Is there a budget way to get into motorsports? Do you race?
Discussion
If it's the racing you want to do, there will be cheap car races like this £200 car endurance race thread or for a bit more money, something like the city car series that Bad Obsession Motorsport entered last year https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGSOZAHg1yQE3Pp...
Edited by ajprice on Monday 22 March 13:52
I race, and it can be much cheaper than people think. I am part of the 750MC MA7DA championship - similar to Caterhams - Locost chassis with MX5 engine. They are quick, cheap, good fun, and most importantly (for me) the regulations are very tight, so everybody has the same equipment, which keeps costs down. A set of tyres will last a full season etc.
If you want any further info feel free to PM me, or have a look here for more info -https://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/ma7da.htm
If you want any further info feel free to PM me, or have a look here for more info -https://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/ma7da.htm
ajprice said:
If it's the racing you want to do, there will be cheap car races like this £200 car endurance race thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing//topic.asp?h=0...
This looks hilarious.Here's somewhere to start looking:
https://www.motorsportuk.org/get-started/types-of-...
Very simply, the cheapest forms of motorsport are those where you don't need a crash helmet / fireproof racesuit, and you don't compete against other cars on the track at the same time.
For example, I have a Suzuki Ignis which cost me £400. I have used it on Targa Rallies and 12 Car Navigational Rallies (both of these come under "Road Rallying"), it is also useable on Autotests and Autosolos (which are against the clock) and Trials. For these, the entry fee / insurance is really cheap. I think I can also use it for Sprints and Hillclimbs, with a helmet/suit but very few other safety modifications.
Best to join a motor club (or just get in touch with them, via social media) and ask around.
https://www.motorsportuk.org/get-started/types-of-...
Very simply, the cheapest forms of motorsport are those where you don't need a crash helmet / fireproof racesuit, and you don't compete against other cars on the track at the same time.
For example, I have a Suzuki Ignis which cost me £400. I have used it on Targa Rallies and 12 Car Navigational Rallies (both of these come under "Road Rallying"), it is also useable on Autotests and Autosolos (which are against the clock) and Trials. For these, the entry fee / insurance is really cheap. I think I can also use it for Sprints and Hillclimbs, with a helmet/suit but very few other safety modifications.
Best to join a motor club (or just get in touch with them, via social media) and ask around.
ol said:
I race, and it can be much cheaper than people think. I am part of the 750MC MA7DA championship - similar to Caterhams - Locost chassis with MX5 engine. They are quick, cheap, good fun, and most importantly (for me) the regulations are very tight, so everybody has the same equipment, which keeps costs down. A set of tyres will last a full season etc.
If you want any further info feel free to PM me, or have a look here for more info -https://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/ma7da.htm
I would have nowhere to keep that vehicle, looks great though. What are rough costsIf you want any further info feel free to PM me, or have a look here for more info -https://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/ma7da.htm
Jamaica said:
ol said:
I race, and it can be much cheaper than people think. I am part of the 750MC MA7DA championship - similar to Caterhams - Locost chassis with MX5 engine. They are quick, cheap, good fun, and most importantly (for me) the regulations are very tight, so everybody has the same equipment, which keeps costs down. A set of tyres will last a full season etc.
If you want any further info feel free to PM me, or have a look here for more info -https://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/ma7da.htm
I would have nowhere to keep that vehicle, looks great though. What are rough costsIf you want any further info feel free to PM me, or have a look here for more info -https://www.750mc.co.uk/formulae/ma7da.htm
What would you want to spend on an event / season? That will dictate what is available to you
have a look here and what you can do, depending on your budget.
https://www.motorsportuk.org/get-started/costs/
id say you're looking at anything from marshalling, helping out with race teams, trackdays, autosolo, sprints, hillclimbs, road rallies, karting, rallycross, then finally and probably most expensive - circuit racing.
https://www.motorsportuk.org/get-started/costs/
id say you're looking at anything from marshalling, helping out with race teams, trackdays, autosolo, sprints, hillclimbs, road rallies, karting, rallycross, then finally and probably most expensive - circuit racing.
If you want to compete, you are best looking at very entry level like sprints, you can do those in road cars relatively cheaply.
To compete and stand a chance of doing OK maybe look away from MSA type stuff at short ovals, autograss, club level stock cars and the like, yes its less interesting driving wise, but you will certainly find your place, the people are friendly and the racing is far more fierce and far more cheap to enter.
To compete and stand a chance of doing OK maybe look away from MSA type stuff at short ovals, autograss, club level stock cars and the like, yes its less interesting driving wise, but you will certainly find your place, the people are friendly and the racing is far more fierce and far more cheap to enter.
There are so many varieties of Motorsport for those who want to compete.
You need to think about what you want to do. Race wheel to wheel with others, race the clock in sprints, hillclimbs, autotest, targas, autosolos, drag racing or stage rallying or compete for points from judges in drifting.
There are entry levels for pretty much every variety of Motorsport that make it very difficult to give a half decent answer.
