Open wheeler track days?

[Nampahc Niloc]

I’m sorry to disappoint, but karting events are not going to count towards upgrading to a Race National Licence.

[HustleRussell]

National A / B isn’t a thing anymore since 2019, it’s now Club / Interclub IIRC, I believe it’s still 6x signatures to lose the novice cross.

[amir98]

Nampahc Niloc said:

I’m sorry to disappoint, but karting events are not going to count towards upgrading to a Race National Licence.

Oh wow really. Either way I got a taste for the endurance racing when I entered with my friend. So I'm quite confident by the time I got the purchase all finalised and car delivered, I will be 1 or 2 events off anyway discluding the karting events.

[HustleRussell]

I think we can agree that two signatures away from a club licence is definitely ready for Formula Renault, or a Formula 2 with a V10 or V12 grafted in as per the other thread

[amir98]

HustleRussell said:

I think we can agree that two signatures away from a club licence is definitely ready for Formula Renault, or a Formula 2 with a V10 or V12 grafted in as per the other thread

As mentioned previously. I'm not looking to compete in formula renault. I was looking for a weapon to use on a track to fill my childish dreams and after working and earning like I have, I think I've earned that right. Maybe if I got a really good feel for the car then maybe but I simply do not have to time for that. I understand cars like the arial atom exist for that purpose but my budget is quite good and I will not have a problem financially for maintaining plus I want a proper formula experience. Never did I say I was at the pace of formula renault racing, I just stated that I would not be a complete obsticle to other cars on the track at a test session.

And regarding the other thread. If you read properly before replying, you would have read that it was a completely theoretical question asking if a company like dallara would produce a 2020 spec chassis for purchase to create a modern v10 formula car. It was made quite clear my understanding of the amount that would cost and how it would not be possible financially, I just wanted to know of it was theoretically possible. Please read before replying next time.
Thanks

[Nickjd]

I think you would be beyond out of your depth. Some kart racing and a 116 BMW endurance race does not in anyway make you ready to go on a test event with people who are there to be seriously on it. If you want single seater action, start at the bottom like everyone else. Do Fomula V or the Avon FF championship first. You are saying you want to go from passing your pilot's licence a couple of solo flights ago and now you want to do aerobatics or fly fast jets.

[E-bmw]

Several of you seem to be not listening (reading) he has a sh!t-load of money & wants to buy a F. Fast single seater and do track days/test days not compete in the Formula Renault championship.

[Daston]

Could you not do Sprints or Time Attack (not sure if thdy have an open wheel catagory). You wouldn't have to constantly watch your mirrors, not sure how much track time you get tho

[Nickjd]

E-bmw said:

Several of you seem to be not listening (reading) he has a sh!t-load of money & wants to buy a F. Fast single seater and do track days/test days not compete in the Formula Renault championship.

No, but the events this type of vehicle will actually be allowed to take part in will very much be like competing. While there are general testing day, the main ones are going to be ahead of race events and the majority of drivers are this level are focused on super licence points for F1. It is not a "beginner" car and they won't be "beginner" events. 4 or 5 seconds off the pace or more and that becomes quite a big issue.

[Nampahc Niloc]

Nickjd said:

. 4 or 5 seconds off the pace or more and that becomes quite a big issue.

“Or more” being the operative phrase there.

[CedricN]

Not sure how its works in the UK, but arent there any general open wheeler test days? Adding "formula car" to the license was a day of observed driving here, showing that you know what you do out there. Seems to work differently though at your place.

Speed differences should be managable, I were on a test day in a vintage formula Vee together with all kinds of Formula cars, including the "flat cap kids" in their FRs, it will probably be much easier than that

[Nampahc Niloc]

CedricN said:

Not sure how its works in the UK, but arent there any general open wheeler test days? Adding "formula car" to the license was a day of observed driving here, showing that you know what you do out there. Seems to work differently though at your place.

Speed differences should be managable, I were on a test day in a vintage formula Vee together with all kinds of Formula cars, including the "flat cap kids" in their FRs, it will probably be much easier than that

Speed difference is fine if you have the experience. The last thing the other drivers need is an unpredictable car.

[dhutch]

Nickjd said:

I think you would be beyond out of your depth.

I am no expert, but it very much feels this way.

Nickjd said:

Some kart racing and a 116 BMW endurance race does not in anyway make you ready to go on a test event with people who are there to be seriously on it. If you want single seater action, start at the bottom like everyone else. Do Fomula V or the Avon FF championship first. You are saying you want to go from passing your pilot's licence a couple of solo flights ago and now you want to do aerobatics or fly fast jets.

This appears good advice.

I did schools karting (NatSKA) including powerful two stroke and gearbox karts, plenty of fast road driving, and that bearly prepared me for driving a 7type on the road or trackday, let alone a Formula Renault on a test day.

Have you seen footage of the first time people like rally drivers and topgear etc drive and f1 car?


Daniel

[Hol]

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I ditched my open Sevenesque car for trackdays after three miserably cold and wet trackdays.
It was nothing to do with the cars handling, but despite a wet weather Kart over suit, I was constantly wet and uncomfortable.




When people see them in their minds eye, its always on lovely a dry and warm day. If your season is just the summer months its great, but if you also want to enjoy the cheaper winter evening sessions, its something to consider.

