Starting off competing in Motor Sport - Advice wanted
Discussion
I will be finishing university this summer and (hopefully) will have a regular salary coming in soon after.
I don't have much driving experience but would like to compete in some kind of motor sport, or at least give it a go, to see how I get on.
Have pretty much ruled out any kind of single seater racing as the costs are just too high, unless someone can tell me otherwise.
Have been thinking about rallying but would be useless as a co-driver as I am awful at map reading and don't know my left from my right, which only leaves rally driving itself.
Firstly, does anyone know of a good course, preferably in southern england, where I could try my hand and learn a few of the basics?
Also, if I do get on well, what sort of championship would be best for a complete beginner with not much money? I have done a bit of research on the net but would like some first hand advice.
I don't have much driving experience but would like to compete in some kind of motor sport, or at least give it a go, to see how I get on.
Have pretty much ruled out any kind of single seater racing as the costs are just too high, unless someone can tell me otherwise.
Have been thinking about rallying but would be useless as a co-driver as I am awful at map reading and don't know my left from my right, which only leaves rally driving itself.
Firstly, does anyone know of a good course, preferably in southern england, where I could try my hand and learn a few of the basics?
Also, if I do get on well, what sort of championship would be best for a complete beginner with not much money? I have done a bit of research on the net but would like some first hand advice.
Single seaters are no more expensive to run than a cheap saloon etc. They do however require more time and experience to get the most out of techincally and thats why they are not really ideal for a self run starter car unless you have an engineering degree, a garage and a trailer with tow vehicle.
My advise is go to lots of club race meetings next year and see what takes your fancy, talk to people in the paddock and go from there. 750MC is probably the best place to go for cheap as chips but do your research and don't rely on the advise of any one competitor. Remember almost everyone thinks thier series is the best so keep your eyes open.
My advise is go to lots of club race meetings next year and see what takes your fancy, talk to people in the paddock and go from there. 750MC is probably the best place to go for cheap as chips but do your research and don't rely on the advise of any one competitor. Remember almost everyone thinks thier series is the best so keep your eyes open.
Simon Mason said:
Single seaters are no more expensive to run than a cheap saloon etc. They do however require more time and experience to get the most out of techincally and thats why they are not really ideal for a self run starter car unless you have an engineering degree, a garage and a trailer with tow vehicle.
My advise is go to lots of club race meetings next year and see what takes your fancy, talk to people in the paddock and go from there. 750MC is probably the best place to go for cheap as chips but do your research and don't rely on the advise of any one competitor. Remember almost everyone thinks thier series is the best so keep your eyes open.
Thanks, great advice. My advise is go to lots of club race meetings next year and see what takes your fancy, talk to people in the paddock and go from there. 750MC is probably the best place to go for cheap as chips but do your research and don't rely on the advise of any one competitor. Remember almost everyone thinks thier series is the best so keep your eyes open.
I only have a very basic engineering knowledge so think I will probably give single seaters a miss, at least to begin with.
Am going to try and attend as many club meetings as possible, especially in the later part of next year when I have graduated, and see what takes my fancy (and is affordable).
Am hoping to start competing in 09 but will see how it goes, don't want to either write the car off or make a complete fool of myself at the first attempt.
Edited by Jacs on Saturday 15th December 21:26
Single seaters, especially such as ff1600 are quite a sensible way to go. as the cars are designed to race, stuff lasts quite well.
Start racing modded saloons,you are into trying to make a car perform out of its design parameters. Everything becomes a compromise, and because saloons give a feeling of invulnerabilty, body panels become a regular replacement item.
As someone who has raced and rallied saloons and single seaters, single seaters will reward you more for less.
Start racing modded saloons,you are into trying to make a car perform out of its design parameters. Everything becomes a compromise, and because saloons give a feeling of invulnerabilty, body panels become a regular replacement item.
As someone who has raced and rallied saloons and single seaters, single seaters will reward you more for less.
ph123 said:
What about going to the Silverstone school?
You'll soon get a good idea of whether you're wasting your time or what class of racing will appeal. Plenty of good advice on hand.
Yeah, I think they should really be my first port of call. You'll soon get a good idea of whether you're wasting your time or what class of racing will appeal. Plenty of good advice on hand.
Don't want to spend loads of money buying a race/rally car, getting it all kitted out, etc. to find I am complete
at it!with all due respect, i looked into racing in the mighty mni series a few years back when i thought i had some disposable income. having been to a few races and met a few of the drivers, i realised i would need £10K in the first year to buy the car, the trailer, the safety gear and the associated costs with getting to the circuits, food etc etc. granted this would be halved in the second year as the car was a sunk cost but £10K was about £9K more than i had or could really get.
all was miserable until i found Bristol Motor Club, there i found the joy of regional championship sprints, easy to get to (the furthest being 100 miles away), you can compete in a road car with no mods and race against others in the same position, the entry fees are bearable and the camaraderie better than i could ever have imagined. i have made some great friends and enjoy marshalling whilst the 205 is rebulit as a mod prod.
so, really, i suggest finding your local motor club and doing some sprints in whatever you have to drive, you may not win but you will have fun and thats what it is all about. yeah, i would love to race single seaters too, but i also want to do other things..... like eat, go on holidays and buy new clothes when i want to...
all was miserable until i found Bristol Motor Club, there i found the joy of regional championship sprints, easy to get to (the furthest being 100 miles away), you can compete in a road car with no mods and race against others in the same position, the entry fees are bearable and the camaraderie better than i could ever have imagined. i have made some great friends and enjoy marshalling whilst the 205 is rebulit as a mod prod.
so, really, i suggest finding your local motor club and doing some sprints in whatever you have to drive, you may not win but you will have fun and thats what it is all about. yeah, i would love to race single seaters too, but i also want to do other things..... like eat, go on holidays and buy new clothes when i want to...
Another vote here for the week course at silverstone... you get the ards, some kit, some excellent instruction and a couple of races. enough to work out if you want to carry on, and if you do carry on its a great grounding...
Ok its a few grand, but its some of the best cash you'll ever spend. much cheaper than buying your own car and starting on your own and finding you dont like it or worse...
If you do go down the diy route.... buy an existing car it will cost a fraction of building one...
G
Ok its a few grand, but its some of the best cash you'll ever spend. much cheaper than buying your own car and starting on your own and finding you dont like it or worse...
If you do go down the diy route.... buy an existing car it will cost a fraction of building one...
G
ER.. what part of the I can't afford it bit did you not understand?
modded saloons blah blah rubbish talk the kid wants to race
ina race car series every on is racing in similar stuff so its the same Compramise for everyone !!!
FF1600 with no money would be a disasterous way to go!
and frankly which would you rather be in, if it goes pete tong??
enclosed in a car with doors, closed wheels a proper roll cage not a hoop etc, or plastic bodies space frame, sitting on top of the fuel tank, with open wheels, so you can tip at the slightest touch? plus all the body and sspension parts etcare specialist, so you pay a bomb from reynard or swift or VD
yes body panels can be a consumable item, but at entry level its small potatoes, ie
I crashed medium heavy at quarry this year in the wet at Combe.
new wing front panel and pait cost £80, I did it all myself, and you cant tell
I was driven in to in my FF1600 and bent the front rocker and rear hub assembly, it was 2 smallish components and cost £1200 coz you can't get the parts anywhere.
stay awa from single seaters if you have little money, you will hate it compared to what you can get by way of a saloon or hatch, for the same money.
modded saloons blah blah rubbish talk the kid wants to race
ina race car series every on is racing in similar stuff so its the same Compramise for everyone !!!
FF1600 with no money would be a disasterous way to go!
and frankly which would you rather be in, if it goes pete tong??
enclosed in a car with doors, closed wheels a proper roll cage not a hoop etc, or plastic bodies space frame, sitting on top of the fuel tank, with open wheels, so you can tip at the slightest touch? plus all the body and sspension parts etcare specialist, so you pay a bomb from reynard or swift or VD
yes body panels can be a consumable item, but at entry level its small potatoes, ie
I crashed medium heavy at quarry this year in the wet at Combe.
new wing front panel and pait cost £80, I did it all myself, and you cant tell
I was driven in to in my FF1600 and bent the front rocker and rear hub assembly, it was 2 smallish components and cost £1200 coz you can't get the parts anywhere.
stay awa from single seaters if you have little money, you will hate it compared to what you can get by way of a saloon or hatch, for the same money.
andygo said:
Single seaters, especially such as ff1600 are quite a sensible way to go. as the cars are designed to race, stuff lasts quite well.
