Club series for the beginner?

Club series for the beginner?

Author
Discussion

CanoeSniffer

926 posts

86 months

Tuesday 25th August 2020
quotequote all
dhutch said:
CanoeSniffer said:
....Cars aren’t easy to find from outside the ‘circle’, as it’s mostly older chaps who don’t do t’internet, but there’s always something available....

....Our grids are dwindling a bit in the region of 15 cars, used to be 20+ consistently and that’s what we’re trying to get back to.....
I think ive found the issue for you!
I agree. Unfortunately it’s not an issue exclusive to the Jags, there’s lots of series that have been left in the doldrums in an age of social media and publicity pushes. Bloody good ones too! Once upon a time the Jags used to split into two grids, one for Saloons one for GTs, and still end up with reserve lists. It’s hard to find any coverage or footage from back in those days, which I think directly correlates with the dwindling of numbers. Doesn’t matter how good the series is if nobody knows it’s out there.

Still, as a yoof all I can do is enjoy my racing and try my hardest to let my enthusiasm spill out into some sort of social media reach etc.

CanoeSniffer

926 posts

86 months

Tuesday 25th August 2020
quotequote all
fat80b said:
Bertrum said:
The unofficial solution is a bit of rag or similar taped to a stick and hidden in the passenger compartment so the officials don’t spot it.

Rain ex also helps.
Love it - in the Escort rally car we do the same - I have a chamois sponge taped to a stick that lives in the boot (as the boot prop) and doubles as the screen clearer when it is super wet.....
Best investment I’ve made recently was a £10 12V electric heater from a little odds and ends shop in Cromer! Pathetic little thing with a barely noticeable output, but bolted to the dash by the screen makes a world of difference. I’ve done my time driving wet races blind, never again!!

dhutch

14,198 posts

196 months

Tuesday 25th August 2020
quotequote all
Bertrum said:
dhutch said:
Whats I like in terms.of weather for the Ma7da championship etc? Whenever I book a trackday in the Westfield (and it's fairness it's been a while now). I'm always twitchy about what the weather will be like. Not due to grip particularly but spray, which then gets into the car and onto the screen which has awful wipers.
Presumably if race cars people have worked out various things the work maybe? Get the door/sidescreens to seal properly? Good wiper setup? Deflectors on the cycle wings/screen? Full cage, so no roof?
The unofficial solution is a bit of rag or similar taped to a stick and hidden in the passenger compartment so the officials don’t spot it.

Rain ex also helps.
Right, just to get the worse of the water off the inside of the screen! Doh. Fine.

dhutch

14,198 posts

196 months

Tuesday 25th August 2020
quotequote all
CanoeSniffer said:
I agree. Unfortunately it’s not an issue exclusive to the Jags, there’s lots of series that have been left in the doldrums in an age of social media and publicity pushes. Bloody good ones too! Once upon a time the Jags used to split into two grids, one for Saloons one for GTs, and still end up with reserve lists. It’s hard to find any coverage or footage from back in those days, which I think directly correlates with the dwindling of numbers. Doesn’t matter how good the series is if nobody knows it’s out there.

Still, as a yoof all I can do is enjoy my racing and try my hardest to let my enthusiasm spill out into some sort of social media reach etc.
Any not just circuit/motor racing either, whole segments of interesting things to do are being lost, but fair enough.

If only there was a national body whose job it was to aim this sort of thing... ..far to often in order to get started, you basically have to already someone in the family doing it, or equivalent.


Daniel

Maldini35

2,913 posts

187 months

Tuesday 25th August 2020
quotequote all
Another vote for Project 8 Racing Saloons.

I’ve been racing with them on and off for over 10 years.
Really great bunch, good driving standards but welcoming for beginners (nobody will be nudging you off into the gravel!).

The best bit is you can race anything that’s not too new.
I race a Clio 172 but there are all sorts on the grid from Jag XS’s, Cossies, BMW E36’s, E30’s Z4’s, Capri’s, Civic Type R’s etc.
Classes are based on power to weight and scrutineering stops the big cheaters.

Races entries are cheap and they race some great circuits: Donington, Snetterton, Brands (Indy & GP layouts) Silverstone, Thruxton Etc.

Definitely worth a look.

ol

2,380 posts

207 months

Wednesday 26th August 2020
quotequote all
dhutch said:
Bertrum said:
dhutch said:
Whats I like in terms.of weather for the Ma7da championship etc? Whenever I book a trackday in the Westfield (and it's fairness it's been a while now). I'm always twitchy about what the weather will be like. Not due to grip particularly but spray, which then gets into the car and onto the screen which has awful wipers.
Presumably if race cars people have worked out various things the work maybe? Get the door/sidescreens to seal properly? Good wiper setup? Deflectors on the cycle wings/screen? Full cage, so no roof?
The unofficial solution is a bit of rag or similar taped to a stick and hidden in the passenger compartment so the officials don’t spot it.

