Discussion
having done a few trackdays I am now thinking of upping the ante and go more competitive
Problem is I am heavier than the average driver and am getting on a bit!!
So whilst there maybe advantages in getting a Westfield/Caterham style the power to weight ratio works against me.
I would therefore seek some guidance the best formula to look at it (even historics) or indeed whether to consider sprinting/hillclimbing instead of circuit racing.
Also I think it is fair to say I have an enthusiastics amateur budget to work with
Problem is I am heavier than the average driver and am getting on a bit!!
So whilst there maybe advantages in getting a Westfield/Caterham style the power to weight ratio works against me.
I would therefore seek some guidance the best formula to look at it (even historics) or indeed whether to consider sprinting/hillclimbing instead of circuit racing.
Also I think it is fair to say I have an enthusiastics amateur budget to work with
TF240Cup said:
Not a problem.
All you need is a championship with regulations that state a minimum Car and Driver combined weight. You'll be at no disadvantage then.
^^^^^This^^^^^All you need is a championship with regulations that state a minimum Car and Driver combined weight. You'll be at no disadvantage then.
You also might want to consider the cheaper end of racing championships to start off with because the cars will be as similar as possible and then its all down to the squiggy bit behind the wheel.
I've gone with the MR2 Championship and its the most fun I have ever had, even racing at the back of the grid. The costs aren't exessive, there are plenty of companies offering all levels of support and the paddock is a friendly place to be.
Have a look around at the championships and look for companies doing arrive & drive packages to see if it suits you.
HTH
Given all the success Gerry Marshall had over the years I don't think it makes a huge difference depending upon the car.
What you need is a car that you can fit into and I have seen a few gentlemanly proportioned drivers in pre 66 Mustangs in particular. If the budget won't stretch that far then maybe a pre 66 MGB ?
Personally if you can afford it I would go for historics as the events tend to be the more desirable ones and most of the drivers tend to have known the cars in period and hence are probably your/my sort of age. I say this have raced all sorts over the last 25 years on and off and now being of gentlemanly stature myself I am having the best fun racing cars as old as me.
Have fun
What you need is a car that you can fit into and I have seen a few gentlemanly proportioned drivers in pre 66 Mustangs in particular. If the budget won't stretch that far then maybe a pre 66 MGB ?
Personally if you can afford it I would go for historics as the events tend to be the more desirable ones and most of the drivers tend to have known the cars in period and hence are probably your/my sort of age. I say this have raced all sorts over the last 25 years on and off and now being of gentlemanly stature myself I am having the best fun racing cars as old as me.
Have fun
Have a look at the Sports 2000 championship. There's a class for over 50's with trophies at each race and even an over 60's award at the end of the season. There are plenty drivers at the upper end of the age and weight scale. The Duratec class has 200bhp and the cars are only 521kg so plenty power to weight, and my engine costs for the last 2 seasons have run to an oil & filter change. The Pinto's have a historic classfor pre-82 cars (many of which are outright winners). I share a car in this class and engine costs for the last 3 seasons have been £600, so well within the reach of the most challenged budget. The calendar is fantastic, we started on the Snetterton 300 circuit and next race is at Spa, with Silverstone & Donington GP circuits to come. More info at www.sports2000-srcc.com or on my own website www.asgmotorsport.com
Don't be so quick to rule out caterhams. All the classes that I'm aware of have a minimum weight which is much higher than the weight of the car plus average driver. I am over 14 stone and still have to carry half a tank of fuel (~12kg) to meet the minimum and afford myself a margin for error should I be weighed sans a wing or two after a race. I managed to get a 3rd place at brands whilst being 16kg over the minimum as well...
The last two seasons were my first ever in motorsport, in the caterham graduates club (classics class) and has been great value. Proper RWD car with proper racecar handling, good driving standards, minimum repairs and maintenance costs etc etc...
The last two seasons were my first ever in motorsport, in the caterham graduates club (classics class) and has been great value. Proper RWD car with proper racecar handling, good driving standards, minimum repairs and maintenance costs etc etc...
I will second the MR2 type championships. Cheapish (never what you think it will be!)and weight limits with very little mods allowed.
I am a realist and realise that I am never going to be high up the rankings, due to talent mainly, but I have just had a fantastic days racing at Castle Combe fighting for position at the back of the pack. It depends what you want really.
I am a realist and realise that I am never going to be high up the rankings, due to talent mainly, but I have just had a fantastic days racing at Castle Combe fighting for position at the back of the pack. It depends what you want really.
MR2 championship is definitely a good one.
A couple of others to investigate are:
Project 8 Racing Saloons: A Multi Class series with a wide variety of cars from the 70's, 80's and early 90's.
Very relaxed and friendly atmosphere and superb driving standards.
Production BMW: One make championship for 80's 3 series (e30's). You won't find a cheaper way to race. Again a hugely popular championchip (x40 cars on the grid at Brands this weekend) and an incredibly friendly paddock. I started here 3 years ago - I had never been racing, didn't know anybody, was useless with the spanners, and drove to the circuit in the race car.
I'm still here 3 years later with no desire to race anywhere else.
It's very competitive at the front with some seriously talented drivers but there are plenty less skilled like me who are there simply to have fun.
