Discussion
Jim Spencer said:
Hi, Just backing Andy up..
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!)
Very reassuring... sadly my wife is American so I'm on the hook for family flights to New York every year as well 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!)
Do you have a rough breakdown of your costs and would it be possible to talk a little more about your approach to keeping them down (ie. how many races do you tend to do, do you go solo, what consumables do you tend to use etc etc)?
My go-to would be a formula that's reasonably spec/sensible about its engine/power requirements, ideally a road-standard engine formula (e.g. C1 enduro, EnduroKa etc). The biggest thing you'll face is those with bigger budgets going out and spending crazy money on a trick engine.
After that, the cheaper cars to run are the lightest, it's why there's so many Caterfields which are very quick for their costs - easy on tyres, brakes, don't need much power so reasonably fuel efficient.
After that, the cheaper cars to run are the lightest, it's why there's so many Caterfields which are very quick for their costs - easy on tyres, brakes, don't need much power so reasonably fuel efficient.
Interesting reading everyone's thoughts.
I'm in the midst of growing a grid of cars aims squarely at participants like yourselves who want a fun, cost effective form of motorsport. We use Mazda2 1.5 sport cars in almost standard form. the only modifications permitted are to the control suspension (MeisterR ClubRace) and Tyre (MRF STR). Including all the mandatory safety kit the test car cost £4000 to build including the price of the car. The Mazda2 is very light from factory and kind to its tyres and brakes.
Presently we run three cars in the BRSCC ClubSport Trophy and compete at most of the big name circuits in the UK. last month we were at Silverstone using the full GP layout. The concept we are working to is that participation can be solo or in pairs sharing the cost and driving time.
Each event is a 30min qually and a 45min race with a mandatory 2min pitstop. during the pit stop driver pairs will have the option to swap over for the second half of the race.
To qualify for our own class we need five cars on the grid each week which should be achieved this season as there are four cars presently being built in addition to the three already on the grid. Trophies etc are sorted for each round so there is are two chances to win each round. The mazda2 specific trophy and the Class E ClubSport trophy.
Entry for each round this season is £375 or £187 split between a driver pairing. We have options to hire cars if that's preferred.
The work being done to ease participation into grassroots circuit racing has been recognised by the likes of Octane Distribution and SuperPro Europe who have partnered with us for this season.
I write a blog with a lot more information at 2racinguk.com or I'm happy to field and questions.
Cheers
Neal
I'm in the midst of growing a grid of cars aims squarely at participants like yourselves who want a fun, cost effective form of motorsport. We use Mazda2 1.5 sport cars in almost standard form. the only modifications permitted are to the control suspension (MeisterR ClubRace) and Tyre (MRF STR). Including all the mandatory safety kit the test car cost £4000 to build including the price of the car. The Mazda2 is very light from factory and kind to its tyres and brakes.
Presently we run three cars in the BRSCC ClubSport Trophy and compete at most of the big name circuits in the UK. last month we were at Silverstone using the full GP layout. The concept we are working to is that participation can be solo or in pairs sharing the cost and driving time.
Each event is a 30min qually and a 45min race with a mandatory 2min pitstop. during the pit stop driver pairs will have the option to swap over for the second half of the race.
To qualify for our own class we need five cars on the grid each week which should be achieved this season as there are four cars presently being built in addition to the three already on the grid. Trophies etc are sorted for each round so there is are two chances to win each round. The mazda2 specific trophy and the Class E ClubSport trophy.
Entry for each round this season is £375 or £187 split between a driver pairing. We have options to hire cars if that's preferred.
The work being done to ease participation into grassroots circuit racing has been recognised by the likes of Octane Distribution and SuperPro Europe who have partnered with us for this season.
I write a blog with a lot more information at 2racinguk.com or I'm happy to field and questions.
Cheers
Neal
Edited by Neal S on Monday 20th June 11:11
LennyM1984 said:
Very reassuring... sadly my wife is American so I'm on the hook for family flights to New York every year as well
Do you have a rough breakdown of your costs and would it be possible to talk a little more about your approach to keeping them down (ie. how many races do you tend to do, do you go solo, what consumables do you tend to use etc etc)?
