How to get into Motorsport - Newbie Advice & Options

[ian_hammersley]

hi chaps,

I'm desperate to get into motorsport, i mean actually driving myself! - I've no race license but plenty of passion and a bit of pocket money.

i've done lots of trackdays, but want to move to the next level!

I've looked at the Caterham academy stuff, which looks pretty interesting.

But in reality i have no idea where to start looking.

I'm 27, so i'm not looking to become a professional, but looking for a competitive blast at the weekends...

happy to join up with anyone if it would be better to start an ameteur race team.... based in manchester

Thanks in advice for any info....

Ian Hammersley

[skylinecrazy]

Sprinting, hillclimbing, autograss, stock hatch, karting etc.. There's tons!

[peter-2006]

Caterham Academy is a great place to start. One of the best things is the level playing field which keeps cost down and the support from Caterham at all the events is pretty good too.

[superkartracer]

How much spare cash>?

[Piglet]

Lotus on Track Elise Trophy?

http://www.elisetrophy.com/LoTRDC

[ian_hammersley]

hi chaps,

thanks for the advice.

money wise, about £50k which would include buying the car, and running it for a season!

however, there is options of sponsoring, lots of our clients are automotive component manufacturers, so we could always get help!

[anonymous-user]

ian_hammersley said:

hi chaps,

thanks for the advice.

money wise, about £50k which would include buying the car, and running it for a season!

however, there is options of sponsoring, lots of our clients are automotive component manufacturers, so we could always get help!

radical. seriously, the only way i would go with that budget. there are a few series for the different cars, all run by radical and from what i have seen, they are professionally organised championships which might appeal to potential sponsors. http://www.radicalsportscars.com/racing08/index.ph...

[Piglet]

Last time I saw Radicals race (which was some time ago) they sustained so much damage that they emptied the parts truck by the end of the first day.

[1]

With that sort of money look at Ginetta's and get a team to run you.

Competitive level playing field
Close racing
Full Grids
Manufacture supported
Well Policed
Nice package (Support GT & F3)
TV coverage

I wouldn't consider running yourself at this stage, go to one of the meetings and speak to a few of the front running teams, then you can concentrate on your racing and keeping your sponsors happy.

Edited by 1 on Monday 30th June 10:54

[RacingPete]

With that budget I would go for a one make series supporting either BTCC or GT/F3, then you can get better exposure for any sponsors. Ginettas is very good fun and a friendly lot too, G20 you could do a season including buying the car for under 30k.

[Mojocvh]

750 CC Kit car championship for a number of seasons!!

[Rich S]

Hi , I did the Caterham Academy , then Caterham Roadsport B.
Both great , and you get really well looked after.

I bought a Radical at the start of last year , but had too much work on to do a season.

let me know if you want any further info, happy to have a chat

[Simon Mason]

Simple. Buy yourself a Caterham Roadsport A, run with a good team and coaching to shorten the learning process and do lots of testing in the pre season to learn as much as you can as fast as you can.

Unless you keep crashing it theres no way you can blow that sort of cash so you should have spare budget which is always the best position to be in.

Hope that helps.

[Satsuma]

Hi ian
I currently do endurance karting once a month ish also race the 2cv 24hour and do 4 or 5 other various events through the calendar. over the past few years i have done a handful of formula ford events and a vw golf endurance in germany , and am now working towards the 2009 Nurburgring 24hr which means lots of track days over there. All for a fraction of that budget. If you want to go the endurance route we are always looking for quick drivers and you would be welcome to do a few events here and there to see how we go. I am based in Manchester too.
otherwise i would thinkyour options are wide open. have you seen the vw fun cup? or for sprint Formula ford is hard to beat.

[[AJ]]

I've always wanted to get into motor racing too, but I never really had the right opportunities growing up. I'm at the point now where I'd like to look at my option and like the OP, not sure where to start. I'd be quite interested in hooking up with some kind of team to see how I do. I'm in North Wales about an hour from Manchester.

[superkartracer]

ian_hammersley said:

hi chaps,

thanks for the advice.

money wise, about £50k which would include buying the car, and running it for a season!

however, there is options of sponsoring, lots of our clients are automotive component manufacturers, so we could always get help!

Ok 50k will get you some fun.

What do you want to race for a start? if singles seater's i can help etc

You are a novice so don't spent silly money on a car as you will smash that up, lots.

But then you might be rich and not care a toss

SUper!KaRt!RAcer!

[Regional]

Satsuma - you do know you have to complete the race school in order to compete in the ring 24hr?

Sorry to hijack.

Ginettas sounds like a good option

[ian_hammersley]

thanks for advise everyone.

yes, i'm thinking 50k would be a waste as i stack it into the barrier on the the first corner!

one of the mandatory requirements for me would be to be able to drive the car to the track, hence it should be road legal.

i think there will be lots of people like me who are in the same boat. lots of passion but no ideas!

perhaps a dedicated website needs to be set up showing all the options ranging across different budget levels. showing the facts based on all the options, with real user ratings and experience from racers....

[absolutely]

How about club motorsport?

With one make series, weight plays a massive part. If you don't want to go professional its possibly a better option for you. For some teams £50k would last almost 20 years.

[Rich S]

Hi , is your Skip Brown S1 still for sale ?

if so please could you e mail me some details & pics

[e-mail]

Cheers

Rich