Testing for seat time?

[cdon]

Does anyone have any experience of using Testing as a way to get seat time - even just as an enthusiast.

I see a lot of advertisements with race teams looking for drivers to fill seats for races, they almost always will offer some sort of Testing as a way to trial the car or just as a stand-alone package.

So say you just want to have a hoon in a GT4, GT3 car etc are test sessions a reasonable way to get into the car and get some seat time without actually ever going racing? Avoiding the costs, pressure that goes along with it...

From what I’ve seen the rates for testing aren’t too crazy.

[wannabe-racer]

Folks like Radical also has trial days. Not exactly the same thing but it's pretty cost effective and you get some time in any of their cars at whatever track you want.

[nickfrog]

I assume the teams in question will qualify you and will want to see the right race licence or at least ARDS. They may also charge you (even if they then put that money towards the cost of renting the race seat).

[BobbyA]

you say avoid the costs of racing but a test day will cost almost as much as a race.

Just to book a days testing will be the best part of £400 and then the team that you are testing with will charge you to sue the car and provide the staff.


To hire a club spec car (MX5 / Locost / Clio etc) for a days testing will be £500 + so you will be looking at least £900 for a days testing.

A GT3 car will have several members of staff, car hire, insurance etc. so the cost would be considerably more.

The teams will not let you test for free even if you pay for the race seat.

[Boggo]

Do you have a race licence? If no - no testing for you.

[cdon]

BobbyA said:

you say avoid the costs of racing but a test day will cost almost as much as a race.

—

The teams will not let you test for free even if you pay for the race seat.

I guess I should clarify - I know a test session will not be free and I have no intentions of going racing at the minute

My question is more about using a test as an option to basically hire out/arrive and drive a GT4, GT3, Clio Cup etc and tracking it for a day. Getting some experience in a race car in an environment that is on par with a track day or a step up.

The costs i’m comparing it to are running it for a weekend or a season.

Is it a good option in terms of value for seat time vs cost?

[BobbyA]

cdon said:

I guess I should clarify - I know a test session will not be free and I have no intentions of going racing at the minute

My question is more about using a test as an option to basically hire out/arrive and drive a GT4, GT3, Clio Cup etc and tracking it for a day. Getting some experience in a race car in an environment that is on par with a track day or a step up.

The costs i’m comparing it to are running it for a weekend or a season.

Is it a good option in terms of value for seat time vs cost?

Only you can decide if its good value as value is always perceived by the user.

Unless you are capable of pedaling a GT3 car quickly then I would probably say its not worth it. as you will struggle all day otherwise. It will cost you a couple of grand at least i would say to test a GT3 car for the day. and you will need insurance, and likely a race licence.

You are better renting something where you can learn more such as a race spec mx5, clio, caterham etc. Like I said these will be around £500 a day plus the cost of the test / track day.

Or if you want to experience some quicker machinery i would recommended a day at palmersport. Around £800 i think but you get to drive some impressive pieces of kit. I've done it twice and think that it is actually quite good value.

[BobbyA]

Just had a look and Want2Race hire there G55 Supercup for £3150 for the day, G40 GT5 is £1495, G40 is £1000.

On top of the hire you will still need to front the cost of the test or track day.

So basically 3.5k for the Supercup car on a trackday.

[nickfrog]

Yes PalmerSport would be better VFM. Not sure if it still runs with C19 though.

[Nickjd]

You will not get on a proper test day without a race licence.
As Ginetta own Blyton they will operate taster days for Want 2 Race but it is not done under the principle of just turning up to rag a car and then go home.
If you wanted to try out a GT3 / 4 Porsche etc. on a proper test day, again, back to the licence, but bank on £4 to £6K for the day depending on when and where. (plus your insurance and excess that you would absolutely want to take out)