Hi, I would guesstimate that I'm looking at circa £800 a weekend, maybe a bit more, might nudge £1k if its a long distance gig (i'm in Shropshire - so Brands or Snetterton)Do you have a rough breakdown of your costs and would it be possible to talk a little more about your approach to keeping them down (ie. how many races do you tend to do, do you go solo, what consumables do you tend to use etc etc)?
Ok - first bit, if we're being brutally honest, is the support kit, I started doing local hillclimbs and sprints years ago, driving my kitcar there, that then moved on and up to bigger events further away so firstly a trailer pops up and then a van appears as it's weekends, not days, so you need something to stop in etc etc.
So there's a cost to having this sort of stuff that we probably ignore.. but it's not the sort of kit that depreciates so I'll park that to one side!
Additionally there's the PPE - Helmets, race suit, etc - again there's a cost here too - but it's not exactly a fortune when you get a good few years out of each piece.. but it'll seem it when you buy it the first time..
My Ethos to it was/is this:-
Look at the classes carefully, as mentioned above some classes have very sensible rules around the engines, and the cars specification, which removes most of the 'arms race' from the equation.
Look at the car itself.. lots of racing exists for slightly older cars that have done their depreciating, buy sensibly and your car will hold or if you're very lucky increase in it's value.
Again to the car itself - things without bodywork, with simple chassis are, generally speaking, cheaper to fix than those with, for example;- bend a couple of wishbones on mine and it's a few hundred quid for a new pair..
Actual cost of the racing:-
Monoposto is 14 races, spread over 6 weekends racing - entry fees is the biggest bit at about £2700 for the year.
Tyres should be the next biggest bit, but having been guided in the right direction, I buy ones that a youngster has done a session or two (in professional F3 or F4 for a pro team, off the team direct) they have used maybe 10% of the tyre life - but, for them, new tyres are worth a few tenths for the first few laps.. for me they're good for 3 or 4 weekends at least = Tyre bill for the year of £300
After that's it's consumables and wear and tear, fuel is now probably the biggest cost, circa £80 a weekend for the car, and probably that's a good average for the van too - so £1k all in.
You're then down to the really small stuff.. set of pads a season. fluids etc, 'Service' at the end of each year etc etc
in Mono engines are 'standard' in that we run a road car based engine that you're basically allowed to do nothing too, so a re-fresh and add a nice big set of carbs and race it, I run a Mk2 Golf GTi 16v - the spare one cost me £300.. so really expensive 'winter rebuilds' don't exist.
Logistics - my van converts to my accommodation (much more comfy than it sounds..) other people use motorhomes and trailers, others drop their trailer and wander off to accommodation off site.. for me, being there is part of it, we do this for fun and there's a good social element to paddocks that I wouldn't want to miss, and of course it's cheap.. few drinks odd meal in the cafe etc - no different to what i'd be doing if I was at home/elsewhere
Event Crew - we and the wife, or me and my brother (It's possible.. but difficult to operate a single seater solo, but much easier with somebody to strap you in and wheel a slave battery etc around) - both are cheap to run at the gig..
Of course if you properly bend it that's going to bite a chunk of your budget.. but if you've picked the car carefully then it'd have to be a proper 'big one' to really ruin your season..
Spannering - I do the basics myself and go to experts when I get stuck, i'm not automotive trained, but have figured out my way round it so i'm happy taking a car down to the components so I only have to take the piece that needs attention to somebody who knows their stuff rather than paying somebody to extract and re-fit it.
So whatever that lots adds up too..
Be Aware though - It eats Time
&
It's Very addictive
Nickjd said:
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.
This is a series thats only going to grow. Getting stuck in at the start give those participating input to shape the series and attract like minded entrants.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.
The first question should be “can I be arsed dragging a car and trailer all around the country” and if the answer is yes then the world is your oyster, go find a car and series that interests you that’s within budget. Obviously if you live in central England you’re in luck, if you live in Cornwall, it’s going to get costly.
If you say “no”, look at your nearest circuit and see what single circuit championships, eg castle Combe have four “home” championships with good grids, you can often get an entry into an “open” (usually closed wheel) race at each meeting too. Yes you don’t get to visit other tracks but costs are significantly reduced.
In most circumstances, a car is eligible for many championships, the issue is having to pay a few hundred pounds for the championship registration fee which obviously means you won’t want to register for more than one or two of you can’t commit to the full series.
If you say “no”, look at your nearest circuit and see what single circuit championships, eg castle Combe have four “home” championships with good grids, you can often get an entry into an “open” (usually closed wheel) race at each meeting too. Yes you don’t get to visit other tracks but costs are significantly reduced.
In most circumstances, a car is eligible for many championships, the issue is having to pay a few hundred pounds for the championship registration fee which obviously means you won’t want to register for more than one or two of you can’t commit to the full series.
Neal S said:
Interesting reading everyone's thoughts.
I'm in the midst of growing a grid of cars aims squarely at participants like yourselves who want a fun, cost effective form of motorsport. We use Mazda2 1.5 sport cars in almost standard form. the only modifications permitted are to the control suspension (MeisterR ClubRace) and Tyre (MRF STR). Including all the mandatory safety kit the test car cost £4000 to build including the price of the car. The Mazda2 is very light from factory and kind to its tyres and brakes.
...
I write a blog with a lot more information at 2racinguk.com or I'm happy to field and questions.
Sounds like a great series, is there any checking of engine mods?I'm in the midst of growing a grid of cars aims squarely at participants like yourselves who want a fun, cost effective form of motorsport. We use Mazda2 1.5 sport cars in almost standard form. the only modifications permitted are to the control suspension (MeisterR ClubRace) and Tyre (MRF STR). Including all the mandatory safety kit the test car cost £4000 to build including the price of the car. The Mazda2 is very light from factory and kind to its tyres and brakes.
...
I write a blog with a lot more information at 2racinguk.com or I'm happy to field and questions.
Jim Spencer said:
- snip *
I know a few people use ex-BTCC slicks and brakes on their tin-tops for the same reason.
If you ever find yourself at Oulton and short of a pair of hands give me a shout, I'd love a nose about an F3 car and get my hands grubby.
Krikkit said:
Neal S said:
Interesting reading everyone's thoughts.
I'm in the midst of growing a grid of cars aims squarely at participants like yourselves who want a fun, cost effective form of motorsport. We use Mazda2 1.5 sport cars in almost standard form. the only modifications permitted are to the control suspension (MeisterR ClubRace) and Tyre (MRF STR). Including all the mandatory safety kit the test car cost £4000 to build including the price of the car. The Mazda2 is very light from factory and kind to its tyres and brakes.
...
I write a blog with a lot more information at 2racinguk.com or I'm happy to field and questions.
Sounds like a great series, is there any checking of engine mods?I'm in the midst of growing a grid of cars aims squarely at participants like yourselves who want a fun, cost effective form of motorsport. We use Mazda2 1.5 sport cars in almost standard form. the only modifications permitted are to the control suspension (MeisterR ClubRace) and Tyre (MRF STR). Including all the mandatory safety kit the test car cost £4000 to build including the price of the car. The Mazda2 is very light from factory and kind to its tyres and brakes.
...
I write a blog with a lot more information at 2racinguk.com or I'm happy to field and questions.
Jim Spencer said:
- snip *
I know a few people use ex-BTCC slicks and brakes on their tin-tops for the same reason.
If you ever find yourself at Oulton and short of a pair of hands give me a shout, I'd love a nose about an F3 car and get my hands grubby.
We are racing at Oulton park this weekend 25/06.22 if your able to coms and have a chat. look over the cars and see if its for you.
My assumption about costs was based on racing in Caterham Graduates.
When i raced back in 2004-2014, it was roughly £350-£400 to enter a race weekend, consisting of 1x 20 min quali, plus 2x 20 min races. Now the entry fees are more like £450+ for a weekend.
So on that basis it sounds fairly reasonable if you're doing maybe 6-8 race weekends in a season, as that sounds like £2.5k-£3k plus a bit for fuel for the race car is all you'll need. Sadly that's not how it tends to pan out in my experience.
