Which option would you take?
Discussion
Bearing in mind I have the right licenses for all of these, in about three years time I will have 40k at my disposal, plus about 5k pa for racing. Also I prefer historics. And yes, I know I’m very lucky, I’ve been bloody skint previously and relied on the generosity of others for my racing.
a) buy a historics qualifying Sports 2000 and run it in perpetuity (circa 30 k purchase, 5k pa running, occasional scholar engine at about 5k, all mechanics done at home other than engine,already own a covered trailer). Probably an asset too.
b) one entry at Le Mans in a bottom ranking team
c) hire drive in Le Mans Classic, hire drive to get to 300 mph at bonneville, hire drive in top line spa 6 hour car (lots of experience in historic saloons and probably the only thing I’d come away from thinking I’ve done well and stretched myself) and hire drive in Masters Formula one, proper NASCAR induction day (not a tourist experience day) and a go in a rail dragster (including testing where necessary - actually, to be honest, where needed) - although I calculate this at about 30 ish K, so there is room?
d) 4 races in Masters F1 (hire drive)
I’ve got to admit, that bearing in mind the 40k is a one off I’m looking at sustained satisfaction, so maybe a combination of a plus a one off hire in Masters F1, but would appreciate advice from anyone who’s done any of the above. B is definitely bottom of the list now I look at it, but c is tempting for bucket list reasons. Masters F1 I wouldn’t be confident without at least two test sessions at about 2K per go at a guess. And I’d probably still be s**t scared!
a) buy a historics qualifying Sports 2000 and run it in perpetuity (circa 30 k purchase, 5k pa running, occasional scholar engine at about 5k, all mechanics done at home other than engine,already own a covered trailer). Probably an asset too.
b) one entry at Le Mans in a bottom ranking team
c) hire drive in Le Mans Classic, hire drive to get to 300 mph at bonneville, hire drive in top line spa 6 hour car (lots of experience in historic saloons and probably the only thing I’d come away from thinking I’ve done well and stretched myself) and hire drive in Masters Formula one, proper NASCAR induction day (not a tourist experience day) and a go in a rail dragster (including testing where necessary - actually, to be honest, where needed) - although I calculate this at about 30 ish K, so there is room?
d) 4 races in Masters F1 (hire drive)
I’ve got to admit, that bearing in mind the 40k is a one off I’m looking at sustained satisfaction, so maybe a combination of a plus a one off hire in Masters F1, but would appreciate advice from anyone who’s done any of the above. B is definitely bottom of the list now I look at it, but c is tempting for bucket list reasons. Masters F1 I wouldn’t be confident without at least two test sessions at about 2K per go at a guess. And I’d probably still be s**t scared!
Edited by ChevronB19 on Monday 26th February 00:01
fttm said:
Buy a canoe .Any of your options will give you the red mist and one offs will lead to one mores = bankruptcy . Save your money and pain .
Already in the hole I’m afraid, been racing 27 years but at the ‘cheaper’ end of the market (especially when historics were ‘cheap’). So option A looks like the most sensible (answering my own question).Only you can answer the how long do you want to race for question. However, if you spend your money in one exciting arrive and drive lump, I bet you'll need to find more to carry on racing after!
I would think there are several categories of historics that would suit the 5k per year self running budget such as clubmans, ff1600, ff2000 and perhaps some of the sports car categories. You could do 2 years in each, possibly improving each car you buy and not losing money on the capital and possibly having your capital sum go up!
Bert
I would think there are several categories of historics that would suit the 5k per year self running budget such as clubmans, ff1600, ff2000 and perhaps some of the sports car categories. You could do 2 years in each, possibly improving each car you buy and not losing money on the capital and possibly having your capital sum go up!
Bert
I know that you have said historic... but how about giving Caterham racing a shot?
I am sure that you can find a rent a drive in the next 12 months or so to see if you do like it but that sort of money will buy you a good car and many of their series and it is good, (mostly) clean, friendly racing in most of the series, although the pointy end of the main ones can get a little robust.
Personally I have spent many, many years watching S2000 races wishing and willing them to be epic but have yet to see one. Frankly these days i see them as an opportunity to read the programme or have a pee.
I am sure that you can find a rent a drive in the next 12 months or so to see if you do like it but that sort of money will buy you a good car and many of their series and it is good, (mostly) clean, friendly racing in most of the series, although the pointy end of the main ones can get a little robust.
Personally I have spent many, many years watching S2000 races wishing and willing them to be epic but have yet to see one. Frankly these days i see them as an opportunity to read the programme or have a pee.
Mitch911 said:
Out of interest, where can you rent a Masters F1 (test or race) for that kind of money? And who will let you do it without putting down a deposit for a new DFV?
