Advice for a novice - single seat or sports

[Geraint Owen]

A few random thoughts....

Single seaters tend to be easier to buy than they are to sell. If you are looking for a toe in the water car and you would need to sell it before buying your next one then you need to ensure you buy something that is easy to move on. Likewise I would only look at something with HTPs

There are lots of options but some of it depends on budget to buy, budget to run and how much of the mechanical work you are looking to do yourself. When looking for a car for the 6hr, a mate and I went for a TR4 not an MGB just to have something different, although not too different. It has been a good choice.

Dont discount running costs. I understand that if paying others to do the work then a full on front of the grid race A series engine is approaching £1000/hr in rebuilds.

You cant get enough track time. a cheaper track day mule is a good thing to have, and could actually replace your first race car. I have a road legal but full caged E46 M3 to skid about in when the mood takes me. A lot of performance for the money. Plus you can break them for close to their value if you do hit the wall.

Most important of all is you need to be in a car you like, not one that is fast/competitive. There is a big but subtle difference between taking your old car motor racing and going motor racing in an old car. People with the former mindset tend to bend their cars less than people with the latter. This is why the VSCC and HGPCA are so good. The HGPCA is a good option, how much more than a top FJ is an F1/F2 Cooper T45?

Just my 2p worth

[GORDON STREETER]

Have you thought about "rent a drive" ?, although you might think that it is expensive it will be cheaper to do a few races like that rather than buying something that you regret in a short time, like someones heap of junk !

[SpartacusF]

Ah good point, probably 6-10 weekends. I'd forgotten how lovely those 60s Alfas are, will take a closer look. There's a Grantura on Race Cars Direct too.

To the original question though, if FJ is really where my heart is, it sounds like I may as well pile straight in?

[Colin McKay]

FJ is a good place to end up but if you want to learn your craft in something less vulnerable then something like MGB/Turner/TR4 in Guards means you can share costs with another driver (or sympathetic prepper ) and learn quicker to boot. If single seaters are your goal then the more time spent in a kart the better. Rock hard slicks on a corporate kart are as close to Dunlop historics as you will find!

[Will Nuthall]

Originally Posted by SpartacusF

Ah good point, probably 6-10 weekends. I'd forgotten how lovely those 60s Alfas are, will take a closer look. There's a Grantura on Race Cars Direct too.

To the original question though, if FJ is really where my heart is, it sounds like I may as well pile straight in?

I would say so yes. Good community throughout the grids, can do less high profile UK events and move on when you feel ready with/without changing car.

If you go into the GT car route you may not drive a single-seater for years, or get stuck in them and never want to change!

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by SpartacusF

Ah good point, probably 6-10 weekends. I'd forgotten how lovely those 60s Alfas are, will take a closer look. There's a Grantura on Race Cars Direct too.

To the original question though, if FJ is really where my heart is, it sounds like I may as well pile straight in?

If you did fancy a 60s Alfa one of my AROC members approached me yesterday saying he was thinking of selling his Giulia Sprint GT that he's raced in CSCC Swinging Sixties....I can put you in touch if it would be of interest. Its not an HTP FIA compliant car as is, though, as it has a 2.0 engine.

[Gerard C]

If FJ is really where your heart is, go for it, dont waste a precious time. IMO.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

If FJ is really where your heart is, go for it, dont waste a precious time. IMO.

Exactly. If you want to race ‘Type A’ then the best place to learn is in there. Possibly a waste of your time and your money racing ‘Type D’ first.

The only thing that could be close to the FJ would really be FF1600. Historic, Classic or maybe Heritage. The latter being the most relaxed and cheapest. The formers being more relevant but pricier.

[Alan Morgan]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

If FJ is really where your heart is, go for it, dont waste a precious time. IMO.

Agreed! FJ has a great bunch of drivers who will welcome you into the fold. You'll always have someone to race with at your level and make some great friends in the process.

Sarah Mitriké does a fantastic job running the many races for FJ and may also know of some suitable cars for sale. Don't think single seaters are daunting - they're not.