The cars are very cheap to run, are rear wheel drive and surprisingly fast on the Toyo 888 control tyre. Decent, competitive cars can be had from £4-5k ready to race.
Good for you for giving racing it a try. You won't regret it.
A couple of others to investigate are:
Project 8 Racing Saloons: A Multi Class series with a wide variety of cars from the 70's, 80's and early 90's.
Very relaxed and friendly atmosphere and superb driving standards.
Production BMW: One make championship for 80's 3 series (e30's). You won't find a cheaper way to race. Again a hugely popular championchip (x40 cars on the grid at Brands this weekend) and an incredibly friendly paddock. I started here 3 years ago - I had never been racing, didn't know anybody, was useless with the spanners, and drove to the circuit in the race car.
I'm still here 3 years later with no desire to race anywhere else.
It's very competitive at the front with some seriously talented drivers but there are plenty less skilled like me who are there simply to have fun.
The cars are very cheap to run, are rear wheel drive and surprisingly fast on the Toyo 888 control tyre. Decent, competitive cars can be had from £4-5k ready to race.
Good for you for giving racing it a try. You won't regret it.
Hi - I also took the plunge to race after a few seasons track day experience and was also not in the typical age bracket to start racing!
Now in my 3rd season and have learnt a lot.
Feel free to pm me if you would like to talk about what options I have found and the budget etc. I have raced both modern and historics.
- Julia
Now in my 3rd season and have learnt a lot.
Feel free to pm me if you would like to talk about what options I have found and the budget etc. I have raced both modern and historics.
- Julia
A lot of suggestions pointing towards lighter type cars but this will give you a much bigger disadvantage being a heavy driver, an extra 25kg being much larger % of 550kg than say 1350kg.
Something like a BMW 3 series or similar type saloon and choose a series where the car is weighed with the driver and class graded by BHP/t. Trackday Trophy ?
Something like a BMW 3 series or similar type saloon and choose a series where the car is weighed with the driver and class graded by BHP/t. Trackday Trophy ?
And whilst u are at cadwell (if u pop along on the 12th) come over to the kumho bmw's as we have a class d which has a ptw for the 318is bmw's ,so as some of our drivers are on the larger size, in comparison to others but due to the minimum weight that is obtainable the racing is close, cars can be on the track for a reasonable outlay, and there are even 3 cars that you can rent.
PCGB Championship is another one where I think you would have no problem if tall and heavy or just heavy. I weigh 72 Kg and weighted up in the car I am already very close to their class limit for my 944 S2, and this in a car fully road legal running the pop up headlights, stock super heavy exhaust, wash wipe/horn/handbrake, stock heater box/fan, electric windows etc. I reckon I could easily get 30 Kg out of the car and you tend to see those drivers that aren't mega heavy will elect to lighten the car and run balast to get back up to the class min.
You could give this a go - http://www.trackdaytrophy.co.uk/
I know a couple of trackday drivers who entered last year - they seemed to enjoy themselves and they've had good grids this year.
I know a couple of trackday drivers who entered last year - they seemed to enjoy themselves and they've had good grids this year.
NJH said:
I reckon I could easily get 30 Kg out of the car and you tend to see those drivers that aren't mega heavy will elect to lighten the car and run balast to get back up to the class min.
Ballast can be placed where it works best. Belly is a touch more regimented where it'll sit.Best motivation I ever found to shed weight was starting racing!
In a tintop series it will have the least impact and they're car and driver minimum weight. Forget radicals or suchlike.
with all due respect, the lack of budget and lack of experience are going to hurt you far, far more than being a few stone overweight.... any extra weight on your body will affect your physical ability to drive the car fast rather than the car itself. You will tire quicker and be less able to drive flat out throughout the duration of a race. i take a keen interest in sports psychology and the simple answer is go running and lose the extra weight rather than find a roundabout solution.
pablo said:
with all due respect, the lack of budget and lack of experience are going to hurt you far, far more than being a few stone overweight.... any extra weight on your body will affect your physical ability to drive the car fast rather than the car itself. You will tire quicker and be less able to drive flat out throughout the duration of a race. i take a keen interest in sports psychology and the simple answer is go running and lose the extra weight rather than find a roundabout solution.
Is running enough to get race fit along with sensible eating etc ?Nero601 said:
Is running enough to get race fit along with sensible eating etc ?
its a great start as it builds up endurance but I would throw in a few upper body sessions too, most of that you can do at home quite easily, find a good video on you tube to get the press up technique sorted, then have a look at the 100 press up challenge. www.hundredpushups.comhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55vzCaOmKWA&fea... this is a pretty good video. you should notice a difference in your forearms as well as your biceps and your chest.for basic core stuff, lie on the floor next to a bed and put your lower legs on the bed, so you a sort of -¬_o shape. thats a pretty good sit up position for most people and it actually works because you use your abs not your legs. 25 x 4 once a day should see some results in 4 weeks. the whole objective should be to get your core muscles and your back strong enough to cope with the cornering forces.
i only have a kart but thats a pretty physical workout and i am seeing that i can maintain faster lap times for longer periods of time with this sort of basic approach to motorsport training. its something i am very interested in and would love to combine with some sports psychology into a phd!... yeah right!....
your local sports centre might do a circuit training session but you can train for free having learnt a few techniques and really see a difference.
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