Intro to circuit racing. Where to start?
Discussion
I'm interested in doing a bit of circuit racing.
I've done a few corporate track experiences... single seaters, Audi TT's at Brands, company car in action, rally experience etc...
Do you have to run your own car to get involved with a championship?
I understand that I'd need to take my ARDS test at Brands to get a licence, but what do I need to do after that?
I think I'd like to start off in smaller engined single seaters... Having driven a Formula Renault (I think) on one of my track days it seemed like a good intro to close racing.
Every time I get into a competitive situation on corporate days I'm always the fastest wether that be in ATV's, Karts or cars... so I reckon I've got a little bit of the right stuff in me somewhere
We all believe that right? 
What else will I need to start racing? Race suit? Helmet? Boots?
Some idea of expected budget would be nice... what are the chances of landing one off drives in other cars if I couldn't commit to a whole season (time constraints of running my own business).
Thanks in advance for any advice
I've done a few corporate track experiences... single seaters, Audi TT's at Brands, company car in action, rally experience etc...
Do you have to run your own car to get involved with a championship?
I understand that I'd need to take my ARDS test at Brands to get a licence, but what do I need to do after that?
I think I'd like to start off in smaller engined single seaters... Having driven a Formula Renault (I think) on one of my track days it seemed like a good intro to close racing.
Every time I get into a competitive situation on corporate days I'm always the fastest wether that be in ATV's, Karts or cars... so I reckon I've got a little bit of the right stuff in me somewhere
We all believe that right? What else will I need to start racing? Race suit? Helmet? Boots?
Some idea of expected budget would be nice... what are the chances of landing one off drives in other cars if I couldn't commit to a whole season (time constraints of running my own business).
Thanks in advance for any advice
Expect a lot of "this is what I did and it's the best racing in the world" answers
FWIW I race a Caterham, and it's great racing and it would be hard to find racing as close or as cheap without doing bangers but saying that most people are still spending £5k a season
Your best bet would be to go to a few club meets and have a chat with the people there. Most club weekends will have a mixture of single seaters saloons and sports cars and see what you like
I had no idea how to get into it so I did the Caterham academy, which was brilliant fun especially as you're in the same boat as all the other 50 odd complete amateurs, however there are much cheaper more flexible ways into motor sport if you're prepared to do the research, organise yourself etc etc
What you need, as you've already said, ARDS and gear (suit, gloves, boots, lid) but the lid may depend on what style of racing you choose.
You'll need a racing club membership (Formula ford, or Caterham Grads (in my case) probably) and then BARC or BRDC whoever's organising the championship you're entering
And the rules are different again for sprints or hillclimbs
Get out there, decide what to do, and do it. You won't regret it but it'll cost a lot more than you want it too
FWIW I race a Caterham, and it's great racing and it would be hard to find racing as close or as cheap without doing bangers
but saying that most people are still spending £5k a seasonYour best bet would be to go to a few club meets and have a chat with the people there. Most club weekends will have a mixture of single seaters saloons and sports cars and see what you like
I had no idea how to get into it so I did the Caterham academy, which was brilliant fun especially as you're in the same boat as all the other 50 odd complete amateurs, however there are much cheaper more flexible ways into motor sport if you're prepared to do the research, organise yourself etc etc
What you need, as you've already said, ARDS and gear (suit, gloves, boots, lid) but the lid may depend on what style of racing you choose.
You'll need a racing club membership (Formula ford, or Caterham Grads (in my case) probably) and then BARC or BRDC whoever's organising the championship you're entering
And the rules are different again for sprints or hillclimbs
Get out there, decide what to do, and do it. You won't regret it but it'll cost a lot more than you want it too
I think a number of series have "arrive and drive" type arrangements.
See here:
http://www.max5racing.com/arrive&drive.html
See here:
http://www.max5racing.com/arrive&drive.html
Grand Fromage said:
For cheap single seaters, Formula Vee is massively close, and budget? Probably what 4k?
What do you mean? 4k to get set up or £4k for a season?Helmet and decent race suit are going to set me back almost a grand but then hopefully they should last me a few years.
Is formula vee the one that uses beetle engines?
