Cheapest Way To Drive Single Seaters?
Cheapest Way To Drive Single Seaters?
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Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

78 months

Wednesday 8th July 2009
quotequote all
Hi all. Having recently had a driving experience day which included a few laps in single seaters, I'm not keen to have another (and longer) go.

What would people suggest is the cheapest way to get what I'm after (I'm from Berkshire, so preferably somewhere within 2 hours drive).

Thanks

BenElliottRacing

375 posts

245 months

Thursday 9th July 2009
quotequote all
silverstone give you 20 mins paced lapping + 20 min fast lapping on the stowe circuit for a pretty cheap price.


mat205125

17,790 posts

237 months

Thursday 9th July 2009
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kaese

727 posts

211 months

Thursday 9th July 2009
quotequote all
BenElliottRacing said:
silverstone give you 20 mins paced lapping + 20 min fast lapping on the stowe circuit for a pretty cheap price.
yes I did this - really good experience, plenty of time in the car too. Even better if you get it on special offer (they do it discounted at ~£80 sometimes) -

http://silverstone.co.uk/php/de_singleSeater_exp.h...


A.Wang

541 posts

221 months

Thursday 9th July 2009
quotequote all
Cheaper still would be to remove the passenger seat in your car? wink

Unfortunately, these "experience day" thingys will be the cheapest way, as the only real alternative would be to do it "properly" and go racing, i.e. sign with a race team (impossible unless you are experienced with a proven track record), or "buy" a race seat in a team (very expensive).

jamiecollins

11 posts

211 months

Friday 10th July 2009
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A.Wang said:
Unfortunately, these "experience day" thingys will be the cheapest way, as the only real alternative would be to do it "properly" and go racing, i.e. sign with a race team (impossible unless you are experienced with a proven track record), or "buy" a race seat in a team (very expensive).
A possible in between step could be to buy your own car and do some test days, you will need to get an msa licence to do a proper circuit test but that just involves completing an ARDS course and a medical. Plenty of obsolete single seaters knocking around for sale, try www.racecarsdirect.com

A.Wang

541 posts

221 months

Friday 10th July 2009
quotequote all
jamiecollins said:
A.Wang said:
Unfortunately, these "experience day" thingys will be the cheapest way, as the only real alternative would be to do it "properly" and go racing, i.e. sign with a race team (impossible unless you are experienced with a proven track record), or "buy" a race seat in a team (very expensive).
A possible in between step could be to buy your own car and do some test days, you will need to get an msa licence to do a proper circuit test but that just involves completing an ARDS course and a medical. Plenty of obsolete single seaters knocking around for sale, try www.racecarsdirect.com
The National B licence application process isn't cheap. I had the itch to get mine last month, here's the cost break-down:

  • Go-racing pack from MSA, including the application form - £55
  • Medical - £30 (that's cheap, apparently, usually around £50-60)
  • ARDS test (at an MSV track) - £250
  • Admin fee after passing the test - £51
Total cost so far: £386

Optional extras to maximise my chances of passing at first attempt:

  • Half-day practice at said MSV track - £129
  • One session with ARDS instructor to learn the track - £25
  • Track day insurance for the day - £30
  • Fuel for half the day - £40
Cost of optional extras: £224

Total cost of my race licence: £610.

Enjoyment of my hobby: priceless.

Cue cheesy tag-line about a credit card company...

Edited by A.Wang on Friday 10th July 12:16

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

78 months

Saturday 11th July 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for all the info guys.

I've got nowhere near enough money to be able to buy my own car etc, so looks like the experience at Silverstone is my best bet.

Cheers

GreenV8S

30,999 posts

308 months

Saturday 11th July 2009
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A.Wang said:
The National B licence application process isn't cheap. I had the itch to get mine last month, here's the cost break-down:
That's for a race license. You can get a non-race license from the MSA just by sending them a cheque.