Considering "afforable" racing - questions, help & adv ice
Discussion
Isn't this exactly the sort of series Riggers is doing this year?
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/doc.asp?c=52&i=21...
Caterham have been at for well over ten years and I know from asking that it's sold out for 2010. Tempting for 2011 though
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/doc.asp?c=52&i=21...
Caterham have been at for well over ten years and I know from asking that it's sold out for 2010. Tempting for 2011 though
porkanut said:
Hi all,
apologies in advance for a long-ish thread & lots of basic questions
I've read some of the threads regarding "cost effective" racing with great interest as taking part rather than watching motorsport has always appealed.
I've had a look the costs invloved in series such as mighty mini, stock-hatch, locost etc these appear to be do-able & being based in south-east midlands most circuits are reasonable to get to.
However, I've only done 1 track day, have no racing experience & zero mechanical nouse. Am I nuts to consider entering a series without getting a bit more experience (e.g. coaching & trackdays) & some mechanical support ?
I would be looking to buy a car that has already run in the series, ideally one thats competitive
Any advice on how to get mechanical back-up? How much tinkering with oily bits is needed over a weekend / season? How much of a slush fund is usual?
Is it possible to share a car with a pal, i,e. split the races between us across the season? or do the regs prevent this?
How do you learn the circuits? Any recommendations re coaching?
Whats the social side like ? do people tend to take their other halves & meet up for food & bevvies etc over the race weekend?
How much time is spent testing, set-up & training out side of a race weekend? I'm an office bod so only have finite amount of leave & wouldn't want to use all of this for racing
Any advice or insight would be welcome
Many thanks
John(porkanut)
I was in a very similar position but hadn't even done a trackday! Bought a Clio 172 Cup & did my 1st hillclimbs with it last weekend, no ARDS test or medical etc to bother with, can always move on to a 'proper' race series later on if I feel the need but sprinting/hillclimbing is a great (& Cheap) intro to motorsport & fellow competitors are very friendly & helpful which i'm told not all the circuit racers are...apologies in advance for a long-ish thread & lots of basic questions
I've read some of the threads regarding "cost effective" racing with great interest as taking part rather than watching motorsport has always appealed.
I've had a look the costs invloved in series such as mighty mini, stock-hatch, locost etc these appear to be do-able & being based in south-east midlands most circuits are reasonable to get to.
However, I've only done 1 track day, have no racing experience & zero mechanical nouse. Am I nuts to consider entering a series without getting a bit more experience (e.g. coaching & trackdays) & some mechanical support ?
I would be looking to buy a car that has already run in the series, ideally one thats competitive
Any advice on how to get mechanical back-up? How much tinkering with oily bits is needed over a weekend / season? How much of a slush fund is usual?
Is it possible to share a car with a pal, i,e. split the races between us across the season? or do the regs prevent this?
How do you learn the circuits? Any recommendations re coaching?
Whats the social side like ? do people tend to take their other halves & meet up for food & bevvies etc over the race weekend?
How much time is spent testing, set-up & training out side of a race weekend? I'm an office bod so only have finite amount of leave & wouldn't want to use all of this for racing
Any advice or insight would be welcome
Many thanks
John(porkanut)
I think there has been some excellent help and advice offered. Wish I thought of asking you guys when I started. Anyway, just to add another permutation to the affordable issue.
There is no cheaper or better start to motorsport than having a crack at the Teifi Stages, which I have banged on about before but to no avail as the interest has been so low that the first two meetings for 2010 have been cancelled!
To remind anyone who doesnt know…………the Teifi Stages (aka Bont Sprint or Hillclimb ) are held in mid Wales on a private tarmac course that is challenging. There are several classes, the atmosphere is friendly and the costs are surely the cheapest anywhere.
Last season I turned up with a Metro Gti that had been modified for the MG championship and had been around Castle Coombe a few times. It passed scrutinising, and for £70 and a one day licence (£5) I had 8 attempts at the 4 and a bit mile circuit. For that fee you got a well run event with excellent recovery support and of course a medical/ambulance presence.
