Who thinks I should re-mortgage my house....
Discussion
to pay for a few seasons of karting for my 7 year old?
See;
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jaXyLTKINe0
It's just that football is so much cheaper....lol
See;
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jaXyLTKINe0
It's just that football is so much cheaper....lol
I wouldn't jeopardise my family home for some cash to go racing. You need to get race funds from another source, for example a second job or overtime etc.
If your really serious about this, work out a careful budget and plan what events/races you will do. Buy second hand (except safety equipment) and be frugal not flash!
If your really serious about this, work out a careful budget and plan what events/races you will do. Buy second hand (except safety equipment) and be frugal not flash!
I hope your joking! Its all very well getting him started but you have think way beyond that, where is the money comming from to keep the ball rolling and it gets bigger as he tries to go up the ladder.
Remortgaging to go racing will be the worst thing you ever did unless your happy to live in the short term.
The only time ever to consider such a serious move is when through hard work and effort with lots of yeras already behind you both you get offered a once in life time already heavily funded drive with a manufacturer from which you MAY just be able to build a career on solid foundations other than pure self belief. Even then, its a big ask.
Remortgaging to go racing will be the worst thing you ever did unless your happy to live in the short term.
The only time ever to consider such a serious move is when through hard work and effort with lots of yeras already behind you both you get offered a once in life time already heavily funded drive with a manufacturer from which you MAY just be able to build a career on solid foundations other than pure self belief. Even then, its a big ask.
Im sure several F1/succesful driver's parents have done that in the past, but of course you only hear of the successful ones! I've no doubt there's hundreds of other parents out there who also remortgaged the house/lived on the breadline to pay for their kid's promising career who's offspring are now working in Mcdonalds or spannering down the local kart track. Being successful in motorsport is probably no more than about 10% ability and 90% luck, and unless you're a millionaire or run your own large company, you're going to have to rely on sponsors at some point to pay the way into cars/series that will get you noticed in top level motorsport where there's a chance of earning back the investment.
As an example, although Lewis Hamilton was undoubtedly very good in karts, there will have been others in is classes who were also talented, who could compete with him and beat him on their day, yet if you obtained a list of those drivers he competed against I bet there's hardly any (if any) that are recognisable names today.
As an example, although Lewis Hamilton was undoubtedly very good in karts, there will have been others in is classes who were also talented, who could compete with him and beat him on their day, yet if you obtained a list of those drivers he competed against I bet there's hardly any (if any) that are recognisable names today.
Edited by LocoBlade on Thursday 18th December 16:17
LocoBlade said:
Im sure several F1/succesful driver's parents have done that in the past, but of course you only hear of the successful ones! I've no doubt there's hundreds of other parents out there who also remortgaged the house/lived on the breadline to pay for their kid's promising career who's offspring are now working in Mcdonalds or spannering down the local kart track. Being successful in motorsport is probably no more than about 10% ability and 90% luck, and unless you're a millionaire or run your own large company, you're going to have to rely on sponsors at some point to pay the way into cars/series that will get you noticed in top level motorsport where there's a chance of earning back the investment.
As an example, although Lewis Hamilton was undoubtedly very good in karts, there will have been others in is classes who were also talented, who could compete with him and beat him on their day, yet if you obtained a list of those drivers he competed against I bet there's hardly any (if any) that are recognisable names today.
First point, imo, is very true. However, I remember watching Lewis race against Gary Paffett in Cadets/Yamaha or something similar when he was young. No others come to mind immediately...As an example, although Lewis Hamilton was undoubtedly very good in karts, there will have been others in is classes who were also talented, who could compete with him and beat him on their day, yet if you obtained a list of those drivers he competed against I bet there's hardly any (if any) that are recognisable names today.
Edited by LocoBlade on Thursday 18th December 16:17
Van Man, karting is expensive. It will almost certainly cost more than you expect! Go along to a race meeting next year at your local track and see what everyone runs with and the equipment they have behind them. Also, speak to a few guys there to establish how much it is actually going to cost you. It might give you more information on what's invlolved and the level of financial committment required so that you can assess your situation better.
I have run Club 100 off and on for 10 seasons and ran Rotax Max when it first came out with a Birel chassis (one of the best) through Andy Cox. I beat the Benetton guys a few times even when they had a works lorry and camper style van for a team of 5-10 people. It's a very good feeling when you beat that!
I know how much money it takes, mortgage size thats for sure....
I did not know I could race (well) until I was 25. My son is just 8 and well, we can all dream!
I know how much money it takes, mortgage size thats for sure....
I did not know I could race (well) until I was 25. My son is just 8 and well, we can all dream!
Edited by Van Man 55 on Thursday 18th December 16:53
Simon Mason said:
I hope your joking! Its all very well getting him started but you have think way beyond that, where is the money comming from to keep the ball rolling and it gets bigger as he tries to go up the ladder.
Remortgaging to go racing will be the worst thing you ever did unless your happy to live in the short term.
The only time ever to consider such a serious move is when through hard work and effort with lots of yeras already behind you both you get offered a once in life time already heavily funded drive with a manufacturer from which you MAY just be able to build a career on solid foundations other than pure self belief. Even then, its a big ask.
....... how to make a small fortune from motorsport, ....... start with a big one!!!Remortgaging to go racing will be the worst thing you ever did unless your happy to live in the short term.
The only time ever to consider such a serious move is when through hard work and effort with lots of yeras already behind you both you get offered a once in life time already heavily funded drive with a manufacturer from which you MAY just be able to build a career on solid foundations other than pure self belief. Even then, its a big ask.
ginettajoe said:
Simon Mason said:
I hope your joking! Its all very well getting him started but you have think way beyond that, where is the money comming from to keep the ball rolling and it gets bigger as he tries to go up the ladder.
Remortgaging to go racing will be the worst thing you ever did unless your happy to live in the short term.
The only time ever to consider such a serious move is when through hard work and effort with lots of yeras already behind you both you get offered a once in life time already heavily funded drive with a manufacturer from which you MAY just be able to build a career on solid foundations other than pure self belief. Even then, its a big ask.
....... how to make a small fortune from motorsport, ....... start with a big one!!!Remortgaging to go racing will be the worst thing you ever did unless your happy to live in the short term.
The only time ever to consider such a serious move is when through hard work and effort with lots of yeras already behind you both you get offered a once in life time already heavily funded drive with a manufacturer from which you MAY just be able to build a career on solid foundations other than pure self belief. Even then, its a big ask.
You'd be better off selling your car(s) for cheap runabouts and getting a small loan, than a remortgage, especially in the current climate (wait at least 2 years). Too long for your son though.
The questions is, does he appear to have the talent for it?
Is he any good at other sports (and I mean good)? Is he brilliant (and I mean brilliant) at computer games and other hand-eye coordinated competitive activities (like radio controlled cars as per Lewis)? Is he better than ALL other kids he's played against at most games/sports? Is he determined to win at anything - is he ridiculously competitive? If the answer is no to any of those questions then I, personally, wouldn't risk it, but then I, personally, would've started to teach him racing-qualities at a younger age (since he could understand the rules of a game and play)...
There's more to being good at racing than just starting early - the reality is the 'start' comes much sooner than when they can first sit in a kart...
The questions is, does he appear to have the talent for it?
Is he any good at other sports (and I mean good)? Is he brilliant (and I mean brilliant) at computer games and other hand-eye coordinated competitive activities (like radio controlled cars as per Lewis)? Is he better than ALL other kids he's played against at most games/sports? Is he determined to win at anything - is he ridiculously competitive? If the answer is no to any of those questions then I, personally, wouldn't risk it, but then I, personally, would've started to teach him racing-qualities at a younger age (since he could understand the rules of a game and play)...
There's more to being good at racing than just starting early - the reality is the 'start' comes much sooner than when they can first sit in a kart...
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