Affordable Motorsport in the East Midlands
Discussion
I've read a handful of threads about getting into motorsport and it's inspired me a little bit. I have a decent amount of experience doing public track days, but I'd like to do something a little more competitive.
Can anyone recommend any car clubs in the East Midlands area, preferably Nottinghamshire, that offer auto testing/autosolos etc?
I also stumbled across Curborough whilst reading the forums and would be interested in having a day there. Does anyone from the forum organise private days there or know a car club that does?
Can anyone recommend any car clubs in the East Midlands area, preferably Nottinghamshire, that offer auto testing/autosolos etc?
I also stumbled across Curborough whilst reading the forums and would be interested in having a day there. Does anyone from the forum organise private days there or know a car club that does?
Nottingham Sports Car Club organise a sprint / hill climb championship. I used to be a member in my sprinting days and would definitely recommend them.
http://www.nottinghamsportscarclub.co.uk
What car will you be competing in, out of interest??
http://www.nottinghamsportscarclub.co.uk
What car will you be competing in, out of interest??
You are probably looking at a club that is a member of the East Midlands association of motorclubs.
http://www.emamc.org.uk/index.shtml
This is link to the 2017 calendar, it will give you some idea of which club does what and where the events are held.
http://www.emamc.org.uk/dates/index_dates_2017.htm...
Keep an eye out for the 2018 calendar.
Its a pretty large geographic area but you should be able to find something local to you.
Some pretty good info. on the website for the nottingham sports car club about getting into sprinting that the poster about has linked to.
Looks like there was a production car autotest (PCA) at Curborough in November.
Wingo.
http://www.emamc.org.uk/index.shtml
This is link to the 2017 calendar, it will give you some idea of which club does what and where the events are held.
http://www.emamc.org.uk/dates/index_dates_2017.htm...
Keep an eye out for the 2018 calendar.
Its a pretty large geographic area but you should be able to find something local to you.
Some pretty good info. on the website for the nottingham sports car club about getting into sprinting that the poster about has linked to.
Looks like there was a production car autotest (PCA) at Curborough in November.
Wingo.
Edited by Wingo on Friday 29th December 15:08
Edited by Wingo on Friday 29th December 15:09
Edited by Wingo on Friday 29th December 15:13
Thank you for the replies jimbobs & Wingo.
jimbobs - Awesome, I'll check them out. I'd initially use my Mazda Mx-5 (Mk1), but could be tempted to use my BMW Z3 too.
Wingo - That's brilliant, it looks like there's loads of events on the calendar! I look forward to seeing what next years looks like.
jimbobs - Awesome, I'll check them out. I'd initially use my Mazda Mx-5 (Mk1), but could be tempted to use my BMW Z3 too.
Wingo - That's brilliant, it looks like there's loads of events on the calendar! I look forward to seeing what next years looks like.
There is a winter Autosolo series at Donington.
Next event is 20Jan
https://www.facebook.com/Doningtonwinterseries/
Next event is 20Jan
https://www.facebook.com/Doningtonwinterseries/
MSA can be a pain, but to be fair at pure grass roots level, there isn’t much rigmarole, join a club, enter the events. Only once you step up a level do you need a licence, BARS is another level again.
I don’t have any experience of short oval or grass track, except what I’ve noticed on social media, or from a few glances at the Car often parked up on a trailer in our neighbourhood. But I get the impression that the cars a pretty seriously prepped, which looks fairly expensive. You aren’t going to be doing those events in a the cheap ebay Road Car, which you certainly can use on the trials, Tests and Rallies often mentioned in the alternative ‘MSA’ camp.
Either way there are loads of ways of enjoying yourself in motor cars still and it doesn’t need to cost you your house.
I don’t have any experience of short oval or grass track, except what I’ve noticed on social media, or from a few glances at the Car often parked up on a trailer in our neighbourhood. But I get the impression that the cars a pretty seriously prepped, which looks fairly expensive. You aren’t going to be doing those events in a the cheap ebay Road Car, which you certainly can use on the trials, Tests and Rallies often mentioned in the alternative ‘MSA’ camp.
Either way there are loads of ways of enjoying yourself in motor cars still and it doesn’t need to cost you your house.
The big differences are that you don't need to enter events don't need to be in clubs per se.
The cars might look seriously made but the second hand market is very cheap for most classes, and safety gear is just as good if not better.
And if you are comparing some of the lesser MSA events to a full on stock car meeting or autograss, they are very different, on the oval stuff you are racing properly, door to door, unlike speed events slaloms and tests.
Horses for courses of course, but for me if I had the space and was starting out, I woudl look at as many options as I could.
The cars might look seriously made but the second hand market is very cheap for most classes, and safety gear is just as good if not better.
And if you are comparing some of the lesser MSA events to a full on stock car meeting or autograss, they are very different, on the oval stuff you are racing properly, door to door, unlike speed events slaloms and tests.
Horses for courses of course, but for me if I had the space and was starting out, I woudl look at as many options as I could.
probably the cheapest form of motorsport are sprints because you can drive to the event and compete in a bog standard road car with no modifications at all - you will race in a class so similar cars, tyres etc. all you need are a race suit helmet and gloves.
curborough is a fun track with lots of run off so you should not bend it. here is a one of my runs in my griff 500 - looks slow but it isn't I cross the finish line at 100mph! https://youtu.be/_hKZr0XX-hs
there are quite a few MX5's at sprints so you will have company. enjoy - once you try it track days will seem very tame. you have been warned.
curborough is a fun track with lots of run off so you should not bend it. here is a one of my runs in my griff 500 - looks slow but it isn't I cross the finish line at 100mph! https://youtu.be/_hKZr0XX-hs
there are quite a few MX5's at sprints so you will have company. enjoy - once you try it track days will seem very tame. you have been warned.
If you're looking for any help with preparing a race car or with transporting your car to tracks if you do join in with a club or championship, these guys are based in the East Midlands https://www.motorworksracing.com/
Caterham racing is pretty cheap for the performance.
MJJ Racing is due to release a video about Running costs for his First Season (2017)
www.youtube.com/mjjracing
MJJ Racing is due to release a video about Running costs for his First Season (2017)
www.youtube.com/mjjracing
Went to Donington Park for Round 3 of the Autosolo Winter Series yesterday. I was only planning on watching and giving a helping hand, but was persuaded to get involved. It didn't take much twisting of my arm! I had a really great day out and it was great to be able to just turn up in your road car and compete. A completely different challenge to track day driving though, I definitely need some more practice!
Osmoliver said:
Went to Donington Park for Round 3 of the Autosolo Winter Series yesterday. I was only planning on watching and giving a helping hand, but was persuaded to get involved. It didn't take much twisting of my arm! I had a really great day out and it was great to be able to just turn up in your road car and compete. A completely different challenge to track day driving though, I definitely need some more practice!
I see that Round 4 is tomorrow, but I can't see any times? Any ideas of when it starts? And when it normally finishes?these don't appear much I have not done one though they look like a laugh
http://fueltopiabarrelsprint.com/
http://fueltopiabarrelsprint.com/
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