Beginner to track racing - MX5 or Caterham?...advice needed!
Discussion
Chaps,
I'm hoping that you may be able to offer a little advice/sign posting to some useful contacts!!
Basically, I've been wanting to have a go at racing/track days for quite a while now and it looks like the time is now/this summer!
We've got some time off through the summer and some spare cash, so it makes sense...(as opposed to throwing the cash into a high spec road car to track, which will depreciate about the same amount as buying a basic Caterham it seems!)...
After doing some research and chatting to old engineering colleagues....I've narrowed down the vast choice of racing cats to either MX5s or an intro Caterham class (Graduates?).
All things considered at the moment, it looks like my better option would be to buy a car and look to a team/outfit to support (as far as storage, transport and repair!!).
I gather that I've missed the 2011 Academy, but am keen to get rolling as soon as possible really.
Does the above sound like a reasonable approach? There seem to be so many clubs/racing cats etc that for a novice/beginner to the sport...it's quite a task trying to decide where to start!
Loose plan is to get a couple of bookatrack sessions in, maybe with some tuition, then look to sorting a license and hopefully trying my hand at racing in sometime in June.
Certainly would be keen to hear any suggestions or recommendations on which cat to look at and potential contacts?
Thanks,
Scott
I'm hoping that you may be able to offer a little advice/sign posting to some useful contacts!!
Basically, I've been wanting to have a go at racing/track days for quite a while now and it looks like the time is now/this summer!
We've got some time off through the summer and some spare cash, so it makes sense...(as opposed to throwing the cash into a high spec road car to track, which will depreciate about the same amount as buying a basic Caterham it seems!)...
After doing some research and chatting to old engineering colleagues....I've narrowed down the vast choice of racing cats to either MX5s or an intro Caterham class (Graduates?).
All things considered at the moment, it looks like my better option would be to buy a car and look to a team/outfit to support (as far as storage, transport and repair!!).
I gather that I've missed the 2011 Academy, but am keen to get rolling as soon as possible really.
Does the above sound like a reasonable approach? There seem to be so many clubs/racing cats etc that for a novice/beginner to the sport...it's quite a task trying to decide where to start!
Loose plan is to get a couple of bookatrack sessions in, maybe with some tuition, then look to sorting a license and hopefully trying my hand at racing in sometime in June.
Certainly would be keen to hear any suggestions or recommendations on which cat to look at and potential contacts?
Thanks,
Scott
I would expect the MX-5 to be much cheaper - a newly built competitive car is only £5750 or thereabouts (from Paul Sheard, an MX-5 guru) but the racing is frantic and fairly rough. I rented one for a round last May and it took half a race to realise how ruthless you have to be to be a contender. My background is Porsche Club Championship in 911's and that's very close racing, but the Mazdas were being used like bumper cars to a degree. I don't mind driving like that (except that I knew I'd have to pay for any dents rather than if it was my own car and I could leave them all year) but the races are a bit short - if you make a small error or get caught behind someone slightly slower then it's difficult to get back to the front before it's all over (15 minutes).
I'd recommend spectating at the championships you're considering and then rent a car for a round in each of the ones that look like good prospects - better to spend £1000 or so and be able to walk away than invest much more and be stuck with it (and it'll still cost you at least £500 to use your own anyway).
In case you haven't already I'd suggest considering:
Porsche Club championship (class 2 944S2)
Classic & Sports Car Club various series, including Future Classics and the new for 2011 Deutsche Marques
HTH
I'd recommend spectating at the championships you're considering and then rent a car for a round in each of the ones that look like good prospects - better to spend £1000 or so and be able to walk away than invest much more and be stuck with it (and it'll still cost you at least £500 to use your own anyway).
In case you haven't already I'd suggest considering:
Porsche Club championship (class 2 944S2)
Classic & Sports Car Club various series, including Future Classics and the new for 2011 Deutsche Marques
HTH
PM me if you want specific Caterham Graduates advice. I've been racing for one season and hanging around in the paddock since 2007 (not the same one!)
MX-5s do look like fun but I'm not too informed on those. I believe the degree of modification allowed there is greater though- graduates really are geared up to be even and inexpensive to keep running.
