RE: SOTW: Ford Fiesta XR2 Stock Hatch
Discussion
Twincam16 said:
That's a pretty good idea actually. I reckon a lot of people don't realise how cheap motorsport can be.
It can be a lot of things, but cheap isn't one of them - ever.The absolutely most basic and cheapest option is still going to cost you several grand to get started and at least a grand for every race you attend - same again for test days - same again if anything breaks.
The thing with racing is that it's addictive and you DO want to do better and better - which means you start feeding that addiction with more testing, more bits for the car, more time spent doing it, more and more and more costs.
Friend of mine decided that 2 wheels were better than 4 and switched to club-level bike racing but that's no cheaper really (tho it's probably cheaper to become competitive than cars). He soon switched to a more competitive club with a wider range of tracks and the costs just piled-up to the point a weekend of racing would eat £2500 (if nothing went wrong) and to advance any he'd have to double that expenditure.
'Cheap' motorsport is limited to things like autotests, banger racing, grasstracking and some timed road rallies /offroad challenges and even then you need to spend 'grands' to get started.
It's not for the faint of wallet - ever.
Good shed and a good eye-opener. Certainly brought about a bit of debate. Have thrashed cars & bikes up and down the famous cat and fiddle for years and having done a few track tracks, both of which provide one hell of a rush, I am with the track driving is better that thrashing on the roads camp.
I no longer live in the UK but if I did I'd look at this sort of shed for a track toy as using a 15.20,25k + road car on track days can be costly (especially if you run out of talent) but a shed like this would be ideal, even if you have to trailer it to the track.
I no longer live in the UK but if I did I'd look at this sort of shed for a track toy as using a 15.20,25k + road car on track days can be costly (especially if you run out of talent) but a shed like this would be ideal, even if you have to trailer it to the track.
johnpeat said:
The absolutely most basic and cheapest option is still going to cost you several grand to get started and at least a grand for every race you attend - same again for test days - same again if anything breaks.
One of the guys doing Locost kept every receipt associated with season's racing, including tyres, spare parts plus the fuel to get to and from races and had change from £4,500. That was about 14 races over 9 meetings (IIRC). My experience is fairly similar and the guy who won the championship twice in a row wasn't far out on this either.This year we have 8 meetings as they're all now double headers to save fuel getting to and from them.
One set of tyres will last a whole season. Doesn't sound realistic but if you're smooth these cars really are kind to them.
johnpeat said:
It can be a lot of things, but cheap isn't one of them - ever.
The absolutely most basic and cheapest option is still going to cost you several grand to get started and at least a grand for every race you attend - same again for test days - same again if anything breaks.
The thing with racing is that it's addictive and you DO want to do better and better - which means you start feeding that addiction with more testing, more bits for the car, more time spent doing it, more and more and more costs.
Friend of mine decided that 2 wheels were better than 4 and switched to club-level bike racing but that's no cheaper really (tho it's probably cheaper to become competitive than cars). He soon switched to a more competitive club with a wider range of tracks and the costs just piled-up to the point a weekend of racing would eat £2500 (if nothing went wrong) and to advance any he'd have to double that expenditure.
'Cheap' motorsport is limited to things like autotests, banger racing, grasstracking and some timed road rallies /offroad challenges and even then you need to spend 'grands' to get started.
It's not for the faint of wallet - ever.
Much obliged. I'll stuck with my confused 4 wheel bike. I'd sink that amount of cash in fuel alone into my forester just getting to the track. The dream of being a crap racing driver will have to remain just that.The absolutely most basic and cheapest option is still going to cost you several grand to get started and at least a grand for every race you attend - same again for test days - same again if anything breaks.
The thing with racing is that it's addictive and you DO want to do better and better - which means you start feeding that addiction with more testing, more bits for the car, more time spent doing it, more and more and more costs.
Friend of mine decided that 2 wheels were better than 4 and switched to club-level bike racing but that's no cheaper really (tho it's probably cheaper to become competitive than cars). He soon switched to a more competitive club with a wider range of tracks and the costs just piled-up to the point a weekend of racing would eat £2500 (if nothing went wrong) and to advance any he'd have to double that expenditure.
'Cheap' motorsport is limited to things like autotests, banger racing, grasstracking and some timed road rallies /offroad challenges and even then you need to spend 'grands' to get started.
It's not for the faint of wallet - ever.
Cant believe so many people that are up in arms over this SOTW, does it really affect you that much? There will be another one next week. Do you not get bored of looking at the same old Jags, volvos etc that arent really "petrol head" cars anyway, would of thought most of us have that dream to race, this seems like a relatively cheaper way of getting out on track or going racing, top shed!
as volvoT5 said, to me shed is all about the stupid thing you don't really need that you might just talk the wife into letting you have as it's sub a grand and road legal. Sorry, but type "track" into the car search on ebay and there's tons in there that come up at sub a grand, trust me I've done the search more than enough times. Y
M@1975 said:
as volvoT5 said, to me shed is all about the stupid thing you don't really need that you might just talk the wife into letting you have as it's sub a grand and road legal. Sorry, but type "track" into the car search on ebay and there's tons in there that come up at sub a grand, trust me I've done the search more than enough times. Y
Big difference between race prepared which the XR2 is to someone taking the seats out of car and cutting holes in structual areas to "Save weight".That XR2 would break for more than 1k with it's roll cage, FIA approved and indate Cobra seats
Have often looked for a cheap entry into the wonderful world of racing however i have always been put off by the fact that if i towed using a 540i then the car i was towing wouldn't be as quick, which to me defeats the object. As for SOTW i think this should have been a 'You know you want to' article. Used to love the XR2 wished i'd bought one when i was younger (when they were plentiful and cheap).
CDP said:
One of the guys doing Locost kept every receipt associated with season's racing, including tyres, spare parts plus the fuel to get to and from races and had change from £4,500. That was about 14 races over 9 meetings (IIRC
One BIG factor is where you live of course - if you're inside the 'triangle' you can commute to most of the UKs more popular tracks but if you're in the SW or the North you're facing a lot of costly travel/accomodation (9 nights in a Travelodge is £500 alone - fuel to get to most tracks is £100-150 a time).Even £4500 isn't a small sum for a year's entertainment really tho is it?
Goodfella 555 said:
Have often looked for a cheap entry into the wonderful world of racing however i have always been put off by the fact that if i towed using a 540i then the car i was towing wouldn't be as quick, which to me defeats the object. As for SOTW i think this should have been a 'You know you want to' article. Used to love the XR2 wished i'd bought one when i was younger (when they were plentiful and cheap).
I've had many cars that are faster than any of my quads. Untill your sat at the start waiting for the lights/flag/gate to drop/fall/go out then it really isn't the same at all. There is nothing on this earth that compares to racing. Period.marshall100 said:
I've had many cars that are faster than any of my quads. Untill your sat at the start waiting for the lights/flag/gate to drop/fall/go out then it really isn't the same at all. There is nothing on this earth that compares to racing. Period.
You are of course completely right it is an itch i will have to scratch the secret is to do as much homework as possible and get the most bang for your bucks. I do totally agree with you and when i have a bit more time and cash i'll do it.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff