If I wanted to race...

[KingRichard]

What do I actually have to do?

What's it like going for the different licences, Is it still A and B?

How do you get drives in other peoples cars? Or is it down to ability once you've built up a bit of experience in your own car?

Not bothered what I race particularly, I just fancy it - mainly circuit racing, preferably historic but I don't really care, just needs to be fun.

Seeing as more and more things are happening on the road now that I find beyond my control, it would be quite nice to get my speed fix elsewhere at the weekends and preserve life, limb and licence on the public roads. It's a chance to get involved in something as well.

What's all this I hear about the caterham academy?

[Regional]

You have to aquire your National B license through applying to the MSA for a go racing pack, you then need to take a medical/eye test, then book an ARDS test, pass that and then apply for your license.

I have an Alfa Romeo 33 race car for sale, ideal for starting out in - email me at [e-mail] for more details if you are interested.

[KingRichard]

Regional said:

You have to aquire your National B license through applying to the MSA for a go racing pack, you then need to take a medical/eye test, then book an ARDS test, pass that and then apply for your license.

I have an Alfa Romeo 33 race car for sale, ideal for starting out in - email me at [e-mail] for more details if you are interested.

Hmmm, I've got a recent medical for my Taxi badge... wonder if they'll accept it

Not sure if I'd pass the AIDS test... Oh, you said ARDS

I'll email you mate, but you might want to take that email address out of a public forum

[peter-2006]

If you want to do the Academy the best thing is to get in touch with Caterham Midlands and have a chat about it. I know it is sold out for the '08 season but they are taking orders for '09. The main thing with the Academy is that everyone is a novice and you're all in equal cars and is a great way to learn. You are put through your ARDS test and also have a car control day where you learn to control slids understeer/oversteer. You then start with 3 speed events (hillclimbs/sprints) then 4 circuit races.
See my website for a few videos and a bit more info.

The other option is to go out and get your race licence by taking an ARDS test which is a 1 day course with a written and a practical part. This gives you a Race National 'B' licence which allows you to race in most club racing in the UK. After 6 races you can then upgrade to Race Nation 'A' which allows racing in Europe in some championships(Caterham Eurocup).
There are lots of championships that you can pay for a drive but most people want you too of had some experience before they let you loose in their cars.
Have a look at http://www.racecarsdirect.com and http://www.motorsportads.co.uk as lots of teams put adverts looking for drivers, with a suitable budget, to race for 1 round or a whole championship

Edited by peter-2006 on Thursday 22 November 16:02

[teamHOLDENracing]

Get a 'Go racing' pack from the MSA

Have a medical

Take your ARDS test

Buy a car (or hire one), enter race, race

If you want to race someone elses car you simply reply to an advert and write them a cheque. Or ask around in the paddock and write a cheque.

You'll get quite good at writing cheques, believe me.

If the question was 'how do I get to race someone elses car for free or be paid to do it' than that is an entirely different can of worms...

[zac510]

Is this required for club hillclimb events and stages rallies too?

[KingRichard]

teamHOLDENracing said:

If the question was 'how do I get to race someone elses car for free or be paid to do it' than that is an entirely different can of worms...

Which I'd like you to open... Just for an insight - Go, on, go on, go on!

[KingRichard]

I'd quite like to be able to put 'Racing Driver' down as an occupation on life insurance applications and watch the salemans face

[JP_Midget]

Most people in club racing seem to run their own cars, so turning up and requesting a go is not going to get you one... not from me at least.

There are some though that have a few old racers tucked away, and if you're willing to get to know these folk and put the work in to get the car ready usually you can come to some agreement. Whether this is actually cheaper is debatable.

There are some arrive and drive outfits, but I don't know much about them.

I'm not a huge fan of the acadamy set-ups, but that's just because I get scared by the big sums they want to take off you. If I had the cashola I'd be in there double quick.

[JP_Midget]

zac510 said:

Is this required for club hillclimb events and stages rallies too?

