coyoteboy
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| posted on 6/7/15 at 02:51 PM |
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Easy cheap (ish).motorsport fun?
Looking for a bit of advice. I'm looking for a way of getting into some form of low cost track based fun, preferably racing rather than just
track days, but maybe starting out that way. Idea being my father, myself and my brother are all pretty drive and maintenance capable but live a long
way apart. It would be nice if we had a cheapish (mx5?) Car and occasional race entry situation where we were not tied to compete in a series but not
tied to non-competitive driving. Much like popping along to a kart centre every so often, but in proper car!
Is there such an event(s) in the UK?
Advice appreciated as I think it would be a nice pass time, but I'm only aware of higher involvement series.
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loggyboy
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| posted on 6/7/15 at 03:00 PM |
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Closest to the 'just turn up' principle would be Sprints and Autosolo, but neither are proper track action, just time trial.
To get proper track competition the closest I can think of are things like MSVs trackday/team trophy.
Mistral Motorsport
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 6/7/15 at 03:30 PM |
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Yeah I may be looking for a moon on a stick but sprints don't appear to be the way I was thinking of going. I'll have a peek at the MSV
option, thanks for the suggestion.
I'm wondering also about amateur rally - I've a spare Celica GT4 set up with adjustable coilovers currently getting a rebuilt engine which
could be donated to the cause - I'd be less keen to kill it but it would be a worthy death!
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Doctor Derek Doctors
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| posted on 6/7/15 at 03:36 PM |
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What about Time Attack if sprints and Hillclimbs arent your thing?
Designer and Supplier of the T89 Designs - Single Seater Locost. Build you own Single Seater Racecar for ~£5k.
Plans and Drawings available, U2U or e-mail for details.
Available Now: The Sports Racer Add-On pack, Build a full bodied Sports Racer for Trackdays, Sprints and Racing.
www.t89.co.uk
www.racecarwings.co.uk
callan@t89.co.uk
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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Talon Motorsport
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| posted on 6/7/15 at 04:30 PM |
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Does it have to be tarmac based racing? One very cheap form of racing is Autograss of which there around 40-50 tracks round the country which are
basicly 1/4 mile ovals that used to be grass.
There are 10 classes these range from 1000cc minis through to hot hatches, 2ltr RWD saloons, rear engined RWD specials and the buggy type specials.
You could have a full seasons racing at a track near you from around £2000
[Edited on 6/7/15 by Talon Motorsport]
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tegwin
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| posted on 6/7/15 at 04:40 PM |
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Back in the day Hovercraft racing used to be a cheap sport. Not sure if this is still the case but worthy of some investigation of you want something
a little different
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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will121
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| posted on 6/7/15 at 07:08 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Looking for a bit of advice. I'm looking for a way of getting into some form of low cost track based fun, preferably racing rather than just
track days, but maybe starting out that way. Idea being my father, myself and my brother are all pretty drive and maintenance capable but live a long
way apart. It would be nice if we had a cheapish (mx5?) Car and occasional race entry situation where we were not tied to compete in a series but not
tied to non-competitive driving. Much like popping along to a kart centre every so often, but in proper car!
Is there such an event(s) in the UK?
Advice appreciated as I think it would be a nice pass time, but I'm only aware of higher involvement series.
You mentioned karting what about endurance racing as a team up to 4 hr races for value for money, it may not be a proper car but it will be close
action and reasonably cheap, racing on a budget even at the back of the field won't be cheap and in my opinion not that much fun over a trackday
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bi22le
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| posted on 6/7/15 at 11:06 PM |
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Me and a mate have considered going into the puma cup. Is for ford pumas to a very specific spec.
It has a mandatory pit stop to allow for a level playing field if sharing a race.
Cars are currently at 6k ready to race but should go down at the end of the season
The whole thing is designed around budget racing and keeping costs down so deeper pockets give no advantage.
Its also a mixed class grid so you get to mix it worth many other cars.
Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!
Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1
Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I
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hkp57
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| posted on 7/7/15 at 07:32 AM |
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Seeing your location I would say get along to knockhill and check out the BMW compact cup, cheap to buy cars very closely matched.
http://www.scottishmotorracingclub.co.uk/2013-championships-bmw.html
You can do as few or as many rounds if you want, for the occasional blast or test you have Kames sprint track to the south of you in Ayrshire and you
have Forestburn to your East near Hearthill who both offer cheap to enter sprint events or just test days or nights. There are also a choice of auto
tests ran by them also.
http://www.eastayrshirecc.co.uk/track
http://www.mscc.org.uk
Fleet
SKC Raptor R - Hayabusa
Toyota C-HR Hybrid Limited Edition
Honda VFR1200 CrossTourer
DCT
Marlin Roadster 1800
Mercedes Vito 116 Sport
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 7/7/15 at 11:31 AM |
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Some interesting ideas here guys, much appreciated, I'm going to go and do a bit more research into these and I'll let you know what I
find!
Karting is sort of out of the running because of physical issues (two of us may have issues bending spines into kart seats!) - I think real cars are a
bit more spine friendly and offer a little more protection in the event of accident (usual motorsport risks accepted).
Thanks for your time folks, more suggestions always welcome.
There's so much more than I was aware of!
Cheers
James
[Edited on 7/7/15 by coyoteboy]
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Ninehigh
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| posted on 8/7/15 at 08:36 AM |
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Rallycross? You can buy and race a car for less than a set of golf bats according to Clarkson
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SCAR
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| posted on 8/7/15 at 11:19 AM |
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Have you thought of taking up joy riding, or twc as its often called. You get to drive lots of different cars and you can drive em like you nicked em
(cause you have really). You don't need to spend a fortune on tools, a couple of screw drivers and a lump hammer will do and no expensive
trailer required. It makes sense, no travelling long distances to circuits or waiting around for organised events, just nick and go.
There are hidden costs of course but these are usually pathetically low and only apply if your not very good or can't claim a broken home,
perhaps a couple of hundred quid now and then, or a few hours community service. On both counts this will be much less than trying to run your own
car.
Cynicism should be recognised as an age related medical condition
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 13/12/15 at 10:29 PM |
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tweek
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| posted on 14/12/15 at 09:57 PM |
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It would be remiss of me not to stick my oar in and say - Formula Vee!
Cheapest single seat formula racing in the UK, cars from £4k to how-much-do-you-want-to-spend at the top end (think it's around £17k for a brand
new, ready to run car, or that's what I've heard).
7 Event championship (14 Races) plus the season ending Vee Festival, potential for racing abroad - usually Spa Francorchamps.
But then, given you have a 'spare' Celica GT4 hanging around  you may as well make use of that  (I would love to have a spare GT4
hanging around)
Here's the linky to the championship anyway:
750 Motor Club - Formula Vee
Best of luck, whatever series you choose.
John
[Edited on 14/12/15 by tweek]
"oh dear..." said god,
"I hadn't thought of that"
and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic
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Sam_68
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| posted on 14/12/15 at 10:46 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by tweek
Formula Vee!
...
Here's the linky to the championship anyway:
750 Motor Club - Formula Vee
Have a look at the other 750 Motor Club formulae, while you're at it - there might be something else there that catches your eye. They
specialise in 'low budget' circuit racing classes (including an MX5 championship, since you mention them).
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daniel mason
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| posted on 14/12/15 at 10:53 PM |
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The circuit racing will no doubt get you the most seat time but the cost will be huge compared to sprinting.
You can share drive cars in sprints on the same day which is an added bonus. It's also cheap.the cars don't take a pounding but your seat
time is limited, and the top boys in class will have huge amounts of money invested in their cars, unlike myself who's on a strict budget in
single seat race cars!
I'm sure there will be something for you
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blakep82
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| posted on 15/12/15 at 07:28 AM |
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Stock cars?
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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Andy D
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| posted on 15/12/15 at 04:12 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by daniel mason
The circuit racing will no doubt get you the most seat time but the cost will be huge compared to sprinting.
