where do i begin?

[tvducks]

hi

After a recent car accident i have decided that i want to get into some form of motorsport, with the thought that it might get the desire to drive fast out of my system, on the road at least.
does anyone have any advice for me on how to start, i simlpy have had the idea but dont know where to go.

cheers.

tvducks (20, Stafford UK)

[Fan]

What sort of budget do you have? Karting is probably the best option, Club 100 might be a good start.

[Steve Wilkinson]

To be ultra-conservative you need to tow your race car to events; just in case you hit the scenery you will still be able to get what's left home!

Half decent tow-car plus trailer should be the first priority.

I would suggest Formula Ford 1600 approx 1993 chassis. Should pick one up for under six grand.

With the FF1600 you can Sprint, Hillclimb and Race the car.

That should blow away the cobwebs and get rid of the Need for Speed

[Gabrio]

I do not know what the costs are for the club racing (gr. n touring cars) in the UK. But you could start with that.

[Chris Y]

Alternatively, do a a track day with your road car, to test the water.

[gfm]

tvd - you might go along to the race car show in Birmingham right now and talk to everybody. DO NOT take a credit card or promise anything to anybody, just listen. See what tickles your fancy.

[greenamex2]

Glad I'm not the only one who had to nearly kill themselves before seeing the light.

Track days are a good cheap way of trying out circuit driving but it isn't real thing. Most mid grid or better race drivers I have spoke too find track days boring.

Let no one tell you that one form of motorsport is better or cheaper than another, there is a lot of biased and incorrect knowledge out there.

You are going to spend a lot of time and money so need to pick something you really want to be involved in.

Your heart is the best guide. Look at all forms and go for the cheapest one that really interests you.

I suppose you need to ask yourself questions like do I want to 'play' with the car, spend money on tuning parts, just be on a level playing field with the rest of the field, have a fun car to drive etc etc etc.

[Peter Mallett]

The only criticism with your post is

be on a level playing field with the rest of the field

because it doesn't happen.

gfm got it right and fwiw as someone who has done it, unless you're a 7 stone sixteen year old with a rich daddy, don't look at low capacity single seaters. They are seriously good fun but go nowhere carrying weight.

[kickstart]

Tvducks, I would suggest first step is probably to go to a racing school for the day and seeing whether you enjoy it. There are racing schools at Mallory Park, Oulton Park, Silverstone and rockingham all of which are fairly near you. Try www.motorsportvision.co.uk

Have fun

[MGDavid]

No one's mentioned the (to me) obvious - join your local motor club, meet and talk to people, maybe marshal on a few different discipline events, take it from there. You may instinctively prefer rallying to circuit racing. You might just do a few hillclimbs and sprints to dip your toe in the water at relatively low cost. Whatever, do come back here, let us know how you get on, and ask, ask away. Oh, and first go and have a good night out with your favourite woman or mates - before you descend into the speed heaven of poverty :-)

[HiRich]

Getting into motorsport is frustratingly complicted, so let's try and break it down.

First, there's the necessaries. You will need to:
- Get a licence (look at www.msauk.org/)
- Join the club(s) that organise your racing
- Get kitted out with helmet, equipment, etc (the MSA BLue Book you get with the Go Racing pack gives you details)

Rather more fundamentally, you need to think hard about what type of motorsport you want to get involved in. This could take some time as you think, research, and think again. To start with, ask yourself some questions:
- What disciplines interest you? Circuit, rally, sprints & hillclimbs
- What sort of car? modern, historic, single-seater, sportscar, dedicated or road/race (e.g. a Caterham)
- How much are you prepared to spend? Consider the start-up costs of buying the car, kitting yourself out (towcar + trailer, main spares, garage equipment) and annual budget (entry fees, travel & accommodation, tyres, fuel, etc.)
- How competitively minded are you? There are some series that are very competitive and you can expect to rebuild/repair the car frequently. Others are far more relaxed. For example, the front-engined Formula Junior guys are quite relaxed, whilst the rear-engined chaps are distinctly more serious about it, and budgets vary dramatically.
- How mechanically minded are you? How much of the work can you do/want to do?
- Where do you want to race? You're quite wel placed for the central circuits. Are you really interested in regular trips to Brands, Anglesey, Knockhill, etc.? If not, make sure there are enough events local to you.