Possibly a baptism of fire but after several runs I was loving every minute and by the end I was getting competitive.
Have a look at the course on Youtube. Type in Mad Dog Colin Griffiths and you should go round the circuit quite quickly (in a Drakart).
Well worth a try if you are thinking about entry-level motorsport. Can anyone better this in terms of value for money? I have taken the liberty of adding below the regulations for the event in case you are interested.
………………………………………………………………………………….
Regulations ( from the Teifi Stages website)
The department of Transport have ruled that as from 01/012008 all competitors in any authorised motor sport event must hold a valid competition licence, valid licences are issued by, - AMCA, ALRC, ACU, BSMA, NORA, NTET, YSMA, NASA,SACU and the IOPD
I.O.P.D. Competition licences will be available at signing on at Teifi Stges events, A \day licence is £5.00, an annual licence is £15.00
For further information regarding I.O.P.D licences please contact Mr Ray Williams on raymondwilliams987@btinernet.com
Regulations.
1 - All competitors and navigators must wear FLAME RETARDENT RACESUITS OF PROBAN OOR NORMEX, and a crash helmet at all times when on stage. The deision of the event director and scrutineers is absolute as to the standard of racesuit and helmet.
2 - All competing vehicles must be presented at sound testing and scrutineering, (the maximum sound level is 100dbs) The scrutineers decision as to the sound level and safety standard of the vehicle is absolute.
3 - Competitors will have a sighting run of one lap of the stage, after scrutineering and signing on and must wear racesuits and helmets if they participate.
4 - When the red flag is displayed at any or all marshal/radio points all competitors must STOP, and will only proceed on stage when instructed by the marshals. failure to comply with the red flag will result in immediate exclusion from the event.
5 - When competitors are stopped by a red flag the marshalls may request that the competitors move to a place of safety off the stage to clear the stage for the event safety vehicle and other emergency vehicles to attend any incident.
6 - The blue flag is to warn competitiors of an off stage incident ahead.
7 - If you pass an incident in stage, stop and report at the next marshall/radio point. You will be granted a re-run.
8 - All front/side windows must not be open more than 60mm, or safety mesh must be fitted.
9 - Any vehicle not fitted with a fixed windscreen, the driver/navigator must use a helmet with a visor or use goggles.
10 - All competing vehicles must be fitted with a hand held fire extinguisher, if not fitted with an automatic extinguishing system.
11- All vehicles from in stage are recovered at the driver/keeper/owners own risk. After an incident in stage all vehicles will be recovered to a place of safety.
12- Any vehicle damaged on stage and recovered to the service area must be presented to the scrutineer before starting any further stages. The scrutineers decision is absolute.
13 - All stages will consist of two full laps as defined in the event stage book.
14 - On all stages the competitior on the second lap of the stage has the right of way at the merge and split points of the stage. Merge and split points of the stage are as per the stage book. Failure to comply will result in a 10 second penalty added to the stage time. The merge point will have a judge of fact.
15 - The organisers may change the stage running order of competitors after stage two.
16 - If a competitor is held up in astage by a slower competitor the in stage marshall will report the fact to the timekeeper. It will be the timekeepers decision to grant a re-run to the held competitior. The time keepers decision os absolute.
17 - All drivers must be above the age of seventeen. All navigators must be above the age of fourteen. All competitiors under the age of eighteen must have teh parental/guardian form signed and witneeses at signing on at any event they attend. The event director will hold the right to exclude any competitor who when requested cannot provide proof of age.
18 - The decision of the event director/clerk of the course?scrutineer are absolute
19 - The event director/clerk of the course may add to or amend the event regulations at any time with reference to any aspects of event safety or may have to stop the event due to any breaches of safety by competitors and or spectators.
20 - The maximum of stage speed at the venue is 5 mph. This speed limit is in the service area and from service to the start line, and from the stop line to service. Please observe all health and safety regulations when working on your vehicles in the service area.