You need a lisense for speed events (sprints and hill climbs), but this is just purchased from the MSA with no testing... there might be a medical but I'm not sure. I don't know where stage rallies fall into it though.

[SuperKartRacer]

KingRichard said:

I'd quite like to be able to put 'Racing Driver' down as an occupation on life insurance applications and watch the salemans face

Take this serious or people like me will run you off the track baby, JK ;-)

You can test my single seater for £2500 if you like?

Edited by SuperKartRacer on Thursday 22 November 16:26

[KingRichard]

SuperKartRacer said:

KingRichard said:

I'd quite like to be able to put 'Racing Driver' down as an occupation on life insurance applications and watch the salemans face

Take this serious or people like me will run you off the track baby, JK ;-)

You can test my single seater for £2500 if you like?

Edited by SuperKartRacer on Thursday 22 November 16:26

Single seater? Well, I've never seen a go kart with two seats

ETA: I see you do F3 as well...

Edited by KingRichard on Thursday 22 November 16:32

[JP_Midget]

KingRichard said:

SuperKartRacer said:

KingRichard said:

I'd quite like to be able to put 'Racing Driver' down as an occupation on life insurance applications and watch the salemans face

Take this serious or people like me will run you off the track baby, JK ;-)

You can test my single seater for £2500 if you like?

Edited by SuperKartRacer on Thursday 22 November 16:26

Single seater? Well, I've never seen a go kart with two seats

My Go-kart used to have two seats so me and a friend could ride it down the hill, and he could pull it back up.

[KingRichard]

JP_Midget said:

KingRichard said:

SuperKartRacer said:

KingRichard said:

I'd quite like to be able to put 'Racing Driver' down as an occupation on life insurance applications and watch the salemans face

Take this serious or people like me will run you off the track baby, JK ;-)

You can test my single seater for £2500 if you like?

Edited by SuperKartRacer on Thursday 22 November 16:26

Single seater? Well, I've never seen a go kart with two seats

My Go-kart used to have two seats so me and a friend could ride it down the hill, and he could pull it back up.

I had one of those too. Mine was made from an old pram

[JP_Midget]

Probably the best place to start is looking at the clubs out there, owner's clubs and such.

Those I've raced with are,

Classic and Sports Car Club
750 Motor Club
MG Car Club

There is a good event in March next year, Race Retro at Stoneleigh, which if you're interested in historic racing ought to be good.

Have a good look round and chat to as many people as you can and I'm sure you'll find something.

[KingRichard]

VSCC?

[JP_Midget]

KingRichard said:

VSCC?

Not raced with those. I expect that due to the age of the vehicles they would be rather costly, but there are often a few about, and they're always at the MGCC International event, or at least cars of that era.

[KingRichard]

JP_Midget said:

KingRichard said:

VSCC?

Not raced with those. I expect that due to the age of the vehicles they would be rather costly, but there are often a few about, and they're always at the MGCC International event, or at least cars of that era.

Yes I was thinking Blower Bentleys and Bugatti's...

Then I woke up

[JP_Midget]

KingRichard said:

JP_Midget said:

KingRichard said:

VSCC?

Not raced with those. I expect that due to the age of the vehicles they would be rather costly, but there are often a few about, and they're always at the MGCC International event, or at least cars of that era.

Yes I was thinking Blower Bentleys and Bugatti's...

Then I woke up

Let me join you for a moment

Well, strange things do happen if that's what you want. These type of vehicle are generally gentlemen's playthings since all the youngsters want to bash each other about in their fwd hatchbacks

I'm just glad that they're out there and not tucked away in a museum or going slowly rusty in a shed, only allowed out to be washed and polished.

[zac510]

JP_Midget said:

You need a lisense for speed events (sprints and hill climbs), but this is just purchased from the MSA with no testing... there might be a medical but I'm not sure. I don't know where stage rallies fall into it though.

Thanks, this thread has been more helpful than the other one already!