Starting out in autograss for 13yr old? Advice sought

[mattman]

My son currently races karts and his entering his final season in cadets. We are looking at what to do next as we don't really fancy the costs of minimax (money max) but still want to race (as a father/son hobby no expectations of becoming the next f1 champion)

He's decided he likes the look of autograss racing - class 1 juniors.

How viable is this for a son/father team with some mechanical know how and a single garage and a sensible budget? If so, how do you start up, seen some cars on ebay but have no idea what I'm looking for

Are there any other junior championships we can look at - don't mind just a single track championship rather than travelling around the uk. We're based in Hampshire so thruxton, castle Combe are close

Thanks in advance

[simes43]

As long as you are happy with a hammer, porta power and a jet wash then you are half the way there.

The class one is small, light and easy to work on so keeping on top of it should not be too difficult, even
in the early days, given your previous karting experience.

The rules are the same at both club and National level, so you can travel around to pick up knowledge.

http://www.yorkshiredales.uk.net/forum/

[charliemorgan]

Hi Matt

If you or your son is intrested, he can compete in the SaxMax championship when he's 14. It's built for people between the age of 14-17. It's a circuit racing championship and we go to tracks such as Oulton Park, Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington etc. All the cars are the same (Citroen Saxo VTR) so it really helps you improve your driver talent and learn about mechanics on your car, I'm 15 and I'm copeting in it, it's my first year and I'm really enjoying it! I know that it's not exactly what he wants to do but it's a step up from karting (In my opinion, Much more enjoyable aswell!). There are only 3 championships in Britain that come under these FIA rules, they are the Ginetta Junior Championship, Ford Fiesta Juniors and The SaxMax Championship. The Ginetta's and Ford's are much more expensive and seem to be loosing numbers. Whereas the SaxMax championship is gaining numbers after it was revived by the BARC this year. If you would like more information then you can just check out our websites -
http://www.saxmax.co.uk/
http://www.barc.net/news/saxmax-championship

We also have a twitter and facebook accounts if you would like to talk to someone directly -
https://twitter.com/BARC_Saxmax
https://www.facebook.com/BARCSaxmax#!/BARCSaxmax

[thunderbelmont]

As he's looking at Autograss, then you need to look on the NASA or SEGTO sites for details of your local venues.

Some info about SEGTO here.. (their own site doesn't seem to work!)
http://www.saaraceway.co.uk/Segto%20page%202009.ht...

NASA is here:

http://www.national-autograss.co.uk/

Class 1 Junior is a good start - can be rough and tumble - as the other poster said - if you've got a portapower, and a large hammer, you'll be OK.

When it comes to circuit racing, the costs will ramp up considerably, and "cheap" championships include the SAXMAX (as previously posted). The Ginetta Junior series is very good too - if your lad has aspirations at further up the ladder due to the amount of media and interest from big teams.

[designndrive62]

I would imagine if they want to stop karting because of the costs involved that ginetta juniors is not going to be an option. I don't know what level the op competes at but if its anything below super 1 karting then ginetta juniors is going to be very expensive.

[charliemorgan]

designndrive62 said:

I would imagine if they want to stop karting because of the costs involved that ginetta juniors is not going to be an option. I don't know what level the op competes at but if its anything below super 1 karting then ginetta juniors is going to be very expensive.

Me and my dad decided to do the SaxMax championship because of that reason. It gets into rediculous money when you want to be competitive in Ginetta's. In the SaxMax championship, Everybody spends around the same amount, apart from testing, which I haven't done much of but still reasonaby competative.

[simes43]

At club level the costs are very low, entry and license fees are tiny, compared to any form of circuit racing.

With the class 1 being fwd, if you do decide to move to circuit racing the car control learnt will be very useful.

Alternatively, there are another 9 or so classes to have a go at, however, the money spent on the bigger engined classes is eye watering.

You do know that you can share the car? Many do.

[mattman]

Thanks for the replies guys - will have a look at sax max and the autograss options. We're not under any misconceptions of being the next Hamilton, he just wants the chance to race and have some fun.

And we are definitely club karters not the chequebook racers in super 1, although even some of he dads at cadets at forest edge are spending £1000+ on a race weekend - that's not my budget!!