Am I ready for racing?
Discussion
I have been doing track days for over six months now (about 20 in total), and have had full day personal coaching on three of these. I really want to start racing but I am not sure if I am quick enough yet? Been looking at the Lotus Trophy and MR2 Championships. My best time around Brands Indy is 1:02 in my road going Elise as a guide to where I am at.
I doubt that anyone is ever truly ready for racing - it is very different to a track day and you will find that out as you enter the first corner amongst 20 other cars for the first time!
Track days will be dull after that!
Don't worry about being quick enough; you already sound as well prepared as most but just concentrate on enjoying it. But do remember that you can still enjoy racing even if you are battling for 19th in that grid of 20!!! I know I do.
I describe myself as a 14 handicap golfer and a 24 handicap racing driver. I will rarely, if ever, win on the golf course but I still enjoy the occasional good round; and I am sure I won't win on the race track, but nevertheless there are still improvements to be enjoyed, overtaking moves or battles to be had and best lap times to be beaten.
Pick the race series you want to enter carefully (avoid the ones with too much of a reputation for damage - despite what some will say, "rubbin is NOT racing" and constant damage is not enjoyable) and enjoy yourself.
JFDI
Track days will be dull after that!
Don't worry about being quick enough; you already sound as well prepared as most but just concentrate on enjoying it. But do remember that you can still enjoy racing even if you are battling for 19th in that grid of 20!!! I know I do.
I describe myself as a 14 handicap golfer and a 24 handicap racing driver. I will rarely, if ever, win on the golf course but I still enjoy the occasional good round; and I am sure I won't win on the race track, but nevertheless there are still improvements to be enjoyed, overtaking moves or battles to be had and best lap times to be beaten.
Pick the race series you want to enter carefully (avoid the ones with too much of a reputation for damage - despite what some will say, "rubbin is NOT racing" and constant damage is not enjoyable) and enjoy yourself.
JFDI
I went and got my licence and started racing having never done a track day or going to a karting track. First weekend was a disaster I got lapped and spun off but the only way was up from there!
Since then I’ve went on to (miraculously) win races and compete for a championship. Sadly the only thing holding me back is money so it’s been 5 years since I last raced a full season and 3 since I raced at all.
Since then I’ve went on to (miraculously) win races and compete for a championship. Sadly the only thing holding me back is money so it’s been 5 years since I last raced a full season and 3 since I raced at all.
Guys, thanks for the comments, much appreciated. I’m definitely expecting to be at the back of whatever race I do, just want to be sure I’m in there with them at the back, that will do me.
Done some karting but not a great deal, so I know the race craft is something I’m gonna need to pick up quickly
Done some karting but not a great deal, so I know the race craft is something I’m gonna need to pick up quickly
Tim,
If you are interested in Elise Trophy I have an arrive and drive seat available in an S1 Elise and can offer instruction and data analysis with a Pro to get you up to speed quicker.
As others have said, just do it. You won't get more ready for racing doing track days. The only way you'll get better at racing is by racing.
Dan
If you are interested in Elise Trophy I have an arrive and drive seat available in an S1 Elise and can offer instruction and data analysis with a Pro to get you up to speed quicker.
As others have said, just do it. You won't get more ready for racing doing track days. The only way you'll get better at racing is by racing.
Dan
I echo what Andy97 has said about choose your series/championship carefully
Getting unnecessary damage is not only expensive but takes the enjoyment out of it....have a look at Max5racing they are a great friendly bunch of lads and would make you very welcome.
All the best for 2018 whatever you decide🏁
Paul
Getting unnecessary damage is not only expensive but takes the enjoyment out of it....have a look at Max5racing they are a great friendly bunch of lads and would make you very welcome.
All the best for 2018 whatever you decide🏁
Paul
Tim S said:
Guys, thanks for the comments, much appreciated. I’m definitely expecting to be at the back of whatever race I do, just want to be sure I’m in there with them at the back, that will do me.
