Toe in the water - first steps in cars for a young driver?

[shoestring7]

SS7 Jnr is about to to turn 18 and wants to get a bit of experience in cars. He's had the occasional drive in hire karts and done ok, and has had some experience in a pro simulator where after an hour or two he was as 'quick' as the regulars. He's under no illusions about being the next LH (he's a lean 6ft tall already in any case), or even being a pro driver, but has a little money* coming to him would like to get some track experience and decent coaching under his belt. BTW he's had a driving licence nearly a year.

Most of the circuits nowadays just seem to run supercar experiences; he did something like that in the summer and wasn't very impressed. ISTR a 3 day course used to be run at Silverstone in FFords but I can't see any sign of it now. I did think we might find a Caterham team running arrive and drive track days + tuition, but I've not been able to do that either.

Any suggestions welcome

SS7
*No-where near enough to fund a season and no rich dad either!

[shoestring7]

300bhp/ton said:

Or failing that, just go an have a go at some grass roots motor sport.

Start with something simply like AutoTests or AutoSolo's. Targa Rallys and hill climbs. Lots of chance to go and have a go if you are interested.

Tuition is fine, but maybe finding your own feet first and your limitations are a good place to start too. Then look at tuition once you know where you faults are and in what sort of discipline you want to compete.

Two problems with that; firstly you need a suitable car, something that's problematic for most 17 years olds, and secondly you get to learn from your mistakes - not always the best approach in a dangerous sport.

SS7

[shoestring7]

joe_90 said:

Palmer motor sport day?

Possibly. However after spending a day with a pro driving coach and a simulator analysing traces and using them to improve times he might feel that's just a bit of a joy-ride, not a way to improve skills.

So far an arrive&drive Caterham track day (with instructor) looks like his best option.

SS7

[shoestring7]

TVRinBFG said:

a free/cheap app like Harry's or RaceChrono means the two of you can compare times against each other?

Terrible idea!!

SS7
PS Bin 'ere since it was all fields and finally I'm TOTD!

[shoestring7]

Thanks for the replies, suggestions and PMs. Its a shame in some ways that the TOTD headline was 'Grassroots' motorsport as that's not really the question I was asking; I've done a couple of sprints and hills in the past and while I understand its great fun and cost effective, its not circuit racing.

The suggestions about using his own car for autotests etc. might have been more relevant if it wasn't a 30 year old diesel with 55bhp, and while a cheap warm hatch/MX5/Westfield etc would be nice at the moment he'd end up spending his annual 'budget' on insurance. Likewise we don't have the space for a shared trackday slag unless I give up my old classic.

The answer a few years ago was to sign up to Jim Russell's at Brands like SpiralP's son, but I cannot find a modern equivalent. Ironically, if I could travel to Canada I wouldn't have the same problem: https://www.jimrussell.com/en/schedules.cfm?cId=1

I think the answer for now is to try an arrive and drive trackdays, and if that works do a few more and see where that leads. He'd planning to go to Uni, so there's a possibility of karts or Formula Student. He can build his experience, make contacts, earn lots of money and then get into it as much as he wants!

SS7