Start racing modded saloons,you are into trying to make a car perform out of its design parameters. Everything becomes a compromise, and because saloons give a feeling of invulnerabilty, body panels become a regular replacement item.
As someone who has raced and rallied saloons and single seaters, single seaters will reward you more for less.
Start racing modded saloons,you are into trying to make a car perform out of its design parameters. Everything becomes a compromise, and because saloons give a feeling of invulnerabilty, body panels become a regular replacement item.
As someone who has raced and rallied saloons and single seaters, single seaters will reward you more for less.
Ok its a few grand, but its some of the best cash you'll ever spend. much cheaper than buying your own car and starting on your own and finding you dont like it or worse...
what!!!so you spend 2 grand ( lining their pockets) and what have you got to show for it?
you do 2 races and cofirm that you love racing but are now pot less so cant do anything else till you save up
or
you go out and buy a car for £1000 - £1500 and go racing, if you dont like it..... sell the car .. money back
there will always be someone with £1000 - £1500 wanting to get into racing
agree about the "buy an existing car" line though
don't build a car even ifyour REALY good at spanners,
If you do go down the diy route.... buy an existing car it will cost a fraction of building one...
G
[/quote]
Your forgetting that in that package you also get your ards test, and 2 races which would add probably a grand to the cost of your car, then to do it yourself you need to find helmet, suit, boots, gloves ect. and thats before you throw in your time to prep everything plus a test day or two to make sure everything works. Oh yes and a weeks worth of very good intensive instruction that teaches you stuff that could easily take a year or two to pick up, plus some fundamental safety stuff which many people overlook.
At the end of the day I still think its a cost effective way to get into racing, get qualified, some racing and instruction under your belt. Yes there are cheaper ways of starting racing, but not many that offer the value for money and experience..
all imho of course. I did the course after the end of my first 1/2 season and wish I'd done it first...
Its also possibly he only opportunity you'll ever get to concentrate on nothing but racing for a whole week ;-)
G
At the end of the day I still think its a cost effective way to get into racing, get qualified, some racing and instruction under your belt. Yes there are cheaper ways of starting racing, but not many that offer the value for money and experience..
all imho of course. I did the course after the end of my first 1/2 season and wish I'd done it first...
Its also possibly he only opportunity you'll ever get to concentrate on nothing but racing for a whole week ;-)
G
ph123 said:
Agree with above, but the real attraction of the Silverstone school idea, is that you get to know quickly, whether you like and/or are any good at racing.
At Silverstone, I believe suit, boots and gloves worth about £500 are included in the price. You get plenty of lapping, ARDS test, car control lessons, heel and toe lession and a race at the end with the option to buy another. All in all I think it's pretty good value particularly because in theory you should be less likely to chuck your car at the scenery after the course.I agree with Simon M - try the 750MC they have the stock hatch series and you should be able to buy a car to race in that for £2k upwards - all though don't expect to be at the sharp end.
Have a look at the Classic Sports Car club tintops series - you can run a similar £2k upwards race car plus the races are 40mins which allows 2 drivers and hence splits the costs in half.
The above is all based on personal experience - as I have shared a car with Andy97 in tin tops for the last 2 years and we will be out again this season.
Lastly don't be put off by all the folks that will tell you how difficult/expensive it will be - you do not have to spend a fortune to have a great time racing, but it is a very good idea to go to some of the race meetings and see things for yourself
Have fun
Have a look at the Classic Sports Car club tintops series - you can run a similar £2k upwards race car plus the races are 40mins which allows 2 drivers and hence splits the costs in half.
The above is all based on personal experience - as I have shared a car with Andy97 in tin tops for the last 2 years and we will be out again this season.
