Thinking of taking it one step further?

[LuckyP]

I was. About this time last year. Went out and bought an MR2 race car and the next thing I knew I was lined up with 30 Nomex knights in their steel chariots ready to do battle.

Here is a little video to show how it went.

8th in the 2009 MR2 Championship and Top Novice Trophy.....I thank you

If anyone is having thoughts like I was, go on, indulge yourself. I've now retired after one year - quit whilst ahead!!

Anyways makes good TV......

Lucky

http://www.vimeo.com/7416434

[DaveL86]

Nice one, looks fun.

To be honest the video would have been better if it was just one or two full laps with some over taking and no background music, the switching and changing scenes lost me.

[LuckyP]

DaveL86 said:

Nice one, looks fun.

To be honest the video would have been better if it was just one or two full laps with some over taking and no background music, the switching and changing scenes lost me.

No problem. See what you mean. This was a complilation vid, so difficult to get a few laps in.

However, go crazy on the vid section here if you want full laps:

www.luckypracing.com

[John D.]

Nice vid, I actually quite liked just seeing the highlights (and the tune). Particularly enjoyed the Cadwell footage. Looks like an absolute hoot! I'd love to have a go. You were actually quite far up the grid most of the time; well done.

[telford_mike]

Great stuff mate - thanks for sharing - looks like good fun and vey tempting!

[deviant]

So what has made you decide to give it up after one season?

[LuckyP]

deviant said:

So what has made you decide to give it up after one season?

Good question. I guess I just didn't get 'the hook'. Look around the paddock at a Club meet and you'll see Father and sons (and mothers & daughters), motorhomes, caravans, tents, bbqs etc. The guys took this thing real serious - you could see it was in their blood, or at least really under their skin. Hats off to Clup racers and their supporters, it really is a massive undertaking.

I just wanted to pitch up in the car (driven to the circuit - only one in the champ to be mad (or stupid) enought to do this!), go practice, get in the car and drive to a hotel, back in the car, plates off and race!! Luckily the car was always in one piece at the end!! (Apart from that last race at Snett, but luckily, having temporarily misplaced my licence (), I was trailered there...)

So, the aim was to see if what I get upto on trackdays could cut it against these racer types. The answer is yes....of sorts. There were a handfull of really talented guys who were consitantly 1-2 secs faster over a 1min 45 lap. OK so thay had years of racing experience, but they were st hot!!

I'm thinking of getting some track coaching from them.

Did I answer your quezzie?

[Ralf Rockefeller]

How much did it cost all in?

I am very interested in something like this- however may well see if it is possible to rent a car legible for race weekends?

RR

[deviant]

LuckyP said:

Did I answer your quezzie?

You sure did mate. I can imagine it would be easy to get a bit disheartened when you feel like you are driving right to your limits and then there are guys that are still quicker! I guess if you really want to do this then you have to work at it and keep driving....but then if you didnt catch the bug you will never enjoy your motorsport if you feel like your forcing yourself to do it.

I think it also depends on just how much time / money your willing to put in to it, even at club level the front guys spend a decent amount of money and time on it so you need to ask yourself if your happy playing mid-field or if you really want to push yourself to get to the front.

[boxsey]

Will be interested to hear what you think of just going back to trackdays after your one racing season. Saying this, there were a number of race cars out with us at Oulton yesterday that looked like they were having fun even though they're season is finished. Of course, I expect your new toy is going to help you enjoy yourself even though they will ONLY be trackdays.

[LuckyP]

Ralf Rockefeller said:

How much did it cost all in?

I am very interested in something like this- however may well see if it is possible to rent a car legible for race weekends?

RR

As a rough guide:

Car purchase - Race Prepped and ready to go £6500
Entry fees 13 races - £2000
Tyres 3 sets - £1000
ARDS - £250
Helmet - £400
Suit - £250
Booties - £80
B&Bs or Hotels - £1000
Testing day fees x 7 - £1000
Fuel (race and road) - £600
Spun big end - £1500
Overheating issue - £700
Car set up - £500
New Suspension - £1000
Consumables - £500

So that's about £17,280 inc car purchase or £10,780 without.

Oh....wish I hadn't done that!

[LuckyP]

Ralf Rockefeller said:

How much did it cost all in?

I am very interested in something like this- however may well see if it is possible to rent a car legible for race weekends?

RR

Oh and cars can be rented from Rogue Motorsport by race, or AW Tracksport who looked after me (ste - I forgot to factor that cost in ) and had the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and best novice in his (Andy Waters) care.

[LuckyP]

boxsey said:

.......Of course, I expect your new toy is going to help you enjoy yourself even though they will ONLY be trackdays.

Hoping so!!

[ARAF]

Thanks for sharing. I too was interested in your costs for the year, and you have confirmed what I thought with regard to cost.

I can continue 'playing' at track days, and still won't mind 'proper' racers looking down their nose at me. I will have the smug satisfaction that my season costs about half of what a budget race outfit would cost for the year.

Well done on your achievements for the year, all credit to you for having a go.

[LuckyP]

ARAF said:

...Well done on your achievements for the year, all credit to you for having a go.

Awww....shucks....

[Jon_Bmw]

Thanks for posting Lucky, I think you have convinced me, I have got to do it. Just to try it. I don't even mind not being that competitive(easy saying that now I guess) as there will always be a car and driver around your own ability.

Great video, although a lot of door banging, nothing serious at all, and I presume it was a whole seasons footage of incidents.

Now, which bank to rob.

[LuckyP]

Jon_Bmw said:

Thanks for posting Lucky, I think you have convinced me, I have got to do it. Just to try it. I don't even mind not being that competitive(easy saying that now I guess) as there will always be a car and driver around your own ability.

Great video, although a lot of door banging, nothing serious at all, and I presume it was a whole seasons footage of incidents.

Now, which bank to rob.

You are dead right. Some had no contact, some had more. But that was all mine in 9 mins of condensed action!!

This MSVR Enduro Race seems to the answer to many people's 'what if' question. Sounds good to me.

[Ralf Rockefeller]

Thanks for the reply.

Despite all the costs being reasonable, as you mentioned, it all adds up.

If I can get it down to 10k then it may be do-able in a years time- will get planning.

Good luck, and well done.

[BJD]

ARAF said:

Thanks for sharing. I too was interested in your costs for the year, and you have confirmed what I thought with regard to cost.

I can continue 'playing' at track days, and still won't mind 'proper' racers looking down their nose at me. I will have the smug satisfaction that my season costs about half of what a budget race outfit would cost for the year.

Well done on your achievements for the year, all credit to you for having a go.

Depends on if you are comparing like with like. The season was 13 races, so you'd need to add the cost of 13 track days. Petrol costs to get to and from the track would presumably be the same whether it's travel to a track day or race day. On track fuel costs would be more for a track day as you are typically on track for longer. Hotel costs are optional for track days or racing, test days are optional. Costs of upgrading suspension and/or mechanical problems could apply to a race or track day car, etc etc. Once the one off up front costs (ARDS, racing kit) are out of the way, although there is probably less track time for the money racing is arguably still better value if you factor adrenaline into the equation.

[FlyInMySoup]

Races are typically on a Saturday or Sunday, so you don't need to take holiday.