Please help - Beginner

[ARPace]

Hi there. I turn 17 soon and as soon as i get my driving liscense i would like to start racing. I'm a big motorsport fan and have allways like racing from go karting to rallying.

I guessed this would be a good place to find help, and a good place to start racing, Club and antional events.

I would appreciate any information how to start racing, like how to get my racing liscense, joining clubs and starting cars.

Thanks alot.

[rcarr]

Hi, Welcome to the forum.

The people to speak to are the Motorsports Association, MSA for short. They will send you a "Go Racing" pack and that'll give you all the advice you need!

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/conten...p?article=2586

If your looking for a car, I would suggest stockhatch or Formula Vee or Formula Ford 1600.

[ARPace]

Originally Posted by rcarr

Hi, Welcome to the forum.

The people to speak to are the Motorsports Association, MSA for short. They will send you a "Go Racing" pack and that'll give you all the advice you need!

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/conten...p?article=2586

If your looking for a car, I would suggest stockhatch or Formula Vee or Formula Ford 1600.

Thanks. Just after i had posted that i found some great websites.

As soon as i have passed my test i will probably buy 1.4 mk4 fiesta or similar. I will get my racing license and probably join 750mc.

Thanks alot.

[graeme]

Originally Posted by ARPace

Hi there. I turn 17 soon and as soon as i get my driving liscense i would like to start racing.

You don't actually need a road driving licence to race...

[ARPace]

Originally Posted by graeme

You don't actually need a road driving licence to race...

Yeah i know, its just that i plan to use my race car as a road car aswell.

[graeme]

Originally Posted by ARPace

Yeah i know, its just that i plan to use my race car as a road car aswell.

Hmm - I used to do that. It's great until the "how the hell do I to work on Monday morning?" moment (or "how do I get home from the circuit?"). A mod'ed race car might be difficult for a 17-year old to insure - have you considered a Fiat Panda or the like as a run around and a (not insured for road) race car? It could be (much) cheaper.

[ARPace]

Originally Posted by graeme

Hmm - I used to do that. It's great until the "how the hell do I to work on Monday morning?" moment (or "how do I get home from the circuit?"). A mod'ed race car might be difficult for a 17-year old to insure - have you considered a Fiat Panda or the like as a run around and a (not insured for road) race car? It could be (much) cheaper.

Hmm i can understand that. Although transport to and from a circuit would be simple, as i have access to trailors and towing vehicles.

I know i have quite a bit to learn yet. How could a road car, which ive modded for racing, effect daily activities like travelling to work?

Also, if i were to have a car for daily activities and car for racing, i would probably still mod my daily car to some extent. And doing both seems rather expensive.

How did you come about these problems when you first started racing?

Thanks.

[Chris Y]

What Graeme means is, if you trash the car during racing on Sunday, you have no transport for work on Monday morning.

[Tim Wilkinson]

When you're 17 and have no NCB, everything is expensive to insure. I would doubt there are many companies that would even consider insuring a new driver on a modded car, and those that would will price it through the roof. I've had quotes, and been insured previously, on track / race cars, and I've come to the conclusion that a tow-car and trailer is a far easier way to do it, and not much more expensive.

Using a track or race car on the road isn't in itself a big bind (at least not for me, I don't mind doing without creature comforts as I don't do too many miles) UNTIL it comes to using it on track - I can't recall doing any circuit work where the car has finished the day with me 100% happy to use it on the road. That ranges from a slight misfire after a trip through the infield at Oulton, to losing the bottom end. My Nova is only lightly tuned, and as such should be pretty reliable, but after Brands it needs new clutch release bearing (or something similar), reverse gear replacing, and some bodywork fixing up - it raced fine, but no way I could have used it on the road the next day. Unfortunately (for some) the roadsaloon days are long gone. If you do decide to use a race car as your road car, then I'd check the driving standards in any series you're thinking of racing with - some are cleaner than others.

[Tim Wilkinson]

Also, before you do anything I'd recommend sitting down and writing out a cost list, including costs in getting your license, getting kitted out (helmet, overalls - second-hand or new), the car itself plus extra prep costs or things like transponders, belts, extinguishers etc.

It may add up to more than you think, and it'd be a shame to get started and then find you're out of money before you're even near the grid.

[ARPace]

Originally Posted by Tim Wilkinson

Also, before you do anything I'd recommend sitting down and writing out a cost list, including costs in getting your license, getting kitted out (helmet, overalls - second-hand or new), the car itself plus extra prep costs or things like transponders, belts, extinguishers etc.

It may add up to more than you think, and it'd be a shame to get started and then find you're out of money before you're even near the grid.

Thanks, that's one thing i have figured out. The costs were about 5x the value of the car i was looking at, haha. I know i could afford it, but it would happen in one lump i'd have to do things bit by bit, which is okay.

I have now planned to run things and see how it goes. I will get my driving license soon, etc etc. I think i will do some racing courses, if i can find them. From there i will apply for my license and join some clubs.
This is something i am determined to do, and achieve well in.

[rcarr]

Why not buy 2 cheaper cars until you start earning?

I have a racing Ford Fiesta XR2 for sale at the moment, "cheap as chips" for a racing car anyway! Eligible for the UK XR Championship, stock hatch and Scottish XR2 championship.

Its better not the race your road car, the insurance will become prohibative!

Buy a cheap Golf or Polo for reliable motoring as your road car and buy a cheap starter's car to race.

My 1st race car was a Fiesta with twin webers on it. It was perfect for cutting my teeth in racing. It cost me £1200!

Its also better if you join a more local series based at your local circuit etc, there is no point in joining a national championship because there will be transport issues like how do get to Brands Hatch when you've just been at Croft?

Stick with a less complicated car to race, you will face all sorts of problems if you buy and all singing all dancing car with fancy electronics in it, think simple bog standard car that you can modify cheaply and easily.

[ARPace]

I'l take your advice guys. I will pass my test and buy a day to day car for now, save some money and buy another for racing in the future.

Does anyone know where i can get information on my local circuit, or information on local events. Im in Sussex.

Thanks alot for all the help.

Originally Posted by rcarr

I have a racing Ford Fiesta XR2 for sale at the moment, "cheap as chips" for a racing car anyway! Eligible for the UK XR Championship, stock hatch and Scottish XR2 championship.

Could you PM on info on your XR2? Thanks

[rcarr]

You have PM!

You're nearest circuit will be Goodwood! But you'll have to have a car worth inexcess of £50k!

Possibly Lydden Hill but they don't have a racing school, Thruxton?

[ARPace]

Originally Posted by rcarr

You have PM!

You're nearest circuit will be Goodwood! But you'll have to have a car worth inexcess of £50k!

Possibly Lydden Hill but they don't have a racing school, Thruxton?

Thanks for the PM.

Does anyone know of any motor clubs based around Lydden Hill or thruxton.

Thanks

[jaysalv]

the dmsn run the tin tops that have races at lydden and a good track.. im hoping to start racing in the future with my mk2 golf (check out my site)i think that thats a better place to start than any and i think the entry fees ar reasonable too.

[kelvin88]

Goodwood does ARDS courses.

[rcarr]

Lydden and Brands, SEMSEC.

Isn't there a southwest sports and saloons championship? Anyone?

I am not sure about Thruxton though!

[graeme]

Both BARC SE and SEMSEC have sports & saloon series at Lydden (Goggle 'em). I doubt you'd have to have a very modified car to run mid-field or higher in either. Cheap entry fess as Lydden as well and a great clubby circuit (I wish it was nearer!). Only problem is there isn't a lot of room to get things wrong at Lydden...

[andy97]

For cheap racing you could do a lot worse than look at the Fiat Racing Championship - fully race prepared Fiat Unos are cheaper than chips (to buy & run) & there's a few available. The car would also be eligible for something like the Classic Sports Car Club's "Tin Tops" series, as well as (probably) the BARC SE & SEMSEC series mentioned above.

As for the road car option, I've just sort of acquired an MOT'd & Taxed Fiat Tipo (just for its engine & gearbox!) for £250 - something like that would have made a good, cheap, fun first road car.

[graeme]

Another cheap option, if a little further afield, are the Classic Touring Car Racing Club races at Silverstone Stowe. Very cheap (three races for £110), open to almost any car and nothing much to hit around the circuit. Buy a cheap race-prep'ed saloon and, if you can drive it reasonably well, you'll have someone to race against.

[ARPace]

Thanks for all the info here guys. I think i'm gunna save up a bit of money first and start racing a bit later, maybe this time next year.

The BARC SE looks really good. I've been looking into the sports and saloon series on their SE wesbite. Each series round is very cheap as well between £150 - £200. And membership is cheap to.

Thanks fguys. I'l be back here as soon as i start racing, with pictures and results hehe.

[grichie87]

Hi
Check out www.rodbirley.com he runs our web site for the DMN championship and is a font of all knowledge. Also come to one of our races and walk round the paddock and chat to to the racers they will be only to happy to bore the pants off you with info.
Stay away from stockhatch if you like your car in one piece
Also the Borough 19 motorclub is the one to join
Graham

[Al Weyman]

Cheap at £150 - £200!!!! Different planet.

[GORDON STREETER]

As you say Al a different planet ! we used to get paid to race and the meetings abroad you could make good money.