Lastly don't be put off by all the folks that will tell you how difficult/expensive it will be - you do not have to spend a fortune to have a great time racing, but it is a very good idea to go to some of the race meetings and see things for yourself
Have fun
just somethings to throw in the pot.
firstly - check your drivers license... rules changed regarding towing after (i think) 1997, which i think reduces the weight limit you can tow, i think you need to take an additional test to beable to tow above a certain combined weight of tow car and trailer, to tow above this limit means you need to take an additional test.
secondly consider hillclimbing/sprints initally - cheap to enter (about £80 an event) as you can enter your standard road car (there was a chap at this years harewood hillclimb who campainged in a 1.0 nissan micra in the roadgoing class) and also protective clothing is less stringent... single layer proban suit, and no fireproof boots, gloves and shoes required (altho recommened)
or theres plenty of cheap race series... but your looking at several grand in your inital season for the car, helmet, suit & entry fees, and maybe a suitable tow vehicle
firstly - check your drivers license... rules changed regarding towing after (i think) 1997, which i think reduces the weight limit you can tow, i think you need to take an additional test to beable to tow above a certain combined weight of tow car and trailer, to tow above this limit means you need to take an additional test.
secondly consider hillclimbing/sprints initally - cheap to enter (about £80 an event) as you can enter your standard road car (there was a chap at this years harewood hillclimb who campainged in a 1.0 nissan micra in the roadgoing class) and also protective clothing is less stringent... single layer proban suit, and no fireproof boots, gloves and shoes required (altho recommened)
or theres plenty of cheap race series... but your looking at several grand in your inital season for the car, helmet, suit & entry fees, and maybe a suitable tow vehicle
also, if your not planning on competing till 2009...and want to get to lots or meetings next year, consider marshaling.
means you will get to go to any meeting you want, for free, and be on the best side of the fence and see alot of racing and different clubs and series that you probly didnt know existed. theres a huge wealth of experiance on the bank - many marshals are ex drivers, current drivers or have been marshaling for many years (for example theres a couple of guys at Oulton Park who have been marshaling there since OP opened in the 50's)
there'll be training days coming up in Jan/Feb/March - check the volunteers in motorsport website here
means you will get to go to any meeting you want, for free, and be on the best side of the fence and see alot of racing and different clubs and series that you probly didnt know existed. theres a huge wealth of experiance on the bank - many marshals are ex drivers, current drivers or have been marshaling for many years (for example theres a couple of guys at Oulton Park who have been marshaling there since OP opened in the 50's)
there'll be training days coming up in Jan/Feb/March - check the volunteers in motorsport website here
Get your self along to the Autosport show in January and speak to all the clubs, incl karting ones. They always have leaflets etc on race series.
Also, as people have said, you could always do arrive and drive packages. These range from £500 to £0000's per meeting depending on the series. Try Club100 for arrive & drive 2stroke karting, will give you a chance to see what your like and you dont need a race licence.
Also, as people have said, you could always do arrive and drive packages. These range from £500 to £0000's per meeting depending on the series. Try Club100 for arrive & drive 2stroke karting, will give you a chance to see what your like and you dont need a race licence.
The lad says he wants to go rallying, and everyone gives him advice about racing...
Rallying's great. I've got a vaguely standard 106 1.3 Rallye that's pretty competitive in its class. I'm not any good, but generally pick up 2nd and 3rds in class in a car that you could probably buy for a couple of grand. Much more importantly, it's brilliantly good fun.
The www.britishrally.co.uk/forum is a great source of information, and the people there won't try to convince you to go racing instead!
Regarding championships... in my experience you're much better off picking and chosing events that you can afford, and that you actually want to do. I'm 2004 Heart of England Rally Champion, but I don't give a sh*t and neither does anyone else...
Rallying's great. I've got a vaguely standard 106 1.3 Rallye that's pretty competitive in its class. I'm not any good, but generally pick up 2nd and 3rds in class in a car that you could probably buy for a couple of grand. Much more importantly, it's brilliantly good fun.
The www.britishrally.co.uk/forum is a great source of information, and the people there won't try to convince you to go racing instead!
Regarding championships... in my experience you're much better off picking and chosing events that you can afford, and that you actually want to do. I'm 2004 Heart of England Rally Champion, but I don't give a sh*t and neither does anyone else...
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