely sure which series to enter.
My two priorities are:
-Budget (obviously motorsport is never cheap, but I'd like to minimise the 'chequebook racing' element')
-Close racing (for this reason, I'm looking at single-model championships)
The obvious choices would be the three MX5 (mk1) championships, run by BRSCC, BARC and 750MC. What are the pros and cos of each of these?
Also considering the BMW Compact Cup, Production BMW, BMW 330 challenge, MR2 championship, Hyundai coupe championship(!), Clio 182 series, etc...
Does anyone have an info or experience of these championships?
Thanks
So, next year, I'll be competing (in the vaguest sense of the word!) in some sprints and hillclimbs in my MX5.
The following year, 2018, I want to progress to circuit racing. It's this point where I'm asking for some help, as I'm not entirely sure which series to enter.
My two priorities are:
-Budget (obviously motorsport is never cheap, but I'd like to minimise the 'chequebook racing' element')
-Close racing (for this reason, I'm looking at single-model championships)
The obvious choices would be the three MX5 (mk1) championships, run by BRSCC, BARC and 750MC. What are the pros and cos of each of these?
Also considering the BMW Compact Cup, Production BMW, BMW 330 challenge, MR2 championship, Hyundai coupe championship(!), Clio 182 series, etc...
Does anyone have an info or experience of these championships?
Thanks
I would recommend without reservation the 750 MC.I raced in the 70,s and 80,s and had a ball.(Guess you were just a twinkle in the old boys eye at that time)Most of the cars and requirements have changed but the ethos and friendship of the club members never seems to vary.Motor racing should be a requirement of life Do it and enjoy.Regards Baz
Don't underestimate the "cheque book racing element" of one make series.
I'm a big fan of the CSCC various series and thinks it's good value for money and a great paddock to be part of, but have a look at 750 Roadsports too.
There are pros and cons of both clubs but, as a member of both clubs, I just happen to think that CSCC has a far better and friendlier paddock and far better driving standards.
I'm a big fan of the CSCC various series and thinks it's good value for money and a great paddock to be part of, but have a look at 750 Roadsports too.
There are pros and cons of both clubs but, as a member of both clubs, I just happen to think that CSCC has a far better and friendlier paddock and far better driving standards.
Edited by andy97 on Saturday 2nd July 22:31
I've raced in production BMW for the last 5 years and love the championship, close racing and controlled driving standards. There's a really good paddock atmosphere and people are generally very helpful.
I deffinatelty recommend it as a first step into circuit racing. I think my first couple of years cost about £4-5k all in per year. there's also the TTRS races the Saturday before the PBMW races which are on Sunday and give you the chance to do a bit testing.
I expect compact cups are similar cost wise and very competitive
330 cup sounds like it's a fair bit more expensive than either the compact cup or PBMW
I deffinatelty recommend it as a first step into circuit racing. I think my first couple of years cost about £4-5k all in per year. there's also the TTRS races the Saturday before the PBMW races which are on Sunday and give you the chance to do a bit testing.
I expect compact cups are similar cost wise and very competitive
330 cup sounds like it's a fair bit more expensive than either the compact cup or PBMW
Edited by andye30m3 on Sunday 3rd July 16:31
There are lots of one make championships, a few mentioned above which are all good suggestions. If you have an MX5 and are considering turning into a race car, they provide a great fun and cheap to maintain car, which aren't very expensive to build.
We race with the 750mc 5 Club championship and have a great time, the driving is very close bumper to bumper stuff but normally is fair, and the cars are fairly evenly matched. There will always be someone with a little bit more or a little less power in whatever series you choose, but you can be competitive without spending a fortune. The best thing about them is the reliability side of things and the relative ease of cheap replacement parts and panels. I have raced mine for 4 seasons now and have never had a mechanical failure in over 40 races.
The best thing to do is to come down to one of the races and have a look around, these cars have been raced for so long now there are lots of people with loads of experience.
hope that helps
We race with the 750mc 5 Club championship and have a great time, the driving is very close bumper to bumper stuff but normally is fair, and the cars are fairly evenly matched. There will always be someone with a little bit more or a little less power in whatever series you choose, but you can be competitive without spending a fortune. The best thing about them is the reliability side of things and the relative ease of cheap replacement parts and panels. I have raced mine for 4 seasons now and have never had a mechanical failure in over 40 races.
