Getting a bit bored...
Discussion
I've found myself getting a little bored /disillusioned with racing at a club level and thought I would see what others are thinking/feeling and what the solution might be.
For context, my first year was great. I was doing a series where - despite most of the cars being much faster than mine (super cars, 600bhp cars weighing 900kg etc) - there was always somebody to race against and my skills (and lap times) improved significantly.
This year (and it may well be cost of living) many of the more casual racers in that series appear to have dropped out and so my first race of the season was little more than a glorified track day with my nearest competition having just shy of double the BHP/tonne. Most depressingly, despite qualifying in an okay position, I was absolutely left for dust immediately off the start line.
I've since joined another series but again it feels as though people are spending an absolute fortune on building cars to the very top of each class limit. This is fine and is kind of the point of these regulations but for those of us that don't have the time or funds to do it, it becomes a bit boring knowing that you basically can't win anything regardless of how well you drive.
As such, I've found myself lacking enthusiasm for it and wondering about just going back to track days (I have another suitable car which I can simply drive to the circuit).
So what is the answer? Was thinking about maybe just doing some of the fun races (Birkett Relay, Plum Pudding etc) and giving up on the rest.
For context, my first year was great. I was doing a series where - despite most of the cars being much faster than mine (super cars, 600bhp cars weighing 900kg etc) - there was always somebody to race against and my skills (and lap times) improved significantly.
This year (and it may well be cost of living) many of the more casual racers in that series appear to have dropped out and so my first race of the season was little more than a glorified track day with my nearest competition having just shy of double the BHP/tonne. Most depressingly, despite qualifying in an okay position, I was absolutely left for dust immediately off the start line.
I've since joined another series but again it feels as though people are spending an absolute fortune on building cars to the very top of each class limit. This is fine and is kind of the point of these regulations but for those of us that don't have the time or funds to do it, it becomes a bit boring knowing that you basically can't win anything regardless of how well you drive.
As such, I've found myself lacking enthusiasm for it and wondering about just going back to track days (I have another suitable car which I can simply drive to the circuit).
So what is the answer? Was thinking about maybe just doing some of the fun races (Birkett Relay, Plum Pudding etc) and giving up on the rest.
Edited by LennyM1984 on Thursday 16th May 17:29
What car is it? Where are you currently racing.
If you want close racing you need to do a one make championship or possibly a power to weight class championship. And choose a class that your car can be competitive in.
You are right about cost of living though, I did Brands with the 750mc last month and reckon entrants were down about 10%.
If you want close racing you need to do a one make championship or possibly a power to weight class championship. And choose a class that your car can be competitive in.
You are right about cost of living though, I did Brands with the 750mc last month and reckon entrants were down about 10%.
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
What car is it? Where are you currently racing.
If you want close racing you need to do a one make championship or possibly a power to weight class championship. And choose a class that your car can be competitive in.
You are right about cost of living though, I did Brands with the 750mc last month and reckon entrants were down about 10%.
This. There are loads of single marque championships with a grid of 30 cars at brands all within one second. This will expose any weakness in your driving as there are no excuses! If you want close racing you need to do a one make championship or possibly a power to weight class championship. And choose a class that your car can be competitive in.
You are right about cost of living though, I did Brands with the 750mc last month and reckon entrants were down about 10%.
LennyM1984 said:
As such, I've found myself lacking enthusiasm for it and wondering about just going back to track days (I have another suitable car which I can simply drive to the circuit).
So what is the answer? Was thinking about maybe just doing some of the fun races (Birkett Relay, Plum Pudding etc) and giving up on the rest.
I would suggest thinking twice before just sticking to trackdays; granted some aren't too bad, I found on the few I did that after stopping racing that trackdays served only to frustrate me. Getting stuck behind the typical 'fast car' drivers through the corners (where you're not allowed to overtake despite any pace advantage) just to watch them pull out car lengths down the straight was a waste of time for me. Once you have raced and experienced racing on a circuit, trackdays are a waste of time in my experience aside from perhaps learning a new circuit. So what is the answer? Was thinking about maybe just doing some of the fun races (Birkett Relay, Plum Pudding etc) and giving up on the rest.
Edited by LennyM1984 on Thursday 16th May 17:29
Thurbs said:
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
What car is it? Where are you currently racing.
If you want close racing you need to do a one make championship or possibly a power to weight class championship. And choose a class that your car can be competitive in.
You are right about cost of living though, I did Brands with the 750mc last month and reckon entrants were down about 10%.
This. There are loads of single marque championships with a grid of 30 cars at brands all within one second. This will expose any weakness in your driving as there are no excuses! If you want close racing you need to do a one make championship or possibly a power to weight class championship. And choose a class that your car can be competitive in.
You are right about cost of living though, I did Brands with the 750mc last month and reckon entrants were down about 10%.
I'm going to give Roadsports a go tomorrow and a friend has suggested CSCC New Millenium for next year so hopefully that will help to reignite my enthusiasm. It's possible that the first race weekend of the year has just put me into a bit of a downer about it - it's no fun paying £400 to be out-dragged on every straight and drive around on your own
LennyM1984 said:
Thurbs said:
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
What car is it? Where are you currently racing.
If you want close racing you need to do a one make championship or possibly a power to weight class championship. And choose a class that your car can be competitive in.
You are right about cost of living though, I did Brands with the 750mc last month and reckon entrants were down about 10%.
This. There are loads of single marque championships with a grid of 30 cars at brands all within one second. This will expose any weakness in your driving as there are no excuses! If you want close racing you need to do a one make championship or possibly a power to weight class championship. And choose a class that your car can be competitive in.
You are right about cost of living though, I did Brands with the 750mc last month and reckon entrants were down about 10%.
I'm going to give Roadsports a go tomorrow and a friend has suggested CSCC New Millenium for next year so hopefully that will help to reignite my enthusiasm. It's possible that the first race weekend of the year has just put me into a bit of a downer about it - it's no fun paying £400 to be out-dragged on every straight and drive around on your own
I did Roadsports at Silverstone today and it was absolutely brilliant and has single handedly restored my enthusiasm. Not the best race for me (I spun trying to avoid somebody else who had spun) but the whole day was throughly enjoyable with plenty of overtaking/challenging and close, clean racing. Car felt pretty well matched to others in the same class - just my lack of talent letting me down (was my first time driving Silverstone national so I'm actually quite happy with where I ended up... Despite the spin)
LennyM1984 said:
I did Roadsports at Silverstone today and it was absolutely brilliant and has single handedly restored my enthusiasm. Not the best race for me (I spun trying to avoid somebody else who had spun) but the whole day was throughly enjoyable with plenty of overtaking/challenging and close, clean racing. Car felt pretty well matched to others in the same class - just my lack of talent letting me down (was my first time driving Silverstone national so I'm actually quite happy with where I ended up... Despite the spin)
Sounds like good news, glad you enjoyed your day. Gassing Station | UK Club Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff