Getting started in motorsport
Discussion
Hi everyone
! I'm new to the forum and am after advice on starting out in motorsport.
I have just successfully completed the much renowned 5-day intensive racing course with the Silverstone Racing School, where I have obtained my National B licence, competed in my first race and obtained my first signature! My intention is to go into sports car racing, and Caterhams seem the most logical and cost effective start. From what I have seen at race events since the course, they also look like enormous fun and very challenging! I've also looked at Locost, Ginettas and Stock Hatch, all possibilities.
I am 28 years old and, whilst I will be initially fulfilling a lifelong hobby, my long-term ambition is to make a full time career out of racing, if at all possible. My aim for the remainder of this year is to gather as much information as possible and to meet as many people as possible in the sport.
Is there anyone out there with the relevant knowledge and experience who can advise me on the questions and points below:
- What are the best motor club(s) to become associated with, who organise Caterham events? I know that the 750MC, BRSCC and BARC organise these types of event, but I can't very well become a member of all of them....or can I?
- Where best to source a Caterham, obviously second hand and race prepared. I have seen many advertised online, ranging in price from £5,000 to £25,000. How much should I be looking to pay for a good example? I have a Civic Type R, which I could sell for around £11-12k. I'd need an alternative car, say £2-3k, leaving around £9k.
- What are the typical costs involved in a season’s racing at novice level?
- Raising money. Like a majority of people, I simply cannot afford to finance a season’s racing myself. Inevitably, I’m going to have to find sponsorship. Whilst I have ideas as to what would make a good commercial case for any potential sponsor, any advice on layout, presentation and delivery would be most welcome.
Cheers for any help
! I'm new to the forum and am after advice on starting out in motorsport. I have just successfully completed the much renowned 5-day intensive racing course with the Silverstone Racing School, where I have obtained my National B licence, competed in my first race and obtained my first signature! My intention is to go into sports car racing, and Caterhams seem the most logical and cost effective start. From what I have seen at race events since the course, they also look like enormous fun and very challenging! I've also looked at Locost, Ginettas and Stock Hatch, all possibilities.
I am 28 years old and, whilst I will be initially fulfilling a lifelong hobby, my long-term ambition is to make a full time career out of racing, if at all possible. My aim for the remainder of this year is to gather as much information as possible and to meet as many people as possible in the sport.
Is there anyone out there with the relevant knowledge and experience who can advise me on the questions and points below:
- What are the best motor club(s) to become associated with, who organise Caterham events? I know that the 750MC, BRSCC and BARC organise these types of event, but I can't very well become a member of all of them....or can I?
- Where best to source a Caterham, obviously second hand and race prepared. I have seen many advertised online, ranging in price from £5,000 to £25,000. How much should I be looking to pay for a good example? I have a Civic Type R, which I could sell for around £11-12k. I'd need an alternative car, say £2-3k, leaving around £9k.
- What are the typical costs involved in a season’s racing at novice level?
- Raising money. Like a majority of people, I simply cannot afford to finance a season’s racing myself. Inevitably, I’m going to have to find sponsorship. Whilst I have ideas as to what would make a good commercial case for any potential sponsor, any advice on layout, presentation and delivery would be most welcome.
Cheers for any help
I did exactly the same thing last year and haven't looked back. The SRS five day course is excellent - but as with driving on the road, the learning starts now 
.
I'd start off with chosing exactly what you want to do. You say Caterhams, but that pretty much encompasses the whole of motorsport. You could possibly do a 750MC championship quite cheaply, or spend £45k a season on doing R400 properly!
If you are hoping to raise sponsorship to cover some of the costs, then this will also have a bearing on the championship that you will enter.
I went for Ginettas, which I still think is the best value motorsport out there. Cars are around for about £8.5k, my first season is going to have cost about £11k, including writing the car off
, and - the best bit - we run on the GT/F3 card, with the Tuscans and proper Caterhams - possibly the best meets in UK motorsport (although there are plenty on here that would argue with that).
You will no doubt be aware that there is no such thing as commercial sponsorship in national motorsport, but going for a cheap (so the sponsors can afford it) high profile (so they can kid themselves that they are getting exposure) series is a good start. (last plug I promise - £10k a season, TV coverage and far too much exposure in Autosport - there is a series that springs to mind).