P.S: mine is a classic graduate- the entry level into graduates racing.
MX-5s do look like fun but I'm not too informed on those. I believe the degree of modification allowed there is greater though- graduates really are geared up to be even and inexpensive to keep running.
P.S: mine is a classic graduate- the entry level into graduates racing.
Just a heads up on the Ma5da's.
All races are 20 minutess this year, it is VERY competitive and contact does happen. I would be suprised if it didn't on a grid of 50 'identical' cars as with silverstone last weekend. From my experience though theres no more than in any other single model race series and it's really down to yourself as a driver how much contact you get involved in whatever you're racing.
My advice as mentioned above would be to go and have a look at a few championships, and also choose a series which is well run and where cars are reliable. There's nothing worse than ending your race early due to mechanical issue or getting involved in squabbles over club organisation.
ETA: as is pistonheads tradition, a dubious reason to post some in-car footage. heres my opening (clean) race of the season:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmljhWjTMJA
All races are 20 minutess this year, it is VERY competitive and contact does happen. I would be suprised if it didn't on a grid of 50 'identical' cars as with silverstone last weekend. From my experience though theres no more than in any other single model race series and it's really down to yourself as a driver how much contact you get involved in whatever you're racing.
My advice as mentioned above would be to go and have a look at a few championships, and also choose a series which is well run and where cars are reliable. There's nothing worse than ending your race early due to mechanical issue or getting involved in squabbles over club organisation.
ETA: as is pistonheads tradition, a dubious reason to post some in-car footage. heres my opening (clean) race of the season:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmljhWjTMJA
Edited by ma5da91 on Tuesday 29th March 21:13
I went through the same questioning lady year and decided to race the MX5s. Sunday was my first race and it was 'robust'. I needed a little work on 3 out of 4 corners, only one needed beating, the others just polished up.
If you look for my vids on YouTube (Marklith) then the one called "1st race...." will give you a good feel.
The cars are quite solid and a brush with another car means that you can generally finish the race. Bits are cheap, £60 a wing or so.
I've always wanted to race Caterhams, but in the end it was the MX5s that took my heart. It's a personal choice though.
See if you can rent a race prepped car from Paul Sheard, Blendini or Ma5da Racing for a taster. Book-a-Track rent Caterhams for a comparison.
Then go to a race meeting for different series and mingle in the pits/paddock and see where you feel most at home.
Good luck
FG
If you look for my vids on YouTube (Marklith) then the one called "1st race...." will give you a good feel.
The cars are quite solid and a brush with another car means that you can generally finish the race. Bits are cheap, £60 a wing or so.
I've always wanted to race Caterhams, but in the end it was the MX5s that took my heart. It's a personal choice though.
See if you can rent a race prepped car from Paul Sheard, Blendini or Ma5da Racing for a taster. Book-a-Track rent Caterhams for a comparison.
Then go to a race meeting for different series and mingle in the pits/paddock and see where you feel most at home.
Good luck
FG
ma5da91 said:
Just a heads up on the Ma5da's.
All races are 20 minutess this year, it is VERY competitive and contact does happen.
Thats not to say that contact doesn't happen in the Caterhams, and i remember one caterham festival (the weekend consisted of academy on their first race, roadsport A and Bs and R300s, plus Ma5das providing some variety) at anglesey were there was a pile of various front and rear wings in park ferme that no one was owning up to losing.All races are 20 minutess this year, it is VERY competitive and contact does happen.
To me as a marshal, who loves both series - the racing is fairly similar, in that it is very close racing, in evenly matched cars, and you should normally find someone to have a race with, up and down the pack. I think you'll have fun which ever you choose.
I'm biased but I would also recommend the various CSCC series, particularly as they are novice friendly, driving standards are VERY good and with 40 minute races (with a pit stop so you can either drive alone or share a car) the track time & value for money is very good.
If you pick the right car you can enter CSCC races and other championships too. So, a Porsche 944S2 could enter CSCC "Future Classics" and "Deutche Marque" as well as the PCGB Chapionship & the BRSCC Porsche Series Invitation Class. A Mazda MX5 could enter the CSCC "Future Classics" one of the 2 Mazda series or the BARC "Open Sportscars" & a Caterham could enbter the CSCC "Magnificent Sevens", or one of the caterham Series.