Rain ex also helps.
Right, just to get the worse of the water off the inside of the screen! Doh. Fine.
for MA7DA we don't have windscreens, so a bit of rainex on your visor and you're good to go. Racing in the wet it actually a lot of fun, and really teaches you a lot about driving.

We had a wet quali at Snetterton a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I was on tyres that had done a year and a half and were totally bald. Made for some nice slides though! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YFcyxMkVVY

Edited by ol on Wednesday 26th August 10:05

PTP165

13 posts

217 months

Friday 28th August 2020
quotequote all
Hi John

I wonder if you might have considered the 750 Formula? I think this might fit your requirements quite well, cars available sub £10K, controlled by championship regulations under the 750 Motor Club and also the added benefit of running on slicks and wings. There are currently 3 cars available which you can find on the website below. Please have a look and if you would like more info please let me know. I returned to 750 Formula this year after 20 years in hill climb single seaters.

https://750formulachampionship.com/cars-for-sale

More info can be found on the 750 Motor Club website too including the regulations etc.

https://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/750-formula.htm

Hope this helps.

Steve


blaine54

61 posts

183 months

Friday 28th August 2020
quotequote all
MSV and CSCC offer a good spectrum of classes which pretty much any car you choose will have a class and you also then have sprint and endurance races at their meetings. I started off in MSV trackday trophy, which was sold as a race series for people dipping their toes coming from trackdays. It might have lost it's ethos a bit with clio cup cars etc but there is a place for anything on their grids so worth a look. At the slower end, how about something like EnduroKA? 2-3 hours racing time per meeting, cheap car to build, racing and having fun with your mates and a competitive field with experience from novices to the odd pro driver. Cscc and the Jags are at Donnington on the 26-27th Sept if you want to have a look & a chat

Edited by blaine54 on Friday 28th August 15:19

jevans82

Original Poster:

23 posts

43 months

Friday 28th August 2020
quotequote all
PTP165 said:
Hi John

I wonder if you might have considered the 750 Formula? I think this might fit your requirements quite well, cars available sub £10K, controlled by championship regulations under the 750 Motor Club and also the added benefit of running on slicks and wings. There are currently 3 cars available which you can find on the website below. Please have a look and if you would like more info please let me know. I returned to 750 Formula this year after 20 years in hill climb single seaters.

https://750formulachampionship.com/cars-for-sale

More info can be found on the 750 Motor Club website too including the regulations etc.

https://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/750-formula.htm

Hope this helps.

Steve
I have to admit i hadn't thought about this type of racing. I'll have a look at some videos and see if I can get along to some races (if there are any left in the season). Would you describe it as a good series for an introduction to racing?

Thanks,

John

jevans82

Original Poster:

23 posts

43 months

Friday 28th August 2020
quotequote all
blaine54 said:
MSV and CSCC offer a good spectrum of classes which pretty much any car you choose will have a class and you also then have sprint and endurance races at their meetings. I started off in MSV trackday trophy, which was sold as a race series for people dipping their toes coming from trackdays. It might have lost it's ethos a bit with clio cup cars etc but there is a place for anything on their grids so worth a look. At the slower end, how about something like EnduroKA? 2-3 hours racing time per meeting, cheap car to build, racing and having fun with your mates and a competitive field with experience from novices to the odd pro driver. Cscc and the Jags are at Donnington on the 26-27th Sept if you want to have a look & a chat

Edited by blaine54 on Friday 28th August 15:19
Thanks,

I will come and have a look if I can get out the house. I think getting to see more of the meetings is a good idea.



Nampahc Niloc

910 posts

77 months

Friday 28th August 2020
quotequote all
That’s the key. Get out there and see the car’s in the flesh. Unfortunately at the moment spectators can’t get into the paddocks. Ideally you need to chat to some of the competitors who’ll be able to give you lots of useful information and should help you decide what is for you.

jevans82

Original Poster:

23 posts

43 months

Friday 28th August 2020
quotequote all
Nampahc Niloc said:
That’s the key. Get out there and see the car’s in the flesh. Unfortunately at the moment spectators can’t get into the paddocks. Ideally you need to chat to some of the competitors who’ll be able to give you lots of useful information and should help you decide what is for you.
Yes, can understand the paddock being closed to spectators. It's frustrating though as having a chat with people around the cars is likely to help me make decisions. That said, this has been a useful place too.

