Starting racing

[James_1]

Hi,
I have been helping out in the pits for a few years now with Gordon Streeter’s HGTCC race team and now I'm going to turn 16 I really want to start racing myself. Unfortunately I can't race an Anglia or a Mini because the time/money/GSCE element makes travelling from location to location and spending weekends on site a no go. I have been looking at the SEMSEC stock challenge as this looks relatively inexpensive and is nearby. I am going to go along to the next meet but I was wondering:
a) is it possible to get an MSA National B License for £250, what will I get in the way of tuition and where is the best place to go?
b) how much will I have to spend on a racesuit etc?
c) how much can I sensibly expect to get from sponsors in my first?
Thanks in advance
James

[tristancliffe]

a) I think, from memory, that Mallory is the cheapest ARDS school. Brands also do them (iirc), but no idea how much they cost. Also, you'll need a novice starter pack (£40?), and a medical (£30 - £80 depending on your GP). All in you're looking at around £400.

b) As much or as little as you want, but get the best you can afford. £200 for a suit, £30 gloves, £150 helmet... maybe. Get a Demon Tweeks catalogue and look at that. Not the cheapest place in the UK, but a good reference. The catalogue is free )

c) Sponsors? You'll be lucky to get any in your first year I reckon, and even if you do it'll be supplies at a discount rather than a cheque in the post. Unless you are lucky or a damn good deal maker!!!

[duke_toaster]

Originally Posted by James_1

I have been looking at the SEMSEC stock challenge as this looks relatively inexpensive and is nearby.

I can't help, although the very knowledgable people here probably can, but i'm getting 404'd there

[Chris Y]

He meant http://www.semsec.org.uk/stock.html

[AU N EGL]

c) Sponsors? You'll be lucky to get any in your first year I reckon, and even if you do it'll be supplies at a discount rather than a cheque in the post. Unless you are lucky or a damn good deal maker!!!

Lets see, do you have a very very rich relative that owns a big company that you can place their advertising on you race car?

Parts discounts and contigancy prizes ( you get a part or company gift check for their parts) if you Win and you already have their decal on your car.

That is about the best most of us can do.

Good Luck and keep the shinny side UP.

[James_1]

Thanks for that. I'll have to see what I can do. Would buying asecond hand helmet and suit be okay to keep costs down or do they wear out over time?
Thanks
James

[minifox]

dont buy a second hand helmet as never know if there is damage to the inner shell

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by James_1

Thanks for that. I'll have to see what I can do. Would buying asecond hand helmet and suit be okay to keep costs down or do they wear out over time?
Thanks
James

Deamon Tweaks do a Sparco (Formula I think) helmet for £220 inc delivery as a special offer. Hardly worth risking the most important part of yourself on a SH one.
I know all these costs add up but the safety equipment is a minor proportion of what you will have to shell out on racing.
I suppose as long as a suit is in good condition and not soaked in oil or fuel a s/h one would be OK .

[Suze]

re costs - go racing pack is £51 and medical it's best to shop around - my gp wanted £150 - £200 but ended up paying a lot, lot less.....

there are lots of places that do ARDs - Snett, Brands, Silverstone, Mallory, Combe and Croft just for starters....

[DALY]

When considering sponsorship, start with the GP, my doctor does medicals foc because he likes motorsport.

With safety gear, please dont scrimp, there are bits there that you may need, in 2001 I was grateful for my arai crashhat!

Getting the ARDS is fairly standard at most tracks, but do not be afraid to attend a good clubbie meeting and ask people if they could help/coach you. Motorsport needs new people, give it a go.

Best of luck

Pete

[Rockmunky]

I didn't think you needed a medical if you're under 18?

[Suze]

nope that's correct....

[AU N EGL]

Not a bad idea to have a medical.

I ware a lanyard around my neck with a card under my suit. The card has a copy of my photo ID/ Drivers Lic, Contact Info, and current Medical: Blood Type, other info. So just in case, Heaven forbid I have a big crash and am knocked out, they have my info right there.

[al_sami]

Originally Posted by James_1

Hi,
I have been helping out in the pits for a few years now with Gordon Streeter’s HGTCC race team and now I'm going to turn 16 I really want to start racing myself. Unfortunately I can't race an Anglia or a Mini because the time/money/GSCE element makes travelling from location to location and spending weekends on site a no go. I have been looking at the SEMSEC stock challenge as this looks relatively inexpensive and is nearby. I am going to go along to the next meet but I was wondering:
a) is it possible to get an MSA National B License for £250, what will I get in the way of tuition and where is the best place to go?
b) how much will I have to spend on a racesuit etc?
c) how much can I sensibly expect to get from sponsors in my first?
Thanks in advance
James

Allow £1.2K for everything and thats budget overalls, helmets, gloves and boots.