One of the advantages of the CSCC is that we also have an annula one hour race at Spa.
If you pick the right car you can enter CSCC races and other championships too. So, a Porsche 944S2 could enter CSCC "Future Classics" and "Deutche Marque" as well as the PCGB Chapionship & the BRSCC Porsche Series Invitation Class. A Mazda MX5 could enter the CSCC "Future Classics" one of the 2 Mazda series or the BARC "Open Sportscars" & a Caterham could enbter the CSCC "Magnificent Sevens", or one of the caterham Series.
One of the advantages of the CSCC is that we also have an annula one hour race at Spa.
If you just want to get started and give racing a go I would recommend try a hire drive in something more friendly (ie with less risk of contact) such as the 750 motor club MR2 series.
Good, budget racing but less of the rough and tumble than most series (certainly than Mx or caterham).
The cars are fun to drive but a challenge to get close to front runners pace.
The best bit is its so easy to hire a competitive well prepared car from Rogue Motorsport and just turn up at the event and race. I've raced one of his rental cars and they are really nicely put together and capable of running in the top 10. Plus they will give you all the advice you need as they have helped quite a few new racers get on the grid.
Then you can try a couple of races and see if the bug bites before having to buy a car, trailer and all the rest.
http://mr2championship.freeforums.org/index.php
Telephone Patrick on 01926 810104
Good, budget racing but less of the rough and tumble than most series (certainly than Mx or caterham).
The cars are fun to drive but a challenge to get close to front runners pace.
The best bit is its so easy to hire a competitive well prepared car from Rogue Motorsport and just turn up at the event and race. I've raced one of his rental cars and they are really nicely put together and capable of running in the top 10. Plus they will give you all the advice you need as they have helped quite a few new racers get on the grid.
Then you can try a couple of races and see if the bug bites before having to buy a car, trailer and all the rest.
http://mr2championship.freeforums.org/index.php
Telephone Patrick on 01926 810104
Thank all, some useful pointers there....
One things for sure, I wasn't aware as to just how many series options there were!
At the moment, I think I'm swaying more towards the Caterhams.....on the outside, it just seems a little simpler/perhaps more supported and easier for a novice to get in to....
Plan to head to Silverstone this weekend for a wander round and hopefully a track day next week!
See how we go!
Cheers all....
One things for sure, I wasn't aware as to just how many series options there were!
At the moment, I think I'm swaying more towards the Caterhams.....on the outside, it just seems a little simpler/perhaps more supported and easier for a novice to get in to....
Plan to head to Silverstone this weekend for a wander round and hopefully a track day next week!
See how we go!
Cheers all....
Have you considered 750MC Locost? Exactly like Caterhams except cheaper, and probably closer racing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuQbp_1aRVE
Matt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuQbp_1aRVE
Matt
I had the same dilemma a few years back and the best piece of advice I received was:
Do you want a race car that's been converted from a road car, or do you want a ground up designed and built, focused and dedicated race car.
That advice served me well and I joined the Sports2000 series and haven't looked back.
Hard to go quicker for the money and well worth a look........
Do you want a race car that's been converted from a road car, or do you want a ground up designed and built, focused and dedicated race car.
That advice served me well and I joined the Sports2000 series and haven't looked back.
Hard to go quicker for the money and well worth a look........
Personally I'd go caterham racing for a couple of reasons.
1) I do...it's brilliant. Clearly biased.
2) you can enter series dedicated for novices and ones that ban team support to keep costs down. Caterham provide central support instead. Academy is the well known one, or miss that and jump straight into roadsport b.
Whatever you do you will have a laugh.... Until you crash.
Good luck.
1) I do...it's brilliant. Clearly biased.
2) you can enter series dedicated for novices and ones that ban team support to keep costs down. Caterham provide central support instead. Academy is the well known one, or miss that and jump straight into roadsport b.
Whatever you do you will have a laugh.... Until you crash.
Good luck.
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