Is there a budget way to get into motorsports? Do you race?

Is there a budget way to get into motorsports? Do you race?

Author
Discussion

Gonzo0

108 posts

145 months

Thursday 25th March 2021
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As above for circuit racing there is no real 'cheap' way of getting into it.

Especially like me if your a good driver but a bad mechanic then you will need to pay a team to run everything for you.

To give you an idea I've spent multiple seasons racing in the Fiesta Championship which is fairly low down the tin top racing ladder and that was still roughly £25k per season!


Chainsaw Rebuild

2,006 posts

102 months

Thursday 25th March 2021
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Can karting be cheap?

velocemitch

3,813 posts

220 months

Thursday 25th March 2021
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Jamaica said:
Matt Cup said:
Become a steward at a racetrack. Pretty sure it’s free as you are volunteering your time to help out.
confused

Much rather be behind the wheel
I expect you would, but you will find if you get involved in the marshalling and low key organizing side you will learn a lot about the sport and how its run.
this would guide you into entering the type of event which would suit you best.

As mentioned above by a number of posters, by far the cheapest way of competing is to look at non race events, Car Trials, Autotests, AutoSolo's, 12 Car Rallying, Navigational Scatters. Those types of events require the most basic of cars, no safety equipment, usually a free license and just club membership. Event entry fee's are typically less than £20.00, events often (mostly) run on an evening.

Further up Road Rallying, Targa Rallying, Historic Road Rallying. Better car required, but still doable for say £3 to £5k Still no safety gear and often still the free license. Event entry Fee's £75 to £150 (some exceptions to be fair, mainly the Historics). How competitive you are depends on how well you work as a team with your navigator.

Speed events, Sprinting and Hillclimbing, slightly more expensive and competitiveness very much depends on the car/class (forget winning unless you really do spend serious money), Helmet, Fire Proof overalls etc needed Non Race license about £70.00

Above this it's not budget motorsport anymore and will start costing serious money.

Edited by velocemitch on Thursday 25th March 17:44

velocemitch

3,813 posts

220 months

Thursday 25th March 2021
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Chainsaw Rebuild said:
Can karting be cheap?
Not if you want to come anywhere near winning no.

EDLT

15,421 posts

206 months

Friday 26th March 2021
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Chainsaw Rebuild said:
Can karting be cheap?
Club 100 looks pretty cheap at under £2500 a season (if you don't go to test days) although it seems like most rounds are in the south/south-east of England so you'll probably spend a bit on travelling and hotels if you're up north.

andrewcliffe

964 posts

224 months

Friday 26th March 2021
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Its possible to do motorsports on a tight budget...

autotests / autosolo / sprints and hillclimbs can be done cheaply, possibly even in your existing road car with a few very easy safety modifications - eg fitting towing eye, covering up battery terminals. Of course there are classes for modified cars which are more expensive to compete in.

circuit racing can be done comparatively cheaply - for cars there are plenty of hot hatches / hyundai coupes etc., at around £ 5000 to buy, even some single seaters. Of course there is maintenance, plus the cost of obtaining the race licence and the race entry fees, but if you were happy to camp at circuit, have access to transport if you have to tow the car to the circuit, and could do most work yourself, then you could probably do a seasons racing for £ 5k.