Start racing.

[nakedninja]

Wasn't sure where exactly to put this question, but here seemed to make sense. What is the cheapest (or just cheap) and fun type of circuit racing I could get into? I fancy getting involved in some racing. I don't really want to do hill climbs or banger racing etc. I'd like to stay on track and do some wheel to wheel racing. I was inspired by the Catherham academy but that is 20K to enter. I guess I liked that one because the car was provided, kinda like the Virgin R6 cup. Any suggestions from the PH collective brain? There must be a fair few racers here? Any idea on price? I'm not going to give budgetary restrictions just so you can tell me all the ideas you have. Thanks.

[Nurburgsingh]

Have a look at 2CV racing

[mark69sheer]

If you weigh less than 90kgs then I would suggest you take up karting.

A rotax max 125cc will cost about 2k second hand for a good one.
based on 12 races a year..

7k will get you through a season /tyres track fees etc and the amount of track time you will get each month will run into hours not minutes as it would in car racing.
practice days are generally about £30 so a weekly practice and six hours on track each week are possible
race entry £40

The acceleration and cornering will be greater than any cheap series and the grids will be bigger and closer.

Don't worry about age I didn't start till I was 38 after a go on a rental kart on holiday gave me the bug.

Still at it 10 yrs later.

[crofty1984]

nakedninja said:

Wasn't sure where exactly to put this question, but here seemed to make sense. What is the cheapest (or just cheap) and fun type of circuit racing I could get into? I fancy getting involved in some racing. I don't really want to do hill climbs or banger racing etc. I'd like to stay on track and do some wheel to wheel racing. I was inspired by the Catherham academy but that is 20K to enter. I guess I liked that one because the car was provided, kinda like the Virgin R6 cup. Any suggestions from the PH collective brain? There must be a fair few racers here? Any idea on price? I'm not going to give budgetary restrictions just so you can tell me all the ideas you have. Thanks.

I'm racing in RGB with the 750 motor club www.750mc.co.uk
My costs have been:
Car, trailer, spare race engine = £8,800
Racewear = £800
Getting race licence & ARDS day = £500
Per race entry = £175-£230

Try Stock hatch or kit car if you want it a bit cheaper, email me if you have any questions. Dan www.racing-dan.blogspot.com

[nakedninja]

Wasn't sure about karting, you may have turned me onto it Mark. What is the spread of tracks like, I'm based in the North West, but open to travel.
The 750 mc looks interesting Dan, can you recommend any categories?

[Stig]

nakedninja said:

Wasn't sure about karting, you may have turned me onto it Mark. What is the spread of tracks like, I'm based in the North West, but open to travel.
The 750 mc looks interesting Dan, can you recommend any categories?

Locost or Stock Hatch - they're about the cheapest, but you're still looking at £5k+ startup and a few grand a year to compete.

[lord summerisle]

if you want to go caterham racing then theres the Grad and roadsports championships - plenty of eligable race cars through either club - these are ex caterham academy cars (or build to regs) the graduates - vauxhall 1600cc engines, to 1600 Rover engines

the Mazda MX5 championship, mighty minis, 750mc stock hatch, formula Vee, Formula Ford.

if you have £8500 - then you could buy a drive in the Ginetta G50 championship

[belleair302]

The BMW Racing Drivers Club run a championship which is not hugely expensive to enjoy, and with a little backing you could enjoy a season for under 10K, after buying a car...MOT failuers or cat D cars are a good place to begin.

[woof]

there's no better racing than Caterham Racing
It's relatively cheap (!!) and the racing is close and it's a fairly level field

There are much cheaper forms of motorsport but I'm not sure they give the same level of fun and safety

The big problem with Caterhams is that once you've raced them - there's little else that gives the same bang for yr buck - you have to spend a hell of alot more to find something more fun/faster - I've driven Palmer Audi's and it was very quick but it wasn't fun and the series sucked - Porsche GT3 - quick but bloody expensive to race and again not as much fun.

I was going to do the new Mini Works series (now cancelled for this year) that was a £10k championship fee !!

Have a look at the Academy series or the Grads

lord summerisle said:

if you want to go caterham racing then theres the Grad and roadsports championships - plenty of eligable race cars through either club - these are ex caterham academy cars (or build to regs) the graduates - vauxhall 1600cc engines, to 1600 Rover engines

the Mazda MX5 championship, mighty minis, 750mc stock hatch, formula Vee, Formula Ford.

if you have £8500 - then you could buy a drive in the Ginetta G50 championship

[mark69sheer]

nakedninja said:

Wasn't sure about karting, you may have turned me onto it Mark. What is the spread of tracks like, I'm based in the North West, but open to travel.
The 750 mc looks interesting Dan, can you recommend any categories?