If I’m honest, I’m scaling from a known point of £6K in a top Lotus Cortina for the Spa 6 hours. I agree that the Masters estimates are probably low. In terms of DFV costs, that’s insurance (at a price, but a sensible precaution, look at what happened to poor Mark Hales for example).I do know a few teams well however, including a couple who run some of my uncles old cars (Shadow, BRM and Lotus, bought when they were cheap, and sadly sold when they were still cheap).
BertBert said:
Only you can answer the how long do you want to race for question. However, if you spend your money in one exciting arrive and drive lump, I bet you'll need to find more to carry on racing after!
Totally agree!
I would think there are several categories of historics that would suit the 5k per year self running budget such as clubmans, ff1600, ff2000 and perhaps some of the sports car categories. You could do 2 years in each, possibly improving each car you buy and not losing money on the capital and possibly having your capital sum go up!
Bert
You’re right about all, including historic saloons I currently run in (in a car that is midfield). My real ambition would be Formula junior or historic screamer F3, Which my Dad and uncle started in, but unfortunately these are now out of reach, and will be further out of reach once I’ve raised the 40k).Totally agree!
I would think there are several categories of historics that would suit the 5k per year self running budget such as clubmans, ff1600, ff2000 and perhaps some of the sports car categories. You could do 2 years in each, possibly improving each car you buy and not losing money on the capital and possibly having your capital sum go up!
Bert
I agree however, I think option a (outright purchase) is probably the most sensible, and save for one option out of option c. Spa 6 hours at a discounted rate isn’t impossible as I know most of the saloon runners.
Out of that lot I'd pick option a personally, as I'd get a lot more ongoing enjoyment from it.
Spunking a big chunk of cash I wouldn't normally have on the others sounds like a huge gamble to me. The best you'll come away with is a big tick off the bucket list, so if you really must then go for it. But the ongoing experience of owning and running something really cool for an extended period of time would be much more appealing to me. If you can afford something with the provenance to attract invitations (not sure that's achievable in budget?), that would be something else. The driver hospitality at invitational classic events tends to be very nice indeed...
Or am I too sensible!?..
Spunking a big chunk of cash I wouldn't normally have on the others sounds like a huge gamble to me. The best you'll come away with is a big tick off the bucket list, so if you really must then go for it. But the ongoing experience of owning and running something really cool for an extended period of time would be much more appealing to me. If you can afford something with the provenance to attract invitations (not sure that's achievable in budget?), that would be something else. The driver hospitality at invitational classic events tends to be very nice indeed...
Or am I too sensible!?..
My two pence worth is that I would look to buy something that you could do so great events with
For £40k you could get a Formula Atlantic which allows entry to Euro F2, DBT and Peter Auto F2 series - so for example Monza, Brands Superprix, Nurburgring, Dijon etc and IMHO much more exciting to drive than S2000 plus if you buy car that also ran as F2 in period you could upgrade to a BDG when funds allow
The other option would be pre 66 car for events such as Spa 6 hours or Old Timer GP at the Ring (my absolute favourite race)
In my experience it is easy to rent out spare seats so event should be cost neutral
For your budget you should get v goood MGB with money left over and maybe TVR Grantura
Enjoy and do telll is what you decide
For £40k you could get a Formula Atlantic which allows entry to Euro F2, DBT and Peter Auto F2 series - so for example Monza, Brands Superprix, Nurburgring, Dijon etc and IMHO much more exciting to drive than S2000 plus if you buy car that also ran as F2 in period you could upgrade to a BDG when funds allow
The other option would be pre 66 car for events such as Spa 6 hours or Old Timer GP at the Ring (my absolute favourite race)
In my experience it is easy to rent out spare seats so event should be cost neutral
For your budget you should get v goood MGB with money left over and maybe TVR Grantura
Enjoy and do telll is what you decide
Richair said:
Out of that lot I'd pick option a personally, as I'd get a lot more ongoing enjoyment from it.
Spunking a big chunk of cash I wouldn't normally have on the others sounds like a huge gamble to me. The best you'll come away with is a big tick off the bucket list, so if you really must then go for it. But the ongoing experience of owning and running something really cool for an extended period of time would be much more appealing to me. If you can afford something with the provenance to attract invitations (not sure that's achievable in budget?), that would be something else. The driver hospitality at invitational classic events tends to be very nice indeed...
Or am I too sensible!?..
No, very sensible! Been lucky enough to be invited to Goodwood revival 5 times and the BGP support race once in a car that originally cost £4.50 when we got it from a scrapyard! I agree, the hospitality is lovely, but the associated costs are kind of ‘eek’Spunking a big chunk of cash I wouldn't normally have on the others sounds like a huge gamble to me. The best you'll come away with is a big tick off the bucket list, so if you really must then go for it. But the ongoing experience of owning and running something really cool for an extended period of time would be much more appealing to me. If you can afford something with the provenance to attract invitations (not sure that's achievable in budget?), that would be something else. The driver hospitality at invitational classic events tends to be very nice indeed...
Or am I too sensible!?..
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