Raced for years, now a bit disillusioned-but what next?!
Discussion
I've had an MSA licence since 1994, and raced in a few 'clubby' type championships over the years - I started with karting and then various tin-tops and now a Formula Ford. It would be fair to say that I'm addicted to racing: when I'm not racing I'm thinking about it, watching it, or talking about it (actually that makes me sound like a right sad sac-it's not quite that bad but other racer types will probably get where I'm coming from!) I've never really had any aspirations to make a career from it or anything, I'm 'not bad' at it I s'pose and have won quite a few races but I'm not the second coming and i'm not loaded so it is just a hobby..
Anyway the seasons underway - ive missed the first two rounds due to other commitments (which is not unusual for me, Ive never really put a serious championship challenge together)and I will have to miss some others later on because of work and so will only realistically be able to do 3 or 4 rounds. So I'm looking at the costs, and for the first time ever im really struggling to justify it in my mind - its always been expensive of course but ive always found the money to do it and gone without new clothes, or shoes or whatever normal people spend money on!
So to get to the next race will cost as follows, give or take:
Club membership 150
Race entry 300
Half day testing 180 (I don't normally test, but the cars had a lot of work done on it since last year)
Fuel for car/lorry 120
Tax for lorry 90
Insurance for lorry 400
Wear and tear ?
Thats a lot of dough for a 20 min qually/20 minute race! I know some of the costs will be split over all of the races I do, but the less I do the worse value it becomes, so I'm kind of thinking maybe I wont bother this year. Then I'm thinking maybe i'll just sell up, but then what?
Anyone else been in this boat? What else is there that doesn't cost the earth? Ovals? Karting? Some grasstrack stuff? Don't fancy rallying or sprints or whatever-I like a bit of wheel to wheel action..
First world problems and all that, but any suggestions?!
Anyway the seasons underway - ive missed the first two rounds due to other commitments (which is not unusual for me, Ive never really put a serious championship challenge together)and I will have to miss some others later on because of work and so will only realistically be able to do 3 or 4 rounds. So I'm looking at the costs, and for the first time ever im really struggling to justify it in my mind - its always been expensive of course but ive always found the money to do it and gone without new clothes, or shoes or whatever normal people spend money on!
So to get to the next race will cost as follows, give or take:
Club membership 150
Race entry 300
Half day testing 180 (I don't normally test, but the cars had a lot of work done on it since last year)
Fuel for car/lorry 120
Tax for lorry 90
Insurance for lorry 400
Wear and tear ?
Thats a lot of dough for a 20 min qually/20 minute race! I know some of the costs will be split over all of the races I do, but the less I do the worse value it becomes, so I'm kind of thinking maybe I wont bother this year. Then I'm thinking maybe i'll just sell up, but then what?
Anyone else been in this boat? What else is there that doesn't cost the earth? Ovals? Karting? Some grasstrack stuff? Don't fancy rallying or sprints or whatever-I like a bit of wheel to wheel action..
First world problems and all that, but any suggestions?!
I don't know how many championships an FF is eligible for, but find a car that could be used in lots of different series and you'll find you miss some series due to clashes but can pick up other races in other championships. Buy some kind of hot hatch, BMW, Porsche or MX5, there's loads of races available for these
this way you can also just do you favorite circuits.
this way you can also just do you favorite circuits.
ShakeyJake188 said:
Nothing beats racing and you know it, put your hand in your pocket!!
Agree!woof said:
Try the CSCC or 750MC mini enduro type races (depending on what car you're racing).
Relaxed paddock and well priced track time
Strongly agree - either more track time for your fixed costs and travel or you can share the car and costs with a mate.Relaxed paddock and well priced track time
wildman0609 said:
I don't know how many championships an FF is eligible for, but find a car that could be used in lots of different series and you'll find you miss some series due to clashes but can pick up other races in other championships. Buy some kind of hot hatch, BMW, Porsche or MX5, there's loads of races available for these
this way you can also just do you favorite circuits.