21 - Due to the confinements of the service area it is expressly forbidden to ride motorcycles, powered scooters, quad bikes in or around the service area or control cabin.
22 - Any spillage of fuel, oil hydraulic or similar fluids in the service area or out on the stage must be reported to the control cabin A.S.A.P. to minimise any enviromental damage to the venue.
End
Authorisation for Tefif Stages events is granted by the I.O.P.D. under stautiry instrument No.1370 of the Road Traffic Act 1992 (Off Highway) event regulations by Annual Permit and Licence No.30078
Please enjoy a Safe Days Motorsport
Mr R Williams
Classes
Class 1 upto 1400cc
Class 2 1400cc upto 1600cc
Class 3 1600cc upto 2000cc
Class 4 2000cc and over
Class 5 4WD
Class 6 Road Rally Cars
Class 7 Rage and Drakarts
There is no cheaper or better start to motorsport than having a crack at the Teifi Stages, which I have banged on about before but to no avail as the interest has been so low that the first two meetings for 2010 have been cancelled!
To remind anyone who doesnt know…………the Teifi Stages (aka Bont Sprint or Hillclimb ) are held in mid Wales on a private tarmac course that is challenging. There are several classes, the atmosphere is friendly and the costs are surely the cheapest anywhere.
Last season I turned up with a Metro Gti that had been modified for the MG championship and had been around Castle Coombe a few times. It passed scrutinising, and for £70 and a one day licence (£5) I had 8 attempts at the 4 and a bit mile circuit. For that fee you got a well run event with excellent recovery support and of course a medical/ambulance presence.
Possibly a baptism of fire but after several runs I was loving every minute and by the end I was getting competitive.
Have a look at the course on Youtube. Type in Mad Dog Colin Griffiths and you should go round the circuit quite quickly (in a Drakart).
Well worth a try if you are thinking about entry-level motorsport. Can anyone better this in terms of value for money? I have taken the liberty of adding below the regulations for the event in case you are interested.
………………………………………………………………………………….
Regulations ( from the Teifi Stages website)
The department of Transport have ruled that as from 01/012008 all competitors in any authorised motor sport event must hold a valid competition licence, valid licences are issued by, - AMCA, ALRC, ACU, BSMA, NORA, NTET, YSMA, NASA,SACU and the IOPD
I.O.P.D. Competition licences will be available at signing on at Teifi Stges events, A \day licence is £5.00, an annual licence is £15.00
For further information regarding I.O.P.D licences please contact Mr Ray Williams on raymondwilliams987@btinernet.com
Regulations.
1 - All competitors and navigators must wear FLAME RETARDENT RACESUITS OF PROBAN OOR NORMEX, and a crash helmet at all times when on stage. The deision of the event director and scrutineers is absolute as to the standard of racesuit and helmet.
2 - All competing vehicles must be presented at sound testing and scrutineering, (the maximum sound level is 100dbs) The scrutineers decision as to the sound level and safety standard of the vehicle is absolute.
3 - Competitors will have a sighting run of one lap of the stage, after scrutineering and signing on and must wear racesuits and helmets if they participate.
4 - When the red flag is displayed at any or all marshal/radio points all competitors must STOP, and will only proceed on stage when instructed by the marshals. failure to comply with the red flag will result in immediate exclusion from the event.
5 - When competitors are stopped by a red flag the marshalls may request that the competitors move to a place of safety off the stage to clear the stage for the event safety vehicle and other emergency vehicles to attend any incident.
6 - The blue flag is to warn competitiors of an off stage incident ahead.
7 - If you pass an incident in stage, stop and report at the next marshall/radio point. You will be granted a re-run.
8 - All front/side windows must not be open more than 60mm, or safety mesh must be fitted.
9 - Any vehicle not fitted with a fixed windscreen, the driver/navigator must use a helmet with a visor or use goggles.
10 - All competing vehicles must be fitted with a hand held fire extinguisher, if not fitted with an automatic extinguishing system.
