I need to race
Discussion
I have always liked motorsport, and I have always been quite good at it. I can't watch it anymore because it gets me so fired up. I just want to be out there doing it.
Track days, race experiences and karting have always given similar results. I'm usually quite good. But I struggle with time and justifying the money in entertaining the idea of entering any race series. The car, the kit, the costs and the storage of everything would prove difficult.
I did my ARDS National B a couple of years ago. The instructor seemed quite taken back, I think his words were "you have not just passed the test, but have excelled" Or something along those lines.
I did a Palmer sport day last year. The expensive package that gave a good go in everything. In the "team" that went around were 3 racing drivers. one of them had been to Palmer sport 20+ times he said. He was quick. in the Formula 3000, i was 8 seconds quicker a lap than the person in 2nd. And 2 seconds slower than Jolyon Palmer.
So, the question to the masses is. If I do have some kind of hidden natural talent for this kind of thing. How do I get it noticed before its too late? (I'm already getting on)
Track days, race experiences and karting have always given similar results. I'm usually quite good. But I struggle with time and justifying the money in entertaining the idea of entering any race series. The car, the kit, the costs and the storage of everything would prove difficult.
I did my ARDS National B a couple of years ago. The instructor seemed quite taken back, I think his words were "you have not just passed the test, but have excelled" Or something along those lines.
I did a Palmer sport day last year. The expensive package that gave a good go in everything. In the "team" that went around were 3 racing drivers. one of them had been to Palmer sport 20+ times he said. He was quick. in the Formula 3000, i was 8 seconds quicker a lap than the person in 2nd. And 2 seconds slower than Jolyon Palmer.
So, the question to the masses is. If I do have some kind of hidden natural talent for this kind of thing. How do I get it noticed before its too late? (I'm already getting on)
Prizam said:
So, the question to the masses is. If I do have some kind of hidden natural talent for this kind of thing. How do I get it noticed before its too late? (I'm already getting on)
What are you looking to achieve? Who do you want to notice?There's plenty of outfits offering arrive and drive packages for clubman level racing - saves you needing to buy, prep, store and transport a car and you can do single races if you like. Will give you a proper feel for racing and to see how quick you are. Discussion here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Getting noticed is fiction as far as racing goes unless you're a 10 year old karter IMO.
There are drivers competing in top level series who have to find hundreds of thousands of pounds every year to race. Colin Turkington, for example, couldn't defend his BTCC title twice because he didn't have the funds to get on the grid the next season.
As with business it's a case of if you think you're good enough then you should be putting your money where your mouth is and getting on the grid in the highest profile series you can afford to do.
Sorry if that sounds harsh but that's the reality of motor racing. Talent is a long, long way from being the number one factor.
There are drivers competing in top level series who have to find hundreds of thousands of pounds every year to race. Colin Turkington, for example, couldn't defend his BTCC title twice because he didn't have the funds to get on the grid the next season.
As with business it's a case of if you think you're good enough then you should be putting your money where your mouth is and getting on the grid in the highest profile series you can afford to do.
Sorry if that sounds harsh but that's the reality of motor racing. Talent is a long, long way from being the number one factor.
At club level and 3/4 of the way to the top of the professional series - the driver pays to race, at increasingly eyewatering levels.
Some manage to cover the costs via a well paid job, family wealth. Others cultivate sponsors, initially via the friends / family / old boys network.
Some manage to cover the costs via a well paid job, family wealth. Others cultivate sponsors, initially via the friends / family / old boys network.
Edited by andrewcliffe on Friday 12th July 16:24
Also dont forget that being able to drive fast on your own is one thing but being able to drive fast in a group of cars is quite another.
I know people who could put in pretty good laps on their own but when it came to racing against other cars and trying to lap quickly things soon fell apart.
On your Palmer day what car did you prefer, a tin top, single seater or sports car?
