Discussion
Over the past few days, I have thoroughly enjoyed the thread showcasing and critiquing the amazing talent displayed by some of our pistonhead members on track (Audi A4 Diesel versus the world). One of the recurring comments is that the OP should put their perceived skills to the test by going racing.
Having done a number of track days myself, the idea of going racing has always appealed and so I am interested in taking advice on where to start - specifically which series makes for a good, reasonably low priced, entry into the world of wheel to wheel racing.
My interest is really in developing my skills as a driver and enjoying (as a hobby more than anything else) a bit of competitive racing. I don't really care about winning championships and with a young family I'd likely have to miss some rounds anyway. I'm reasonably competent on track but I am under no illusion that I would have a lot to learn and would probably spend the first few (many?) races as a backmarker. For this reason, I would want to enter a series that was befitting of a racing novice.
Having looked on the 750MC website, there appears to be hundreds of different formulae but Locost or Sports Specials seems like a sensible place to start (Stock hatch or 182 may seem cheaper but I guess that it may actually be easier/cheaper to build/buy a dedicated 7 style car than try to convert a road car). Is this a fair assessment or should I be looking at a different formula? In terms of costs, I am fortunate enough to have a bit of spare cash but since I'm very dull and sensible I don't want to be spending every available penny on my hobby.
So where should I start (aside from an ARDs test, a jaunty race suit, and some boots that my wife will take the piss out of)?
Having done a number of track days myself, the idea of going racing has always appealed and so I am interested in taking advice on where to start - specifically which series makes for a good, reasonably low priced, entry into the world of wheel to wheel racing.
My interest is really in developing my skills as a driver and enjoying (as a hobby more than anything else) a bit of competitive racing. I don't really care about winning championships and with a young family I'd likely have to miss some rounds anyway. I'm reasonably competent on track but I am under no illusion that I would have a lot to learn and would probably spend the first few (many?) races as a backmarker. For this reason, I would want to enter a series that was befitting of a racing novice.
Having looked on the 750MC website, there appears to be hundreds of different formulae but Locost or Sports Specials seems like a sensible place to start (Stock hatch or 182 may seem cheaper but I guess that it may actually be easier/cheaper to build/buy a dedicated 7 style car than try to convert a road car). Is this a fair assessment or should I be looking at a different formula? In terms of costs, I am fortunate enough to have a bit of spare cash but since I'm very dull and sensible I don't want to be spending every available penny on my hobby.
So where should I start (aside from an ARDs test, a jaunty race suit, and some boots that my wife will take the piss out of)?
I did my ARDS test yesterday. After doing track days for 13 years or so I have decided to go racing. I have had 1 on 1 tuition as soon as I started on the track.
Have continued to have the occasional tuition when I can but usually just 20min sessions.
On reading the superb thread with the guy with the Audi I saw fesuvious has some history of racing at Anglesey and seemed to know his stuff (not him bragging but someone else with knowledge of his racing) I emailed him for advice as racing will be so different to track days. There is always something you can learn from others experience and he has been generous with his time in responding.
I am going to be competing in the Race of Remembrance in November with 3 other blokes who have never raced before. Time to see if I am decent at driving or just a track day hero 😂
Was thinking of starting a thread with the build up and the way we did it. Would anyone be interested
Have continued to have the occasional tuition when I can but usually just 20min sessions.
On reading the superb thread with the guy with the Audi I saw fesuvious has some history of racing at Anglesey and seemed to know his stuff (not him bragging but someone else with knowledge of his racing) I emailed him for advice as racing will be so different to track days. There is always something you can learn from others experience and he has been generous with his time in responding.
I am going to be competing in the Race of Remembrance in November with 3 other blokes who have never raced before. Time to see if I am decent at driving or just a track day hero 😂
Was thinking of starting a thread with the build up and the way we did it. Would anyone be interested
Well obviously you are not a driving god in an Audi A4 (if you were, you'd know that tuition, advice, and humility are all signs of weakness and incompetence on track) but I'd really love to hear how you get on and what you learn. Please start a thread and keep us posted on your progress... And good luck
I would be looking at something like this or see what series, eg, the various MG (or similar) car clubs have on
https://brscc.co.uk/formulae/mazda-mx-5-championsh...
https://brscc.co.uk/formulae/mazda-mx-5-championsh...
I really recommend the CSCC, and they have a number of series (not Championships, so you don’t have to worry about missing rounds) to suit all tastes and budgets from 60s classics to tin tops to 7 style cars.
40 min races with a pit stop mean that you can share a car (and costs with a mate).
PM me of you want to talk this through some more. I used to be one of the series coordinators and have raced in several different series with them. I have also raced with other clubs.
Pick the right car and you could even do a few 750, a few CSCC and a few MSVR races at circuits that are nearest to you rather than travelling all over initially.
Each club has its strengths and weaknesses (and advocates etc) but CSCC has a good paddock atmosphere, series coordinators to help competitors through and friendly competitors and good driving standards.
40 min races with a pit stop mean that you can share a car (and costs with a mate).
PM me of you want to talk this through some more. I used to be one of the series coordinators and have raced in several different series with them. I have also raced with other clubs.
Pick the right car and you could even do a few 750, a few CSCC and a few MSVR races at circuits that are nearest to you rather than travelling all over initially.
Each club has its strengths and weaknesses (and advocates etc) but CSCC has a good paddock atmosphere, series coordinators to help competitors through and friendly competitors and good driving standards.
andy97 said:
I really recommend the CSCC, and they have a number of series (not Championships, so you don’t have to worry about missing rounds) to suit all tastes and budgets from 60s classics to tin tops to 7 style cars.
40 min races with a pit stop mean that you can share a car (and costs with a mate).
PM me of you want to talk this through some more. I used to be one of the series coordinators and have raced in several different series with them. I have also raced with other clubs.
Pick the right car and you could even do a few 750, a few CSCC and a few MSVR races at circuits that are nearest to you rather than travelling all over initially.
Each club has its strengths and weaknesses (and advocates etc) but CSCC has a good paddock atmosphere, series coordinators to help competitors through and friendly competitors and good driving standards.
I've just been looking at the CSCC website and it looks ideal and is a lot more comprehensive (in terms of series) than I thought it would be.40 min races with a pit stop mean that you can share a car (and costs with a mate).
PM me of you want to talk this through some more. I used to be one of the series coordinators and have raced in several different series with them. I have also raced with other clubs.
Pick the right car and you could even do a few 750, a few CSCC and a few MSVR races at circuits that are nearest to you rather than travelling all over initially.
Each club has its strengths and weaknesses (and advocates etc) but CSCC has a good paddock atmosphere, series coordinators to help competitors through and friendly competitors and good driving standards.
The RX8 Trophy looks like a good starting point but I will PM you later to get your advice and thoughts if that is okay
LennyM1984 said:
andy97 said:
I really recommend the CSCC, and they have a number of series (not Championships, so you don’t have to worry about missing rounds) to suit all tastes and budgets from 60s classics to tin tops to 7 style cars.
40 min races with a pit stop mean that you can share a car (and costs with a mate).
PM me of you want to talk this through some more. I used to be one of the series coordinators and have raced in several different series with them. I have also raced with other clubs.
Pick the right car and you could even do a few 750, a few CSCC and a few MSVR races at circuits that are nearest to you rather than travelling all over initially.
Each club has its strengths and weaknesses (and advocates etc) but CSCC has a good paddock atmosphere, series coordinators to help competitors through and friendly competitors and good driving standards.
I've just been looking at the CSCC website and it looks ideal and is a lot more comprehensive (in terms of series) than I thought it would be.40 min races with a pit stop mean that you can share a car (and costs with a mate).
PM me of you want to talk this through some more. I used to be one of the series coordinators and have raced in several different series with them. I have also raced with other clubs.
Pick the right car and you could even do a few 750, a few CSCC and a few MSVR races at circuits that are nearest to you rather than travelling all over initially.
Each club has its strengths and weaknesses (and advocates etc) but CSCC has a good paddock atmosphere, series coordinators to help competitors through and friendly competitors and good driving standards.
The RX8 Trophy looks like a good starting point but I will PM you later to get your advice and thoughts if that is okay
You're looking at £10k pa for club racing, and that's if you keep costs down. More likely is about £15k, or £20k+ with team support, etc.
