Help us build the best guide to motorsport in the UK

[BenLowden]

This could be the biggest call to arms for the PH motorsport contingent to date.

Many of us at PH have been fortunate enough to compete at some level of motorsport over the past few years, whether autotests, rallying, sprinting, or circuit sprint and endurance racing. It really is the most fun you can have in a car and we want to encourage more people to do it, but we need your help.

We want to build a comprehensive guide to getting into motorsport and break down the barriers of entry. From understanding what licence you need at each level, costs of competing, what equipment you need and where to get it, volunteering, resources for developing your driving skills and more.

There are guides out there already but with our vast knowledge across all sorts of disciplines, I think we can build probably the most comprehensive guide to date.

We want everyone to be involved; competitors, series organisers and coordinators, marshals and even those that want to get into motorsport to understand the questions you need answering.

Want to join us in our crusade? Comment below with some basic information to start on what disciplines and series you compete/have competed in, or feel free to PM me. I expect I’ll then start a Wiki to start pooling together information once we’ve nailed a format down.

Note to series organisers: To a certain extent, we will bypass our advertising rule for this thread as we want your contributions and we want to help promote your series/championship. Please ensure your username complies with the forum rules.

In the meantime, we will be at MotorsportDays LIVE at Silverstone (probably the largest gathering of motorsport minds outside of Autosport) on 1-2 November where you can learn how to get into motorsport or how to progress up the ladder, so come and join us! Matt and I will be there and between us we’ve competed in autotests, sprints and a number of circuit racing series including the Caterham Academy, EnduroKA, Porsche Restoracing and GT4. We’ll have our KA and Boxster there with us from this year too. Geeks is threatening to put in an appearance (in an unofficial capacity); his experience includes competing, volunteering, coordinating and managing our EnduroKA team this year.

[geeks]

Best I get a reply after being name checked

As already suggested I have experience in Championship (and non Championship) Coordinating in pretty much most roles in one shape or another (Press, Development, Official, you name it!)

Competing in both sprint and endurance racing.

Team Managing in endurance racing.

Club Steward

Driving Standards Officer

Scrutineers assistant

Still to do -
Marshalling, everyone should spend at least one weekend a season in orange, I have committed to getting a few days in where I can next year to make up for having not done it yet.
Clerking, planning on starting that in 2021, next year will be a busy one for me.

I also have (like most of us) contacts in areas such as Rescue Units, back office roles (otherwise known as Race Admin) from the organising clubs such as BRSCC, BARC, 750MC etc.

I am sure there is loads I have missed but there is a starter.

[benjj]

Sounds like a cracking idea, and will be enormously useful for those starting out or changing discipline.

At MM we've a huge amount of experience in virtually all forms of motorsport - from grass roots (which is the majority of what we do - C1 racing, low cost endurance etc) through to the blokes we've seen into British GT on International C Licences.

Additionally we put a lot of our blokes through marshall training and the logistical side of making things go round in circles quickly for long periods of time.

Another thing is pointers for those looking to acquire a race licence who are suffering from a physical disability or a mental issue which can cause dramas with licencing. There's some great information learned on that if you've ever needed to take the happy pills (and haven't we all?!) and want to navigate an MSA/Motorsport UK accredited doctor etc.

Edited by benjj on Friday 18th October 14:04

[thelostboy]

In chronological order, I first dabbled in some AMOC Intermarque races, then flipped between the Britcar and GT Cup Series, then Lotus Cup UK and Europe, and now in the Masters Historic championship. I have also done the odd CSCC round.

Happy to help!

[pistolpete12]

Hi Ben!


I've just finished (hopefully, well its never finished) building my next sprint car for the japanese/toyota/javelin sprint series
Happy to help here. its the way i have got into cheap motorsport. and love it!!!
Build and maintain the cars myself.

So if i have knowledge that can help happy to share

[seiben]

pistolpete12 said:

Hi Ben!


I've just finished (hopefully, well its never finished) building my next sprint car for the japanese/toyota/javelin sprint series
Happy to help here. its the way i have got into cheap motorsport. and love it!!!
Build and maintain the cars myself.