We rent out our FF1600. Its an 07 Ray, holds the lap record at Oulton Park and we can provide driver coaching as well - stuart is a qualified instructor.
I would suggest single seaters are the way to go as panel damage in a saloon car can soon mount up the £££
Anyway, have a look at www.goughracing.co.uk
I would suggest single seaters are the way to go as panel damage in a saloon car can soon mount up the £££
Anyway, have a look at www.goughracing.co.uk
Geography can be quite important here. It's alot easier to start racing with a local club than to join a national series and to try to do your first race at the other end of the country!
Check out you local club, see what series they run and if you fancy any of them it should be easy to get lots of advice.
Where are you based?
Check out you local club, see what series they run and if you fancy any of them it should be easy to get lots of advice.
Where are you based?
andygo said:
We rent out our FF1600. Its an 07 Ray, holds the lap record at Oulton Park and we can provide driver coaching as well - stuart is a qualified instructor.
I would suggest single seaters are the way to go as panel damage in a saloon car can soon mount up the £££
Anyway, have a look at www.goughracing.co.uk
Cheers for the offer. Oulton Park is a good 5 hours from me though I would suggest single seaters are the way to go as panel damage in a saloon car can soon mount up the £££
Anyway, have a look at www.goughracing.co.uk
KingRichard said:
andygo said:
We rent out our FF1600. Its an 07 Ray, holds the lap record at Oulton Park and we can provide driver coaching as well - stuart is a qualified instructor.
I would suggest single seaters are the way to go as panel damage in a saloon car can soon mount up the £££
Anyway, have a look at www.goughracing.co.uk
Cheers for the offer. Oulton Park is a good 5 hours from me though I would suggest single seaters are the way to go as panel damage in a saloon car can soon mount up the £££
Anyway, have a look at www.goughracing.co.uk
I would suggest a test day at Silverstone might be a good way to start as you have to be REALLY trying in order to hit a barrier...
You will need to do your ARDS test though first in order to get a race licence.
whilst panel damage might be costly in a saloon car, its surely not unsimilar taking a corner of a modern forumla ford...forumla renault cars are very very fast, what you have driven on corporate days will not be set up for max speed and a proper car will be able to corner at phenomenal speeds...
for a beginner i would recommed something like the MR2 or the MAX5 series, one make, low speed and close racing, there will be someone in the field who will be lapping similar times to you to race against even if you are not at the front. wny not try the stock hatch series, low cost cars (fiestas etc are often croppping up in the usual places for under £3K) and close racing.
for a beginner i would recommed something like the MR2 or the MAX5 series, one make, low speed and close racing, there will be someone in the field who will be lapping similar times to you to race against even if you are not at the front. wny not try the stock hatch series, low cost cars (fiestas etc are often croppping up in the usual places for under £3K) and close racing.
Don't know about single seaters but......
I reckon £5k minimum for a season (if you take entries, fuel, tow vehicle, trailer, hotels, meals etc etc into account) plus initial vehicle and set up/gear costs. Plus any damage, maintenance, mechanical repairs.......
Caterhams and Locost a good place to start - quick cars and close racing. Also MGCC in Midgets and MGBs. IMHO there tends to be more door bashing in more modern saloons. There are arrive and drives for ZRs in the MGCC Trophy. This is not cheap as the cars are insured and you pay for support.
Suggest you try to go for something where
a) championship regards motorsport as non contact
b) initial car cost is low and re-sale easy
c) engines and gearboxes do not break
d) cars are similar so you're not beaten by people in faster cars with less talent
e) someone local can help you with set up and maintenance
I'd start in a slower car and upgrade as your budget and talent allows
If money was no object I'd go Ginetta G50.
HTH
I reckon £5k minimum for a season (if you take entries, fuel, tow vehicle, trailer, hotels, meals etc etc into account) plus initial vehicle and set up/gear costs. Plus any damage, maintenance, mechanical repairs.......
Caterhams and Locost a good place to start - quick cars and close racing. Also MGCC in Midgets and MGBs. IMHO there tends to be more door bashing in more modern saloons. There are arrive and drives for ZRs in the MGCC Trophy. This is not cheap as the cars are insured and you pay for support.