Go in with cash to spare. And i mean SPARE. Like you could burn it and it wouldn't cause you any pain.
Otherwise you end up addicted to a very attractive and addictive drug with people with more money than you, and feel compelled to keep up.
Go in with cash to spare. And i mean SPARE. Like you could burn it and it wouldn't cause you any pain.
Otherwise you end up addicted to a very attractive and addictive drug with people with more money than you, and feel compelled to keep up.
Cambs_Stuart said:
As an aside there is also hillclimb and sprint events which look like fun.
And significantly cheaper than circuit racing. You don't even need a race suit if you're running in the "standard car" classes. Just a compliant helmet and slap some numbers on the side of the car. 
PTF said:
You're looking at £10k pa for club racing, and that's if you keep costs down. More likely is about £15k, or £20k+ with team support, etc.
Go in with cash to spare. And i mean SPARE. Like you could burn it and it wouldn't cause you any pain.
Otherwise you end up addicted to a very attractive and addictive drug with people with more money than you, and feel compelled to keep up.
That depends on what series / car you run in, and how many events.Go in with cash to spare. And i mean SPARE. Like you could burn it and it wouldn't cause you any pain.
Otherwise you end up addicted to a very attractive and addictive drug with people with more money than you, and feel compelled to keep up.
Plenty of people only do a 4-6 events in an “affordable car” and don’t spend that but still enjoy themselves. I will probably only race 3 times this year (due to working away) and my Caterham does not cost that much to run as it is light on tyres and consumables, and probably does not depreciate.
Personally I wouldn’t go from trackdays to sprints, there’s more than enough waiting round with circuit racing but I’m sure many sprinters would disagree.
If you are going racing then I’d recommend The Motorsports School for the Ards test. If you fancy some good mixed make racing that you may even be able to use your trackday car in I’d look at 750 Roadsports or MSVT Trackday Trophy as really good entry series.
If you are going racing then I’d recommend The Motorsports School for the Ards test. If you fancy some good mixed make racing that you may even be able to use your trackday car in I’d look at 750 Roadsports or MSVT Trackday Trophy as really good entry series.
Steve H said:
Personally I wouldn’t go from trackdays to sprints, there’s more than enough waiting round with circuit racing but I’m sure many sprinters would disagree.
Sort of agree but there is world between thinking you're a driving god on trackdays to anything that involves timing. This year there are 3, Mazda 2's, 4 for the next race at Oulton competing in the BRSCC Club Sport Trophy. There are no joining fees this year for that particular race and the entry fees for the 45 minute race are below £400.
You can build a Mazda 2 race car for very little money relative to other options.
No they are not quick, but that is not the point if you are racing like cars.
You can build a Mazda 2 race car for very little money relative to other options.
No they are not quick, but that is not the point if you are racing like cars.
andy97 said:
PTF said:
You're looking at £10k pa for club racing, and that's if you keep costs down. More likely is about £15k, or £20k+ with team support, etc.
Go in with cash to spare. And i mean SPARE. Like you could burn it and it wouldn't cause you any pain.
Otherwise you end up addicted to a very attractive and addictive drug with people with more money than you, and feel compelled to keep up.
That depends on what series / car you run in, and how many events.Go in with cash to spare. And i mean SPARE. Like you could burn it and it wouldn't cause you any pain.
Otherwise you end up addicted to a very attractive and addictive drug with people with more money than you, and feel compelled to keep up.
Plenty of people only do a 4-6 events in an “affordable car” and don’t spend that but still enjoy themselves. I will probably only race 3 times this year (due to working away) and my Caterham does not cost that much to run as it is light on tyres and consumables, and probably does not depreciate.
I run a 883 F3 car in Monoposto and it's nowhere near that first figure for the season.. pick a type of car you like the look of, then pick a series that's sensibly run (CSCC is a good shout, as is most of the 750MC and I'll add Mono in..) and you'll have a great time for about the cost of a really good annual holiday... (the wife 'chooses' our hols, we normally go to Wales.. if she ever says she wants to go to Australia or the USA for a few weeks my annual racing budgets bu66ered!)
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