Also agree.this way you can also just do you favorite circuits.
You could use your FF in Monoposto 1600 as well or the cars that Wildman mentions can all be used in various CSCC series, 750mc Roadsports, MSVR Trackday Trophy and/ or various regional series depending on the regs and spec. Pick the right car and it will be eligible for a number of things.
Edited by andy97 on Thursday 8th May 08:57
I think if you move away from circuit racing a lot will depend on what else is available close to home. I am in the same boat as I really don't like the travelling and the costs associated with it to leave my local area which I love. I have also suffered from really bad hay fever the past 3 years which tends to wreck the start of the season for me so I am working on the basis going forward that if I still drive a car on UK circuits it won't be in April & May, like you that leaves one in a situation where say 4 race weekends per year or so is really really bad value for money + you have the issue that by July everyone else who hasn't crashed is well on it and you come to an event cold without the track time under the belt.
I also don't know what to do but I keep getting it in the ear from the Mrs to sell up, she has never liked me racing.
I also don't know what to do but I keep getting it in the ear from the Mrs to sell up, she has never liked me racing.
You could find someone who wants to driver share? If you are a safe and fairly decent known driver there might well be someone around doing two driver 40-60 min races. Halves alot of the costs and can be very fun/rewarding having a team mate, comparing racing lines, helping each other improve etc.
Thanks for the replies folks-actually my problem isn't one of eligibility - the Formula Ford can go in all sorts of races but then I'm into membership for this, membership for that etc, even if some do day memberships.
Long distance type stuff-well it's an idea I suppose although I did a couple of Britcar things ages ago which were ok. My problem is that one driver is at the mercy of the other which can work ok but can also be pretty frustrating. And I don't like multi-class racing much!
I'm thinking more along the lines of non-MSA, but is there anything that's any good!
Long distance type stuff-well it's an idea I suppose although I did a couple of Britcar things ages ago which were ok. My problem is that one driver is at the mercy of the other which can work ok but can also be pretty frustrating. And I don't like multi-class racing much!
I'm thinking more along the lines of non-MSA, but is there anything that's any good!
I have just been through this,sold my race car 6 years ago.Had mini crisis when 50 approached so borrowed a car entered Oulton spent well over a grand (new helmet,suit etc).Car was not so good ,i was pretty useless too,BUT it was such fun.Cadwell next then the 24hrs ar Anglesey,now that will make the costs seem more reasonable.So don't sell up it was the worst thing I did by far,I should have got a loan for a central heating system not sold my race car to fund it.
You would be very welcome to race with Monoposto. Entry fees are normally £ 190 for a single quali / race or £ 370 for a double header weekend - 2 quali, 2 races, 15m long. There are classes for Kent, 1800 Zetec and Duratec Formula Fords, and whilst you may not like multi-class racing, you will have someone to race against.
24/25 May - Rockingham
14/15 June - Thruxton
19 July - Oulton Park (£ 325 - 1 quali, 2 races)
16/17 August - Silverstone GP (£ 385 - 1 quali, 2 races)
13/14 September Brands Hatch Grand Prix (£ 385 2 quali, 2 races)
The rest of the calender is on pretty good circuits.
There is additional non-championship races at Spa - three day meeting, 2 quali, 2 races, one at Mallory Park and also a 2 meeting winter series in October
They do guest membership for £ 30 for 1 off meeting or £ 60 for 2 meetings, refunded if you extend membership.
24/25 May - Rockingham
14/15 June - Thruxton
19 July - Oulton Park (£ 325 - 1 quali, 2 races)
16/17 August - Silverstone GP (£ 385 - 1 quali, 2 races)
13/14 September Brands Hatch Grand Prix (£ 385 2 quali, 2 races)
The rest of the calender is on pretty good circuits.
