Young'un wants to start racing!
Discussion
Well, I say young'un, I mean a 16 year old. Me, in other words.
Anyway, I've always wanted to get into motorsport, hopefully GT Car in the future, but have never really got around to starting out!
I'm 16 now, 17 in August, so my dilemma is: Too old for Karting, yet too inexperienced to get into something like Ginetta Junior or later Ginetta G20. I know I need to purchase the MSA Go Racing pack thingy, and will do that once I've had a look under the sofa for £50, but until then, anyone want to offer me some advice?
By the way, in terms of driving skill, I can drive a car in the sense that I have learnt clutch control etc. though trial and error on a beach in Wales!
All the best,
Ben
Anyway, I've always wanted to get into motorsport, hopefully GT Car in the future, but have never really got around to starting out!
I'm 16 now, 17 in August, so my dilemma is: Too old for Karting, yet too inexperienced to get into something like Ginetta Junior or later Ginetta G20. I know I need to purchase the MSA Go Racing pack thingy, and will do that once I've had a look under the sofa for £50, but until then, anyone want to offer me some advice?
By the way, in terms of driving skill, I can drive a car in the sense that I have learnt clutch control etc. though trial and error on a beach in Wales!
All the best,
Ben
Benjybh said:
Well, I say young'un, I mean a 16 year old. Me, in other words.
Anyway, I've always wanted to get into motorsport, hopefully GT Car in the future, but have never really got around to starting out!
I'm 16 now, 17 in August, so my dilemma is: Too old for Karting, yet too inexperienced to get into something like Ginetta Junior or later Ginetta G20. I know I need to purchase the MSA Go Racing pack thingy, and will do that once I've had a look under the sofa for £50, but until then, anyone want to offer me some advice?
By the way, in terms of driving skill, I can drive a car in the sense that I have learnt clutch control etc. though trial and error on a beach in Wales!
All the best,
Ben
Why do you think you're too inexperienced to go Ginetta Jnr? That's the entire reason it's there!! Anyway, I've always wanted to get into motorsport, hopefully GT Car in the future, but have never really got around to starting out!
I'm 16 now, 17 in August, so my dilemma is: Too old for Karting, yet too inexperienced to get into something like Ginetta Junior or later Ginetta G20. I know I need to purchase the MSA Go Racing pack thingy, and will do that once I've had a look under the sofa for £50, but until then, anyone want to offer me some advice?
By the way, in terms of driving skill, I can drive a car in the sense that I have learnt clutch control etc. though trial and error on a beach in Wales!
All the best,
Ben
Expensive though, as it's on the BTCC support bill. Best bet, as has been said, is to take a look at some club racing of some sort and see if you can afford anything and what appeals to you.
If you can afford it I'd go for the Caterham Academy, you'll get to try Sprints, Hillclimbs and circuit racing to see what you'll like and you get to keep the car when you've done too.
Or he could start in low-cost cars like Formula Vee. http://www.veecentre.com/
Superkarts are reasonably-priced as well, but I think you'd need at least a year's experience with lower-powered karts first.
Superkarts are reasonably-priced as well, but I think you'd need at least a year's experience with lower-powered karts first.
Firstly if you're 17 in August you're too old for Ginetta Jnr anyway!
Secondly if you've got to look down the sofa for £50 for your MSA Go-Racing Pack then I fear budget may be an issue for you.
Thirdly, yes clutch control is the least of worries worries.
Finally, if you really want to go for it then do just that and enjoy every minute of it, but expect it to cost more than you think!!!!
Secondly if you've got to look down the sofa for £50 for your MSA Go-Racing Pack then I fear budget may be an issue for you.
Thirdly, yes clutch control is the least of worries worries.
Finally, if you really want to go for it then do just that and enjoy every minute of it, but expect it to cost more than you think!!!!
firstly pass your test,
secondly go to a race school to see if you like it, and its not too expensive so you can do it soon
thirdly, if you are working, do some track days as often as funds allow, you don't need an expensive car to do this, just a relaible one.
then go racing when you can afford it. to help with costs become a mechanic, or learn how to do maintenance on a car.
if you are a student, maybe join a uni karting team or car club, and make some contacts with like minded people. then when you get a job repeat steps 2 and 3.
hth.
secondly go to a race school to see if you like it, and its not too expensive so you can do it soon
thirdly, if you are working, do some track days as often as funds allow, you don't need an expensive car to do this, just a relaible one.
then go racing when you can afford it. to help with costs become a mechanic, or learn how to do maintenance on a car.
if you are a student, maybe join a uni karting team or car club, and make some contacts with like minded people. then when you get a job repeat steps 2 and 3.
hth.