A more realistic weekend is going to involve some testing, either attending a trackday at some time between events, or booking a test day ideally the day before the race weekend to reduce travelling.
Test days used to range from around £180 to £300. I think they've gone up since then though. I didn't always test as sometimes i felt like i could get back in the groove during quali, but it depends on the circuit and how easily you can get up to speed. Inevitably, those that have tested the day before are "on it" immediately.
I think i used to test at roughly half of the events. The other thing about testing is it really ramps up your fuel costs for the weekend, plus it's an extra night away, so if you're staying in a B&B then it soon adds up.
Personally i used to find that race weekends varied between the following:
Local circuit, stay at home, no testing:
entry fee: £350
fuel for race car: 10 litres per 20 min session, so roughly 30L = £60 at today's prices?
fuel for road car: £40?
total: £450-£500 ish
Circuit further away, stay in B&B, test on friday:
entry fee: £350
testing: £250
fuel for race car: roughly 80L = £160 at today's prices?
fuel for road car: £80?
B&B: £250 for 3 nights
3x dinners out: £100?
total: £1190
So somewhere between £500 and £1200 depending on how nice you like your B&Bs and dinners to be!
That doesn't really include random stuff like having to pop to halfords for bits n pieces.
Obvs you can sleep in a tent, but after a night in a tent i'm normally like a zombie and my wife hates not getting a good sleep.
On top of that you've got maintenance, tyres, brake pads, etc.
Team support is somewhere in the region of £500-£1k per race weekend, and i think that's at the cheap end!
So excluding team support, if you drag the car there and back yourself, and have a mix of cheap, local rounds, and more lavish weekends away, you're looking at around £7k, plus maintenance and tyres. And obvs not including any damage.
So with some contingency you're into it for £10k per year.
I my 2012 season, which was my best year and included winning most of the races and picking up a championship pot, i spent £6.5k, plus made about £1k profit on the car and spares package that i sold at the end of the season. So all in about £5.5k. But the budget was kept very tight and i didn't test much. Plus things were cheaper 10 years ago!!
When i raced back in 2004-2014, it was roughly £350-£400 to enter a race weekend, consisting of 1x 20 min quali, plus 2x 20 min races. Now the entry fees are more like £450+ for a weekend.
So on that basis it sounds fairly reasonable if you're doing maybe 6-8 race weekends in a season, as that sounds like £2.5k-£3k plus a bit for fuel for the race car is all you'll need. Sadly that's not how it tends to pan out in my experience.
A more realistic weekend is going to involve some testing, either attending a trackday at some time between events, or booking a test day ideally the day before the race weekend to reduce travelling.
Test days used to range from around £180 to £300. I think they've gone up since then though. I didn't always test as sometimes i felt like i could get back in the groove during quali, but it depends on the circuit and how easily you can get up to speed. Inevitably, those that have tested the day before are "on it" immediately.
I think i used to test at roughly half of the events. The other thing about testing is it really ramps up your fuel costs for the weekend, plus it's an extra night away, so if you're staying in a B&B then it soon adds up.
Personally i used to find that race weekends varied between the following:
Local circuit, stay at home, no testing:
entry fee: £350
fuel for race car: 10 litres per 20 min session, so roughly 30L = £60 at today's prices?
fuel for road car: £40?
total: £450-£500 ish
Circuit further away, stay in B&B, test on friday:
entry fee: £350
testing: £250
fuel for race car: roughly 80L = £160 at today's prices?
fuel for road car: £80?
B&B: £250 for 3 nights
3x dinners out: £100?
total: £1190
So somewhere between £500 and £1200 depending on how nice you like your B&Bs and dinners to be!
That doesn't really include random stuff like having to pop to halfords for bits n pieces.
Obvs you can sleep in a tent, but after a night in a tent i'm normally like a zombie and my wife hates not getting a good sleep.
On top of that you've got maintenance, tyres, brake pads, etc.
Team support is somewhere in the region of £500-£1k per race weekend, and i think that's at the cheap end!
So excluding team support, if you drag the car there and back yourself, and have a mix of cheap, local rounds, and more lavish weekends away, you're looking at around £7k, plus maintenance and tyres. And obvs not including any damage.
