Too old to start racing???
Discussion
Hello,
I'm trying to get into car racing (amateur, not professionally) and I was wondering if there was a particular age limit for it?
I know quite a lot of people start when in their teens but I'm 30 now and I wondered if it was too late.
Also, is there a particular type of racing that is "easier" to get into when you're a bit older - for example, how difficult is it to gain entry to a BRSCC championship?
Any advice is greatly appreciated, cheers!
I'm trying to get into car racing (amateur, not professionally) and I was wondering if there was a particular age limit for it?
I know quite a lot of people start when in their teens but I'm 30 now and I wondered if it was too late.
Also, is there a particular type of racing that is "easier" to get into when you're a bit older - for example, how difficult is it to gain entry to a BRSCC championship?
Any advice is greatly appreciated, cheers!
Well after years of wanting to enter a race series Ibut not being in a position to do it, next season I will.
I'm nearly twice your age and don't feel to old for it.
On an aside, the car I will be competing in was previously the property of the oldest driver to hold an international race licence, he raced into his nineties!
I'm nearly twice your age and don't feel to old for it.
On an aside, the car I will be competing in was previously the property of the oldest driver to hold an international race licence, he raced into his nineties!
GAjon said:
Well after years of wanting to enter a race series Ibut not being in a position to do it, next season I will.
I'm nearly twice your age and don't feel to old for it.
On an aside, the car I will be competing in was previously the property of the oldest driver to hold an international race licence, he raced into his nineties!
That's awesome John. What series are you going to be entering? I'm nearly twice your age and don't feel to old for it.
On an aside, the car I will be competing in was previously the property of the oldest driver to hold an international race licence, he raced into his nineties!
Might be a personal question, but in terms of $, has it cost you much to get to the point where you can enter the series? There's a Fiesta championship run by the BRSCC and they're saying a minimum season budget of around £10k (minus repairs and what not) would suffice, although I'm not sure how realistic that is. There's also Mighty Minis which might be a little bit less.
Kevez said:
That's awesome John. What series are you going to be entering?
Might be a personal question, but in terms of $, has it cost you much to get to the point where you can enter the series? There's a Fiesta championship run by the BRSCC and they're saying a minimum season budget of around £10k (minus repairs and what not) would suffice, although I'm not sure how realistic that is. There's also Mighty Minis which might be a little bit less.
Chicken & egg situation, I bought a race car because it came available, then started dealing with the implications.Might be a personal question, but in terms of $, has it cost you much to get to the point where you can enter the series? There's a Fiesta championship run by the BRSCC and they're saying a minimum season budget of around £10k (minus repairs and what not) would suffice, although I'm not sure how realistic that is. There's also Mighty Minis which might be a little bit less.
My budgets not unlimited and indeed I've put off this season because of unforeseen expenditure, but am testing and familiarising vie track days.
I will be sharing a drive with my son in the swinging sixties series which is set up to be reasonably affordable, race meetings are held on single days, which helps with accommodation etc, it's non championship, so no ones going to knock your doors off for a trophy.
Actual cost, to be seen? But I'll wager it's more than I might estimate, so it's head in sand man maths time!
Kevez, the best advice I can give you and any other potential racer here is to get out there and go to race meetings and meet the people.
If you sit on the periphery trying to plan your way in it all looks so intimidating and impenetrable but if you get involved on a social level you'll soon realise that everybody is surprisingly blasé about things like the ARDS test, race entries and scrutineering- it'll demystify the entire scene for you and stop you from procrastinating for years to come. Furthermore you'll get the inside scoop on any cars potentially coming up for sale and gain the opportunity to see them running. It'll also allay your concerns regarding age. 30 is probably too late for a professional career but it's never too late for club level. You will see that 30 is thoroughly young in most club level series.
For ten to fifteen quid (typically) you can gain access to the entire paddock for a whole day. You could spend weeks on the internet to gain the same insight you can get in one day at a circuit.
Finally I'll add on my usual plug for the excellent Caterham Graduates club where I started.
If you sit on the periphery trying to plan your way in it all looks so intimidating and impenetrable but if you get involved on a social level you'll soon realise that everybody is surprisingly blasé about things like the ARDS test, race entries and scrutineering- it'll demystify the entire scene for you and stop you from procrastinating for years to come. Furthermore you'll get the inside scoop on any cars potentially coming up for sale and gain the opportunity to see them running. It'll also allay your concerns regarding age. 30 is probably too late for a professional career but it's never too late for club level. You will see that 30 is thoroughly young in most club level series.