[The Wookie]

Funny enough I loved racing my Caterham in the wet, it was the trudge back home in my Land Rover, still soaked through, that was the depressing bit!

[I Like Tea]

amir98 said:

HustleRussell said:

I think we can agree that two signatures away from a club licence is definitely ready for Formula Renault, or a Formula 2 with a V10 or V12 grafted in as per the other thread

As mentioned previously. I'm not looking to compete in formula renault. I was looking for a weapon to use on a track to fill my childish dreams and after working and earning like I have, I think I've earned that right. Maybe if I got a really good feel for the car then maybe but I simply do not have to time for that. I understand cars like the arial atom exist for that purpose but my budget is quite good and I will not have a problem financially for maintaining plus I want a proper formula experience. Never did I say I was at the pace of formula renault racing, I just stated that I would not be a complete obsticle to other cars on the track at a test session.

And regarding the other thread. If you read properly before replying, you would have read that it was a completely theoretical question asking if a company like dallara would produce a 2020 spec chassis for purchase to create a modern v10 formula car. It was made quite clear my understanding of the amount that would cost and how it would not be possible financially, I just wanted to know of it was theoretically possible. Please read before replying next time.
Thanks

I think you will have a great time In a Formula Renault or similar. I bought my first single seater to sprint and hill climb earlier this year and it’s been a blast. The learning curve has been vertiginous, but I went at it from the first moment I let the clutch out with the engine running, which was maybe not the wisest. Made quite a number of mistakes that I got away with, but am now competitive after about 30 laps in it. A more measured approach would be to hire some time on an empty track, you can hire 3 sisters near Wigan for £120 an hour. I would advise you go there or somewhere similar for a couple of hours to learn the car before turning up at a open test session for single seaters. Many at a test session will be furiously fast, it will be intimidating and you don’t want to be learning a new and very different car in that environment.

I run mine by myself and can strap myself in no problem even though it’s a very tight cockpit, a FR will be more roomy and a bit easier I expect.

Maintenance is straight forward, everything is very accessible and easy to work on, but please only do this if you are a competent mechanic or engineer. Things like bolt/bearing/material spec is really important and you need to know what you are doing. Suspension and aero is all very adjustable so buy a car with a known good set up and data, lots of folk can help you with setup too.

Second hand slicks are £15 a corner and good enough for test days. Also, a kit car is nowhere close to as fast as a single seater, I used to race a 220hp Caterham on slicks and my 1000cc single seater kills it. Hope that helps, have a go and have fun I say!

[amir98]

I Like Tea said:

I think you will have a great time In a Formula Renault or similar. I bought my first single seater to sprint and hill climb earlier this year and it’s been a blast. The learning curve has been vertiginous, but I went at it from the first moment I let the clutch out with the engine running, which was maybe not the wisest. Made quite a number of mistakes that I got away with, but am now competitive after about 30 laps in it. A more measured approach would be to hire some time on an empty track, you can hire 3 sisters near Wigan for £120 an hour. I would advise you go there or somewhere similar for a couple of hours to learn the car before turning up at a open test session for single seaters. Many at a test session will be furiously fast, it will be intimidating and you don’t want to be learning a new and very different car in that environment.

I run mine by myself and can strap myself in no problem even though it’s a very tight cockpit, a FR will be more roomy and a bit easier I expect.

Maintenance is straight forward, everything is very accessible and easy to work on, but please only do this if you are a competent mechanic or engineer. Things like bolt/bearing/material spec is really important and you need to know what you are doing. Suspension and aero is all very adjustable so buy a car with a known good set up and data, lots of folk can help you with setup too.

Second hand slicks are £15 a corner and good enough for test days. Also, a kit car is nowhere close to as fast as a single seater, I used to race a 220hp Caterham on slicks and my 1000cc single seater kills it. Hope that helps, have a go and have fun I say!

Awesome advice. Thanks for the reply. I will look into 3 sisters.

[shirt]

pablo said:

I get the appeal of a proper racing car but you’ll be no quicker in a single seater than a fast Westfield or Caterham

Don’t be silly, they’re worlds apart.

For the OP, once you have some experience in the car, may be worth getting in touch with these guys:

http://monoposto.co.uk/

They advertise a season’s racing for £4k, and I’m sure will be able to assist with training and test days.

[Boggo]

A season for £4k lol.......

[anonymous-user]

shirt said:

pablo said:

I get the appeal of a proper racing car but you’ll be no quicker in a single seater than a fast Westfield or Caterham

Don’t be silly, they’re worlds apart.

For the OP, once you have some experience in the car, may be worth getting in touch with these guys:

http://monoposto.co.uk/

They advertise a season’s racing for £4k, and I’m sure will be able to assist with training and test days.

Yes the cars are worlds apart but if he only intends to use it a few times a year, its going to be hard to build up the experience to get the most out of a FRenault et al. Better to jump into a car that is easier to get to 8/10ths and 8/10ths in a Caterham MegaGrad is about the lap time as 5/10ths in a FRenault, which is all he will be driving it a few times a year on a test day with no crew, no telemetry and no coaching...

Mono on £4k a season.... so that covers Entry fees and travel.....