Whilst you could become a member of all the clubs, I don't think that would bring too many benefits. You will have to join the organising club of your series anyway, which should be plenty.
Back to the start. It is a bit late in the season now, but get to as many meets as possible to help choose a series. Budget properly, then examine the figures, and budget more properly (you do need to include race fuel, entry fees, spares, damage, hotels (if you don't like camping), transporter fuel, trailer maintenance, beers for your mates who wield the spanners, bit more damage etc). Raise the money, and get the car ready for the start of next season. Be prepared for that race victory at the SRS to be wiped from your memory in the first qualifying session, stick with it, and have a blast.
Most importantly, get yourself down to Brands on the 2/3 October. There will be loads of great racing, but also loads of PHers, many of whome race themselves and can give much better advice than 11:30 ramblings!
Rich
. I'd start off with chosing exactly what you want to do. You say Caterhams, but that pretty much encompasses the whole of motorsport. You could possibly do a 750MC championship quite cheaply, or spend £45k a season on doing R400 properly!
If you are hoping to raise sponsorship to cover some of the costs, then this will also have a bearing on the championship that you will enter.
I went for Ginettas, which I still think is the best value motorsport out there. Cars are around for about £8.5k, my first season is going to have cost about £11k, including writing the car off
, and - the best bit - we run on the GT/F3 card, with the Tuscans and proper Caterhams - possibly the best meets in UK motorsport (although there are plenty on here that would argue with that). You will no doubt be aware that there is no such thing as commercial sponsorship in national motorsport, but going for a cheap (so the sponsors can afford it) high profile (so they can kid themselves that they are getting exposure) series is a good start. (last plug I promise - £10k a season, TV coverage and far too much exposure in Autosport - there is a series that springs to mind
). Whilst you could become a member of all the clubs, I don't think that would bring too many benefits. You will have to join the organising club of your series anyway, which should be plenty.
Back to the start. It is a bit late in the season now, but get to as many meets as possible to help choose a series. Budget properly, then examine the figures, and budget more properly (you do need to include race fuel, entry fees, spares, damage, hotels (if you don't like camping), transporter fuel, trailer maintenance, beers for your mates who wield the spanners, bit more damage etc). Raise the money, and get the car ready for the start of next season. Be prepared for that race victory at the SRS to be wiped from your memory in the first qualifying session, stick with it, and have a blast.
Most importantly, get yourself down to Brands on the 2/3 October. There will be loads of great racing, but also loads of PHers, many of whome race themselves and can give much better advice than 11:30 ramblings!
Rich
Whilst not wishing to dampen your enthusiasm, the chances of making a full time career out of motor racing are slim. Slimmer than slim. In fact more slim than Mr and Mrs Slim's slimmest offspring on a starvation diet
You'll be doing extremely well to get enough sponsorship to meet the costs of racing, let alone the costs of living. You have to bear in mind that there are only a handful of people who make a living as a drive. A few more who run race teams.
Your best bet is to go out, enjoy yourself, try your hardest and improve/advance up the series and see how it goes. An ambition to make a living out of it will almost certainly mean you are disappointed - so don't make it your main ambition and have fun!
You'll be doing extremely well to get enough sponsorship to meet the costs of racing, let alone the costs of living. You have to bear in mind that there are only a handful of people who make a living as a drive. A few more who run race teams.
Your best bet is to go out, enjoy yourself, try your hardest and improve/advance up the series and see how it goes. An ambition to make a living out of it will almost certainly mean you are disappointed - so don't make it your main ambition and have fun!
Have you looked at the race series Tiger (www.tigerracing.com) are organising? It might be a more cost effective route than Caterhams?
And look at LoCost racing too?
Ta.
And look at LoCost racing too?
Ta.
I would hope that after doing the course surrounded by people such as myself that you would understand that making a career in motorsport as anything other than the relative of someone very wealthy is a bit of a mugs game.
However, in answer to your primary question I would advise against the Caterham unless you have a fair disposable income. The caterham is a great car to drive, holds its money pretty well can be used in numerous ways for driving pleasure but minor accidents can be very costly (the chassis is quite soft) the engines and gearbox on "some" models are also weak.
I would suggest something like Formula Ford 1600, MaX5 (Mazda MX5) or Stock hatch. There are many great "low budget" series but those above categories are the few that are on the up in club racing so car values and numbers to race against stay good.