For ten to fifteen quid (typically) you can gain access to the entire paddock for a whole day. You could spend weeks on the internet to gain the same insight you can get in one day at a circuit.
Finally I'll add on my usual plug for the excellent Caterham Graduates club where I started.
Vocal Minority said:
At 30 I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't still one of the younger guys to be honest.
A lot of amateur motorsport is done by older guys because they are the ones who can afford it!
Too true!A lot of amateur motorsport is done by older guys because they are the ones who can afford it!
I remember getting out of the car at my first Sports 2000 race at Snetterton (2004 I think and I would have been 25 at the time) after being comprehensively mullered by pretty much everyone and seeing what can only be described as as the occupants of a Saga day trip coach get out from the rest of the field!
In all seriousness though, some of the guys were WELL into their 60's and still very much on the pace.
There was a recent test day at Brands a couple of months ago with Derek Bell giving his opinion on the cars, handling, performance etc. He's 74 now and still had some pretty serious bits of kit on their doorhandles!!
Kevez,
Here's another twice as old as you, and in the Swinging 60s from time to time (Green Vitesse - what you drive, John?)
First step - go to the MSA website and apply for a licence: https://www.msauk.org/assets/2016competitionlicenc...
Research exactly what licence you want - for sprint or hillclimb (Speed or Non-Race) it's less than a race licence, and I don't think you need the ARDS course (please check)
Some disciplines have even less requirements - Autotesting for example - but you will need a medical from your own GP the first time, and every year after 45!
Then the car, again according to the discipline you may need more or less safety kit.
When you get your licence, you will get a copy of the Blue Book, the MSA Yearbook, that sets out all the regulations for motorsports.
It's online as well, for anyone to read: https://www.msauk.org/assets/2016bbcompletelow-res...
Section K, Safety tells you most of what you need in that respect, but check the Technical regs for your chosen discipline.
For racing the car, it will be a ROPS (Roll Over Protection System, aka roll cage), plumbed in fire extinguisher and FIA cut Off switch, both accessible from the outside (cable pull), and highly advised a race seat and six point harness. For you, overalls, long-johns, gloves, socks and boots in fire resistant materials, FIA approved, a helmet AND an FHR (Frontal Head Restraint, aka HANS, compulsory for racing and rallying from this year.) It's a quite a big outlay in one lump, will last you many years and if you choose a non-race discipline you may not need to spend all that.
Good luck, and stay on the black stuff!
John
Here's another twice as old as you, and in the Swinging 60s from time to time (Green Vitesse - what you drive, John?)
First step - go to the MSA website and apply for a licence: https://www.msauk.org/assets/2016competitionlicenc...
Research exactly what licence you want - for sprint or hillclimb (Speed or Non-Race) it's less than a race licence, and I don't think you need the ARDS course (please check)
Some disciplines have even less requirements - Autotesting for example - but you will need a medical from your own GP the first time, and every year after 45!
Then the car, again according to the discipline you may need more or less safety kit.
When you get your licence, you will get a copy of the Blue Book, the MSA Yearbook, that sets out all the regulations for motorsports.
It's online as well, for anyone to read: https://www.msauk.org/assets/2016bbcompletelow-res...
Section K, Safety tells you most of what you need in that respect, but check the Technical regs for your chosen discipline.
For racing the car, it will be a ROPS (Roll Over Protection System, aka roll cage), plumbed in fire extinguisher and FIA cut Off switch, both accessible from the outside (cable pull), and highly advised a race seat and six point harness. For you, overalls, long-johns, gloves, socks and boots in fire resistant materials, FIA approved, a helmet AND an FHR (Frontal Head Restraint, aka HANS, compulsory for racing and rallying from this year.) It's a quite a big outlay in one lump, will last you many years and if you choose a non-race discipline you may not need to spend all that.
Good luck, and stay on the black stuff!
John
Thank you all for the advice, very helpful.
Yeah, like you say, there's no substitute for going to events and speaking to others, instead of just reading up on things. I'll definitely get along to some of those.
I'll keep you posted when I make any progress (hopefully)!
