Amateur Racing
Discussion
Firstly, can I apologise if this is in the wrong section, or anything like that. I just registered to enquire about this and this seemed one of the more appropriate places to post in.
I'm 18 years old, and I've always been a motorsports enthusiast while growing up. Unfortunately, my motorsports experience has been limited to simulation games and things like that. By a complete fluke, me and my mate went on a random road trip last night, and ended up going to Castle Combe. This was around 10 at night, and it was full of cars and families waiting for races tomorrow I assume. We walked the track, the pit area, etc, the atmosphere was unbelievable. I can't believe I've been missing out on this. Some of the cars in the paddock were incredible, and walking the track felt very surreal, as I've never been to a track before.
Now I know it's expensive, but I'm 18, I have years ahead of me and plenty of time to save and plan. How do I go about getting into racing? Is it as simple as getting a cheap sports car, fixing it and getting a racing license, etc, or would I be better off karting or something?
I genuinely have no idea so would really appreciate any help
. If there are any other amateur motorsports sites that could help out as well a nudge in the right direction would be appreciated 
.
Liking the forums here by the way, may have to stick around. Sorry about the essay. Thanks again.
I'm 18 years old, and I've always been a motorsports enthusiast while growing up. Unfortunately, my motorsports experience has been limited to simulation games and things like that. By a complete fluke, me and my mate went on a random road trip last night, and ended up going to Castle Combe. This was around 10 at night, and it was full of cars and families waiting for races tomorrow I assume. We walked the track, the pit area, etc, the atmosphere was unbelievable. I can't believe I've been missing out on this. Some of the cars in the paddock were incredible, and walking the track felt very surreal, as I've never been to a track before.
Now I know it's expensive, but I'm 18, I have years ahead of me and plenty of time to save and plan. How do I go about getting into racing? Is it as simple as getting a cheap sports car, fixing it and getting a racing license, etc, or would I be better off karting or something?
I genuinely have no idea so would really appreciate any help
. If there are any other amateur motorsports sites that could help out as well a nudge in the right direction would be appreciated .Liking the forums here by the way, may have to stick around
. Sorry about the essay. Thanks again.Save £20k and then go and sign up for the Caterham Academy thing! There's updates on the main PH site, as I believe a member of PH staff is doing it.
You can sell the car after to recover some of the money.
I'll get round to it one day, or at least owning a Caterham. They're unbelievably good!
Racing minis is suppose to be quite cheap. Easy to work on and plenty of spares, I'd imagine.
The only other option is to get a fun cheap car and go on as many trackdays a year as possible. Slightly more relaxed than racing, and it should be a lot cheaper, unless you crash a lot.
You can sell the car after to recover some of the money.
I'll get round to it one day, or at least owning a Caterham. They're unbelievably good!
Racing minis is suppose to be quite cheap. Easy to work on and plenty of spares, I'd imagine.
The only other option is to get a fun cheap car and go on as many trackdays a year as possible. Slightly more relaxed than racing, and it should be a lot cheaper, unless you crash a lot.
Racing is a very expensive hobby, I've tried to do a few different things on a budget and so far found sprinting the easiest way to get into motorsport without spending a fortune but still not cheap.
I run a honda s2000 in the up to 2.0l production class, although something like a clio 172 for £2k would still be good fun.
You don't have the wheel to wheel racing which is a shame but does reduce potential repair bills, by entering the production class I can use my everyday car, so no need for a second car, tow car and trailer.
It is however still not exactly a cheap hobby and the cost of entry fee's do seam high for the time you get on track.
So far this year the cost will be as follows:
Entry fees: between £50 and £165 per event, total expected to be £1600-1700 for the year.
A set of Toyo R888's: £700ish.
other expenses were
Race gear which I already had.
Race license which is around £30 and doesn't require the ards like the full race license.
I still want to look into some racing for next year maybe in the production BMW's, MX5's or 750mc Mr2's but as an entry level way into motorsport sprinting worth a look.
I run a honda s2000 in the up to 2.0l production class, although something like a clio 172 for £2k would still be good fun.
You don't have the wheel to wheel racing which is a shame but does reduce potential repair bills, by entering the production class I can use my everyday car, so no need for a second car, tow car and trailer.
It is however still not exactly a cheap hobby and the cost of entry fee's do seam high for the time you get on track.
So far this year the cost will be as follows:
Entry fees: between £50 and £165 per event, total expected to be £1600-1700 for the year.
A set of Toyo R888's: £700ish.
other expenses were
Race gear which I already had.
Race license which is around £30 and doesn't require the ards like the full race license.
I still want to look into some racing for next year maybe in the production BMW's, MX5's or 750mc Mr2's but as an entry level way into motorsport sprinting worth a look.
Wrong forum really fella, one of the motorsport ones on here would better suit yr question, but in brief there are many many forms of motorsport, even actual car to car racing there is an enormous variety & types of championships & series Pick up a copy of Autosport for an idea
Some of the more popular 'cheaper' although that depends on your interepretation of cheap! series/championships
http://www.750mc.co.uk/racing.php
http://www.pbmwc.co.uk/
http://golfgti-racing.co.uk/
http://www.ma5daracing.com/
http://www.max5racing.com/
Some of the more popular 'cheaper' although that depends on your interepretation of cheap! series/championships
http://www.750mc.co.uk/racing.php
http://www.pbmwc.co.uk/
http://golfgti-racing.co.uk/
http://www.ma5daracing.com/
http://www.max5racing.com/
or work your way up and start by doing some karting - you can do a whole season of club 100 (2stroke karts - pretty fast) for approx 1600 a year - they prepare and transport the karts to the events for year. however before doing that why not try out your local kart club series - probably cost you 60-80 quid a race day and thats everything...
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