So with some contingency you're into it for £10k per year.
I my 2012 season, which was my best year and included winning most of the races and picking up a championship pot, i spent £6.5k, plus made about £1k profit on the car and spares package that i sold at the end of the season. So all in about £5.5k. But the budget was kept very tight and i didn't test much. Plus things were cheaper 10 years ago!!
Edited by PTF on Monday 20th June 14:53
Reading the posts again talking about budgets.
Surely the answer is Racing can be as expensive as you wish to make it?
Last year I had terrific fun driving my race car to events with the Mazda Motorsport club. I'd brim the car with fuel on leaving home drive to the circuit race and drive home on a single tanks. Granted my laps in the afternoon were far far quicker as the fuel burnt off but it made for a simple weekend.
It was also great fun staying on site either camping or kipping in the back of the race car. The cost of a weekend really is down to how much you want to spend.
I wrote this article based on my experience of moving from track days to racing https://www.2racinguk.com/post/track-days-vs-racin...
This season through a move of championship costs have been reduced further. entry fees are down to £375 from £450. There's driver pairing to share the costs of entry and fuel etc. Being part of The ClubSport trophy there are no membership fees.
Promoting my race series again. The Mazda2 is frugal little blighter kind on the wallet. The engines aren't stressed producing power they weren't given at the factory so still have plenty of tolerance left. I took a hefty bump from a BMW at Snetterton and we just bounced off. A corner of the bumper had popped lose. Pushed it back in and all good.
Surely the answer is Racing can be as expensive as you wish to make it?
Last year I had terrific fun driving my race car to events with the Mazda Motorsport club. I'd brim the car with fuel on leaving home drive to the circuit race and drive home on a single tanks. Granted my laps in the afternoon were far far quicker as the fuel burnt off but it made for a simple weekend.
It was also great fun staying on site either camping or kipping in the back of the race car. The cost of a weekend really is down to how much you want to spend.
I wrote this article based on my experience of moving from track days to racing https://www.2racinguk.com/post/track-days-vs-racin...
This season through a move of championship costs have been reduced further. entry fees are down to £375 from £450. There's driver pairing to share the costs of entry and fuel etc. Being part of The ClubSport trophy there are no membership fees.
Promoting my race series again. The Mazda2 is frugal little blighter kind on the wallet. The engines aren't stressed producing power they weren't given at the factory so still have plenty of tolerance left. I took a hefty bump from a BMW at Snetterton and we just bounced off. A corner of the bumper had popped lose. Pushed it back in and all good.
Here is a race from last year, on possibley the worst circuit for a Mazda 2 against faster cars. Fortunately it had rained just 5 minutes before the start. Obviously racing against other Mazda 2vs levels the playing field
https://youtu.be/eDpggzSxZ5M
https://youtu.be/eDpggzSxZ5M
PTF said:
My assumption about costs was based on racing in Caterham Graduates.
When i raced back in 2004-2014, it was roughly £350-£400 to enter a race weekend, consisting of 1x 20 min quali, plus 2x 20 min races. Now the entry fees are more like £450+ for a weekend.
So on that basis it sounds fairly reasonable if you're doing maybe 6-8 race weekends in a season, as that sounds like £2.5k-£3k plus a bit for fuel for the race car is all you'll need. Sadly that's not how it tends to pan out in my experience.
A more realistic weekend is going to involve some testing, either attending a trackday at some time between events, or booking a test day ideally the day before the race weekend to reduce travelling.
Test days used to range from around £180 to £300. I think they've gone up since then though. I didn't always test as sometimes i felt like i could get back in the groove during quali, but it depends on the circuit and how easily you can get up to speed. Inevitably, those that have tested the day before are "on it" immediately.
I think i used to test at roughly half of the events. The other thing about testing is it really ramps up your fuel costs for the weekend, plus it's an extra night away, so if you're staying in a B&B then it soon adds up.