Spend a little on an arrive and drive in which ever type you prefer and see how you get on before taking the plunge and buying your own / paying a team to look after you.
As for getting noticed, there is pretty much no chance unless you are 10 and even then its not that common.
Good luck with it though
I know people who could put in pretty good laps on their own but when it came to racing against other cars and trying to lap quickly things soon fell apart.
On your Palmer day what car did you prefer, a tin top, single seater or sports car?
Spend a little on an arrive and drive in which ever type you prefer and see how you get on before taking the plunge and buying your own / paying a team to look after you.
As for getting noticed, there is pretty much no chance unless you are 10 and even then its not that common.
Good luck with it though
Kraken said:
Getting noticed is fiction as far as racing goes unless you're a 10 year old karter IMO.
There are drivers competing in top level series who have to find hundreds of thousands of pounds every year to race. Colin Turkington, for example, couldn't defend his BTCC title twice because he didn't have the funds to get on the grid the next season.
As with business it's a case of if you think you're good enough then you should be putting your money where your mouth is and getting on the grid in the highest profile series you can afford to do.
Sorry if that sounds harsh but that's the reality of motor racing. Talent is a long, long way from being the number one factor.
Exactly!!! The only way to get noticed is flash your cash, not a fist full of dollars, but a container load of £50's! There are drivers competing in top level series who have to find hundreds of thousands of pounds every year to race. Colin Turkington, for example, couldn't defend his BTCC title twice because he didn't have the funds to get on the grid the next season.
As with business it's a case of if you think you're good enough then you should be putting your money where your mouth is and getting on the grid in the highest profile series you can afford to do.
Sorry if that sounds harsh but that's the reality of motor racing. Talent is a long, long way from being the number one factor.
Most other sports have a minimal, or at least, a reasonable cost, whereas motorsport isn't a sport, it is a means of offloading tons of cash in a very short time!! What about "crown green bowls"???
You sound like a massive accident about to happen!
Go and have a go in some club races and see if you enjoy it see how quickly you can get in the top ten.
In any series of club motorsport the top ten are quick drivers maybe try a series where there are a couple of arrive and drive teams - look at 750 motor-club.
Try a coupe of races see how it goes - no need to buy or build a car, get your race suit helmet HANS etc a national B licence and find a friendly rental racer. Rogue used to offer this in 750mc MR2 series that would be a good place to start.
Go and have a go in some club races and see if you enjoy it see how quickly you can get in the top ten.
In any series of club motorsport the top ten are quick drivers maybe try a series where there are a couple of arrive and drive teams - look at 750 motor-club.
Try a coupe of races see how it goes - no need to buy or build a car, get your race suit helmet HANS etc a national B licence and find a friendly rental racer. Rogue used to offer this in 750mc MR2 series that would be a good place to start.
Prizam said:
I have always liked motorsport, and I have always been quite good at it. I can't watch it anymore because it gets me so fired up. I just want to be out there doing it.
Track days, race experiences and karting have always given similar results. I'm usually quite good. But I struggle with time and justifying the money in entertaining the idea of entering any race series. The car, the kit, the costs and the storage of everything would prove difficult.
I did my ARDS National B a couple of years ago. The instructor seemed quite taken back, I think his words were "you have not just passed the test, but have excelled" Or something along those lines.
I did a Palmer sport day last year. The expensive package that gave a good go in everything. In the "team" that went around were 3 racing drivers. one of them had been to Palmer sport 20+ times he said. He was quick. in the Formula 3000, i was 8 seconds quicker a lap than the person in 2nd. And 2 seconds slower than Jolyon Palmer.
So, the question to the masses is. If I do have some kind of hidden natural talent for this kind of thing. How do I get it noticed before its too late? (I'm already getting on)
Haha, good one.Track days, race experiences and karting have always given similar results. I'm usually quite good. But I struggle with time and justifying the money in entertaining the idea of entering any race series. The car, the kit, the costs and the storage of everything would prove difficult.