From what you have said already about going the 750MC route it sounds like you have your head screwed on so I wish you luck.
However, in answer to your primary question I would advise against the Caterham unless you have a fair disposable income. The caterham is a great car to drive, holds its money pretty well can be used in numerous ways for driving pleasure but minor accidents can be very costly (the chassis is quite soft) the engines and gearbox on "some" models are also weak.
I would suggest something like Formula Ford 1600, MaX5 (Mazda MX5) or Stock hatch. There are many great "low budget" series but those above categories are the few that are on the up in club racing so car values and numbers to race against stay good.
From what you have said already about going the 750MC route it sounds like you have your head screwed on so I wish you luck.
I've just started racing too.
I hope you're the exception to the following rules:
1) the 10 years it will take you to build up your profile to make a living out of driving will bankrupt you.
2) the time spent hunting sponsors will exasperate you to the point when you can no longer be bothered.
3) to progress from 750mc into a professional driver will be incredibly difficult. I don't think the 750mc is that high profile. Better to get into something higher profile at the start.
4) 28 is quite old to be starting in motor sport if you want to be doing it for a living (I'm older by the way, so I'm not being ageist).
I hope none of the above rules/difficulties apply to you and you make a real go of it. I'm doing it for the fun of it, not taking it too seriously and not getting wrapped up in it. I wish you the very best luck.
I hope you're the exception to the following rules:
1) the 10 years it will take you to build up your profile to make a living out of driving will bankrupt you.
2) the time spent hunting sponsors will exasperate you to the point when you can no longer be bothered.
3) to progress from 750mc into a professional driver will be incredibly difficult. I don't think the 750mc is that high profile. Better to get into something higher profile at the start.
4) 28 is quite old to be starting in motor sport if you want to be doing it for a living (I'm older by the way, so I'm not being ageist).
I hope none of the above rules/difficulties apply to you and you make a real go of it. I'm doing it for the fun of it, not taking it too seriously and not getting wrapped up in it. I wish you the very best luck.
I agree with everything said already, particularly the slim family thing
I know you're keen, the adrenalin from your first race still hasn't left you which is a good sign but whilst it's always best to aim high be careful to be realistic or that shirt on your back won't be there long and winter's coming!
If you must race Caterhams then do your research carefully, they are extremely expensive, the official championship is full of aspiring F1 racers who do tend to bang panels regularly which makes life even more costly.
These guys don't hang about either, no one wins the Caterham championship without serious talent and budget, just look at the last few winners of the superlights.
750mc Caterhams are less money and more gentlemanly but still not cheap as far as motorsport goes. Even if you won this championship you would be unlikely to further any pro. ambitions.
I race in the 750 Kit Car championship which suits me and my budget so my advice would be spend the next few months deciding what you want to achieve in motorsport and setting a budget then researching the relevent series but don't leave it too long because before you know it next season will be here - I can't wait.
Good Luck
ps. You could buy my entry into Australias Chance of A lifetime motorsport competition and maybe win a full year in a professional Lotus Elise supporting the V8 Supercar series. I came 5th last year so a good driver has every chance.(cost $3000 - going cheap)
I know you're keen, the adrenalin from your first race still hasn't left you which is a good sign but whilst it's always best to aim high be careful to be realistic or that shirt on your back won't be there long and winter's coming!
If you must race Caterhams then do your research carefully, they are extremely expensive, the official championship is full of aspiring F1 racers who do tend to bang panels regularly which makes life even more costly.
These guys don't hang about either, no one wins the Caterham championship without serious talent and budget, just look at the last few winners of the superlights.
750mc Caterhams are less money and more gentlemanly but still not cheap as far as motorsport goes. Even if you won this championship you would be unlikely to further any pro. ambitions.
I race in the 750 Kit Car championship which suits me and my budget so my advice would be spend the next few months deciding what you want to achieve in motorsport and setting a budget then researching the relevent series but don't leave it too long because before you know it next season will be here - I can't wait.
Good Luck
ps. You could buy my entry into Australias Chance of A lifetime motorsport competition and maybe win a full year in a professional Lotus Elise supporting the V8 Supercar series. I came 5th last year so a good driver has every chance.(cost $3000 - going cheap)
Another great entry level motorsport is :
Mighty Minis
I have raced in a number of series / championships over the years, each have their own merits..