I wish you luck in your dream, but just try and be realistic. Its incredibly hard to get into any form of competative racing for all the reasons listed above.
Its expensive, time consuming, theres already people out there been doing it for many years - but if you wanna do it then use all the available means to have a go. At least you can say you've tried.
I have a similar dilemma but the other way round, im the wrong side of 35 and would love to get into something racey (the Mrs doesnt count ;0)
Ive looked at things like formula ford, my mechanic who looks after the Porsche could set me up with a race ready car for somewhere around 8-10,000 but even that is a push when worrying about running cars, houses, kids etc etc.
Its not just the purchase costs of course, theres the travel to and from, the racewear which must meet the standard, and theres having support there for the set-up and technical issues which no doubt will arise.
I also considered trying to convince a couple of like-minded friends to enter into a deal to buy a vehicle and spread the cost of maintenance / running costs etc. But the problems are the same all round, everyone has their limit of what they can afford, especially with things as they are in the world right now...
Anyway - back on topic. If you're really into doing this you're going to have to work damn hard to get the cash to do it, and accept that you'll probably need even more than that actually achieve what you want.
Good luck, let us know how you get on!
Dom
Its expensive, time consuming, theres already people out there been doing it for many years - but if you wanna do it then use all the available means to have a go. At least you can say you've tried.
I have a similar dilemma but the other way round, im the wrong side of 35 and would love to get into something racey (the Mrs doesnt count ;0)
Ive looked at things like formula ford, my mechanic who looks after the Porsche could set me up with a race ready car for somewhere around 8-10,000 but even that is a push when worrying about running cars, houses, kids etc etc.
Its not just the purchase costs of course, theres the travel to and from, the racewear which must meet the standard, and theres having support there for the set-up and technical issues which no doubt will arise.
I also considered trying to convince a couple of like-minded friends to enter into a deal to buy a vehicle and spread the cost of maintenance / running costs etc. But the problems are the same all round, everyone has their limit of what they can afford, especially with things as they are in the world right now...
Anyway - back on topic. If you're really into doing this you're going to have to work damn hard to get the cash to do it, and accept that you'll probably need even more than that actually achieve what you want.
Good luck, let us know how you get on!
Dom
Try finding a friend of a friend/neighbour etc. who competes and offer your services as a gofer. It'll give you an insight into what motorsport is really about, demonstrates real committment, and you may find a mentor/supporter.
Oh yes, you'll need money from somewhere, the more the better.
SS7
Oh yes, you'll need money from somewhere, the more the better.
SS7
Almost 17 and without substantial budget? Stock car racing seems to me to be your best bet. You will learn to look after and maintain the car, stay out of trouble on track and what to do when things go wrong and besides which you will have lots of fun all for not much cash.
Downside is that the pit babes wont so much be babes and your very unlikely to make any money out of this.
Best way in would be assist a local driver with the upkeep of his car in exchange for the chance to take it for odd practice lap on race weekends.
Downside is that the pit babes wont so much be babes and your very unlikely to make any money out of this.
Best way in would be assist a local driver with the upkeep of his car in exchange for the chance to take it for odd practice lap on race weekends.
trophies said:
HereBeMonsters said:
f
k karting. Do some proper racing. Karting is st.
Drive smoothly - it will make you faster, then you will enjoy it k karting. Do some proper racing. Karting is st. Don't knock just because you cant do it!Lew
I just don't get it. The wheelbase is too short to teach you anything about balance of a car, you have to brake with the wrong foot, there's no clutch, and in my experience, most tracks are too small to make anything but very risky overtakes.
Getting out onto a proper circuit is the best thing, a combination of circuit and airfield days in a proper car will teach you a lot.
HereBeMonsters said:
trophies said:
HereBeMonsters said:
fk karting. Do some proper racing. Karting is st.
