budget racing? where?

[leeb]

i am looking to get back into the racing thing, after racing karts for years, running out of cash and not having time i had to stop. that hurts!!

i am looking to get into something and i am looking for suggestions on the best places to look to get started. i am talking budget, fun weekend racing. not overly worried what it is, other than not really looking to the banger route.

anyone here race like this?

thanks.

[rallycross]

stockhatch, 750 mc, great fun, not too expensive.

[MrKipling43]

Caterham academy?

[pikeyboy]

dont kid yourself, no racing is cheap. even cheap racing is expensive. cost of racing is a sore point at the moment, i just broke two gear boxes in the frogeye in consecutive races. never mind two weeks till oulton park and only another entry fee to stump for snetterton before then

[anonymous-user]

MrKipling43 said:

Caterham academy?

how is £20K for the first season budget racing?!? i always laugh when i see people refer to caterham academy as a budget series. just because it is the first rung of the caterham ladder does not make it cheap. for that money you could buy a radical clubsport and do a season in something like the bikesports if winning wasnt a priority....

given the expereince of the original poster (years of karts etc) i would look be looking for some serious thrills such as a clubmans racer or a single seater to run in monopostos. i appreciate taht caterhams provide close racing but its an awful lot of money.

[Munter]

Have a look at the MR2 and MX5 series. They have both tried to keep the cars as standard as is possible to keep costs down. The MX5 series is full grids as it seems very popular.

http://www.max5racing.com/ for the mx5's not sure of the web address for the MR2 series.

[no.53]

what about the golf gti series with 750 motor club - promising full grids and close racing in stock style regulations

[egomeister]

If you simply want to compete (rather than circuit race) i'd advise finding your local motor club and starting road rallying. Costs bugger all beyond the purchase price of the car.

[m3pilot]

ive just started the stockhatch series at SEMSEC, All rounds are at lydden in kent or brands hatch, might be worth a look on www.semsec.org.uk 

[shedman]

Locost, Kit Cars or Stock Hatch with 750mc will set you back about 10K for a season inc. car, trailer, entry fees, fuel, tools and the odd repair. 750mc is probably the best value circuit racing club. www.750mc.co.uk

Mini/MX5 racing probably of a similar cost.

[OSR]

After the bank holiday fun in the wet at Snetterton 2CV racing could be an option if you just want cheap fun racing. Petrol Ted, Chassis 33, Ed and James all reakoned it was the most fun they'd ever had on a track. There are a few teams that do arrive & drives for about £1500 for a 2 hour enduro race if you fancy just giving it a go. If you don't want to do banger racing I'd give the 750MC Stockhatchs a miss, those guys are nutters

[FWDRacer]

Try here...

www.mini7.co.uk

[Nicol@]

OSR said:

If you don't want to do banger racing I'd give the 750MC Stockhatchs a miss, those guys are nutters

Only a little banger racing at the 750 races at Mallory yesterday (of course none of it was on purpose).

I am sure the 750MC could give you lots of advice as they run so many race series.

[Chrisgr31]

Try Hovercraft racing!

[Incorrigible]

How budget is budget ??

I race a caterham and know I could race cheaper, but IMHO the racing you get makes it very good value I've marshalled at the odd club weekend and if you want good racing I'd consider BMW stock saloon series, Max5, championships or any of the Caterham series (all budget dependant)

And re Caterham academy being cheap or not: it costs the same as a new factory built caterham (if you get the kit, they'll supply it built for an extra £2.5k) so that's only £2.5k for a first season. Which I reckon's OK. Much cheaper to buy a second hand racer a few years old for £10k of course

[System-G]

Munter said:

Have a look at the MR2 and MX5 series. They have both tried to keep the cars as standard as is possible to keep costs down. The MX5 series is full grids as it seems very popular.

http://www.max5racing.com/ for the mx5's not sure of the web address for the MR2 series.

Agreed.

www.mr2racing.com

[m3psm]

I race in the BMW Kumho on a very tight budget and recone each double header costs me around £500 and single races about £400 if you count race and transport fuel, entry fees and food. I always sleep in the car or the tent so there are no accomodation costs and I've not counted any damage (none so far) or tyres (two set a year @ about £1k total)

Any maintenance will cost extra again if you don't have sponsorship.

I budget £5k a year with £2k reserve for unforseeables and I don't think you can do circuit racing on decent tracks much cheaper because you'll always need fuel and tyres and the entry fees don't get that much cheaper whatever you race.

On top of that you've got to get the car and all your clothing, helmet and hans.

Is it worth it? Oh yes

[Chassis 33]

Another thumbs up for the 2CV racing, as Charlie said they're great fun, because they have no power (my farts have more grunt) you have to be a bloody good driver to get every ounce of corner speed out of the car, add to that the paddock has wonderful atmosphere and you're onto a winner if you overcome the snobbery of racing "just" a 2CV.

I looked at the Max5 series for this season and although it looked cheap at the outset things started to mount up and it seems from talking to more and more people that if you're not with the in crowd you must be cheating if you are quick and the idea of rebuilding my car every weekend just cos someone got upset I was faster than them didn't appeal.

Regards
Iain

[Sixpackpert]

Chrisgr31 said:

Try Hovercraft racing!

Pick up a second hand craft for anything between £500 - £5000. Weekend costs £65 for registration, £15 camping plus whatever fuel you'll use, approx 60-120 litres depending on engine size and amount of races you do.

Approx 6-7 meetings a year up and down the country.

Then come and join us having fun upto speeds of 70mph with no brakes!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24YwvfokxJU 

http://www.hovercraft.org.uk/ 

Edited by Sixpackpert on Monday 4th June 16:38