Personally i used to find that race weekends varied between the following:
Local circuit, stay at home, no testing:
entry fee: £350
fuel for race car: 10 litres per 20 min session, so roughly 30L = £60 at today's prices?
fuel for road car: £40?
total: £450-£500 ish
Circuit further away, stay in B&B, test on friday:
entry fee: £350
testing: £250
fuel for race car: roughly 80L = £160 at today's prices?
fuel for road car: £80?
B&B: £250 for 3 nights
3x dinners out: £100?
total: £1190
So somewhere between £500 and £1200 depending on how nice you like your B&Bs and dinners to be!
That doesn't really include random stuff like having to pop to halfords for bits n pieces.
Obvs you can sleep in a tent, but after a night in a tent i'm normally like a zombie and my wife hates not getting a good sleep.
On top of that you've got maintenance, tyres, brake pads, etc.
Team support is somewhere in the region of £500-£1k per race weekend, and i think that's at the cheap end!
So excluding team support, if you drag the car there and back yourself, and have a mix of cheap, local rounds, and more lavish weekends away, you're looking at around £7k, plus maintenance and tyres. And obvs not including any damage.
So with some contingency you're into it for £10k per year.
I my 2012 season, which was my best year and included winning most of the races and picking up a championship pot, i spent £6.5k, plus made about £1k profit on the car and spares package that i sold at the end of the season. So all in about £5.5k. But the budget was kept very tight and i didn't test much. Plus things were cheaper 10 years ago!!
I think the key point there is that you were chasing a championship. I am usually just enjoying myself in a class toward the rear (lower powered) end of the field in a series where there are no points on offer.When i raced back in 2004-2014, it was roughly £350-£400 to enter a race weekend, consisting of 1x 20 min quali, plus 2x 20 min races. Now the entry fees are more like £450+ for a weekend.
So on that basis it sounds fairly reasonable if you're doing maybe 6-8 race weekends in a season, as that sounds like £2.5k-£3k plus a bit for fuel for the race car is all you'll need. Sadly that's not how it tends to pan out in my experience.
A more realistic weekend is going to involve some testing, either attending a trackday at some time between events, or booking a test day ideally the day before the race weekend to reduce travelling.
Test days used to range from around £180 to £300. I think they've gone up since then though. I didn't always test as sometimes i felt like i could get back in the groove during quali, but it depends on the circuit and how easily you can get up to speed. Inevitably, those that have tested the day before are "on it" immediately.
I think i used to test at roughly half of the events. The other thing about testing is it really ramps up your fuel costs for the weekend, plus it's an extra night away, so if you're staying in a B&B then it soon adds up.
Personally i used to find that race weekends varied between the following:
Local circuit, stay at home, no testing:
entry fee: £350
fuel for race car: 10 litres per 20 min session, so roughly 30L = £60 at today's prices?
fuel for road car: £40?
total: £450-£500 ish
Circuit further away, stay in B&B, test on friday:
entry fee: £350
testing: £250
fuel for race car: roughly 80L = £160 at today's prices?
fuel for road car: £80?
B&B: £250 for 3 nights
3x dinners out: £100?
total: £1190
So somewhere between £500 and £1200 depending on how nice you like your B&Bs and dinners to be!
That doesn't really include random stuff like having to pop to halfords for bits n pieces.
Obvs you can sleep in a tent, but after a night in a tent i'm normally like a zombie and my wife hates not getting a good sleep.
On top of that you've got maintenance, tyres, brake pads, etc.
Team support is somewhere in the region of £500-£1k per race weekend, and i think that's at the cheap end!
So excluding team support, if you drag the car there and back yourself, and have a mix of cheap, local rounds, and more lavish weekends away, you're looking at around £7k, plus maintenance and tyres. And obvs not including any damage.
So with some contingency you're into it for £10k per year.
I my 2012 season, which was my best year and included winning most of the races and picking up a championship pot, i spent £6.5k, plus made about £1k profit on the car and spares package that i sold at the end of the season. So all in about £5.5k. But the budget was kept very tight and i didn't test much. Plus things were cheaper 10 years ago!!
Edited by PTF on Monday 20th June 14:53
Chasing a championship will be expensive.
What is “testing”!? Not a concept I am familiar with. I usually do one track day at the start of the season and that’s it. Admittedly I may do more if I was starting out and needed to learn tracks.
