Discussion
Over the past few days, I have thoroughly enjoyed the thread showcasing and critiquing the amazing talent displayed by some of our pistonhead members on track (Audi A4 Diesel versus the world). One of the recurring comments is that the OP should put their perceived skills to the test by going racing.
Having done a number of track days myself, the idea of going racing has always appealed and so I am interested in taking advice on where to start - specifically which series makes for a good, reasonably low priced, entry into the world of wheel to wheel racing.
My interest is really in developing my skills as a driver and enjoying (as a hobby more than anything else) a bit of competitive racing. I don't really care about winning championships and with a young family I'd likely have to miss some rounds anyway. I'm reasonably competent on track but I am under no illusion that I would have a lot to learn and would probably spend the first few (many?) races as a backmarker. For this reason, I would want to enter a series that was befitting of a racing novice.
Having looked on the 750MC website, there appears to be hundreds of different formulae but Locost or Sports Specials seems like a sensible place to start (Stock hatch or 182 may seem cheaper but I guess that it may actually be easier/cheaper to build/buy a dedicated 7 style car than try to convert a road car). Is this a fair assessment or should I be looking at a different formula? In terms of costs, I am fortunate enough to have a bit of spare cash but since I'm very dull and sensible I don't want to be spending every available penny on my hobby.
So where should I start (aside from an ARDs test, a jaunty race suit, and some boots that my wife will take the piss out of)?
Having done a number of track days myself, the idea of going racing has always appealed and so I am interested in taking advice on where to start - specifically which series makes for a good, reasonably low priced, entry into the world of wheel to wheel racing.
My interest is really in developing my skills as a driver and enjoying (as a hobby more than anything else) a bit of competitive racing. I don't really care about winning championships and with a young family I'd likely have to miss some rounds anyway. I'm reasonably competent on track but I am under no illusion that I would have a lot to learn and would probably spend the first few (many?) races as a backmarker. For this reason, I would want to enter a series that was befitting of a racing novice.
Having looked on the 750MC website, there appears to be hundreds of different formulae but Locost or Sports Specials seems like a sensible place to start (Stock hatch or 182 may seem cheaper but I guess that it may actually be easier/cheaper to build/buy a dedicated 7 style car than try to convert a road car). Is this a fair assessment or should I be looking at a different formula? In terms of costs, I am fortunate enough to have a bit of spare cash but since I'm very dull and sensible I don't want to be spending every available penny on my hobby.
So where should I start (aside from an ARDs test, a jaunty race suit, and some boots that my wife will take the piss out of)?
Well obviously you are not a driving god in an Audi A4 (if you were, you'd know that tuition, advice, and humility are all signs of weakness and incompetence on track) but I'd really love to hear how you get on and what you learn. Please start a thread and keep us posted on your progress... And good luck
andy97 said:
I really recommend the CSCC, and they have a number of series (not Championships, so you don’t have to worry about missing rounds) to suit all tastes and budgets from 60s classics to tin tops to 7 style cars.
40 min races with a pit stop mean that you can share a car (and costs with a mate).
PM me of you want to talk this through some more. I used to be one of the series coordinators and have raced in several different series with them. I have also raced with other clubs.
Pick the right car and you could even do a few 750, a few CSCC and a few MSVR races at circuits that are nearest to you rather than travelling all over initially.
Each club has its strengths and weaknesses (and advocates etc) but CSCC has a good paddock atmosphere, series coordinators to help competitors through and friendly competitors and good driving standards.
I've just been looking at the CSCC website and it looks ideal and is a lot more comprehensive (in terms of series) than I thought it would be.40 min races with a pit stop mean that you can share a car (and costs with a mate).
PM me of you want to talk this through some more. I used to be one of the series coordinators and have raced in several different series with them. I have also raced with other clubs.
Pick the right car and you could even do a few 750, a few CSCC and a few MSVR races at circuits that are nearest to you rather than travelling all over initially.
Each club has its strengths and weaknesses (and advocates etc) but CSCC has a good paddock atmosphere, series coordinators to help competitors through and friendly competitors and good driving standards.
The RX8 Trophy looks like a good starting point but I will PM you later to get your advice and thoughts if that is okay
Jim Spencer said:
Hi, Just backing Andy up..
I run a 883 F3 car in Monoposto and it's nowhere near that first figure for the season.. pick a type of car you like the look of, then pick a series that's sensibly run (CSCC is a good shout, as is most of the 750MC and I'll add Mono in..) and you'll have a great time for about the cost of a really good annual holiday... (the wife 'chooses' our hols, we normally go to Wales.. if she ever says she wants to go to Australia or the USA for a few weeks my annual racing budgets bu66ered!)
Very reassuring... sadly my wife is American so I'm on the hook for family flights to New York every year as well I run a 883 F3 car in Monoposto and it's nowhere near that first figure for the season.. pick a type of car you like the look of, then pick a series that's sensibly run (CSCC is a good shout, as is most of the 750MC and I'll add Mono in..) and you'll have a great time for about the cost of a really good annual holiday... (the wife 'chooses' our hols, we normally go to Wales.. if she ever says she wants to go to Australia or the USA for a few weeks my annual racing budgets bu66ered!)
Do you have a rough breakdown of your costs and would it be possible to talk a little more about your approach to keeping them down (ie. how many races do you tend to do, do you go solo, what consumables do you tend to use etc etc)?
andy97 said:
I am usually just enjoying myself in a class toward the rear (lower powered) end of the field in a series where there are no points on offer.
This is more my interest area as well. I don't really care if I'm battling for 1st or 10th, the bit I am interested in is the racing element.This thread has given me a lot to think about but I am going to take my ARDs test in October (with a few more track days between now and then to try to improve upon my meagre abilities) and then decide on which car/series to enter. Both the CSCC Magnificent 7s and the Mazda 2 series seem to have a lot to offer but I am probably erring towards Magnificent 7s purely due to the fact that a 7 may be eligible for more series. Happy to be convinced otherwise...
I will start a blog/thread to document my failures and the costs involved but I am hoping to operate at the lower end of the spend spectrum (if the costs get too high, I'll just stop documenting them and pretend they didn't happen)
Neal S said:
I'd be happy to send you the technical and sporting regulations we will be working to next season for you to have a read of and see what you think.
Your also welcome to try one of the cars on track if you want. We'd organise a track day and go from their.
Your also welcome to try one of the cars on track if you want. We'd organise a track day and go from their.
Could you send the regulations to me too please? I'm leaning towards a 7 based series but I do like the sound of Mazda2s
ETA: just seen your previous response. I'll drop you an email. I was on a track day at Anglesey last year with a Mazda 2 race car that unfortunately had a bit of a smash...
Edited by LennyM1984 on Wednesday 22 June 13:45
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