I did my ARDS National B a couple of years ago. The instructor seemed quite taken back, I think his words were "you have not just passed the test, but have excelled" Or something along those lines.
I did a Palmer sport day last year. The expensive package that gave a good go in everything. In the "team" that went around were 3 racing drivers. one of them had been to Palmer sport 20+ times he said. He was quick. in the Formula 3000, i was 8 seconds quicker a lap than the person in 2nd. And 2 seconds slower than Jolyon Palmer.
So, the question to the masses is. If I do have some kind of hidden natural talent for this kind of thing. How do I get it noticed before its too late? (I'm already getting on)
Having seen my son through karting, F Renault and a couple of F3 races, I am sure I could help you.
First question, do you have a couple of million £? We'll need that at least, so if you have it, let me know and I'll get you an account to put it in.
If you don't, I'm not sure we have a future together. It's not self assessed ability that gets anyone noticed, it's cash!
BTW, anyone who is 8s slower than anyone else in a similar car is NOT quick. Nor is he a 'racing driver'.
HTH?
Not much to add really. There’s 2 things you need to think about;
1) You’re most likely not as good as you think you are.
2) You’re going to need a lot of money as without it no one will be interested.
Fair enough if you want to do it for fun but don’t kid yourself that you’re going straight to the top of the grid in whatever series you do.
1) You’re most likely not as good as you think you are.
2) You’re going to need a lot of money as without it no one will be interested.
Fair enough if you want to do it for fun but don’t kid yourself that you’re going straight to the top of the grid in whatever series you do.
Who said "how become a millionaire in motorsport? start with 5 million" Not spent that much myself but either on myself or my kids reckon I've spent more than enough to at least have another house bought and paid for....anyone want some plastic trophies laying about somewhere in my garage?
I’ve raced since I was 8, nobody working class yet fast goes anywhere, unless there extremely fortunate.
Looking back at the guys I used to run with karting, there’s quite a few who have made it, I realised quite early on it was a money pit which by all accounts I was unlikely to see any return. If I could go back I would still start the karting as I had some great times with my dad as a dad and lad team, but it would stop as a hobby.
a second is an age in motorsport, I’d disregard the 8 second slower driver as any sort of gauge,
Looking back at the guys I used to run with karting, there’s quite a few who have made it, I realised quite early on it was a money pit which by all accounts I was unlikely to see any return. If I could go back I would still start the karting as I had some great times with my dad as a dad and lad team, but it would stop as a hobby.
a second is an age in motorsport, I’d disregard the 8 second slower driver as any sort of gauge,
With respect, the OP does come across as rather conceited - assuming it's not a 'troll'.
However, almost anyone can start motorsport, at almost any age, at varying levels of budget. But, if you are asking whether you could make a paid living out of racing, then you would need to have established your credentials before you are 21.
Having said that, you could have a lot of fun at amateur level - just find an entry level series at a budget you can afford, and take it from there. Then you'll know.
However, almost anyone can start motorsport, at almost any age, at varying levels of budget. But, if you are asking whether you could make a paid living out of racing, then you would need to have established your credentials before you are 21.
Having said that, you could have a lot of fun at amateur level - just find an entry level series at a budget you can afford, and take it from there. Then you'll know.
slipstream 1985 said:
Seeing as you're 2 seconds slower than Jolyon Palmer you might as well give up now as no one really rates him anyway. Unless of course you are 13 and literally jumped into the car and did that lap times on lap 2.
I defy even a half decent club racer to get within 2 seconds of Jolyon Palmer, assuming he was actually trying!The Wookie said:
I defy even a half decent club racer to get within 2 seconds of Jolyon Palmer, assuming he was actually trying!
Do you reckon you could get within 2 secs of Jolyon, Wookie? If not, then the OP is faster than you. That would plonk him right up the front of a BTCC grid wouldn't it? Think you should speak to Dave and give him 10 laps and see who's faster... 
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