I usually enter 3-6 race meetings a year. Each CSCC Magnificent 7s race meeting has a 30 min qualy, a 40 min race and an optional second 30 min race. Entry fee is usually about £450 I think (not entered yet this year so can’t remember the detail).
I use a set of tyres a season, possibly two and that will set me back £600, so £100 per meeting, I suppose.
The car is light on fuel - £50-60 on race fuel
I tend to stick to the local tracks to me, Donington, Oulton, Mallory so don’t have to stay over, plus Anglesey (which I love) and Snetterton where I can stay relatively locally for free, so accom costs are not much.
A mate helps me out on race days as I am mechanically incompetent I pay him about £200 but plenty of people don’t do that and cope on their own.
Can’t remember when I last changed brake pads.
Car is “serviced” every winter.
I suppose, on reflection, each race costs me about £900 ( and would cost about £700 if I could wield spanners myself).
In CSCC there is always the option of sharing the drive as each race is a pit stop race, and some do that, or participate in a relay format.
I haven’t shared a drive in Mag7s but used to in Tin Tops, Future Classics and Modern Classics, when I raced in those series, and not only were cost shared but I used to get a “hire fee” from my driving partner for the share of my car.
The point is that you can race more cheaply than some people think. You won’t win, but what the hell, it is still great fun. Agree it is addictive though and “upgradeitus” can get expensive!
andy97 said:
I am usually just enjoying myself in a class toward the rear (lower powered) end of the field in a series where there are no points on offer.
This is more my interest area as well. I don't really care if I'm battling for 1st or 10th, the bit I am interested in is the racing element.This thread has given me a lot to think about but I am going to take my ARDs test in October (with a few more track days between now and then to try to improve upon my meagre abilities) and then decide on which car/series to enter. Both the CSCC Magnificent 7s and the Mazda 2 series seem to have a lot to offer but I am probably erring towards Magnificent 7s purely due to the fact that a 7 may be eligible for more series. Happy to be convinced otherwise...
I will start a blog/thread to document my failures and the costs involved but I am hoping to operate at the lower end of the spend spectrum (if the costs get too high, I'll just stop documenting them and pretend they didn't happen)
LennyM1984 said:
andy97 said:
I am usually just enjoying myself in a class toward the rear (lower powered) end of the field in a series where there are no points on offer.
This is more my interest area as well. I don't really care if I'm battling for 1st or 10th, the bit I am interested in is the racing element.This thread has given me a lot to think about but I am going to take my ARDs test in October (with a few more track days between now and then to try to improve upon my meagre abilities) and then decide on which car/series to enter. Both the CSCC Magnificent 7s and the Mazda 2 series seem to have a lot to offer but I am probably erring towards Magnificent 7s purely due to the fact that a 7 may be eligible for more series. Happy to be convinced otherwise...
I will start a blog/thread to document my failures and the costs involved but I am hoping to operate at the lower end of the spend spectrum (if the costs get too high, I'll just stop documenting them and pretend they didn't happen)
If you are looking at Mag7 eligible cars that are also eligible for other series then I would advise looking at things like the Caterham 270/310/420 as there are a fair few around and also eligible for the Caterham Graduates Club series, the Toyo 7s series and Caterhams own series.
Neal S said:
Krikkit said:
Neal S said:
Interesting reading everyone's thoughts.
I'm in the midst of growing a grid of cars aims squarely at participants like yourselves who want a fun, cost effective form of motorsport. We use Mazda2 1.5 sport cars in almost standard form. the only modifications permitted are to the control suspension (MeisterR ClubRace) and Tyre (MRF STR). Including all the mandatory safety kit the test car cost £4000 to build including the price of the car. The Mazda2 is very light from factory and kind to its tyres and brakes.
...
I write a blog with a lot more information at 2racinguk.com or I'm happy to field and questions.
Sounds like a great series, is there any checking of engine mods?I'm in the midst of growing a grid of cars aims squarely at participants like yourselves who want a fun, cost effective form of motorsport. We use Mazda2 1.5 sport cars in almost standard form. the only modifications permitted are to the control suspension (MeisterR ClubRace) and Tyre (MRF STR). Including all the mandatory safety kit the test car cost £4000 to build including the price of the car. The Mazda2 is very light from factory and kind to its tyres and brakes.