So if i have knowledge that can help happy to share

Likewise, happy to work with Pete if you want any info/experience on the various javelin-run sprints

[andrewcliffe]

If anyone wants advice regarding single seaters, I have been heavily involved in both Monoposto Racing Club and F3 Cup. Monoposto is an excellent series for lower budget single seaters. F3 Cup a bit more specialised and not likely on the novice's radar both in terms of cost and ability.

[Team Wireless]

Having Raced in Junior single seaters, on the TOCA package, British GT and lots of club sportscar racing. I would really recommend getting into Sim Racing as a form of training and learning. Something like Iracing is awesome not only for learning tracks but also learning racecraft while you compete with real (often very talented) folks, if you take it seriously you can fast track the vast majority of the skills needed simply because you are in races most evenings. I was in races and practice sessions with DTM driver Daniel Juncadella and Sérgio Sette Câmara this week alone!

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

I've been circuit racing for 25 years, have held a BARS instructors licence and have done nearly every race on my own with no technical support. SO if you need to know how to go racing when you have no mates, I am your man.

[legalknievel]

Maybe not quite on topic: I’ve done not much racing, but I have a 996 race car and a German registered CSL. I’ve done 40 trips to the ring, many with beginners, and written a five part guide for first timers to having a safe and fun time at the greatest race track in the world.

Here if you need me.

[Fishy Dave]

I'm a Director at the Classic Sports Car Club (CSCC), we organise racing for cars of all ages and have put together a basic guide here: https://www.classicsportscarclub.co.uk/start-racin...

We will have a stand and garage at MSD Live, with various cars representing the RX-8 Trophy, Turbo Tin Tops, Modern Classics, Magnificent Sevens Series and Jaguar Saloon and GT championship. I'm happy to chat further.

Regards, Dave

[BenLowden]

Thanks for all of the input and offers so far, much appreciated! I need to get cracking on working out exactly what content we should have and a format for each series/championship and will update in due course

Look forward to catching up with people at MSD Live too. I'll try and make my way around every team/series to get people involved but feel free to come and see us in the PistonHeads garages too, where we're running the public track sessions from.

[Nampahc Niloc]

Sounds like a brilliant idea. Especially a costs section. There is so little information out there about the true cost of motorsport: kit, transport, testing, damage, maintenance etc etc. Problem is, most people don’t like to admit just how much they are actually spending.

[binnerboy]

I have been competing in the Bristol Motor Club MX5 championship. This is a mix of Hillclimbs, Sprints and Autosolos. Info here

https://www.mx5challenge.co.uk/

Happy to answer questions about costs and anything else

having re-read , I am also happy to contribute to the Wiki

Edited by binnerboy on Saturday 19th October 12:14

[chunder]

Could be a really useful thread.

I think the info and pathway is pretty clear from karting to formula series and/or those with serious cash but from track day to amateur competition seems to be a minefield with explosive costs.

[darrenw]

I'm on the committee for the VW Drag Racing Club. We have two classes, one for cars that run a quarter mile in 12.99 seconds and under, and anything over. Cars have to be VAG derived or powered. More info on the website - http://vwdrc.com/faq.php - but if there's anything required please PM!

[velocemitch]

As a competitor, organiser and club secretary, I’m happy to offer advise on how to get involved at grass roots level on non circuit events.
Ie, Autotest, Autosolo, Car Trials, Road Rallying ( Including 12 Cars and Historic), Targa Rallying and to a certain extent Stage Rallying.

[RatLad]

I would be very keen to read this guide. I’ve just passed my ARDS and I’m not sure what series would be best for me and where to go next. As budget is limited, I’m planning on getting a race prepped (but road legal, as I can’t be doing with trailers ) Caterham, but I’ve no idea if there is a championship that would suit the approach of driving to the track, racing and driving home.

[carl_w]

Will this guide be free (as in beer)?

[Nampahc Niloc]

RatLad said:

I would be very keen to read this guide. I’ve just passed my ARDS and I’m not sure what series would be best for me and where to go next. As budget is limited, I’m planning on getting a race prepped (but road legal, as I can’t be doing with trailers ) Caterham, but I’ve no idea if there is a championship that would suit the approach of driving to the track, racing and driving home.

Maybe check out the Caterham Graduates.