Suggest you try to go for something where
a) championship regards motorsport as non contact
b) initial car cost is low and re-sale easy
c) engines and gearboxes do not break
d) cars are similar so you're not beaten by people in faster cars with less talent
e) someone local can help you with set up and maintenance
I'd start in a slower car and upgrade as your budget and talent allows
If money was no object I'd go Ginetta G50.
HTH
LOL "start with a slower car" "if money was no object i would recommend a V6 3 litre 350 bhp car"
htey are lapping thruxton just four or five seconds slower than the Viper in the British GT race!!!
i think the point about championships where driving standards are enforced and same if not identical cars is a good one though! from the sports 200 weeb page "The Sports 2000 Racing Car Club in association with the BRSCC will be running the 2007 SRCC Championship. We welcome all drivers into our formula from novice to the experienced. HOWEVER please note we are enforcing driving standards most vigorously and body contact is not tolerated. If you drive in a manner that results in body contact you WILL be black flagged. For our formula to continue to be both FUN and AFFORDABLE it is important that there is no body contact" http://www.sports2000-srcc.com
THAT is how club racing should be promoted....
htey are lapping thruxton just four or five seconds slower than the Viper in the British GT race!!!i think the point about championships where driving standards are enforced and same if not identical cars is a good one though!
from the sports 200 weeb page "The Sports 2000 Racing Car Club in association with the BRSCC will be running the 2007 SRCC Championship. We welcome all drivers into our formula from novice to the experienced. HOWEVER please note we are enforcing driving standards most vigorously and body contact is not tolerated. If you drive in a manner that results in body contact you WILL be black flagged. For our formula to continue to be both FUN and AFFORDABLE it is important that there is no body contact" http://www.sports2000-srcc.comTHAT is how club racing should be promoted....
There is a good chance of having a bingle in your first season so its a good idea to do a bit of research in to the cost of spare parts.
I.E...Whats it going to cost you to knock a corner off an old Formula Ford? Can you still get the bits that fit the chassis? Can you still get body panels?
I would tend to think that a series based on what is basically a road car is always going to be cheaper. If you manage to destroy a Fiesta its not going to cost the earth to reshell it and most of the parts are going to eaither be available from Ford or Halfrauds.
I.E...Whats it going to cost you to knock a corner off an old Formula Ford? Can you still get the bits that fit the chassis? Can you still get body panels?
I would tend to think that a series based on what is basically a road car is always going to be cheaper. If you manage to destroy a Fiesta its not going to cost the earth to reshell it and most of the parts are going to eaither be available from Ford or Halfrauds.
deviant said:
There is a good chance of having a bingle in your first season so its a good idea to do a bit of research in to the cost of spare parts.
I.E...Whats it going to cost you to knock a corner off an old Formula Ford? Can you still get the bits that fit the chassis? Can you still get body panels?
I would tend to think that a series based on what is basically a road car is always going to be cheaper. If you manage to destroy a Fiesta its not going to cost the earth to reshell it and most of the parts are going to eaither be available from Ford or Halfrauds.
Taking a corner off a fford should cost about £200 and would take about 30 mins, so if you nerf it in qually, you can have a pristine car back onn the frid. No welding, no body filler, no painting, no lights etc etc.I.E...Whats it going to cost you to knock a corner off an old Formula Ford? Can you still get the bits that fit the chassis? Can you still get body panels?
I would tend to think that a series based on what is basically a road car is always going to be cheaper. If you manage to destroy a Fiesta its not going to cost the earth to reshell it and most of the parts are going to eaither be available from Ford or Halfrauds.
Also, in my experience racing a saloon car is a LOT slower and asks the car to do a lot of things its not been designed to do and therefore wears out brakes etc a lot faster.
get one of these
http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.a...
get your ards ( pretty straighforward) then have a look at www.racecarsdirect.net where they advertise drives available, or post on here that you are looking.
Thats what I did. Im racing a Griffith 500 in the TVR challenge.....the best race series in the world
http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.a...
get your ards ( pretty straighforward) then have a look at www.racecarsdirect.net where they advertise drives available, or post on here that you are looking.
Thats what I did. Im racing a Griffith 500 in the TVR challenge.....the best race series in the world
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