...
I write a blog with a lot more information at 2racinguk.com or I'm happy to field and questions.
We are racing at Oulton park this weekend 25/06.22 if your able to coms and have a chat. look over the cars and see if its for you.
Unfortunately I'm busy this weekend or I'd be down having a nosey round for sure.
I was in the same position as you and did my first race last month.
Like you, im a new dad and time constrained. I decided to do a few rounds of BRSCC MX5 Clubman Championship - this is great becuase its 15 min quali, then two 15 min races but its all on the same day, so it doesn't need to take up a whole weekend. I chose this one because I wanted to do a one make series and I'm quite familiar with MX5s.
I did arrive and drive with a team that run mid pack - costs seem to vary wildly depending how far up the field you want to be. Testing is the part that makes it very expensive IMO. Without testing, an arrive and drive weekend is costing £1500-2000.
I did Silverstone GP last month, am at Oulton in July and then hopefully will do Donny in September if budget allows.
Happy to answer any questions by PM, it was the best thing I've done in my life and cant wait til Oulton. Incidentally, my pal who is a sprinter is also joining me at Oulton, so we'll see how long sprinting lasts once hes been circuit racing.
Like you, im a new dad and time constrained. I decided to do a few rounds of BRSCC MX5 Clubman Championship - this is great becuase its 15 min quali, then two 15 min races but its all on the same day, so it doesn't need to take up a whole weekend. I chose this one because I wanted to do a one make series and I'm quite familiar with MX5s.
I did arrive and drive with a team that run mid pack - costs seem to vary wildly depending how far up the field you want to be. Testing is the part that makes it very expensive IMO. Without testing, an arrive and drive weekend is costing £1500-2000.
I did Silverstone GP last month, am at Oulton in July and then hopefully will do Donny in September if budget allows.
Happy to answer any questions by PM, it was the best thing I've done in my life and cant wait til Oulton. Incidentally, my pal who is a sprinter is also joining me at Oulton, so we'll see how long sprinting lasts once hes been circuit racing.
Mr MXT said:
Happy to answer any questions by PM, it was the best thing I've done in my life and cant wait til Oulton. Incidentally, my pal who is a sprinter is also joining me at Oulton, so we'll see how long sprinting lasts once hes been circuit racing.
Just sent you a PM, would love to do the same as what you have. 
LennyM1984 said:
This is more my interest area as well. I don't really care if I'm battling for 1st or 10th, the bit I am interested in is the racing element.
This thread has given me a lot to think about but I am going to take my ARDs test in October (with a few more track days between now and then to try to improve upon my meagre abilities) and then decide on which car/series to enter. Both the CSCC Magnificent 7s and the Mazda 2 series seem to have a lot to offer but I am probably erring towards Magnificent 7s purely due to the fact that a 7 may be eligible for more series. Happy to be convinced otherwise...
I will start a blog/thread to document my failures and the costs involved but I am hoping to operate at the lower end of the spend spectrum (if the costs get too high, I'll just stop documenting them and pretend they didn't happen)
Our Mazda series will be right up your street then if your not fussed about a points championship. We race for a podium and fun at each race event. The Mazda2 is very adaptable. Youd have access to Clubsport trophy, Nippon championship, Supersport trophy, Trackday trophy Etc This thread has given me a lot to think about but I am going to take my ARDs test in October (with a few more track days between now and then to try to improve upon my meagre abilities) and then decide on which car/series to enter. Both the CSCC Magnificent 7s and the Mazda 2 series seem to have a lot to offer but I am probably erring towards Magnificent 7s purely due to the fact that a 7 may be eligible for more series. Happy to be convinced otherwise...
I will start a blog/thread to document my failures and the costs involved but I am hoping to operate at the lower end of the spend spectrum (if the costs get too high, I'll just stop documenting them and pretend they didn't happen)
Happy to organise to attend a trackday with you in order for you to try the cars. drop me an email at ns2racing@gmail.com or drop me a DM.
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