11- All vehicles from in stage are recovered at the driver/keeper/owners own risk. After an incident in stage all vehicles will be recovered to a place of safety.
12- Any vehicle damaged on stage and recovered to the service area must be presented to the scrutineer before starting any further stages. The scrutineers decision is absolute.
13 - All stages will consist of two full laps as defined in the event stage book.
14 - On all stages the competitior on the second lap of the stage has the right of way at the merge and split points of the stage. Merge and split points of the stage are as per the stage book. Failure to comply will result in a 10 second penalty added to the stage time. The merge point will have a judge of fact.
15 - The organisers may change the stage running order of competitors after stage two.
16 - If a competitor is held up in astage by a slower competitor the in stage marshall will report the fact to the timekeeper. It will be the timekeepers decision to grant a re-run to the held competitior. The time keepers decision os absolute.
17 - All drivers must be above the age of seventeen. All navigators must be above the age of fourteen. All competitiors under the age of eighteen must have teh parental/guardian form signed and witneeses at signing on at any event they attend. The event director will hold the right to exclude any competitor who when requested cannot provide proof of age.
18 - The decision of the event director/clerk of the course?scrutineer are absolute
19 - The event director/clerk of the course may add to or amend the event regulations at any time with reference to any aspects of event safety or may have to stop the event due to any breaches of safety by competitors and or spectators.
20 - The maximum of stage speed at the venue is 5 mph. This speed limit is in the service area and from service to the start line, and from the stop line to service. Please observe all health and safety regulations when working on your vehicles in the service area.
21 - Due to the confinements of the service area it is expressly forbidden to ride motorcycles, powered scooters, quad bikes in or around the service area or control cabin.
22 - Any spillage of fuel, oil hydraulic or similar fluids in the service area or out on the stage must be reported to the control cabin A.S.A.P. to minimise any enviromental damage to the venue.
End
Authorisation for Tefif Stages events is granted by the I.O.P.D. under stautiry instrument No.1370 of the Road Traffic Act 1992 (Off Highway) event regulations by Annual Permit and Licence No.30078
Please enjoy a Safe Days Motorsport
Mr R Williams
Classes
Class 1 upto 1400cc
Class 2 1400cc upto 1600cc
Class 3 1600cc upto 2000cc
Class 4 2000cc and over
Class 5 4WD
Class 6 Road Rally Cars
Class 7 Rage and Drakarts
It always concerns me to hear people say 'the occasional spanner check'. Mine is checked every session never mind every race.
You guys don't really do 2 or 3 races without checking the car over do you?
To the OP, a 'spanner check' is going over every critical nut and bolt to check everything is tight. So that's every suspension joint, steering, brakes. And a visual check for cracks, leaks etc. Takes about 25 mins, quicker if you use lock wire on the ones which always defie the locktite, or use torqueseal, a blob of gunk you put on the edge of a nut that dries then cracks if the nut moves
as an aside, I'm a chartered accountant with no previous experience. Started racing in 2003, watched, listened, had a go at the mechanical stuff, learnt some more and built my own car in 2007. If you're keen and willing to learn you can't help picking it up!
You guys don't really do 2 or 3 races without checking the car over do you?
To the OP, a 'spanner check' is going over every critical nut and bolt to check everything is tight. So that's every suspension joint, steering, brakes. And a visual check for cracks, leaks etc. Takes about 25 mins, quicker if you use lock wire on the ones which always defie the locktite, or use torqueseal, a blob of gunk you put on the edge of a nut that dries then cracks if the nut moves
as an aside, I'm a chartered accountant with no previous experience. Started racing in 2003, watched, listened, had a go at the mechanical stuff, learnt some more and built my own car in 2007. If you're keen and willing to learn you can't help picking it up!
have you looked at the Trackday Trophy? looks like a cost effective way in, and its only round-by-round so dont need to commit to a full season. must admit i've been tempted
www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk
www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk
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