Circut Racing - Entry Level?

[v8s4me]

Saw this and wondered if it might be a low cost way of having a bit of fun.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221070303933?ssPageName=...
So some questions please?

1. What formula if any would this or something similar be eligible for?
2. Would it be better to buy one which is already fitted out to a formula?
3. Where is the best place to look for something like that?
4. What’s the ball park figure for getting started ie racing licence,
helmet, suit & gloves etc
5. Is this the right forum?

At 56 I’m not looking to break any lap records but there’s got to be a better alternative to bloody golf

[HeatonNorris]

I'd hope that would never get near a road... nevermind a track!

I think someone took the Morgan 'ash frame' a little too literally!

[mrmr96]

Would be a shame if that really has sold for £450, would be worth more to the guy if he's spent 20 years on it!

[carl_w]

Wood is nature's carbon fibre.

I was assuming the wood 'n' ally was attached to some steel tubes that made up the chassis, but I can't see any evidence of any tubes.

[R TOY]

56, prime of life !

Best way to go imo is to find a series that appeals and then buy something ready made ie/ rollcage, extinguishers,cutoffs, etc etc.
Can be much cheaper than buying a car and prepping it.
Budget around £750 for suit, gloves, boots, helmet and underwear,
Race pack, Ards test and licence around £300 iirc.

does your Masserati really do 185 btw ?

[NTEL]

Joe, as you seem to be a TVR man, why not get yourself a "ready to race" Class C Tasmin for about 4K and come racing with us lot in the Dunlop TVR Challenge. Loads of fun and a really friendly bunch of folk.

Some idea of Costs:

ARDS and go racing pack....£300
Medical....£80
Licence....£45
Basic helmet, gloves, overalls, boots, underwear....£800
Trailer (second hand) £1200
Race Club membership.....£150
Series registration.....£180
Entry fee......£350 per weekend (qually and 2 races)

and then there are tyres, brakes, fuel, fluids, accomodation blah blah blah

Edited by NTEL on Tuesday 17th July 14:55

[v8s4me]

Maserati? - "Life's Been Good", but not that good

Thanks for the replies gents.

Yes I do own a TVR and so I know the crowd will be friendly, welcoming and helpful. As a complete novice though I think I'm looking for something simpler and easier to repair after the inevitable shunt. A little less power wouldn't be a bad idea any way.

The advice to buy a ready prepared racer is sound and these two are in the classifieds at the moment.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3806222.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3874543.htm

One of my local TVR buddies suggested the 750MC as a good way of getting into circuit racing so these would seem to be suitable for this. I'm still researching this though.

Obviously there's no such thing as "cheap" motor sport but as a complete novice I'd be looking to keep the outlay down initially to see how it goes.

Any other suggestions/advice welcome - thanks again.

Edited by v8s4me on Tuesday 17th July 20:37

[HeatonNorris]

Thought of something like this?

http://www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk/

[Lancsbreaker]

750MC are a good value club for (relatively) low-cost racing - my mate ran with them for several years until they dropped the series he ran in (Roadsports) - when he swappec over to the Classic Sports Car Club (http://www.classicsportscarclub.co.uk/), which runs a series of good-value races in a range of classes - Swinging Sixties, Tin-Tops, Future Classics, Magnificant 7s, and Deutche Marque - all offering 30 minutes qualifying and 40 minute races (with a pit-stop) for around £350 or so per race. Admittedly a 40-minute race might be a bit long as a beginner - my mate dragged me in from the world of rallying to share the driving with him - leading to me celebrating my 60th birthday racing at Brands Hatch GP circuit. Its not unusual for someone to be looking for another driver to share with.

If you're not sure whether you are going to take to it, there are a number of companies that will do "Arrive and Drive" hire packages to get a taste....(this, for example: http://www.motorsportads.com/race-cars/saloon-cars... which might be expensive for a season, but can be cheaper for just a couple of events, and to determine whther you really are committed to it......be warned it can be addictive though...I'm having a year off for financial reasons, and I'm definitely missing it!