ThundersportGB

[John Laverick]

I'm 40 years old this year and always fancied a season of racing and I figure there is no better time to give it a go.

Does anybody here have any racing experience and could advised what sort of figure I should be budgeting for a race weekend? (600cc if it makes any difference)

[Drabbesttunic]

Realistically with everything, budget around 1k.
Obviously depends on a few things regarding tyres, upkeep, where you sleep, what you eat etc but it all adds up.
Using man maths to tell your other half then its around 50 quid

Edited by Drabbesttunic on Sunday 16th January 11:49

[John Laverick]

Drabbesttunic said:

Realistically with everything, budget around 1k.
Obviously depends on a few things regarding tyres, upkeep, where you sleep, what you eat etc but it all adds up.
Using man maths to tell your other half then its around 50 quid

Edited by Drabbesttunic on Sunday 16th January 11:49

OK cool, thanks that gives me a baseline to work from. How wouldn't break down roughly?

Entry fees? (No idea ....)
A set of tyres per weekend? Say £250
Travel to / from circuit = assume 200 miles round trip so say £50
Track fuel say £100
I enjoy camping so let's say that's free
Post race consumables (oil/filter/brake fluid etc.) Say £50

Am I missing anything?

[Drabbesttunic]

John Laverick said:

Drabbesttunic said:

Realistically with everything, budget around 1k.
Obviously depends on a few things regarding tyres, upkeep, where you sleep, what you eat etc but it all adds up.
Using man maths to tell your other half then its around 50 quid

Edited by Drabbesttunic on Sunday 16th January 11:49

OK cool, thanks that gives me a baseline to work from. How wouldn't break down roughly?

Entry fees? (No idea ....)
A set of tyres per weekend? Say £250
Travel to / from circuit = assume 200 miles round trip so say £50
Track fuel say £100
I enjoy camping so let's say that's free
Post race consumables (oil/filter/brake fluid etc.) Say £50

Am I missing anything?

I'd say 1k is top end and that's roughly what my brother would spend at mid pack 600.

There's silly extras like getting tyres fitted, garage fees or fuel in the generator etc although I don't know what you would do yourself as my brother does everything himself and even at his pace now really benefits from fresh tyres each day (albeit scrubs to bring the cost down).

I'd definitely budget at least £750/800 for a smooth weekend.

Edited by Drabbesttunic on Sunday 16th January 15:53

[graham22]

Friends who raced with ThundersportsGB a few years ago reckoned on £1000 per weekend but that involved travelling up from Cornwall.

Have been to a few meetings, can comment they are really well run.

[Pebbles167]

John Laverick said:

OK cool, thanks that gives me a baseline to work from. How wouldn't break down roughly?

Entry fees? (No idea ....)
A set of tyres per weekend? Say £250
Travel to / from circuit = assume 200 miles round trip so say £50
Track fuel say £100
I enjoy camping so let's say that's free
Post race consumables (oil/filter/brake fluid etc.) Say £50

Am I missing anything?

Seems about right.

I don't have much experience, but after several track days I decided to enter a race weekend with North Gloucester to see if it was for me.

I think it cost around £500 all in for three races, using a similar breakdown to yours. Generally you'll pay by the race though, which will work out at a qualifier and race, each lasting 20 minutes or under, so your tyres should last you multiple races during that weekend, or can be kept and used for the next meeting which will balance out costs the more you do.

Assuming you have all the gear already, ie: wets, warmers, tools, shelter etc, I don't think it should break the bank.

[John Laverick]

Pebbles167 said:

John Laverick said:

OK cool, thanks that gives me a baseline to work from. How wouldn't break down roughly?

Entry fees? (No idea ....)
A set of tyres per weekend? Say £250
Travel to / from circuit = assume 200 miles round trip so say £50
Track fuel say £100
I enjoy camping so let's say that's free
Post race consumables (oil/filter/brake fluid etc.) Say £50

Am I missing anything?

Seems about right.

I don't have much experience, but after several track days I decided to enter a race weekend with North Gloucester to see if it was for me.

