Whats the cheapest form of racing (other than karting)?

[98elise]

After watching the rallycross episode of top gear again, I was wondering whats the cheapest way to go racing?

I was thinking in terms of racing a small hatch back on the odd weekend. Something where I can just turn up with the car, pay a fee, and race. Something I can do as a hobby rather than it taking over my life.

Ideally I'd like to be able to keep the car road legal, so that I can drive it to an from the track, with just a change of tyres for the journey.

Is there such a thing?

Edit.....I go karting once every couple of months, which is why I want to step up from that.

[98elise]

Sorry, should have been clearer, I mean track racing rather then hill climbs or tests.

I'm looking for something like the rallycross on top gear, but less contact.

[98elise]

ConorE said:

In that case, stock hatch or an MX5 championship?

Stock hatch sounds like the thing I'm after. Do you have any details?

[98elise]

Twincam16 said:

Definitely sprints.

Join one of the larger owners' clubs, they tend to organise them through Javelin.

You can use a totally standard car, you don't need a race licence and you get to race on proper circuits. It's organised like special-stage rallying, based around setting fast lap times.

Alfa Romeo Owners Club have one. A manageable season (race every other month), four classes and a cup in contention. £100 a race, mods actively discouraged in the lower classes.

Isn't sprint racing just against the clock though?

Just to be clear, I'm looking to race other cars, on a track (with corners) in a non contact motorsport. Ideally where the cars are almost stock. Stock hatch seems to be the best bet so far.

[98elise]

Yazza54 said:

98elise said:

After watching the rallycross episode of top gear again, I was wondering whats the cheapest way to go racing?

I was thinking in terms of racing a small hatch back on the odd weekend. Something where I can just turn up with the car, pay a fee, and race. Something I can do as a hobby rather than it taking over my life.

Ideally I'd like to be able to keep the car road legal, so that I can drive it to an from the track, with just a change of tyres for the journey.

Is there such a thing?

Edit.....I go karting once every couple of months, which is why I want to step up from that.

When you say you go karting every couple of months is the club racing with your own kart or just going to an arrive and drive. Anything is a step up from arrive and drive. Don't dismiss karting, I'm going back to it in 250 national gearbox, would kick the arse of most cars on a circuit, most definitely a stock hatch. There's a reason pretty much every professional driver comes from karting and still do it to keep sharp.

Proper karting to stock hatch racing would be a step back not forwards IMO.

Edited by Yazza54 on Sunday 23 September 20:25

Just arrive and drive. I don't mind that the karts are crap, as long as they are equal