PTP165

13 posts

217 months

Friday 28th August 2020
quotequote all
jevans82 said:
I have to admit i hadn't thought about this type of racing. I'll have a look at some videos and see if I can get along to some races (if there are any left in the season). Would you describe it as a good series for an introduction to racing?

Thanks,

John
Hi John

We have the last double header at Snetterton on 17th & 18th October.

In terms of a good entry level series, absolutely. I joined the 750 Formula in 1999 which was my first venture into motorsport, and I have just returned after 20 years of hillclimbing and sprinting. The formula offers great affordable racing at various levels. We all run the same engine with a control cam but we have a field of cars/drivers where anyone joining will be able to get stuck in to a decent race. I honestly don't think you can beat this as an introduction to racing, the cars are fairly simple to work on yourself but there are people out there who can help with it too.

I would say that the GRM750 that is currently for sale could be a good buy. The guy that is selling it designed and built it and based a lot of the car on the Darvi model, a name which will become clear if you decide to start investigating a bit more.

Not sure of the spectator situation for Snetterton but I suspect it will be ok. I am sure we can find a spare paddock ticket if you did decide to come and see. All the guys would be willing to talk to you and give you some ideas and information. You would be very welcome.

Regards

Steve

jevans82

Original Poster:

23 posts

43 months

Friday 28th August 2020
quotequote all
Thanks Steve,

My inlaws are a couple of miles from snetterton so it might be a good shout. If I can make it I'll get in touch.

Many thanks

blaine54

61 posts

183 months

Saturday 29th August 2020
quotequote all
Likewise if you do get to Donnington let me know, as we'll have a few cars there

PTP165

13 posts

217 months

Tuesday 1st September 2020
quotequote all
jevans82 said:
Thanks Steve,

My inlaws are a couple of miles from snetterton so it might be a good shout. If I can make it I'll get in touch.

Many thanks
Hi John

The car I was talking about has now been put on the bay of e albeit at a buy now price. May be worth contacting the owner as I think this one will go quite quickly and it is a great car. It is based on a championship winning car and also derived form the Darvi marque design.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/750-formula-racing-car/...

I will point you at the Alpha Live videos from the Silverstone races once we have the edited versions.

Steve

andrewcliffe

935 posts

223 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2020
quotequote all
If single seaters could be your thing, then Monoposto Racing Club is a good friendly series. There are a number of cars available for sub <£10k. Only downside is that you can't run open wheel cars on most track days - but if you have a race license you can go on proper circuit test days.


TwoLeadFeet

139 posts

158 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2020
quotequote all
PTP165 said:
jevans82 said:
Thanks Steve,

My inlaws are a couple of miles from snetterton so it might be a good shout. If I can make it I'll get in touch.

Many thanks
Hi John

The car I was talking about has now been put on the bay of e albeit at a buy now price. May be worth contacting the owner as I think this one will go quite quickly and it is a great car. It is based on a championship winning car and also derived form the Darvi marque design.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/750-formula-racing-car/...

I will point you at the Alpha Live videos from the Silverstone races once we have the edited versions.

Steve
Another thumbup for 750 Formula. I’ve recently moved over from Locosts and have to say it’s a great series and very first-time friendly.

There’s some good in-car footage on YouTube, particularly if you search for Peter Bove Racing. This is mine from Mallory this year https://youtu.be/jbjiFzgt9P8 (Steve was very apologetic for not looking in his mirrors as he was being lapped by Pete Bove towards the end of the race laugh)

jevans82

Original Poster:

23 posts

43 months

Thursday 3rd September 2020
quotequote all
PTP165 said:
jevans82 said:
Thanks Steve,

My inlaws are a couple of miles from snetterton so it might be a good shout. If I can make it I'll get in touch.

Many thanks
Hi John

The car I was talking about has now been put on the bay of e albeit at a buy now price. May be worth contacting the owner as I think this one will go quite quickly and it is a great car. It is based on a championship winning car and also derived form the Darvi marque design.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/750-formula-racing-car/...

I will point you at the Alpha Live videos from the Silverstone races once we have the edited versions.

Steve
Thanks for highlighting this Steve,

are 750 series cars welcome on regular track days or do they need to go on specific race prep days?

Thanks,

John

andrewcliffe

935 posts

223 months

Friday 4th September 2020
quotequote all
Cars with enclosed wheels are usually welcome on track days providing they meet the noise limits, so you may need a track day silencer and a race weekend silencer.

Doesn't always mean its a good idea as the performance differentials between most track day cars and what is approaching a formula car with bodywork, means it could get frustrating at times.

Add to mix - Sports 2000 cars.