Thanks again everyone.
Yeah, like you say, there's no substitute for going to events and speaking to others, instead of just reading up on things. I'll definitely get along to some of those.
I'll keep you posted when I make any progress (hopefully)!
Thanks again everyone.
tapkaJohnD said:
Kevez,
Here's another twice as old as you, and in the Swinging 60s from time to time (Green Vitesse - what you drive, John?)
John
I'm the custodian and caretaker of Tommy Entwistles TVR Gem.Here's another twice as old as you, and in the Swinging 60s from time to time (Green Vitesse - what you drive, John?)
John
The cars experienced it's me who's the novice, I intent to go to some meetings this season to see how things work, wouldn't mind a chat if it's convenient.
GAjon said:
Started last year @ 37.
Dont expect to beat the 16 year old with spots who has been karting since 8.
Or the 60 year old who has been racing for 40 years.
I have just done my 18th race and managed a respectible 7th and 8th last weekend.
For a laugh, have a read of this: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I am next out at Anglesea with the 750 Motor Club then again at Silverstone and Rockingham. Let me know if you are comming and I can talk you through how I found the whole thing from a mid life crisis perspective.
Sorry, forgot the gratuitous trophy pic for comming second in class C in Club Enduro, beating all class B and many class A cars!
Dont expect to beat the 16 year old with spots who has been karting since 8.
Or the 60 year old who has been racing for 40 years.
I have just done my 18th race and managed a respectible 7th and 8th last weekend.
For a laugh, have a read of this: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I am next out at Anglesea with the 750 Motor Club then again at Silverstone and Rockingham. Let me know if you are comming and I can talk you through how I found the whole thing from a mid life crisis perspective.
Sorry, forgot the gratuitous trophy pic for comming second in class C in Club Enduro, beating all class B and many class A cars!
Edited by Thurbs on Tuesday 28th June 11:18
Age is not really a barrier, money is.
I know a chap who started off doing the Caterham Academy in 1997 at 33 and was on the LM grid by the early 00's. He's not racing at the minute but that's more down to spending time on his business and that he has won most of the things he's had the chance to.
If you are any good then you can still end up being almost semi pro, you just need to be quick, a safe pair of hands who does not throw it at the scenery or drive like an animal and find someone who has the budget but needs a team mate who will pay for the odd set of tyres or entry fees. You get a great drive for relative peanuts, they get a trusted co driver who is happy to take the s
tty stints and not do the starts and finishes and who they don't have to pay. Everyone is a winner.
I know a chap who started off doing the Caterham Academy in 1997 at 33 and was on the LM grid by the early 00's. He's not racing at the minute but that's more down to spending time on his business and that he has won most of the things he's had the chance to.
If you are any good then you can still end up being almost semi pro, you just need to be quick, a safe pair of hands who does not throw it at the scenery or drive like an animal and find someone who has the budget but needs a team mate who will pay for the odd set of tyres or entry fees. You get a great drive for relative peanuts, they get a trusted co driver who is happy to take the s
tty stints and not do the starts and finishes and who they don't have to pay. Everyone is a winner. Money money money. You don't have to be a millionaire or anything like that, but it does cost a lot compared to trackdays/general motoring.
That said, it's the best bloody hobby ever. I started 3 years ago (at age 30!), and it just gets better and better. Currently running an Elise in the Elise Trophy and Lotus Cup.
http://www.alexballracing.co.uk for the bored.
If I can help with any advice or whatever, then just shout.
-a
That said, it's the best bloody hobby ever. I started 3 years ago (at age 30!), and it just gets better and better. Currently running an Elise in the Elise Trophy and Lotus Cup.
http://www.alexballracing.co.uk for the bored.
If I can help with any advice or whatever, then just shout.
-a
GAjon said:
tapkaJohnD said:
Kevez,
Here's another twice as old as you, and in the Swinging 60s from time to time (Green Vitesse - what you drive, John?)
John
I'm the custodian and caretaker of Tommy Entwistles TVR Gem.Here's another twice as old as you, and in the Swinging 60s from time to time (Green Vitesse - what you drive, John?)
John
The cars experienced it's me who's the novice, I intent to go to some meetings this season to see how things work, wouldn't mind a chat if it's convenient.
GAjon said:
I'm not out again with Sw.60s until October at Oulton.
See you there?
John
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