Getting into racing..

[erdnase]

As has no doubt happened many times the world over, the talk in the pub the other night turned to how much fun it would be to get a little race team going with a few mates.

None of us have any experience in racing other than the odd track-day, but the general idea was buying a little hatchback or something, tinkering with it on the weekends, and hopefully taking it to the odd event. Obviously it would be an expensive hobby, but one that I think could be fun. Even if we're awful at racing, it'd be an interesting project, just tinkering with the car on weekends, male bonding, etc.

Has anyone ever done this with no experience, and is it a pipe dream? Three friends, a sub 1k car to modify, and perhaps 4 or 5 races a year. Can this be done, or would it be a recipe for disaster between 3 equally inexperienced mates? We're enthusiastic about cars, enjoy tinkering, but by no means seriously competent mechanics. We're guessing it would be a money pit, but I'm sure there are worse ways to spend money and get some enjoyment in return.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated! Like I say, it was just a bit of pub talk that put the idea into our heads, but could/would this ever work out between 3 mates?

[Notshortnottall]

I wouldn't say it's impossible - but a lot will depend on how competitive you want to be and how much you can get done "on the cheap" or for "mates rates".

Try and work out a budget, then at least double it. Racing isn't a cheap sport. Going to and from trakcs as well as raceday petrol regularly costs me £300-400 in fuel alone. Then there's entry fee's, tyres and other consumables before you even think about what happens if you have a shunt.

I'd definately say chase it, as it will be one of the best things you'll ever do. You just need to make sure you're realistic. Try and wing it on a poorly thought budget and you'll soon come unstuck.

Best of luck.

[mattikake]

http://www.nipponchallenge.co.uk/mr2/

Right up your street. Right up mine too. When my mk3 mr2 has seen better days...

I wish I had mates like yours. In fact, I just wish I had some mates.

[covboy]

I wish you luck.

The main drawback I see is the team being run by "comittee"

Along the line there will be some pretty hard and harsh decisions to be made. It really needs a figurehead to be the leader, but when everyone shares costs it usually ends in tears.

[skeggysteve]

Get yourself to a club race meeting and talk to a few drivers, most will be happy to give you advice.

Not sure how four drivers is going to work but, at this stage, that is not that important.
What is important is that you all understand that motor sport is expensive - take your budget and multiply by 4 and you'll be a bit closer to the real cost!

[rallycross]

Why not?
Buy an older but near race ready car from a club series like 750 mc bring it up to date (belts, extinguisher, transponder, Tyres, service) and go and race it.

MSV team trophy or track day trophy good entry point, or MGOC or 750 mc or SEMSEC

Budget for ;

Race entry £200-£350 per event
Club/series entry £100+ yr
race licence and ARDS £300+ medical
Petrol food b&b per event £150+
Plus

stuff you never budgeted for - £1,000's!

[EDLT]

Does it have to be circuit racing? Time trials, autotests and grasstrack racing (probably others too) allow you to share a car between two drivers which will help keep everyone motivated.

[The Moose]

mattikake said:

http://www.nipponchallenge.co.uk/mr2/

Right up your street. Right up mine too. When my mk3 mr2 has seen better days...

I wish I had mates like yours. In fact, I just wish I had some mates.

I used to race in this - if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Cheers

[Hybrids]

The Moose said:

mattikake said:

http://www.nipponchallenge.co.uk/mr2/

Right up your street. Right up mine too. When my mk3 mr2 has seen better days...

I wish I had mates like yours. In fact, I just wish I had some mates.

I used to race in this - if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Cheers

They have relaunched the Nippon Challenge web site:

http://www.reddragonraceandtrackclub.com/

[andy97]

Its alway, always, always cheaper to buy a car that has already been prepaered for racing than to try to do it yourself & plenty of cars can be found ready to race for about £2000 - Fiestas, Metros, Fiats, Alfas etc. Have a look at the motorsport classifieds on here or racecarsdirect.

I am biased but I'd recommend the CSCC - 40 minute races & 2 drivers can share because there's a compulsory pit stop. Great track time & great value for money. There's also usually a 15 minute Sports Vs Saloon challenge race at the end of the day which is for allcomers. If you have already raced earlier in the day, this race entry fee is approx £100. Because the CSCC runs series rather than championships there's no pressure to run in every event.

Plenty of novices race with the CSCC. Have a look at the website: http://www.classicsportscarclub.co.uk/, particularly the bits about "Tin Tops". I race in Tin Tops so if you have any questions please PM me.

There's a CSCC meeing on at Mallory Park this coming Bank Holiday weekend so go along & have a chat to people in the paddock. Tin Tops & Future Classics are on the sunday & the monday features the very special revival festival for Special/Super Saloons & Modsports etc. If you want to chat to fellow competitors in Tin Tops then sunday is the best day to go.

[Soul Reaver]

I second that Andy I am well over 20 grand now on my Clio build LOL with another 15k to make it endurance spec if I go that route after TDT.

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?5522...

Taken 9 months so far although if I did'nt live in Bern it would have been done in 3 to be honest. Track Day Trophy for me soon and cant wait now...


Mark.

[andy97]

Several other Clios to race against in CSCC Tin Tops! Similar 40 min races (I wonder where MSVR got the idea from ?) and a 1 hour race at Spa.

[erdnase]

So many brilliant pieces of advice and things to think about.. thanks so much guys!

Like I said, nothing's gone beyond pub talk at the moment, but now I have a rough idea of how practical it could actually be. The MR2 racing looks awesome (I YouTubed some clips!), as do the other things like hill climbs, etc.

Lots of food for thought

[TXWRX]

i think hill climbs and sprints would be a good way to get going, will be doing some myself when my car is finally ready. If you want to go 'racing' sort yourself out with a car that can compete in a series then start of with some hillclimbs and sprints to ease yourself in and see how you go, as has been said it is generally cheaper to but a prepped car if you can find a decent one thats affordable

[andye30m3]

TXWRX said:

i think hill climbs and sprints would be a good way to get going, will be doing some myself when my car is finally ready. If you want to go 'racing' sort yourself out with a car that can compete in a series then start of with some hillclimbs and sprints to ease yourself in and see how you go, as has been said it is generally cheaper to but a prepped car if you can find a decent one thats affordable

I'd tend to agree with this as very few mods are required to a standard road car to make it legal and to a degree competitive, good fun and everyone seams friendly and happy to help out a beginner.

My first year sprinting was in a £2300 clio 172 only money I spent on it was a new set of tyres, 2nd year I went for an S2000 and this year I'm using an M3 CSL.

[slipstream 1985]

buy a big van together and take up karting. that way you can all race and you have more banter seeing who's fastest etc.