With this in mind, you can start researching. Find meetings that are running series that interest you, and go visit. Chat to competitors (at Club level they'll happily chat, provided they're not rebuilding a gear box). Offer a hand, to get a feel for what happens. Visit club/series websites, post on the specialised forums, start collecting more information. Find out where cars are sold, and watch prices. In some series (especially historics), there are movers and shakers, who (once they know you are serious) will make introductions and point you at interesting cars - find them and get close.

Gradually you can shortlist series that fit the bill, and you can seriously research these. This might take quite some time. Or you might really know in your heart what you want to do. In which case, just jump in and learn.

[silver bullet]

Why not try something like rallycross you can race at some great circuits Croft, Knockhill, Anglesey, Brands Hatch etc etc. The atmosphere in the paddock is great and you can be on the track & competitive at clubman level for under £3000.
Check out www.rallycrossuk.com for details and there even some cars for sale on the site as well

[whatapalaver]

Why not come and marshal for a season or two? You get to see lots of different cars in lots of different types of races. You can talk to drivers / teams in the paddock. You can also travel the country, and further, which we give you some idea of the investment in time you want to make.

What do you want to get out of it? Going fast on your own? Or close racing with a group on well-driven, closely matched cars?

Budget - I can't answer that one with any sense, but again if you watch a few races you will soon learn the level of contact, and therefore the likely size of the repair bill that may follow.

[Anuauto]

At the risk of upsetting a few people, unless money is no object you really need to want to do a particular type of motorsport so badly it makes life without it unendurable. For the individual of average means, there is that much hassle and financial hardship involved that the basic choice is usually already made. Many would say that to generally fancy doing some form of motorsport but not be sure which, unless you are made of money, is not enough committment. As has been recommened, go to events and find out all about them, including doing some marshalling, and you could save a great deal of heartache.

[chezza]

Instead of jumping straight in and buying a car why not hire one for a couple of races and see how you like it? One such series is Formula Vee, it is relatively in expensive racing, with close and exciting races.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by chezza

Instead of jumping straight in and buying a car why not hire one for a couple of races and see how you like it? One such series is Formula Vee,

You wouldn't be any relation to SS Colins would you? Only he keeps banging on about stripped down Beetles.

PS. Has anybody else noticed that our thread starter hasn't come back?

[chezza]

Any realtion to ss_collins?! Erm...he's my boyfriend! Didn't you know that?

[Peter Mallett]

Yes. It was a very poor attempt at comedy and you blew it!

[Anuauto]

He keeps banging on elsewhere about rallying something called a McGog - but it has so far been conspicuous by its complete and total absence.... (Which is a thinly disguised dig at the grief he'll be getting on at least 3 forums if the Kent Rally passes without an appearance!)

[chezza]

Hehe...sorry peter, i didnt get it!

He's gonna get big grief...especially if he doesn't finish that blinking car (this one is Gog, the first on is Magog) I'm getting fed up with driving everywhere!

[ss_collins]

boo hoo!

[chezza]

OI! Its unfair that I have to drive everywhere!

Suprised I haven't seen the line..."Buy my book"!!!

[Peter Mallett]

Now now, let's not have a domestic.

[Anuauto]

Someone must have bought the book. When I walked past the publishers yesterday, the front door had been repainted!
(better stick to thread topic before this becomes an advert or a wind up I guess...)

[ScottDay]

Hi,

Talking to people at Race Car Live Formula Vee is a good way to go.

I was thinking of doing it myself.

If not a FF1600 is also a good bet.
Easy to play with! and good fun.

All the best,

Scott