Which car for me?

Hobson · 27 Jun 2002, 12:30 (Ref:322856)

Ok, I'm 17 in October which means I'll be driving real cars. But my passion is for racing, so which car should I get?

It has to be cheap to insure for a 17yr old, elligible for CTCRC (any class/championship), fairly competitve and be able to beat lead-foot-lads at the traffic lights with their Novas/Saxos/XR3is etc.

Also, it has to be less than £1500 to buy.
Any ideas?
I was thinking '85 2.8i Capri, but got quoted £1400 by Firebond on classis insurance for one, not including racing!

Maisie · 27 Jun 2002, 12:43 (Ref:322866)

You want a road legal race car? If so, you'll find anything with the modifications necessary to be reasonably competitive in the CTCRC is going to incur HUUUUGE insurance costs for a new driver!

Maisie · 27 Jun 2002, 12:45 (Ref:322869)

Then again, why not consider a Mini? - mods are reasonably cheap and readily available, and any Mini mag will give you a choice of specialist insurers for modified Minis.

EvilPumpkin · 27 Jun 2002, 15:42 (Ref:322923)

Hmmmm can I PLEASE make a joke about Hobson's choice?

Hobson, just remember that even if your racing car is street legal you'll still have to make sure you have transport to and from the circuit for it - and for yourself - in the event of something going wrong. I understand what you're trying to do, but I wonder if it's as cost effective as you think?

woodyracing · 27 Jun 2002, 15:59 (Ref:322930)

isn't there a championship in BRSCC where you use standard road cars (with the safty stuff), and you have to drive it to the circuit. Road Saloons championship, isnt it ?

AndyF · 27 Jun 2002, 16:58 (Ref:322948)

Think so Woody, but the Insurance is a major problem. Unless you are loaded you are going to have problems! To get a Modified car suitable for racing at your age, you are probably looking at about £2000 for insurance - depending on the car. Anything more than a 1.8 engine or something smaller that is heavily modified, and the Insurance companies won't touch you with a barge pole. Don't know if it would be easier and cheaper to have two cars - one road and one race.

**Adam43** · 27 Jun 2002, 17:07 (Ref:322951)

We drive our car to and from the circuit for most meetings. This caused a problem once when I modified the front end by shortening it on a car that spun ahead of me!

We run in a standard class, but even so quite a lot has had to be done to the car to make it suitable for racing. New or uprated shocks, brake discs/pads as well as any safety features are just the start. And things like tyres and brake pads can become consumables like petrol!

Have a quick look at my website, if you want. There is a diary of the first 6 months from getting the car to getting it on the track. It'll give you an idea of what is needed.

Have you considered track days as a viable alternative. These give you lots of track time and every kind of car can have a go. The last one we went to was at Donington. There were Caterhams and Porsches there, but also a bog standard 'A' reg Golf and the driver was having just as much, if not more, fun than anyone else out there.

AndyF · 27 Jun 2002, 17:23 (Ref:322957)

Adam, how must does a season (not including the car) cost for you, with spares, entry, travel etc?

DAVID PATERSON · 28 Jun 2002, 08:55 (Ref:323390)

Hobson,
I know where you're coming from, I've been there myself, but maybe racing is just too expensive for you at this early stage. Consider Adam's suggestion and maybe look at doing track days for a year or two, while you're saving some money you can be getting experience and having fun in a pretty affordable and safe environment.

If you're seriously short on cash I would definitely recommend a small four cylinder car, they are so much cheaper to race.

If you're only going to spend 1500 pound on a car, why insure it? Just get 3rd party, fire and theft cover, don't waste your money on comprehensive insurance.

No, evil PUNkin, you cannot make a joke about "Hobson's choice", such jokes are PUNishable by death.

**Adam43** · 28 Jun 2002, 09:20 (Ref:323397)

Trying not to go into too much detail:
Entry fees are roughly £160 for a sprint. (Enduros are more expensive, but much better value for money). See the entry fee thread.
Roughly £100 is spent on petrol. Getting the racer and support there.
What if the circuit is a long way from home. You will need somewhere to stay. Although you can camp at the circuit. We do both depending how we feel or how late we leave it to sort anything out etc...

These are things that are not really dependent on what you race. And are very much lower limits.

Things like brake pads / tyres etc... really depend on what you get. We are lucky and use road tyres and we can get used ones cheap or free. But pads. We go for a race pad (although you have to be careful what you choose if you are going to use it on the road). Good pads are more expensive, but they do make the racing more enjoyable and it can be a false economy to go for a cheaper pad.

This is just the begining. Your kit can cost a few hundred too. Although you can save on your normal clothes by wearing htis down the pub.

I hope that all this isn't too negative, but it's better to be prepared. The good news is that there are still plenty of opportunities to get a car on track. Luckily there is also lots of advice from experienced racers here (and I'll contribute too!).

Which circuits do you live near?

Our car cost us £800. How much would it cost to be insured on a Jaguar XJS?

Hobson · 28 Jun 2002, 11:38 (Ref:323496)

A relative told me to get an MG Montego or Maestro, would this be wise? I know I definatly wouldn't be competitive in the first couple of years racing........driving on the road is hard enough, but on a track at speed? I'd be scared stiff!

The plan is this:

1. Get a car
2. Use it on the road for a year or two (get some no-claims)
3. Look at championships for the car
4. Start saving for equipment etc.
5. Turn up to the CTCRC Pre-'90 in 2004 like a lamb to slaughter...........

BTW, I've seen an MG Montego near me, E-reg, 59000 miles, average condition and no rust! Its £650 though.

**Adam43** · 28 Jun 2002, 11:51 (Ref:323505)

I've seen some Maestro racing, it's good stuff. Who is it on ten-tenths who has/does race a Maestro?

