Anybody race?

spadoosh

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone on MSE does motor racing?! (i understand the irony of motorsport and MSE)
Basically a few years ago i fell in love with the locost and its my new (for the last 5 years) long term ambition/dream to build one. Unfortunately i have extremely little knowledge of building a car even tinkering with a car is a bit beyond me.

Essentially i would like to get into some form of motor racing as ive always been a great fan and hope it could build knowledge and increase confidence with engines. And would like to know how best to approach it.

I have had look at different types of racing from karting/hillclimbing/locost racing and all seem mega complicated in terms of regulations and different championships etc etc so was curious to know if anyone on here is involved or has been involved in motor racing?

I would like to do this as a hobby (not expecting to be lewis) and obviously for as cheap as possible. It wouldnt bother me if i finished every race last as i'd get my enjoyment from going round the track! All forms of racing would be considered ones with the easiest route to entry would probably be best.

Any info or other dreamers welcome. Please share your time and knowledge. Thank you


p.s. i know my knowledge is limited but i assure you the passion isnt, this is something ive wanted to do / be involved with since childhood and im wanting to realise an ambition before it gets too late!

Strider590

I'm afraid there's no really cheap way to get into the sport, my mates father ran a Lotus Talbot Sunbeam many years ago and even back then it was costing £15k a year. Cheap race cars can often cost more in safety gear, than they do to buy/maintain.

But take a look here, one of the most well known clubs.

http://www.750mc.co.uk/racing.php

There's a guide to starting out on that page too.

fivetide

Shouldn't need to spend 15k although it won't be cheap moving it round the country!

Another good article here http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=25293

5t.

Limey

Have a look into the MR2 championships, there are quite a few folks who race as a hobby in that series. Again it's part of the 750mc group.

The cars themselves aren't too pricey but as mentioned the safety equipment is.

Rogue Motorsports do hire out a number of Mk2 MR2s if you wanted to do it that way.

Alternative is the Toyota sprint series which is more autocross than circuit racing but still supposed to be a giggle.

Itismehonest

You don't give any indication of your age but karting is a good way to start in any form of motorsport for practically all ages.
Depending on where you live you need to contact the nearest decent karting centre. e.g. Buckmore Park in Kent.
As well as tuition you'll get the chance to meet up with people who race regularly & be able to gain some mechanical knowledge etc.

johnnyreggae

Why not start by using your road car for track days and then maybe try sprints/hillclimbs - MSV have novice trackdays round the country

JQ.

Why not get into trackdays, it's a fraction of the cost of racing? I did Oulton Park a couple of weeks ago and am doing Blyton Park in April. Each trackday costs from £99 to £250 depending on the time of year and track, but if you book early enough you can do all the major tracks for £99. That gets you as much time on the track you and car can handle between 9am and 5pm. You then just have to pay for your petrol, consumables, safety gear and maintenance of the car.

I run a turbocharged MX5 with roll bar, harnesses, bucket seat and a multitude of handling upgrades and it's great fun and really doesn't cost the earth. The day after a trackday the same car will drive me to work without missing a beat.

The cost of getting into racing is in a different league - a couple of people I know race MX5's and it is a very very very expensive hobby. A few people do sprints and hill climbs, but personally I don't see them as racing and no different to doing a trackday, although you get far more time on track at a trackday.

If you just want a taste why not take your current car on a trackday - there's lots of people driving round in completely standard cars - things I've seen going round the track include a diesel VW Combi van, and an A3 Tdi. My first trackday car was a completely standard MX5 - it might not have been the fastest in a straight line but it could out-corner some very expensive German performance cars. You can pick up a Mk1 for £1,000, do a full service and drive it straight to the track and you'll have a ball.

Quinny_2

JQ. wrote: »

and am doing Blyton Park in April.

I used to race at the autograss at Blyton, and in fact won my class 2 years in succession, selling my car in 2007. I have just returned this year as asst safety officer, and am currently helping my mate build a class 1 Micra, which is in effect a standard Micra with the added safety gear in. Total cost including the car should be no more than £700.

Factor in the seasons running costs, and you can have a full season of racing for under £1000.

forgotmyname

A big cost is travelling to the venues. Getting something road legal will save you needing a towcar and car trailer.

Dont forget you may kill a set of tyres. So you need to carry spares.

Trackdays, Trials, Autotesting, Hillclimbs in a road legal class maybe?

Cash-Strapped.T32

Quinny wrote: »

I used to race at the autograss at Blyton, and in fact won my class 2 years in succession, selling my car in 2007. I have just returned this year as asst safety officer, and am currently helping my mate build a class 1 Micra, which is in effect a standard Micra with the added safety gear in. Total cost including the car should be no more than £700.

Factor in the seasons running costs, and you can have a full season of racing for under £1000.

I was about to say almost the exact same thing - Autograss; I don't race personally but one of my lads at work does, as well as running a car (old mini done in shocking pink & black) for his grandaughter to run in junior races - He's a member of the local club & in the season they race most Sundays.
In fact they're all headed up to the track to camp-out for early scrutinerring at 7am & I'll be joining them in the morning - Yay! :T

All the club people I've met have always been falling over themselves to help newcomers get started so I'd be amazed if there isn't a club fairly local to you who would help get you started, and with the ease of things like facebook & setting up forums you get quite an active little "scene" around them so no-one involved remains a stranger for very long.

captainawsome

Me and a friend have a formula A kart that we take to a few local tracks. Good points, forumula A is a class no longer run so we got a kart with the power to weight ratio of a Ferrari and a 90mph to speed for £900 on a 06 chassis. We buy part worn tyres for £10 a set after qualifying from the hardcore racers and run them until they beg for mercey, brake pads cost £12 from eBay and other than that, if you don't crash too bad, just add fuel. You can't go faster for cheaper in my view and it is a great buzz. Bad Points, non if it's a hobby and you go to practice days. If you want to race, the deeper your pockets, the better your results, the cost of some of the top karts is massive, and the drivers not necessarily the fastest, just the ones with the best setup which will cost ££££