The best thing to do is to come down to one of the races and have a look around, these cars have been raced for so long now there are lots of people with loads of experience.
hope that helps
HustleRussell said:
Caterham Graduates
As Mr Russell says - Caterham Graduates is a fantastic series. Super competitive and clean racing, with 5 classes catering for most budgets with cars ranging from circa £9k to about £17-£20k. Usually 16 races per season (8 double header events) with an overseas round (heading to Spa this year),I'm in my second full season with them and can honestly say I've had the time of my life.
Ping me a message if you want more details / head to graduates.org.uk and take a look at the on-board footage on YouTube - just search Caterham Graduates or my name....
Cheers
Steve
I race in 750MC Clio 182, CSCC TinTops and CSCC New Millennium. If you want close racing and controlled budgets then it is a single make 750mc series all the way.
I watched the MX5's at Snet last weekend and it was great racing up and down the field and they even run standard road tyres to keep costs down even futher (I burnt through 6 tyres that weekend).
I have no idea about Caterams, but the Locosts, MR2s, Vees, Civics and Clios are all nose to tail down the whole grid. I would look at the typical spread of 1s in qualifying to give you an idea. MX5s have had 15 cars in a second of each other, the clios 12 etc. CSCC on the other hand is typically 2-4 cars in a second of eachother, same with Roadsports et al.
I watched the MX5's at Snet last weekend and it was great racing up and down the field and they even run standard road tyres to keep costs down even futher (I burnt through 6 tyres that weekend).
I have no idea about Caterams, but the Locosts, MR2s, Vees, Civics and Clios are all nose to tail down the whole grid. I would look at the typical spread of 1s in qualifying to give you an idea. MX5s have had 15 cars in a second of each other, the clios 12 etc. CSCC on the other hand is typically 2-4 cars in a second of eachother, same with Roadsports et al.
Stevemcmaster] [snip said:
with cars ranging from circa £9k to about £17-£20k.
Not trying to be a nobhead, but that's quite a budget. £15k should be able to get you through 2 full years of Production BMW racing all-in with car purchase, entry fees, travel and hotels. The series has grids of 30+cars most weekends, and you'd still have a car to sell at the end of it. I'm sure caterhams are a real blast, but for me at leas they were too expensive to start off with.
Altrezia said:
Stevemcmaster] [snip said:
with cars ranging from circa £9k to about £17-£20k.
Not trying to be a nobhead, but that's quite a budget. £15k should be able to get you through 2 full years of Production BMW racing all-in with car purchase, entry fees, travel and hotels. The series has grids of 30+cars most weekends, and you'd still have a car to sell at the end of it. I'm sure caterhams are a real blast, but for me at leas they were too expensive to start off with.
Plus they're fantastically light on tyres, brakes and consumables, and those are very affordable being that the wheels are 13x6J, brakes are the ubiquitous Ford ones etc etc.
Plus you have to consider that they're space frame sports cars, there isn't really a way to do that cheaper in a one make series unless you want one of those MEV things or a Locost which are going to be much more variable in their performance.
Anyway as you know the cost of the car pales into comparison with the racing costs once you've done a few seasons...
Thanks for all the responses.
As much as I love Caterhams (I own a road-going Caterham, in fact), they're simply too valuable to race, and I'm put off by open-wheel racing - I just don't like the idea of getting tangled up with someone.
Ruling out the 330 Championship too, on the basis of cost. I've also been informed that the Compact Cup gets pricey.
I think MX5s, PBMW or MR2s are where I need to be looking. While I prefer the idea of racing in a hardtop, the increasing rarity of E30s would worry me.
My stage is to go and watch. and talk to drivers in these championships. If I do settle for MX5s, there's then the question of which MX5 series to go for, but that's probably a thread in itself.
As much as I love Caterhams (I own a road-going Caterham, in fact), they're simply too valuable to race, and I'm put off by open-wheel racing - I just don't like the idea of getting tangled up with someone.
Ruling out the 330 Championship too, on the basis of cost. I've also been informed that the Compact Cup gets pricey.
I think MX5s, PBMW or MR2s are where I need to be looking. While I prefer the idea of racing in a hardtop, the increasing rarity of E30s would worry me.
My stage is to go and watch. and talk to drivers in these championships. If I do settle for MX5s, there's then the question of which MX5 series to go for, but that's probably a thread in itself.
Synchromesh said:
Thanks for all the responses.