There is additional non-championship races at Spa - three day meeting, 2 quali, 2 races, one at Mallory Park and also a 2 meeting winter series in October
They do guest membership for £ 30 for 1 off meeting or £ 60 for 2 meetings, refunded if you extend membership.
Edited by norwichphoto on Thursday 8th May 11:57
If you want cheap wheel-to-wheel racing, then I'd have thought Autograss is where it's at. Cars are peanuts and, last I checked, spectators pay the same as drivers to enter. It's always cheaper to race against the clock than other cars though, so if budget is the primary concern, that's your route.
I try not to think of the costs myself.
What I do know is this. My first win on a hot day in Cadwell still makes me smile. My first race still makes me cringe and then smile. My first time in front of the COC makes me not want to go through that again! I'm 50 and felt like a naughty child.
I think about motorsport pretty much all the time and have not found anything that comes close to the nerves and excitement that I get from a motorsport weekend. I have to say for me and I know it's a a personal thing I prefer endurance, longer races more time in the car. I want to do a 24hour soon.
What I do know is this. My first win on a hot day in Cadwell still makes me smile. My first race still makes me cringe and then smile. My first time in front of the COC makes me not want to go through that again! I'm 50 and felt like a naughty child.
I think about motorsport pretty much all the time and have not found anything that comes close to the nerves and excitement that I get from a motorsport weekend. I have to say for me and I know it's a a personal thing I prefer endurance, longer races more time in the car. I want to do a 24hour soon.
NJH said:
I think if you move away from circuit racing a lot will depend on what else is available close to home. I am in the same boat as I really don't like the travelling and the costs associated with it to leave my local area which I love. I have also suffered from really bad hay fever the past 3 years which tends to wreck the start of the season for me so I am working on the basis going forward that if I still drive a car on UK circuits it won't be in April & May,
Go and get a steriod injection, I did. No more hayfeaver.Soul Reaver said:
I'm 50 and felt like a naughty child.
I think about motorsport pretty much all the time and have not found anything that comes close to the nerves and excitement that I get from a motorsport weekend. I have to say for me and I know it's a a personal thing I prefer endurance, longer races more time in the car. I want to do a 24hour soon.
Are you certain you're not me?! Ditto - completely!I think about motorsport pretty much all the time and have not found anything that comes close to the nerves and excitement that I get from a motorsport weekend. I have to say for me and I know it's a a personal thing I prefer endurance, longer races more time in the car. I want to do a 24hour soon.
You could do grass track or prokart endurance karting or auto testing, all miles cheaper than circuit racing with cars. Its actually the one thing I regret is not getting into something when I was in my 20's, instead I waited till my mid 30's when I had the money to turn my road going sports car into a race car.
Thanks to the previous poster about the reminder on the injection. Really fed up at the moment as I had to call in to withdraw from racing at Silverstone this weekend. Had a coughing/sneezing fit yesterday morning and put my neck out, was in agony earlier today, the muscle on my right shoulder is really painful I almost passed out when some deep heat was put on it.
Thanks to the previous poster about the reminder on the injection. Really fed up at the moment as I had to call in to withdraw from racing at Silverstone this weekend. Had a coughing/sneezing fit yesterday morning and put my neck out, was in agony earlier today, the muscle on my right shoulder is really painful I almost passed out when some deep heat was put on it.
NJH said:
You could do grass track or prokart endurance karting or auto testing, all miles cheaper than circuit racing with cars. Its actually the one thing I regret is not getting into something when I was in my 20's, instead I waited till my mid 30's when I had the money to turn my road going sports car into a race car.
Oh, I've done some Pro-Kart endurance! Honestly, the best fun I've ever had. I'm sure we came last in every race but our karts chassis was about twenty seasons behind the rest... excuses excuses excuses Haha ; ) I'm trying to turn my (second) road car into a track car, but even then it's just so expensive. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining! Just takes ages to get anything done.
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