Getting into cheap rallying
Discussion
Me and a mate are thinking (booze fueled idea) of getting into a cheap form of motorsport and he seems to think that rallying something like an old 205 gti and joining the 205 challenge would be ideal.
My queries are what kind of yearly budget does this take up and is it as easy to get into as he thinks. Plus does anyone have any idea what kind of initial outlay we will have to provide to be ready to race (he has already seem a rally preped 205 for £2750).
Also as an after thought do we need any special licences?
My queries are what kind of yearly budget does this take up and is it as easy to get into as he thinks. Plus does anyone have any idea what kind of initial outlay we will have to provide to be ready to race (he has already seem a rally preped 205 for £2750).
Also as an after thought do we need any special licences?
you will need a stage rally license, details here www.msauk.org/ I dont think you need to attend a rally school course prior to competing, i dont think you do but call the MSA who will be happy to advise.
As for finances, you will need a lot.....
Aside from the cost of the car, estimate £1000 for overalls, underwear, boots and gloves and a helmet, all of which must be fireproof. You will also need a reliable intercom system.
£2750 seems a bit cheap for a rally prep'd 205, find out if it has an MSA Log book (which means it has actually competed in a rally) rather than a bodge job which someone has done but has not competed in as these can contain all sorts of problems. I have seen cars for sale on the web advertised as rally prepp'd still including the carpet! You will pay a premium for a 205 as they are in demand for the challenge series. Consider widening your search to include Novas, Citroen AXs and similar.
Once you have the car, you should be able to find someone with some scrutineering experience who can do a check of the car to save you entering an event only to find you can not compete due to failing scrutineering. Naturally they will not be able to check everything and guarantee the car will pass but they wil spot anything you might miss.
You will need a support car and crew, this could be unpaid family and friends or professional assistance the cost of which I would assume varies.
You will also need to include;
entry fees (approx £150)
petrol for rally car and support car (£75-100)
food and accomodation (B+B £30 per person per night or a local campsite)
all other consumables/emergency cash per event (£100+)
You will also need to include an accident fund for each event to enable repairs for the next event...
Obviously those figures will vary but I think they are a good estimate and based on what friends have divulged! There are a few people on pistonheads who rally regularly and can perhaps offer actual figures from their own expereince. As the car will be driven to the event, it will also need to be fully road legal and capable of passing an MoT.
I would recommend starting off with single venue events which are (surprisingly!) held at one venue and are good for novice crews as they can offer a bit more time before stages for car/driver preperation. They will also help to keep the costs down at the start. A number of single venue events are held on airfields and are therefore on wide tarmac areas with little to hit but hay bales!
Have you tried a 12 car rally? they might be a good starting point and are almost as much fun! they are certainly cheaper!....
>> Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 11th October 13:37
As for finances, you will need a lot.....
Aside from the cost of the car, estimate £1000 for overalls, underwear, boots and gloves and a helmet, all of which must be fireproof. You will also need a reliable intercom system.
£2750 seems a bit cheap for a rally prep'd 205, find out if it has an MSA Log book (which means it has actually competed in a rally) rather than a bodge job which someone has done but has not competed in as these can contain all sorts of problems. I have seen cars for sale on the web advertised as rally prepp'd still including the carpet! You will pay a premium for a 205 as they are in demand for the challenge series. Consider widening your search to include Novas, Citroen AXs and similar.
Once you have the car, you should be able to find someone with some scrutineering experience who can do a check of the car to save you entering an event only to find you can not compete due to failing scrutineering. Naturally they will not be able to check everything and guarantee the car will pass but they wil spot anything you might miss.
You will need a support car and crew, this could be unpaid family and friends or professional assistance the cost of which I would assume varies.
You will also need to include;
entry fees (approx £150)
petrol for rally car and support car (£75-100)
food and accomodation (B+B £30 per person per night or a local campsite)
all other consumables/emergency cash per event (£100+)
You will also need to include an accident fund for each event to enable repairs for the next event...
Obviously those figures will vary but I think they are a good estimate and based on what friends have divulged! There are a few people on pistonheads who rally regularly and can perhaps offer actual figures from their own expereince. As the car will be driven to the event, it will also need to be fully road legal and capable of passing an MoT.
I would recommend starting off with single venue events which are (surprisingly!) held at one venue and are good for novice crews as they can offer a bit more time before stages for car/driver preperation. They will also help to keep the costs down at the start. A number of single venue events are held on airfields and are therefore on wide tarmac areas with little to hit but hay bales!
Have you tried a 12 car rally? they might be a good starting point and are almost as much fun! they are certainly cheaper!....
>> Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 11th October 13:37
would the car still need to be road legal if we are planning to take it to the events by trailer??
