Racing a car

Author
Discussion

balmeruk

Original Poster:

5 posts

17 months

Saturday 17th June 2023
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Hi have purchased an historical single seater American midget race car,, I am belatedly applying for an inter club licence.
But because of my age 78 it appears I need to be good at hurdles, so it could be some time before, if I'm lucky, get a licence.
My car called the " wee beastie" is a brand new venture for me, so before I get a licence I need to gain some experience with my pocket rocket.
Does anyone have an suggestions how I might gain experience?

F12 Josh

820 posts

149 months

Saturday 17th June 2023
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Javelin did/do run formula trackday for open wheeled cars, no license requirements above a normal trackday. Don't seem to have any listed at the moment though:

https://javelintrackdays.co.uk/trackdays/Formula_T...

andy97

4,740 posts

229 months

Sunday 18th June 2023
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balmeruk said:
Hi have purchased an historical single seater American midget race car,, I am belatedly applying for an inter club licence.
But because of my age 78 it appears I need to be good at hurdles, so it could be some time before, if I'm lucky, get a licence.
My car called the " wee beastie" is a brand new venture for me, so before I get a licence I need to gain some experience with my pocket rocket.
Does anyone have an suggestions how I might gain experience?
Curborough Sprint course (Shenstone and District Motor Club), near Lichfield run members and non-members track days. Short, twisty course; one car on track at a time; might be quite good to get initial experience.

balmeruk

Original Poster:

5 posts

17 months

Sunday 18th June 2023
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Thanks for recommendations guys

AWRacing

1,732 posts

232 months

Monday 19th June 2023
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Any airfields near you?

balmeruk

Original Poster:

5 posts

17 months

Monday 19th June 2023
quotequote all
Hi there are some but don't think they run these does
Will keep searching

Jim Spencer

154 posts

229 months

Tuesday 20th June 2023
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Hi

Depending where in the country you are:-

Aintree, 19th August (IIRC) track day inc session for single seaters, no MSUK licence required - google Liverpool Motor Club

I believe.. that Llandow only requires an RS Interclub (i.e. a Sprint) licence, which is (I think, certainly was..) a simple online application without medical etc, as technically it's a 'sprint' venue.. usually has lots of availability

Three Sisters at Wigan, bit smaller, but adequate for a shakedown, do sessions, again just a RS Interclub speed event licence required.

Javelin - as mentioned above, do 'Formula Trackdays' at Mallory, no current dates, just your normal road licence - worth a call?

Anglesey also do 'single seater trackdays', have no dates currently listed, just your normal road licence when they do, may be worth a call?

HTH


balmeruk

Original Poster:

5 posts

17 months

Tuesday 20th June 2023
quotequote all
Hi hth that's a cracking answer. Will check my diary for Aintree, but it does sound good.
I have mentioned my situation in a number of places so hopefully I can till my weekend and weekdays.
So anymore thoughts bang them across please

balmeruk

Original Poster:

5 posts

17 months

Tuesday 20th June 2023
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Forgot to add I am in South Shropshire

RB Will

9,933 posts

247 months

Tuesday 11th July 2023
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Surely any normal trackday is fine with a Legends car? It may only have one seat but it isn't like it is a FF/FR/F3 car. Wheels are enclosed too and wont be any quicker than normal trackday traffic. No different to a BAC Mono and they do normal track stuff or a Caterham with the passenger seat removed.

anonymous-user

61 months

Tuesday 11th July 2023
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For those unsure what a vintage midget looks like, it's something like this...



I personally can't think of a series that it may be eligible for although it's worth contacting the VSCC who have a policy of welcoming period cars in some events. Given its a proper open wheeler, and likely fairly noisy, most track days are out.

You don't need "experience" to obtain a license either, just a medical. You can do speed events on a non-race licence but again I can't see what series or class it's eligible for. I wouldn't worry about a race licence until you've found a series willing to take it.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 11th July 15:41

smokey mow

1,111 posts

207 months

Tuesday 11th July 2023
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Assuming we’re talking about grand prix midgets here then have a look here

http://www.gpmidgets.co.uk/

Oval racing operates under much less strict licensing compared to circuit racing so you don’t need to jump through the same MSUK hoops.

RB Will

9,933 posts

247 months

Tuesday 11th July 2023
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oh, ignore my previous comment then, I was thinking of the wrong sort of car.

QBee

21,407 posts

151 months

Friday 14th July 2023
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Track days may be possible for getting experience. Oulton Park is not too far from you.
You will need to speak to the track day organisers regarding whether your car can take part (if it is open wheeled).
Also, quite a lot of track days are road cars only, but we get race cars at track days pretty regularly.
So check what the parameters are.

The noise test may be an issue. You can pre-check this if you have a smart phone, with a free app like Decibel X.
You need someone to hold the phone up and to the side of the exhaust, 0.5 metres from the exhaust tip.
Rev the engine to 3/4s of the rev limit - that's the level most tracks test at, including Oulton Park.
If you are over 105 dB (A) then there are very few track days you will be able to get on, as unlimited noise track days are rare.