2009 seniors

[lewis1]

hi guys,
i have a few questions about 2009 for u all,

firstly is there any tv coverage arranged for 09?
also is there a calender yet?
and finally about running a car,
how possible is it for someone to be competitive running thereselves in the championship.
i have basic mechanical knowledge but i wouldnt consider myself an expert.
so whats you opinion on doing this?

thanks guys and girls

lewis

[Jay Ashton]

Hi Lewis,

Unfortunately the calendar for 2009 is not even at the provisional stage at the moment as "we" - Ginetta - are still in negotiations. As such, I would not like to comment on the level of TV available at the moment.

With regarding running yourself, the top two Championship leaders - Spencer McCarthy (No52 PH member) and Kieran Vernon are both 'privateers' although Spencer and his brother Russel do run together. 4th placed man Andy Smith (PH member Atom120) also runs himself - as does PH's own RacingPete - Peter Dignan - with the help of PH volunteers.

I'm sure they'll all agree that everybody pretty much helps each other out wherever possible, and there's always a Ginetta body from the Factory at each Texaco Havoline Championship round who builds the cars, so knows them inside out.

Feel free to give us a buzz on 08452 10 50 50 - Stewart Linn or Jamie Robinson are the co-ordinators who are very helpful.

I hope this helps, but hopefully others will offer their opinion first hand!

Jay

[lewis1]

thanks for all the help.
any more opinions are greatly appreciated. i cant afford the 60k arrive and drive fee so im looking at other options!

[RacingPete]

I think it is very possible to race as a privateer and the first race at Mallory Park proved that this leads to success with the top three: Andy, Spencer and myself filling the podium who all run ourselves (and are all PHers).

Most do run with someone to help them out on the day with the car, though Tom Jones - who has been succesfully getting better results through the season - runs the car by himself and I suppose Spencer and Russel also too, but they are there to help each other out.

Though if you have something major go on the car then you will get lots of help from the other drivers and teams and mechanics throughout the paddock. It is very friendly and I can point to a gearbox change at Silverstone which Paul Morgan helped massively on it regardless of me qualifying next to him on the grid. Also at Knockhill when it rained even the G50 teams and mechanics came and helped with guns to get the tyres changed on those that decided with minutes before the start to change tyres.

Budgeting wise running as a privateer I am looking at spending around £1,000 a race meeting (for both races as all double headers). Though next year if I can raise the money I will probably look at race insurance for the season which will add another £150-200 a meeting.

If you want anymore answers then let me know and I will try to answer them, or I am sure some other PHers in the championship can add some advice.

[LittleMinx]

Race Insurance is a must for the year I think, judging on the amount of damage done this year... esp. those tricky first corners!

If you're unlucky like me, you might just send yourself backwards into a wall for no apparent reason the day before the first race of the season! Lol... er, it was wet... there was something on the track... um...

If you have no insurance, you should allow a contingency fund of about 10k for damage throughout the year. Sounds like a lot but it really does add up! I know of another driver who had 10k contingency and they used it all up within the first half of the season... just something to bear in mind anyways! Hope it helps.

Edited by LittleMinx on Saturday 18th October 20:32

Edited by LittleMinx on Saturday 18th October 20:33