Tracks are all over the country.

If you want to do it properly then I suggest you stick to the MSA registered outdoor tracks where all the national series have their races.
You mention Northwest.
A good place to start would be three sisters at Wigan. There's also Rowrah in Cumbria and Glan Y gors near chester

Rowrahhttp://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=rowrah&ie=UTF8&ll=54.552952,-3.453054&spn=0.011051,0.028925&t=h&z=15 

Three sisters http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=three+sisters+wigan&ie=UTF8&ll=53.506605,-2.633028&spn=0.002833,0.007231&t=h&z=17 

Glan Y gors http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=LL21+0RU&ie=UTF8&ll=53.14677,-3.587036&spn=1.462842,3.702393&t=h&z=8 

lots of karting info on here http://www.karting.co.uk/ 

I have driven karts on purpose built kart tracks and on Big track like Donnington in cars and the driving experience is just the same.. you brake you steer you slipstream you slide you have fun.

Its a shame but somehow karting isn't seen as 'proper racing' but it is and teaches you all you need to know.

Edited by mark69sheer on Thursday 27th March 15:07

[intrepid44]

Well in the North West there are two primary circuits.

Rowrah: http://www.cumbriakrc.co.uk/

or Three Sisters: http://www.three-sisters.co.uk/

Those will most likely be your local circuits, in which the best thing to do is go down there and watch a couple of races, speak to the drivers, and get a feel of what's going on. Of course the same applies for all the other series mentioned. Just don't buy any old tat of ebay, or you'll be regretting it.

Edit: Damn beaten to it , are you racing next meet Mark??

Edited by intrepid44 on Thursday 27th March 15:09

[mark69sheer]

intrepid44 said:

Well in the North West there are two primary circuits.

Rowrah: http://www.cumbriakrc.co.uk/

or Three Sisters: http://www.three-sisters.co.uk/

Those will most likely be your local circuits, in which the best thing to do is go down there and watch a couple of races, speak to the drivers, and get a feel of what's going on. Of course the same applies for all the other series mentioned. Just don't buy any old tat of ebay, or you'll be regretting it.

Edit: Damn beaten to it , are you racing next meet Mark??

Edited by intrepid44 on Thursday 27th March 15:09

I should be fingers crossed but lifes a bit busy at the moment..

[intrepid44]

Good, hopeully the grid will grow abit more, I may be using a new chassis as well (Tonykart Racer ST), although I will only be using knackered old tyres, see if I can repeat my win this meet .

[lord summerisle]

ps - since your in the North West,

get down to Oulton Park this Saturday - the Graduates are racing (grads, mega grads and super grades) Club Saloon cars and 250 karts

[Cuzza]

Depends what you define as cheap but an idea of budget would help!! The Caterham Graduates are racing at Oulton park this weekend. Pop down to watch and have a chat - I'm in Super Graduates (Academy spec K series Caterhams) no 144.

Edit>> Beaten to it

Edited by Cuzza on Thursday 27th March 15:49

Edited by Cuzza on Thursday 27th March 16:02

[924racer]

Have a look at the Porsche 924 Championship. great fun and close racing. last years championship winning car was bought for £3k. first seasons budget should be around £9k (which includes buying a car)

were at snetterton this weekend if you feel like braving the weather

www.porscheracingdrivers.co.uk

[Hybrids]

Mk1 MR2's
Either through the 750MC (inc Mk2's):
http://www.mr2championship.com/ 

or just MK1's with MR2 racing:
http://mr2racing.com/ 

[Flying Peach]

Look at these, very close racing and a bunch of great, friendly and helpful people. The British touring cars in the 70's consisted of a lot of minis.

Take a look www.mightyminis.co.uk

[sfaulds]

lord summerisle said:

if you have £8500 - then you could buy a drive in the Ginetta G50 championship

For one weekend?

[lord summerisle]

sfaulds said:

lord summerisle said:

if you have £8500 - then you could buy a drive in the Ginetta G50 championship

For one weekend?

Teams within the Ginetta G50 Championship have drives available for its inaugural season in cars they own.

If you are interested in racing as part of the Ginetta G50 Championship, the Ginetta G50 Championship is great value for money, racing a 300bhp sportscar!

Registration fee: £1000
Entry fees: £7500

This includes:

- 10 round championship (8 in support of F3/GT + 2 endurance-style events at Ginetta Festivals)
- 20 races
- TV coverage
- Hire of an on-board judicial camera
- Paddock support from Ginetta Cars

http://www.ginettacars.com/G50/News/040208-DrivesA...