As much as I love Caterhams (I own a road-going Caterham, in fact), they're simply too valuable to race, and I'm put off by open-wheel racing - I just don't like the idea of getting tangled up with someone.
Fair enough. As much as I love Caterhams (I own a road-going Caterham, in fact), they're simply too valuable to race, and I'm put off by open-wheel racing - I just don't like the idea of getting tangled up with someone.
That said no racing car is disposable and few are as fixable as a 7.
James.
Why not pop along to Brands at the end of August. I'm racing there with the Lotus and I'd be happy to chat to you about my experiences and what-not. Also, Production BMW is racing that weekend too, so two birds with one stone.
http://www.lotus-festival.com/
Why not pop along to Brands at the end of August. I'm racing there with the Lotus and I'd be happy to chat to you about my experiences and what-not. Also, Production BMW is racing that weekend too, so two birds with one stone.
http://www.lotus-festival.com/
Synchromesh said:
Thanks for all the responses.
As much as I love Caterhams (I own a road-going Caterham, in fact), they're simply too valuable to race, and I'm put off by open-wheel racing - I just don't like the idea of getting tangled up with someone.
Having followed monoposto for almost 10 years now, there has been very few occurrences of people getting open wheels tangled. All the drivers are aware of the consequences and as such behave accordingly. As much as I love Caterhams (I own a road-going Caterham, in fact), they're simply too valuable to race, and I'm put off by open-wheel racing - I just don't like the idea of getting tangled up with someone.
Rubbin' isn't racing.
That is a good point actually. Closed wheel racing can be very combative and for various reasons the worst of it often seems to be in the midfield pack. A friend of mine reckoned on needing about £2k to £3k per season average for fixing the rubbin is racing damage. Unfortunately the chequebookers can afford not to care, can you? Its one of the things that annoys about club racing as IMHO the motor racing authorities have tended to allow a bit to much contact in club level racing. At least one of the championships mentioned in this thread used to resemble banger racing when one walked around the paddock and witnessed all the cars with gaffa tape on them and lump hammers being shown to the bodywork.
Has the MG Metro Cup been mentioned yet? I reckon that has to be in the running for cheapest tin top championship.
Has the MG Metro Cup been mentioned yet? I reckon that has to be in the running for cheapest tin top championship.
NJH said:
Its one of the things that annoys about club racing as IMHO the motor racing authorities have tended to allow a bit to much contact in club level racing. At least one of the championships mentioned in this thread used to resemble banger racing when one walked around the paddock and witnessed all the cars with gaffa tape on them and lump hammers being shown to the bodywork.
Has the MG Metro Cup been mentioned yet? I reckon that has to be in the running for cheapest tin top championship.
From the point of view of a Post Chief (Observer) I can assure you that all contact will be reported. It's something most clubs take very seriously, some more than others. Has the MG Metro Cup been mentioned yet? I reckon that has to be in the running for cheapest tin top championship.
As I see it contact occurs in three forms: bad luck, stupidity & intentional. The first one nobody can do much about, the second two must be dealt with effectively. One of the big problems is BTCC where "push to pass" has taken on a whole new meaning. When deliberate contact appears to be condoned in a major championship such as that how can clubs get over the message that motor racing is a non-contact sport? I've seen too many cars heavily damaged as the result of contact to accept that "rubbing is racing"; it seems that more often than not it's the innocent party who suffers the most damage.
"One of the championships mentioned in this thread". Now which one could that be? I think I know! At the last meeting involving the one I think it is that I marshalled at a driver was excluded for pushing another driver off; unfortunately that exclusion didn't fix the damage to the other car.
Contact will happen, it's the nature of the beast; too much of the contact in some series is avoidable.
Judging from the number of engine blow-ups at Mallory on Sunday the MG Metro Cup may not be all that cheap!
Here's a cool vid I just re-watched from one of my races last year. Shows how good the racing is in a one-make series and why I'll always look at those over a mixed grid series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyeoyOHPh00
Excuse the quality - my GoPro failed that weeknd
:-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyeoyOHPh00
Excuse the quality - my GoPro failed that weeknd
:-)
I'd look at FF1600s personally, still quite a few single circuit championships as well as classics etc, welcome anywhere, easy to maintain, always some for sale, good residuals, light on components, the only downside is you have to pay a good engine builder if you want to be at the very sharp end but still, every dog has its day, plus, its a racing car, not a converted road car, for me that matters for others it may not.
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