The Mighty Minis (and Super Mighty Minis) are very cost effective, offer very competetive and exciting racing (voted Britains 4th most exciting race series in 2003)
A front running race ready car will cost you around £5K or you can prep one to your own exacting spec for around £6.5K including doner
A season will cost you between £5k and £8K depending on the level of damage you receive.. including an end of season rebuild (The engines are fairly standard)
If you would like to consider this as an option.. give me a shout
den.lyon@denlyonracing.c0m (replace the 0 with an o)
Mighty Minis
I have raced in a number of series / championships over the years, each have their own merits..
The Mighty Minis (and Super Mighty Minis) are very cost effective, offer very competetive and exciting racing (voted Britains 4th most exciting race series in 2003)
A front running race ready car will cost you around £5K or you can prep one to your own exacting spec for around £6.5K including doner
A season will cost you between £5k and £8K depending on the level of damage you receive.. including an end of season rebuild (The engines are fairly standard)
If you would like to consider this as an option.. give me a shout
den.lyon@denlyonracing.c0m (replace the 0 with an o)
Thanks for all the responses everyone!!
I am under no illusion that making a living in motorsport is easy; indeed, I know that it is extremely unlikely. It doesn't hurt to have aspirations though and I will always endeavour to progress.
My main objective from motorsport for now is to capitalise on the skills I have learnt from the SRS. I feel it important to get 'seat time', whatever I end up racing. I'm going to set small, achievable goals for myself and feel good achieving them, gradually taking it a step higher each time.
I say I want to race Caterhams because it seems an ideal starting point, given that I want to get into sports car racing. To be honest, I’m prepared to race anything…I just want to race, develop the craft and learn the circuits. I’m going to go to as many meetings as I can for the remainder of this year and speak to as many people as I can in order to decide upon the series I wish to enter, although I think my finances will dictate this in the end! There have been a lot of suggestions on here regarding alternatives to Caterham racing, which are an enormous help!
I think someone asked the cost of the 5 day course at Silverstone. When I went, it was £2,350. That’s if you opt to train and race in Formula Firsts. You can pay extra (around £1000, although I’m not sure on this figure) and use a Formula Ford, although the course content is the same.
Quick message for Simon Mason: it’s a pleasant surprise to hear from you! You probably don’t remember me from the Aug-04 course, but I remember you giving me 1:1 tuition round Stowe circuit in the Elises. I got a grilling from you because I repeatedly kept making the same mistake going through the esses section. At the time, I was very flustered by the situation, but in hindsight, I probably learnt more from you than any of the other tutors! From then on, I was determined to get that part right and, in between the lapping session in the Firsts, got some good feedback from you regarding that section of track which made me feel over the moon!
I am under no illusion that making a living in motorsport is easy; indeed, I know that it is extremely unlikely. It doesn't hurt to have aspirations though and I will always endeavour to progress.
My main objective from motorsport for now is to capitalise on the skills I have learnt from the SRS. I feel it important to get 'seat time', whatever I end up racing. I'm going to set small, achievable goals for myself and feel good achieving them, gradually taking it a step higher each time.
I say I want to race Caterhams because it seems an ideal starting point, given that I want to get into sports car racing. To be honest, I’m prepared to race anything…I just want to race, develop the craft and learn the circuits. I’m going to go to as many meetings as I can for the remainder of this year and speak to as many people as I can in order to decide upon the series I wish to enter, although I think my finances will dictate this in the end! There have been a lot of suggestions on here regarding alternatives to Caterham racing, which are an enormous help!
I think someone asked the cost of the 5 day course at Silverstone. When I went, it was £2,350. That’s if you opt to train and race in Formula Firsts. You can pay extra (around £1000, although I’m not sure on this figure) and use a Formula Ford, although the course content is the same.
Quick message for Simon Mason: it’s a pleasant surprise to hear from you! You probably don’t remember me from the Aug-04 course, but I remember you giving me 1:1 tuition round Stowe circuit in the Elises. I got a grilling from you because I repeatedly kept making the same mistake going through the esses section. At the time, I was very flustered by the situation, but in hindsight, I probably learnt more from you than any of the other tutors! From then on, I was determined to get that part right and, in between the lapping session in the Firsts, got some good feedback from you regarding that section of track which made me feel over the moon!
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