I want to go racing....

[Synchromesh]

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

[Synchromesh]

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.