what to do with 5k?
Discussion
how would you spend an additional 5k on your track experiences?
I'm already a track regular, enjoy an annual Palmersport day and try a few other events as well, all to experience as much track driving in different cars as i can.
i've been granted a one-off boost to the budget! My thoughts are:
- F1. very interesting thread a few weeks ago by someone who went to Barcelona to drive an F1 car.
- get a Caterham. not 5k capital, but it is no more than that in running costs and depreciation for a couple of years. I'd keep my s/charged Eunos as it has a roof and can more easily get to distant circuits. I love Caterhams but i'm not driving to/from tracks more than an hour away in one.
- hire a few cars over a year. BaT type of thing, especially Spa (which would be 2.5k all in)
- simply add it to my normal budget and use it on small upgrades, 1-to-1 driver training, extra experiences.
I'm tempted to just add it to my budget (yes i do have one for the boss! to be fair, track days aren't cheap so it's good all round to work on agreed numbers to avoid misunderstandings and resentment). You get a lot of seat time in your own car or in simple hire cars like Caterhams. If you go more exotic the cost escalates beyond what i reckon is a good return. The F1 experience is obviously a single, powerful event, that will no doubt stay with you forever. Decisions..
But a few headline laps against an enhanced year to include Spa in a Caterham, Don Palmer training day, rally day, car upgrades etc. Mmmm, i need another 10k!
Any other events or experiences to consider?
I'm already a track regular, enjoy an annual Palmersport day and try a few other events as well, all to experience as much track driving in different cars as i can.
i've been granted a one-off boost to the budget! My thoughts are:
- F1. very interesting thread a few weeks ago by someone who went to Barcelona to drive an F1 car.
- get a Caterham. not 5k capital, but it is no more than that in running costs and depreciation for a couple of years. I'd keep my s/charged Eunos as it has a roof and can more easily get to distant circuits. I love Caterhams but i'm not driving to/from tracks more than an hour away in one.
- hire a few cars over a year. BaT type of thing, especially Spa (which would be 2.5k all in)
- simply add it to my normal budget and use it on small upgrades, 1-to-1 driver training, extra experiences.
I'm tempted to just add it to my budget (yes i do have one for the boss! to be fair, track days aren't cheap so it's good all round to work on agreed numbers to avoid misunderstandings and resentment). You get a lot of seat time in your own car or in simple hire cars like Caterhams. If you go more exotic the cost escalates beyond what i reckon is a good return. The F1 experience is obviously a single, powerful event, that will no doubt stay with you forever. Decisions..
But a few headline laps against an enhanced year to include Spa in a Caterham, Don Palmer training day, rally day, car upgrades etc. Mmmm, i need another 10k!
Any other events or experiences to consider?
go racing.
depending on car spec obviously but if you've got a cage, FIA stickered bucket seat and approved harnesses, the rest of your kit will only cost you about £2k (battery isolator, extinguisher, fire suit, boots, gloves, helmet with hans etc)
Then you've got a few quid on doing your license and the rest can go on entry fees for a race series which suits the car.
depending on car spec obviously but if you've got a cage, FIA stickered bucket seat and approved harnesses, the rest of your kit will only cost you about £2k (battery isolator, extinguisher, fire suit, boots, gloves, helmet with hans etc)
Then you've got a few quid on doing your license and the rest can go on entry fees for a race series which suits the car.
Robmarriott said:
go racing.
depending on car spec obviously but if you've got a cage, FIA stickered bucket seat and approved harnesses, the rest of your kit will only cost you about £2k (battery isolator, extinguisher, fire suit, boots, gloves, helmet with hans etc)
Then you've got a few quid on doing your license and the rest can go on entry fees for a race series which suits the car.
hadn't ruled this out, but it's not high on my list. depending on car spec obviously but if you've got a cage, FIA stickered bucket seat and approved harnesses, the rest of your kit will only cost you about £2k (battery isolator, extinguisher, fire suit, boots, gloves, helmet with hans etc)
Then you've got a few quid on doing your license and the rest can go on entry fees for a race series which suits the car.
The problem is w/ends and commitments elsewhere. Racing certainly isn't cheap, and comes with hefty time commitment for less driving time. i know it's the obvious step up from track days, but i am happy on track days.
5k isn't very much anyway!! one Spa trip (real buck list), some high quality training etc and its gone.
Invest in the car you have and the skills you have evolved, split it down the middle and do £2.5 on tuition, £2.5k on the car, be it slicks, trailer, rods, carbon, whatever is next
Best of both worlds
For example if it was my money, I'd drop £1500 on a trailer, £1500 on slicks and wheels and £2000 on tuition with a well respected instructor at a circuit I use the most, longer term it means I can tow the car and eschew the limitations of the MOT/Insurance and progress with more hardcore development
Best of both worlds
For example if it was my money, I'd drop £1500 on a trailer, £1500 on slicks and wheels and £2000 on tuition with a well respected instructor at a circuit I use the most, longer term it means I can tow the car and eschew the limitations of the MOT/Insurance and progress with more hardcore development
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