You can share drive cars in sprints on the same day which is an added bonus. It's also cheap.the cars don't take a pounding but your seat
time is limited, and the top boys in class will have huge amounts of money invested in their cars, unlike myself who's on a strict budget in
single seat race cars!
I'm sure there will be something for you
Sprinting may be cheap compared with circuit racing Dan, but if you calculate the £s per minute, it probably works out the most expensive track time
available? 
Somebody do the sums..
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daniel mason
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| posted on 15/12/15 at 04:47 PM |
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not if mechanical failures are included!
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Andy D
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| posted on 15/12/15 at 04:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by daniel mason
not if mechanical failures are included!
Do sprint cars not break?
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daniel mason
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| posted on 15/12/15 at 05:13 PM |
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They do break yes!
And this is a point we will never agree on!
If I could afford to circuit race I would without doubt as it would be immense fun! I consider myself to have a decent job and still there is no
chance I could have the budget to race.
I can't vouch for anyone else only myself but I can sprint a full season on under £1500 (not including travelling To venues)
I've never bought a set of tyres,
I've never had an engine failure.
A decent circuit sprint like Anglesey international we got 9 runs for about £130 - each run over 90 seconds so around 14 mins total
A lot of the races are 20 mins which is excellent- but your looking at £350, plus the same again for the test day + fuel +'tyres + time off work
traveling on a Thursday/Friday depending on venue.
It's obviously better to race than sprint but you need to be able to justify the extra spending. I unfortunately can't, but good luck to
anyone that can!
In Motorsport there's usually something for everyone so it's down to personal preference at the end of the day
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Andy D
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| posted on 15/12/15 at 05:58 PM |
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Were you touching wood there Dan when you said you'd never had an engine failure? 
The £350 (ish) for racing gets you three 20min sessions .. a qually and two races. And, some race series particularly the standard car based stuff
MX5s and BMW compacts I would guess are pretty reliable mechanically. You may get punted off into the Armco though, I suppose.
I can't imagine going all the way to Anglesey for 14 mins, my idea of hell!
We're all different, thank god.
Merry Christmas Daniel.
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mark chandler
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| posted on 15/12/15 at 06:10 PM |
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Cost is all relative, to win is expensive!
Sprinting, I paid around £1,300 in entry fees to sprint this year, total time on track is limited averages maybe 7 minutes per event so may £75 a
minute
Then add commuting petrol say £700, we are now at £100 per minute
But I can commute and sprint in the same car, if you double enter per person it is cheaper, I cannot add the costs of sorting the car as I would burst
into tears.
Landrover racing was cheap by comparison, low entry fees for comp safari, probally 1/2 -3/4 hour track time but you need a 4x4 tow car so your daily
costs spiral.
However you cut it Motorsport is not cheap!
But... And there is a but, I sprint my DB7, it cost £16,000 5 years and has been valued at £23,000 so has made me £7000 so sprinting can be free
and I am runner up in the AMOC sprint championship.
Buy an old ford and enjoy yourself, you may not win but a clean RS turbo escorts are still relatively cheap and on the way up!
Note, it's not all about the racing, you get to chat with nice people, have a good day away and it's very enjoyable, what price for
that!
[Edited on 15/12/15 by mark chandler]
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daniel mason
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| posted on 15/12/15 at 06:54 PM |
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That's where our championship organisers come good!
Anywhere where they consider a bit far away they make it a weekend event which eliminates travelling twice,entry fees are reduced if you do both days
and the banter is brilliant amongst us lads! Especially after a few beers!
The radical was a great sprint car for me and considering I'm a complete novice to speed events,proved hard to beat. (7 class wins and 2x 2nds
and 2x 3rds) in 11 events. I will definitely have another one day if funds allow! But for now I'll have to make do with the Jedi which is a
stunning little car! Bang for buck I'd say you'll not go faster for less!
[Edited on 15/12/15 by daniel mason]
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