I think it cost around £500 all in for three races, using a similar breakdown to yours. Generally you'll pay by the race though, which will work out at a qualifier and race, each lasting 20 minutes or under, so your tyres should last you multiple races during that weekend, or can be kept and used for the next meeting which will balance out costs the more you do.

Assuming you have all the gear already, ie: wets, warmers, tools, shelter etc, I don't think it should break the bank.

I need to buy a bike / spare wheels and wets / warmers/ generator but other than that I have everything so getting going shouldn't be too expensive.

I'm pretty handy so I'll do everything maintenance wise. To be honest at £1k per weekend isn't particularly scary so I'm inclined to give it a go.

Will probably buy a bike in the next month or so, do a few track days to get my mojo back then maybe a race or two towards the tail end if the season. With the view to doing a full season next year.

My last track day was 8 yrs ago (used to be a fast group regular on a CBR600rr so no doubt I'm very rusty!

[Pebbles167]

John Laverick said:

I need to buy a bike / spare wheels and wets / warmers/ generator but other than that I have everything so getting going shouldn't be too expensive.

I'm pretty handy so I'll do everything maintenance wise. To be honest at £1k per weekend isn't particularly scary so I'm inclined to give it a go.

Will probably buy a bike in the next month or so, do a few track days to get my mojo back then maybe a race or two towards the tail end if the season. With the view to doing a full season next year.

My last track day was 8 yrs ago (used to be a fast group regular on a CBR600rr so no doubt I'm very rusty!

I think you'll be good to go then. It's a real bargain compared to even entry level car racing. Hope you have a great time!

Any particular reason you're joining Thundersport? They are largely considered the fastest club outside of British Superbikes. A friend of mine races with them as part of the Army team, he loves it and always enjoys himself.

[John Laverick]

Pebbles167 said:

John Laverick said:

I need to buy a bike / spare wheels and wets / warmers/ generator but other than that I have everything so getting going shouldn't be too expensive.

I'm pretty handy so I'll do everything maintenance wise. To be honest at £1k per weekend isn't particularly scary so I'm inclined to give it a go.

Will probably buy a bike in the next month or so, do a few track days to get my mojo back then maybe a race or two towards the tail end if the season. With the view to doing a full season next year.

My last track day was 8 yrs ago (used to be a fast group regular on a CBR600rr so no doubt I'm very rusty!

I think you'll be good to go then. It's a real bargain compared to even entry level car racing. Hope you have a great time!

Any particular reason you're joining Thundersport? They are largely considered the fastest club outside of British Superbikes. A friend of mine races with them as part of the Army team, he loves it and always enjoys himself.

The only reason for Thundersport is that my wife used to date someone who raced with them years ago. She knows more about it all than I do!!!

Any other recommendations? I would like it to be well organised and professionally run if I'm taking time off work to take part.

[Pebbles167]

John Laverick said:

The only reason for Thundersport is that my wife used to date someone who raced with them years ago. She knows more about it all than I do!!!

Any other recommendations? I would like it to be well organised and professionally run if I'm taking time off work to take part.

Fair enough, always nice to have a bit of knowledge beforehand.

I started with North Gloucester Road Racing, a smaller club with a larger amount of novice riders. Still very well organised, although last time I checked they were still using cheques only as payment, which is far inferior to Thundersports digital online payments.

If a club has enough motivation to get themselves properly registered to do racing the organisation will always be good so wherever you go you'll be in good hands.

I don't know if Thundersport do a rookie only race, but if they do, enter that. I entered NG's one as wa able to finish 12th out of 30+, and that was with a little excursion onto the grass!

Have you got your licence? It's pretty straightforward affair, so if you can ride a bike I doubt you'd have any trouble.

I had a big off at a wet test day in 2017 abd haven't ridden on track since, I miss it. The adrenaline when on the grid for the first time is an enormous rush! Very envious of you!

[Drabbesttunic]

Go for it, get your acu very early this year so its done.
Lob yourself on a trackday and then get it done.
Thundersport is a good well run club.