Racing to rallying
Discussion
I grew up in a rallying family. My dad, my mum, and my uncle.
Dad got sick of having to mend damage after each rally, and moved to historic single seaters. Since then, I ‘grew up’, and with dad have done single seaters, sports cars and saloons (all historic).
However we have been priced out of any form of ‘competitiveness’, and am thinking of moving to rallying, preferably post historic stage rallying (yes, I know that means more maintenance/damage etc).
Unlike racing, I’d only be competing against the clock, I’m not fussed about being beaten, it just seems like more fun. Albeit colder and muddier.
Thinking about something like a Peugeot 206 fully prepped for 12k. Loads of mates who can provide stage support, also an ex pro navigator.
I’m fully aware it is a totally different discipline (I can’t left foot brake for the life of me), and also that I know I would be slower compared to other competitors than I was in racing. I just want fun with a small element of competitiveness. Budget per annum on top of car would be about 5k (stretchable to 8 if need be). I’ve done one forest rally in an Austin A40, and loved it, but again was hugely aware about different skills etc. The fact I live in Cumbria helps, so loads of events without having to do 12 hour trips to southern race circuits as I do now.
Total naivety etc., but so many people I knew in the 80’s moved from rallying to racing, now loads seem to be going back due to race costs? I would do a full rally school first, plus skid pan.
I have an international race licence, but would have to get a rally licence.
So in essence, has anyone changed disciplines, and how did you find it?
Dad got sick of having to mend damage after each rally, and moved to historic single seaters. Since then, I ‘grew up’, and with dad have done single seaters, sports cars and saloons (all historic).
However we have been priced out of any form of ‘competitiveness’, and am thinking of moving to rallying, preferably post historic stage rallying (yes, I know that means more maintenance/damage etc).
Unlike racing, I’d only be competing against the clock, I’m not fussed about being beaten, it just seems like more fun. Albeit colder and muddier.
Thinking about something like a Peugeot 206 fully prepped for 12k. Loads of mates who can provide stage support, also an ex pro navigator.
I’m fully aware it is a totally different discipline (I can’t left foot brake for the life of me), and also that I know I would be slower compared to other competitors than I was in racing. I just want fun with a small element of competitiveness. Budget per annum on top of car would be about 5k (stretchable to 8 if need be). I’ve done one forest rally in an Austin A40, and loved it, but again was hugely aware about different skills etc. The fact I live in Cumbria helps, so loads of events without having to do 12 hour trips to southern race circuits as I do now.
Total naivety etc., but so many people I knew in the 80’s moved from rallying to racing, now loads seem to be going back due to race costs? I would do a full rally school first, plus skid pan.
I have an international race licence, but would have to get a rally licence.
So in essence, has anyone changed disciplines, and how did you find it?
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
interesting rationale to change codes.
Priced out of competitiveness in racing, but happy to cock about at the back in a rally?
FWIW I think the depth of talent in club rallying is laughably thin. Sure the front runners are good, but there are too many drivers who just 'want to get round' you only have to look at the lower orders trying to do a hand brake turn. Jesus wept. And then these very drivers that are incapable of a' correctly timed pull of the wand of plenty', spend £5000 on a new engine to go 2 secs a stage quicker, and still losing 10 secs per hairpin shunting it back and forth ad nauseum.
So on that basis, a bit of tuition should see you further up the leader board than you might expect.
Not sure it's cheaper than racing though, tarmac rallying might be, but there's the challenge of finding a co driver whose happy to pay half.
On that basis have you not considered enduro racing and sharing costs with another driver?
All fair points. I am priced out, yes, but I’m moving to more ‘having fun’ (as opposed to just cocking about lol) and just competing against the clock, and hey, I fancy a change, it’s an itch to scratch! I’d definitely start with tarmac, even just local club auto tests as a starter (friend has a Ka I can borrow). The first few would be a ‘get round’ effort, yes, before I started to push it. As an ex (race) instructor myself, I totally agree that the secret is tuition, especially for a novice to rallying like me!Priced out of competitiveness in racing, but happy to cock about at the back in a rally?
FWIW I think the depth of talent in club rallying is laughably thin. Sure the front runners are good, but there are too many drivers who just 'want to get round' you only have to look at the lower orders trying to do a hand brake turn. Jesus wept. And then these very drivers that are incapable of a' correctly timed pull of the wand of plenty', spend £5000 on a new engine to go 2 secs a stage quicker, and still losing 10 secs per hairpin shunting it back and forth ad nauseum.
So on that basis, a bit of tuition should see you further up the leader board than you might expect.
Not sure it's cheaper than racing though, tarmac rallying might be, but there's the challenge of finding a co driver whose happy to pay half.
On that basis have you not considered enduro racing and sharing costs with another driver?
The one rally I did in the A40 (very very lightly prepared) I was slowest on all the gravel stages, fastest on the one tarmac stage, which shows where my experience lies
I have no expectations of myself, just want to try I guess.I do have a co-driver (ex pro) who is interested in coming out of retirement in a very gentle manner (he is 75 after all), only costs I would ask for would be a contribution to entry fees.
I did look at, and know, a few people who do C1 enduro racing, but it’s not for me.
Edited by ChevronB19 on Tuesday 5th December 09:21
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