Delve into you tube, see what floats your boat, see if something you want to find out more about happens locally to you, then when things open up go take a look or ask on here about a variety of Motorsport you are interested in finding out more about.
Over the years I've stage rallied, circuit raced, autotested, sprinted, drag raced, rallycrossed, road rallied, and targa rallied.
Sometimes only a one off or small number of events for fun or to decide if that's so something I want to do more of or not.
You need to think about what you want to do. Race wheel to wheel with others, race the clock in sprints, hillclimbs, autotest, targas, autosolos, drag racing or stage rallying or compete for points from judges in drifting.
There are entry levels for pretty much every variety of Motorsport that make it very difficult to give a half decent answer.
Delve into you tube, see what floats your boat, see if something you want to find out more about happens locally to you, then when things open up go take a look or ask on here about a variety of Motorsport you are interested in finding out more about.
Over the years I've stage rallied, circuit raced, autotested, sprinted, drag raced, rallycrossed, road rallied, and targa rallied.
Sometimes only a one off or small number of events for fun or to decide if that's so something I want to do more of or not.
Edited by Wingo on Tuesday 23 March 10:40
As above, low low cost means autosolos and targas as you can compete in your road car and you don't need suit and boots etc. Best bang for buck.
Once you need a race / rally car and to keep it and yourself current then that's where the costs add up.
E.g. Suit, helmet, seats, belts, fire extinguishers, you etc are all dated for rally and racing. - Just basic models of each of these will set you back ~£2K upfront and last ~5 years.
Then there's licenses, ards or bars tests and entry fees etc just to get to the start line. I think if you want to 'go racing' then you need 3K to get you and the kit sorted before you even think about the cost of the car.
The cost of the car could be an 'arrive and drive' or anywhere from a few K up to mega bucks; You then need to add in the event costs, tyres, fuel, entry, damage, repairs and upgrades.
Me - I auto soloed and targa rallyed a series of MX5s to start out, they cost nothing to buy, a reasonable amount to run (tyres, spare wheels, a second car, new engines, copious amounts of filler etc) but it was essentially 'low cost' with a chance of winning.
Getting started cost the car and the first entry fee - £35. can't get much more low cost than that... I then probably spent £8K all in over 3-4 years of competing in East Anglia and maybe did 40 events in that time which I think was pretty good value.
Compare this with going stage rallying which I do at the very budget end of the paddock and it costs me >£1K each event plus car and kit described above..
Once you need a race / rally car and to keep it and yourself current then that's where the costs add up.
E.g. Suit, helmet, seats, belts, fire extinguishers, you etc are all dated for rally and racing. - Just basic models of each of these will set you back ~£2K upfront and last ~5 years.
Then there's licenses, ards or bars tests and entry fees etc just to get to the start line. I think if you want to 'go racing' then you need 3K to get you and the kit sorted before you even think about the cost of the car.
The cost of the car could be an 'arrive and drive' or anywhere from a few K up to mega bucks; You then need to add in the event costs, tyres, fuel, entry, damage, repairs and upgrades.
Me - I auto soloed and targa rallyed a series of MX5s to start out, they cost nothing to buy, a reasonable amount to run (tyres, spare wheels, a second car, new engines, copious amounts of filler etc) but it was essentially 'low cost' with a chance of winning.
Getting started cost the car and the first entry fee - £35. can't get much more low cost than that... I then probably spent £8K all in over 3-4 years of competing in East Anglia and maybe did 40 events in that time which I think was pretty good value.
Compare this with going stage rallying which I do at the very budget end of the paddock and it costs me >£1K each event plus car and kit described above..
If you’re referring to traditional circuit racing, it’s unfortunately in a different league to the likes of sprinting and hillclimbing in terms of budget, and simply can’t be done in any fashion that a sane person would see as being ‘cheap’.
But, if like me, it’s the only thing that will hit the spot for you, the cheapest method of entry is the likes of the 206 championship / citycar cup / Hyundai coupe cup. MGZRs will find themselves at home in a variety of series but boast spectacular racing with the MGOC, some of the best value for money racing out there. Pumas are also cheap, but don’t boast a strong one-make championship and are left well behind amongst a hot hatch / tin top grid. MR2s are a great VFM proposition when they pop up for sale, the 750mc series is awesome.
All that said, I’ve never raced anyone with a cheaper race car than me- £3000 practically turn-key, and we’ve got another car for our series available at £3000 as well as a quick one for £4500- so obviously my series is best
But, if like me, it’s the only thing that will hit the spot for you, the cheapest method of entry is the likes of the 206 championship / citycar cup / Hyundai coupe cup. MGZRs will find themselves at home in a variety of series but boast spectacular racing with the MGOC, some of the best value for money racing out there. Pumas are also cheap, but don’t boast a strong one-make championship and are left well behind amongst a hot hatch / tin top grid. MR2s are a great VFM proposition when they pop up for sale, the 750mc series is awesome.
All that said, I’ve never raced anyone with a cheaper race car than me- £3000 practically turn-key, and we’ve got another car for our series available at £3000 as well as a quick one for £4500- so obviously my series is best
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