My mate scared off the last navigator doing 12 car rally in his 323i (something to do with missing a turn at 90mph) and now hes moved up to an M3 he can't find anyone insane enough to join him, his fiancee has finally agreed that if he is to do anything involving driving it must have as much safety in it as possible, hence the cheapish rallying.
My mate scared off the last navigator doing 12 car rally in his 323i (something to do with missing a turn at 90mph) and now hes moved up to an M3 he can't find anyone insane enough to join him, his fiancee has finally agreed that if he is to do anything involving driving it must have as much safety in it as possible, hence the cheapish rallying.
I am almost 100% sure that rally cars must be road legal, I have never seen one without plates anyway! Someone will be along in a minute with a blue book to advise.
Obviously, your car will need to be road legal if you compete in a rally involving road sections, ie from the end of one stage to the start of the other which involves using the public highway.
Obviously, your car will need to be road legal if you compete in a rally involving road sections, ie from the end of one stage to the start of the other which involves using the public highway.
I am the potential co driver by the way guys!!! I belong to North Humberside Motor Club, so I've been to marshal a few evenst - I helped out at services at the Astra stages 2003? 04? for a guy called Graeme Tabor who rallied an MGB GT and I marshalled the Dalby Forest rally this winter past.
I know Si needs to get into the motor club too, only a tenner, or is it £20 for the year?...
I reckon we should start with a 12 car navigational rally to start off with to be honest - the cheapest way to start, and then enter an event from there.
I know Si needs to get into the motor club too, only a tenner, or is it £20 for the year?...
I reckon we should start with a 12 car navigational rally to start off with to be honest - the cheapest way to start, and then enter an event from there.
Have a look at our teams site at GID Rallying theres a section on how to get going in rallying & a spreadsheet of basic costs given our approximate costs.
Ta.
Ta.
Simon,
Although I haven't done any Rallying for years,I am certain there is no such thing as cheap Rallying....unless you are doing something like 12car events.
Join a Motor Club speak to as many people as possible,if you have the budget go for it!
Steve
>> Edited by sb-1 on Monday 11th October 16:22
Although I haven't done any Rallying for years,I am certain there is no such thing as cheap Rallying....unless you are doing something like 12car events.
Join a Motor Club speak to as many people as possible,if you have the budget go for it!
Steve
>> Edited by sb-1 on Monday 11th October 16:22
I'm not gonna take credit for the website, that was Brumster's work, and its mostly his hard earned that evaporates on this sport.
The spreadsheet
Ta.
The spreadsheet
Ta.
It will cost £££££££'s to keep the thing going. You will also not be competetive unless yous spend even more £££££'s so aim to have fun on budget & aim to finish not win.
Just spent the last 3 nights mucking about with a Group A Cossie, it's gearbox & AP Paddle Clutch to be ready in time for the weekend.
Another driver who runs an ex Prodrive Scooby has just built a Fiat 126 Bis rally car "Just For a Laugh" as he puts it. Aparantley they have no chance of winning anything in it, but it's cost less to put together than a Scooby gearbox rebuild & you guarantee they'll be having a laugh in it.
Just spent the last 3 nights mucking about with a Group A Cossie, it's gearbox & AP Paddle Clutch to be ready in time for the weekend.
Another driver who runs an ex Prodrive Scooby has just built a Fiat 126 Bis rally car "Just For a Laugh" as he puts it. Aparantley they have no chance of winning anything in it, but it's cost less to put together than a Scooby gearbox rebuild & you guarantee they'll be having a laugh in it.
pablo said:
you will need a stage rally license, details here <a href="http://www.msauk.org/">www.msauk.org/</a> I dont think you need to attend a rally school course prior to competing, i dont think you do but call the MSA who will be happy to advise.
You WILL need to attend a course at a rally school now to gain a National B license which is minimum requirment for most clubman events. I know this as my best friend and someone i navigate for is a rally driving instructor
Best advice as said is join a local car club who will be happy to help
In reference to 205 challenge i think this is getting a bit expensive due to the shear competition around for it, dam good challenge though but perhaps you'd be better of starting in local single venue events.
Mike
Mikey G said:
you will need a stage rally license, details here <a href="http://www.msauk.org/"><a href="http://www.msauk.org/">www.msauk.org/</a></a> I dont think you need to attend a rally school course prior to competing, i dont think you do but call the MSA who will be happy to advise.
You WILL need to attend a course at a rally school now to gain a National B license which is minimum requirment for most clubman events. I know this as my best friend and someone i navigate for is a rally driving instructor
Best advice as said is join a local car club who will be happy to help
In reference to 205 challenge i think this is getting a bit expensive due to the shear competition around for it, dam good challenge though but perhaps you'd be better of starting in local single venue events.
Mike
@ Mike - Not according to the licence application itself for Rally National B - only a medical is required. The MSA website itself made no reference to having to pass a test before gaining a licence. Can you provide some kind of link for me???
Rich
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