Drive smoothly - it will make you faster, then you will enjoy it k karting. Do some proper racing. Karting is st. Don't knock just because you cant do it!Lew
I just don't get it. The wheelbase is too short to teach you anything about balance of a car, you have to brake with the wrong foot, there's no clutch, and in my experience, most tracks are too small to make anything but very risky overtakes.
Getting out onto a proper circuit is the best thing, a combination of circuit and airfield days in a proper car will teach you a lot.
Edited by superkartracer on Wednesday 20th May 10:55
Too old for Karting? How does that work?
I had a friend that decided he wanted to race cars (stock hatch). Unfortunately it was a complete waste of money. As he was on a budget it meant he couldnt afford a decent competetive hatch. You have to factor in the cost of race prep to get it to the regulations such as safety cage, seat harness, fire extinguisher, transponder, control tyres etc etc. That was without making it competetive, which he could not afford to do so ran towards the back almost which was a shame as he was a good driver.
This went on for a few rounds until the inevitable happened and his crummy engine blew up which put an end to that season, and not been able to race since.
Then paying club fees, licence fees, race fees etc. So if £50 is a struggle then wait until you're educated and working, or maybe just buy that pack, it may be worth the money ???
Join the uni kart club and maybe their Formula student team if they have one. Several Universities offer a motorsports degree but i dont know if it is something i would advise doing given the amount of people who do it and dont get involved with the sport especially when there are cutbacks
And dont forget towing a car is a damn site more hassle than a Kart, which you could tow on a normal trailer or if you have a van it would fit in that.
Karting is anything from grass roots and up, but by no means is it a child sport, just somewhere to start and even carry on.
I wish you luck, i love racing but its not in a car!
I had a friend that decided he wanted to race cars (stock hatch). Unfortunately it was a complete waste of money. As he was on a budget it meant he couldnt afford a decent competetive hatch. You have to factor in the cost of race prep to get it to the regulations such as safety cage, seat harness, fire extinguisher, transponder, control tyres etc etc. That was without making it competetive, which he could not afford to do so ran towards the back almost which was a shame as he was a good driver.
This went on for a few rounds until the inevitable happened and his crummy engine blew up which put an end to that season, and not been able to race since.
Then paying club fees, licence fees, race fees etc. So if £50 is a struggle then wait until you're educated and working, or maybe just buy that pack, it may be worth the money ???
Join the uni kart club and maybe their Formula student team if they have one. Several Universities offer a motorsports degree but i dont know if it is something i would advise doing given the amount of people who do it and dont get involved with the sport especially when there are cutbacks
And dont forget towing a car is a damn site more hassle than a Kart, which you could tow on a normal trailer or if you have a van it would fit in that.
Karting is anything from grass roots and up, but by no means is it a child sport, just somewhere to start and even carry on.
I wish you luck, i love racing but its not in a car!
Edited by JM16v on Wednesday 20th May 11:05
HereBeMonsters said:
trophies said:
HereBeMonsters said:
fk karting. Do some proper racing. Karting is st.
Drive smoothly - it will make you faster, then you will enjoy it k karting. Do some proper racing. Karting is st. Don't knock just because you cant do it!Lew
I just don't get it. The wheelbase is too short to teach you anything about balance of a car, you have to brake with the wrong foot, there's no clutch, and in my experience, most tracks are too small to make anything but very risky overtakes.
Getting out onto a proper circuit is the best thing, a combination of circuit and airfield days in a proper car will teach you a lot.
I'm guessing typical pay-as-you-go not gearbox types.
I seem to remember most F1 drivers are ex-Karters... And Left foot braking, oh no, definately a skill not needed...!
superkartracer said:
HereBeMonsters said:
trophies said:
HereBeMonsters said:
fk karting. Do some proper racing. Karting is st.
Drive smoothly - it will make you faster, then you will enjoy it k karting. Do some proper racing. Karting is st. Don't knock just because you cant do it!Lew
I just don't get it. The wheelbase is too short to teach you anything about balance of a car, you have to brake with the wrong foot, there's no clutch, and in my experience, most tracks are too small to make anything but very risky overtakes.
Getting out onto a proper circuit is the best thing, a combination of circuit and airfield days in a proper car will teach you a lot.
Edited by superkartracer on Wednesday 20th May 10:55
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