Done some karting but not a great deal, so I know the race craft is something I’m gonna need to pick up quickly
First weekend or 2 you'll just be trying to take it all in anyway, as you allude to. In answer to your 1st q for others, you can look at the tsl-timing.com website for comparable times for your car. But I would always stress if you've passed your ards you should (in theory) be safe enough, most importantly, to be racing. You can be seconds off the last car but that will quickly come, as long as you're clear and predictable on track.Done some karting but not a great deal, so I know the race craft is something I’m gonna need to pick up quickly
Good luck with your ards!
Tim S said:
I have been doing track days for over six months now (about 20 in total), and have had full day personal coaching on three of these. I really want to start racing but I am not sure if I am quick enough yet? Been looking at the Lotus Trophy and MR2 Championships. My best time around Brands Indy is 1:02 in my road going Elise as a guide to where I am at.
I've be doing motorsport for over 5 years now and still get nervous as hell. Who's ever ready for anything. Just go for it and learn.BMR said:
I went and got my licence and started racing having never done a track day or going to a karting track. First weekend was a disaster I got lapped and spun off but the only way was up from there!
+1 here...Nearly forgot.... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by Thurbs on Tuesday 2nd January 23:59
Thurbs said:
+1 here...
Nearly forgot.... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Just read that - superb writeup Thurbs! Can relate completely.. my first weekend went very similar! Do you have a blog? It's good to look back on and a great help to newcomers. The more the merrier I think, healthier grids usually mean happier drivers! Mine's at http://cookracing.co.ukNearly forgot.... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by Thurbs on Tuesday 2nd January 23:59
cookracing said:
Just read that - superb writeup Thurbs! Can relate completely.. my first weekend went very similar! Do you have a blog? It's good to look back on and a great help to newcomers. The more the merrier I think, healthier grids usually mean happier drivers! Mine's at http://cookracing.co.uk
I stopped updating the thread as there didn't seem much interest....The racing continued in 2016, getting better each time: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmsJCCDm9ELb...
In 2017 I upgraded the car and did start a blog: http://www.lanciadeltaracing.com/ and did some more videos: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmsJCCDm9ELZ...
Happy to help someone on their first weekend and also happy if someone wants to shadow me at some point this year, learning the deal first hand.
Thurbs said:
stopped updating the thread as there didn't seem much interest....
The racing continued in 2016, getting better each time: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmsJCCDm9ELb...
In 2017 I upgraded the car and did start a blog: http://www.lanciadeltaracing.com/ and did some more videos: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmsJCCDm9ELZ...
Happy to help someone on their first weekend and also happy if someone wants to shadow me at some point this year, learning the deal first hand.
Love the Lancia, and some great content on the yt channel! SUBSCRIBED and working through it Here's mine nowhere near polished https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCff59E7j7lMXAtSpC...The racing continued in 2016, getting better each time: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmsJCCDm9ELb...
In 2017 I upgraded the car and did start a blog: http://www.lanciadeltaracing.com/ and did some more videos: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmsJCCDm9ELZ...
Happy to help someone on their first weekend and also happy if someone wants to shadow me at some point this year, learning the deal first hand.
Sorry, another one!
I am completely humbled by the whole experience. I had always thought that amateur racing was a small step up from track days and that I was a reasonably fast driver. Forget it… racing is a different league. I was flat out every corner and 3 seconds off the pace. I need to think about every single aspect of my driving and improve in every possible area in order to even think about becoming more competitive. I have also a deep and profound respect for anyone in any high level motorsport arena. It looks easy on the tele. It is not.
You have done a great job of summing up club motorsport.
I am completely humbled by the whole experience. I had always thought that amateur racing was a small step up from track days and that I was a reasonably fast driver. Forget it… racing is a different league. I was flat out every corner and 3 seconds off the pace. I need to think about every single aspect of my driving and improve in every possible area in order to even think about becoming more competitive. I have also a deep and profound respect for anyone in any high level motorsport arena. It looks easy on the tele. It is not.
You have done a great job of summing up club motorsport.
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