[JohnD]

Gosh, AU, why should the hospital need any of that? Esp. your licence no.!Blood is only given as a last resort these days - plenty of time for a X-match. If you have a significant allergy, or relevant drug treatment, maybe. Better declare it to the race organisers, who should have your contact info too. But if your injuries are such that they need your ID to mold your face back to a reasonable match ....... no, don't go there.

John

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by JohnD

Gosh, AU, why should the hospital need any of that? Esp. your licence no.!Blood is only given as a last resort these days - plenty of time for a X-match. If you have a significant allergy, or relevant drug treatment, maybe. Better declare it to the race organisers, who should have your contact info too. But if your injuries are such that they need your ID to mold your face back to a reasonable match ....... no, don't go there.

John

Absolutely John, they do.

But it keeps my wife happy.

if they rebuilt my face, it would be an improvment, especially if they put hair on top of my head.

[James_1]

Thanks for all of the responses. I have decided that instead of going straight into racing I am going to have a look at doing some sprints next season (hopefully) so that I have time to build up experience and get the car prepared over a longer period of time so that I will be in a slighter better position when I do start racing. I intent to get a car that will be eligible for the SEMSEC Stock Challenge. I have got another question though; I have read that I only need a £30 non-race license rather than a full cat B national. Is there any way I can get any track time in between meets without a road license with either? Will I have to go back and spend the full £300 when I finish the season to get a race one if I get a non-race license and is it worth the extra money to get the track time/tuition?

[JohnD]

James,
Lots of marque clubs organise track days, so join the club for the car you have, or look for commercial track days on the web. £90 to the sky's the limit, if you want hospitality, instruction etc.etc.

Also, for the last two years, MotorSport Vision (CEO Jonathan Palmer, remember him?) has organised a series of Marshals' Track Days at Brands, Oulton etc. Anyone with a race car that has two seats (or more) can turn up and have a FREE track day, if they will give the marshals fast rides. Good cause, great fun, free track day - I'm amazed more don't do it.

Good luck!
John

[Suze]

Originally Posted by James_1

Will I have to go back and spend the full £300 when I finish the season to get a race one if I get a non-race license

In short, yes.....still have to get go racing pack / ARDs / medical etc.

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by JohnD

James,
Also, for the last two years, MotorSport Vision (CEO Jonathan Palmer, remember him?) has organised a series of Marshals' Track Days at Brands, Oulton etc. Anyone with a race car that has two seats (or more) can turn up and have a FREE track day, if they will give the marshals fast rides. Good cause, great fun, free track day - I'm amazed more don't do it.

Good luck!
John

but probably not an absolute novice with no race (or even road) licence please!!

[James_1]

It would be an experiance I should imagine! I don't think I'd want to be in the passenger seat!

Would I be able to do a normal track day with a non-race B-national?

[terence]

James,I think you will find you need to produce a road license to do track days,it may have changed so by all means check first.

[JohnD]

James,
No road licence - no track day! That seems to be a universal rule.
And IMHO not a bad one.

Sorry, have I missed something? Are you too young for a road licence or something? MSA has a scheme for young drivers.

John

[GORDON STREETER]

Go on James get your old man to buy a Saxo or pay for couple of T car races.
You know you can't reach the pedals on the Anglebox !

[James_1]

James,
No road licence - no track day! That seems to be a universal rule.
And IMHO not a bad one.

Sorry, have I missed something? Are you too young for a road licence or something? MSA has a scheme for young drivers.

John

And test days are the same? Out of interest, how do T-car and Saxmax drivers get any practice?
I am 16 in November but T-Cars are too expensive and Saxmax appear to have a bit of a reputation for red flags.

Go on James get your old man to buy a Saxo or pay for couple of T car races.
You know you can't reach the pedals on the Anglebox !

Hello Gordon, I've been trying to convince him for months but he won't budge! It looks like I'm going to have to fund it pretty much myself so I'm going to do it progressively. I'm sure I could reach the peddles the Anglebox with a lot of cushions on the seat; its keeping the thing on the road that may prove more difficult!
Oh, I heard something out your gearbox going at Spa, what happened?