Which car for me? - Page 2

ginettag27 · 1 Jul 2002, 15:36 (Ref:325249)

Hobson

Go to a few National races and go around the paddock - see what you like and what you don't. Get a feel for what happens, Testing, Scrutineering, Qualifying, Green Flag laps, Marshalls, Racing (of course)... Try also to work out a budget and then double it! Then see what you can afford to race, get to know some of the competitors in the series, work out the pitfalls and get a feeling for what taking part in the Championship would be like. If you still want to take part - send off to the MSA (although you should have done this already) for their Go Racing pack and then enrol in an ARDS test.

Talk to people, work out who knows what they're doing and try to avoid a lot of the simple (yet expensive) mistakes.. For instance, don't go buying the car that won the championship last year and expect it to have all the same settings or equipment on it or that it's the car which makes up the bulk of the difference in Club Racing - it isn't it's the driver and the preparation of the car. Get track experience and tuition, lot's of people offer/run Race Tuition sessions, these will benefit you a lot in time to come. Track time, track time, track time.

I decided on the Ginetta Championship, this year there are a lot of Novices (of which I'm one) taking part as they've bought in a new car (the G20) and it's excellent fun. It's relatively cheap to some series, but relatively expensive to others. This is also run by the BARC. I was very nearly tempted to do the 2CV stuff - it looks like such fun and their grids are huge! Plus U can do a 24hrs race!!!

Above all enjoy yourself and have a good time, don't rush in to it..

EPS
:-)

icklimp · 1 Jul 2002, 16:55 (Ref:325291)

2cv's are fantastic to watch and most of the driver's say its the best group to race in, from an assembly marshal's point of view they are one of the friendliest groups, along with the caterham boys

Patrick · 1 Jul 2002, 18:50 (Ref:325322)

Hobson

I am also 17 and I, like you really want to get on the grid. What I can suggest is to try and do some hire races, which is something I am looking into myself. However from what you have said I don't think that being scared of speed and stuff makes for the usual racing drivers mentality.

I also suggest that you make your way along to a few race meetings to see what happens. I recomend a few trips to Castle Combe race circuit. This is not only my favourite circuit but also a circuit where you can get really close to the action and where you can talk to lots of friendly teams and drivers.

Maisie · 1 Jul 2002, 20:33 (Ref:325384)

Something else to try would be to come along to the Snetterton Charity Day at the end of the year where you pay about £10 for some laps in a racing car. 2 years ago Chris and I had a trip out in Mighty Minis, which was quite an experience! It was before we'd really thought of racing. We also had a go in a Clio thanks to Rick Pearson. Last year we had rides in the V6 Clio, an MG Maestro, and a 2CV. I have to say the 2CV was my favourite. The Clio was fast, but always felt totally planted and never about to slide, whereas the 2CV was tilting and sliding, but the driver, Richard Dalton (what a star!) had it under control all the time and took time to explain which lines he was using and where the grip was (and wasn't!!!). It wasn't that scary, but it did make for a unique experience, and I got out with a massive grin on my face

Even if you're not planning on hitting the track, I'd recommend the Snet day as an excellent outing, and if you're really feeling adventurous you can pay a bit extra for something a little more powerful - some of our number had goes in Rick Wood's Holden Commodore, and TimD got the wits scared out of him by a loony in a WRC Escort

Richy_Rich · 1 Jul 2002, 20:36 (Ref:325385)

"Being scared of speed and stuff" is what makes it fun

Hobson · 2 Jul 2002, 09:09 (Ref:325693)

I have no problem with speed, its just the fact that I would have no confidence in my abilities. I'm sure this would change as I learn to drive on the road and then on the track.

My local track is Cadwell Park because its about 40mins from me. I've make a very strong point to my Dad to make a 'pligrimage' to Cadwell because that was the venue of his first race in 1988 (CSCC Pre-'65 Class B). Usually we see CSCC (or CTCRC this year).

I know what happens etc. I have a place in my heart for CTCRC, so thats why I wanted to know what could be raced well, and how well a Maestro/Montego would do.

I might go along to a couple of track days first though to see where the track goes, etc!

Dan Friel · 2 Jul 2002, 19:01 (Ref:326036)

Not having quite made the race track yet, I'd agree with all of the above. Don't discount the HSCC 70's Roadsports series.. plenty of cheap(ish) cars about and you get extra points for driving to the circuit. Very limited mods allowed, and you'll get classic insurance so it should be cheap - even at your age...

woodyracing · 3 Jul 2002, 14:44 (Ref:326527)

have you tried karting ? even the small indoor "arrive and drive" type will give you an idea of what its like to drive competitively. Theres also a lot more to driving than just putting your foot down and turning the steering wheel

you could have a read of some racecraft books, I have "Going Faster" which is very good.

icklimp · 3 Jul 2002, 15:18 (Ref:326535)

why don't you try going to the jcc race at cadwell at end of july, they usually have some mg's as well so have a look round and ask some drivers about how much the formula costs and how friendly the other guys/girls are, you could always volunteer to marshal in assembly, its the best way to get the inside info

**Adam43** · 3 Jul 2002, 15:29 (Ref:326539)

I'll be at Cadwell that weekend, come and say hello, if you're there. Do you work in the assembly icklimp? Hopefully it won't rain as much as last year!

icklimp · 3 Jul 2002, 16:05 (Ref:326556)

i do work in assembly, i wasn't there last year but i know how much it rains usually, are you driving adam?

Dave Brand · 3 Jul 2002, 16:16 (Ref:326559)

Quote:

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
I'll be at Cadwell that weekend, come and say hello, if you're there. Do you work in the assembly icklimp? Hopefully it won't rain as much as last year!

We'll be there as well - don't worry, KayBee has been banned from wishing competitors good luck!

Are you doing Anglesey on the 14th? We'll be there as well.

**Adam43** · 3 Jul 2002, 17:01 (Ref:326582)

Yep, I'll be there on the 14th. Looking forward to it, I've not raced for a month...

Kaybee is already unlucky for me

, I had a half spin in front of her husband at a greasy Oulton. And the drive shaft went later in the afternoon! And all after I'd met her for the first time. In fact the first time I'd met anyone from ten-tenths. So maybe I'll keep my head down

Dave Brand · 3 Jul 2002, 20:13 (Ref:326704)

Quote:

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
Kaybee is already unlucky for me ,

Chris Y also fell foul of the curse of Kaybee - he flew his Maestro at Lakeside; then there were the two bike racers - one binned it in his first race, the other couldn't even get her bike to start!

Quote:

I had a half spin in front of her husband at a greasy Oulton.

Er, that's me!

Quote:

And the drive shaft went later in the afternoon! And all after I'd met her for the first time. In fact the first time I'd met anyone from ten-tenths. So maybe I'll keep my head down

The first time is the worst..........

**Adam43** · 3 Jul 2002, 23:00 (Ref:326795)

icklimp, I don't know how I missed your post earlier.

Yes I am driving in the 100K. In a Jaguar XJS. Last year at Cadwell, it threw it down and I managed to qualify amongst the quicker class cars. However my race had to be cancelled due to the rain and delays...