New comer to racing
Discussion
As of next year I'm hoping to start competing in the new series for the Ford Puma, I'm booking my ards test to gain the necessary licenses but I'm just wondering what's best to buy when it comes to race suits/helmet etc.
Is it worth checking eBay for a second hand bargain or does anyone have any recommendations for a cheaper option. I don't have £££'s to spend so I'm looking for good quality but on a tight budget.
Is it worth checking eBay for a second hand bargain or does anyone have any recommendations for a cheaper option. I don't have £££'s to spend so I'm looking for good quality but on a tight budget.
Never been but apparently the Autosport show is supposed to be good for all this stuff. I got my race suit from GPR when they had a clearance sale on, always worth checking when a sale is on especially given that unless one is doing test days you have about 4 to 5 months till it is all needed. Next time I will get one made to my measurements by someone like AWS.
If you're doing Puma Cup UK I may well be joining you at some point, talked to Alex a lot about this new series and now it has become sort of public knowledge its pretty clear there is a bit of a buzz around it.
If you're doing Puma Cup UK I may well be joining you at some point, talked to Alex a lot about this new series and now it has become sort of public knowledge its pretty clear there is a bit of a buzz around it.
Agreed with advice given. Go to Autosport show to buy what you haven't found as a bargain on Ebay BUT always buy your helmet new and DO buy a balaclava to go with it. The helmet is, in my opinion the most valuable and important piece of your kit so make sure you buy the best (lightest and best made) you can possibly afford. It will last for years if you look after it so its an investment in your life NOT just a requirement to go racing.
NJH said:
If you're doing Puma Cup UK I may well be joining you at some point, talked to Alex a lot about this new series and now it has become sort of public knowledge its pretty clear there is a bit of a buzz around it.
Yeah, its the Puma Cup UK, ive been offered an opportunity to compete in a friends team that is being setup for next year and beyond.Just trying to workout if i can do it
"Plays-Kool" offer pretty decent products and prices for overalls, gloves and fire resistant balaclava/ T shirts/ socks etc for those on a budget.
http://www.plays-kool.co.uk/
http://www.plays-kool.co.uk/
NJH said:
If you're doing Puma Cup UK I may well be joining you at some point, talked to Alex a lot about this new series and now it has become sort of public knowledge its pretty clear there is a bit of a buzz around it.
Where are the details - I haven't seen anything in public about it.Edited by andy97 on Tuesday 19th November 12:51
Also, seriously consider getting a HANS device. They are not cheap (although there are slightly less expensive versions available now) but they are well worth it in my view. I would not race without one, and just as important as the helmet.
As my wife said to me when I announced that I wanted to take up racing, "get a HANS or make sure that when you have an accident you die, because you will be terrible to live with as a quadraplegic!!!!"
As my wife said to me when I announced that I wanted to take up racing, "get a HANS or make sure that when you have an accident you die, because you will be terrible to live with as a quadraplegic!!!!"
andy97 said:
Also, seriously consider getting a HANS device. They are not cheap (although there are slightly less expensive versions available now) but they are well worth it in my view. I would not race without one, and just as important as the helmet.
As my wife said to me when I announced that I wanted to take up racing, "get a HANS or make sure that when you have an accident you die, because you will be terrible to live with as a quadraplegic!!!!"
thats one of the things i am going to be buying.As my wife said to me when I announced that I wanted to take up racing, "get a HANS or make sure that when you have an accident you die, because you will be terrible to live with as a quadraplegic!!!!"
Will try and get a good deal on most of it at autosport... i'l be trying loads of gear on there to find something nice and comfy
I don't agree with lots of people on helmets, if a cheap one meets the standard and fits it's fine, the difference between expensive helmets and cheap helmets is the weight and in the quality of the lining straps etc, I admit that expensive helmets last longer, as you can remove the linings to wash etc and the straps don't fray, but if you change helmet out as you should then the life of linings etc is not the issue. All helmets are made of polystyrene, and Arial and Shoie polystyrene comes from the same chemical plant as the Chinese helmets. I use SQL helmets, made in Taiwan they fit me and their bike helmets meet DOT stds and their car ones meet FIA. I do however agree with the Hans, two weeks ago had off at around 80mph, hit another car hard enough to bruise my ribs even in a gel seat and a 6 point, I'm sure that without the Hans I'd have had some serious whiplash.
andy97 said:
"Plays-Kool" offer pretty decent products and prices for overalls, gloves and fire resistant balaclava/ T shirts/ socks etc for those on a budget.
http://www.plays-kool.co.uk/
I went to their stand and v2 and a couple of others at autosport this year. playskool said they would do the lot (helmet , suit, boots and gloves) for £500. the HANS helmet would have made it about £30 more so probably worth it. helmets met the relevant bluebook standards, i was looking at stuff for sprinting rather than circuit, not sure if there is much of a difference.http://www.plays-kool.co.uk/
Go to autosport wander around for the day then in the last hour try to get a bargain
well after much thought, ive decided 2014 isnt going to be my year and im focusing on hopefully getting out there for 2015.
Just have far too many other commitments for the next 12 months, wedding/house/holidays/new job.... just doesnt make sense to add racing to the list of expenses for the moment.
but thanks for the advice and im still planning on bagging a bargain at autosport!
unless of course some one wants to sponsor me.......
Just have far too many other commitments for the next 12 months, wedding/house/holidays/new job.... just doesnt make sense to add racing to the list of expenses for the moment.
but thanks for the advice and im still planning on bagging a bargain at autosport!
unless of course some one wants to sponsor me.......
PumaJay if you want to get out for 2015 and have never raced before then honestly IMHO you should get the car done and start driving it through next year. Best advice I ever read on this forum was from a guy who said to track and test and get instruction at one local track until you have mastered it then move on to other tracks and racing i.e. don't race in season 1 just get as much time as possible getting up to speed in your car. Just the experience of driving against the clock for anyone who hasn't done it before is enough of a challenge without everything else that goes on. I did the complete opposite and dived straight in, the car broke down 3 out of the first 3 and TBH it really did knock my confidence for six. Spent the past 3 seasons meandering about going nowhere really but I don't regret the experience I have gained. That experience tells me a methodical one step at a time approach would have been better and undoubtedly much cheaper.
this is sense, I owned my car for 13 years and tracked it before racing it so I knew a lot about it, how it would handle, what could go wrong and how expensive etc but if I had a new car (to me) I would test and track day it to get up to speed. I make use of instruction whenever I can as a matter of course anyway, nothing is better for learning a new track really
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