Entering Motorsport - Does this budget look right??

[ktm301p]

Greensleeves said:

My engine, with 112k miles on the clock lasted almost a season before the head gasket went and when we stripped it, there was not much wrong with it. It had a new gasket and is still racing now in someone else's car. I had an engine rebuilt professionally for 600 quid and it's still going well two years later.

Last month's Bratch meeting cost me about 80 quid in diesel for the van, 30 quid's worth of Optimax for the racer, 295 for the entry fee and I bought a set of tyres which came to almost 400 quid which I'm hoping will do three or more meetings. I also double up and do the Nippon Challenge as well which adds to the costs and reduces the tyre life. Additional expense was a slab of beer for Saturday night and a few quid for food at the paddock cafe.

If you disregard having to buy a donor vehicle to repair the car after hitting Nathan on lap 10 of race 1 and the couple of weeks to repair the cars, that's about the strength of it.

Thanks for the advice there! I see your point there, it is worth setting aside money for the potential cost of a donor car and rebuilding an engine let alone tyres.

[andy rob]

Go too a few different race meetings & get a feel for all the different championships
How much is your head worth ?
Buy the best helmet & consider buying a hans device, even if you dont make sure your helmet has the hans posts on so after your first big crash you decide to buy a hans you wont have to buy another helmet (unless you've recked it !!!)

Did you budget for a transponder ? you can hire per race @ the circuit or buy for a complete rip-off price of approx £400

dont even consider building a car when there are lots of sub £2k cars ready to race, if you do build one you will spend @ least your first season trying learn to race & getting the car right.

Ive got nothing against MR2's but ultimatly they are mid engined rear drive car which on the limit can be quite tricky to control, esp in the wet for a novice, my pal spent several years developing & racing an MR2 turbo & in the end gave up & built a subaru which is much easier to drive even with lots more power.
Id be buying a lightweight fwd hatchback to learn in as a first car to develop your skills in (easy to drive on the limit & forgiving when you get out of shape) before trying anything rwd (which is noramally a fair bit heavier)
Just dont spend too much on your first car do a few races, finish them (this may sound obvious but it amazing how many people dont) to get some signitures on your licence then decide what you really want to do, build your self a monster with a nice big V8 then come & join us in the classic thunder !

We are at silverstone next weekend & there is large entry of monster machinery lined up, guarrented to impress anyone that likes saloon car racing

Edited by andy rob on Saturday 28th April 17:56

[NJH]

Top advice that, agree 100%.

[Soul Reaver]

I built a Clio for my first race car and although I "Ahem less said the better" went wildley over my intital budget of Tuppence Ha'penny I am thoroughly enjoying it and that is the main point to motorsport. I need some tips on getting it off the line LOL

[Greensleeves]

andy rob said:

Ive got nothing against MR2's but ultimatly they are mid engined rear drive car which on the limit can be quite tricky to control

Where did you get that from? They're like a little skateboard and corner like they're on rails.

andy rob said:

Just dont spend too much on your first car do a few races, finish them (this may sound obvious but it amazing how many people dont) to get some signitures on your licence then decide what you really want to do

Can't argue with that. Sound advice. Cheap cars are as good as expensive cars when they're sat in the gravel trap.