I had a road going Maestro (inherited of my Mum!) and not an MG one, but I quite liked it. I think the engine was quite good for what it was. It's a car that is mechanically easy to work on.

A good MG one should leave a XR3i behind. And everyone else tends to underestimate you! It doesn't have the street cred. of the others, but hey, who wants to fit in (and IMO this is because the others are misguided!).

My brother-in-law had a Montego (again not an MG) and the basic car was a good work horse. So I'm sure the MG version would be good.

You are right to look out for rust on these cars!

Dave Brand · 28 Jun 2002, 12:17 (Ref:323525)

Quote:

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
I've seen some Maestro racing, it's good stuff. Who is it on ten-tenths who has/does race a Maestro?

Chris Y races a Maestro - & I'm sure the mention of Montegos will attract Maisie to this thread!

**Adam43** · 28 Jun 2002, 12:41 (Ref:323553)

Less than 6 hours left, but check out Item # 1743705469 on ebay. MG Maestro £82. Probably a bit late to go and see it.

Maisie · 28 Jun 2002, 18:01 (Ref:323807)

It is indeed Chris who races the Maestro (just pointed him in the direction of this thread), and there have been a few race cars advertised in the MGOC newsletter recently, so there are definitely some about. There's one competitor who uses his as a road car. He says he has to exercise a lot of self-control to stop himself racing BMWs!!

I'll let Chris tell you more about the championship and the cars..

***Chris Y*** · 28 Jun 2002, 19:00 (Ref:323857)

Let me know if you need more information, but basically Maestros are pretty damn cheap all round. Cheap to buy, and cheap to get bits for. If I were racing one, I'd race it with the MGOC though, I wouldn't have thought it'd be competitive in the pre 90s - plus with the MGOC you have a load of other drivers around you that you can ask for advice from, or scrounge bits from.

Maestro will be cheap to insure as well, but if you're intending to race it - don't buy a 1.3! Get a 2 litre - you don't have to spend so much money modifying it then.

Last point, check with insurance companies before buying!

Maisie · 28 Jun 2002, 19:33 (Ref:323868)

If you want more info about Maestros, why not check out the excellent www.maestroweb.co.uk, or contact on of the Owners Club committee, like the spares secretary (ME!)

Alternatively www.mgcars.org.uk should give you some more pointers too.

AndyF · 28 Jun 2002, 21:22 (Ref:323936)

Chris, are there not Maestros that run in 1.6L guise? Would this make it a cheaper option? For a beginner, I would recommend something like the Maestros, which is one-make. It gives you a chance to guage your speed against those ahead of you as you are all running similar cars. Your times are more likely to be closer to front runners, unlike if you were with the CTCRC, where you could be 20 or 30 seconds off the leader's pace on a long circuit, which could be a bit risky.

2CVs would make a cheap starter championship.

Maisie · 28 Jun 2002, 21:50 (Ref:323952)

There are 1.6s, and ours is one, but they can be tricky - there are a lot of mods allowed and it requires a fair bit of work to get a competitive engine. They also suffer heat soak to the carbs which gives them hot starting problems.

josvandeperre · 1 Jul 2002, 10:11 (Ref:325002)

Why not get a Peugeot 106 or something with free insurance on the drip (HP or similar) for two years or whatever - you can do sprints in it without problem and then once you have your own no claims bonus get a more interesting car

Hobson · 1 Jul 2002, 10:56 (Ref:325025)

Thanks for all the information and links, it looks like an MG Maestro or Montego is on the cards. It would be nice for the turbo versions though.................!

Jos, a small problem getting a 106, I only have £1500 saved up, and the Pug insurance deal won't be free if the main driver is under 21 yrs old. I'm 16 at the moment!

Masie and Chris Y, I have seen MGOC Maestro racing Cadwell Park a couple of times in recent years. One meeting, 4 Maestros crossed the line together - except one was going backawards!
As you two know, I race model cars and this seems to suck up all my funds at the moment. I could get £500+ if I sell all my equipment,plus some money for my real car, a '69 Volvo Amazon need ing a few repairs (welding etc).

This isn't my site, but all the pics are mine though.
www.newarkracing.5u.com

Hobson · 1 Jul 2002, 11:01 (Ref:325031)

I just visited the MG cars site, that incident was 1998 on Sept 13th at Cadwell.

I only want to do racing to have some fun, not to be really competitive. At least not for a few years!

Maisie · 1 Jul 2002, 11:08 (Ref:325035)

Well, if you fancy having a closer look at an MG Maestro, we'll be at Mallory Park in 2 weeks time with both the Maestro and the Mini - it'd be great to meet you and to have a chat.

***Chris Y*** · 1 Jul 2002, 11:54 (Ref:325066)

Andy F suggested 2CVs as well - I can wholeheartedly agree with that suggestion! The cars are incredibly cheap - not requiring much modification. Bits are easy to come by as there are quite a few outlets specializing in 2cv parts. The racing is extremely close and you can be competitive with almost any car.. Also - the benefits of a one-make series - you can ask others for help/advice/spares, and you can compare your racing performance to others more easily.

Girl-racer Christine Savage drives her car "Stinky" to and from the circuits she races at - check out her page at http://www.girl-racer.freeserve.co.uk/ - well worth a look at how she got into it..

The championship is run by the BARC, and thus the entry fees and yearly membership are pretty cheap..

Hobson · 1 Jul 2002, 15:00 (Ref:325215)

Except I don't like scary rides (i'm too scared to go on oblivion at Alton Towers), so racing a tin snail at 65 degrees on every corner frigtens the life out of me!

Not sure about Mallory, my exams are almost over though an I've got driving lessons soon. I'd love to take the instructor to Mallory!