Ultimate motorsport event ?
Discussion
With a significant birthday coming up I was wondering what was the ultimate, one in a lifetime, motorsport event one could do.
I saw a programme about the Carrera Pan America and have heard of the Targa Tasmania. Has anyone on here entered either event and what did they think of it and how would you go about entering it and what costs etc.
Is there anything else to consider ?
I saw a programme about the Carrera Pan America and have heard of the Targa Tasmania. Has anyone on here entered either event and what did they think of it and how would you go about entering it and what costs etc.
Is there anything else to consider ?
Im looking at doing the Carrera Panamericana next year. The cost is around $8000USD plus getting your car to Mexico and back, plus a LOT of boozing. I reckon for a crew of 3 (driver, co-driver/nav, race mechanic/support) it could be done and done properly for about $20,000USD for the week, maybe $25k if everyone is a bit thirsty.
BlackpoolRock said:
Can't speak for myself but everyone else that I have spoken to and who have done quite a few different events say the Mille Miglia is the one to do. I would imagine this is the most expensive though.
MM is nowhere near the most expensive, it is just horrendously difficult to get on as they are so oversubscribed and give the Italians and famous drivers (understandably) first refusal...The latest incarnation of the Targa Florio could be a winner - amazing scenery, great cars, mad flat-out stages etc.
The Daily Telegraph has had a few articles on competing on the Targa Tasmania in a GT6 in 2008, such as;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorsport/275...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorsport/275...
- there may be more.
My choice would be the Roger Albert Clark rally in a full house, works spec., Mk1 RS1600 Escort...!!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorsport/275...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorsport/275...
- there may be more.
My choice would be the Roger Albert Clark rally in a full house, works spec., Mk1 RS1600 Escort...!!
£29k for Peking to Paris - ye Gods that would be difficult to slide past Mrs Kickstart
Love the idea of the MM and remember watching James Martin's documentary about it but reality is that outside a big lottery win I will never have an eligible car
Will have a look at the articles on the Targa Tasmania as I do have an eligible car - 1969 Marcos V6 although have no idea about transport costs and how you get a license for the car to compete
Love the idea of the MM and remember watching James Martin's documentary about it but reality is that outside a big lottery win I will never have an eligible car
Will have a look at the articles on the Targa Tasmania as I do have an eligible car - 1969 Marcos V6 although have no idea about transport costs and how you get a license for the car to compete
BlackpoolRock said:
Tour Auto ?
In order for that to be a proper big deal one would need an international racing licence. After all, you wouldn't want to miss out on the track bits would you...? 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5GMImUUxB8
Watch the Cobra floor it at about 2.40 onwards...
The problem for many of the 'posh' or 'must do' events is that you need a suitable car and they don't come cheap.
If you have a suitable FIA car there are a number of great race events - Goodwood, Spa 6 Hours, Le Mans Classic. Or if road rallying with a bit of track time is more your thing there's the Mille Miglia, Tour Auto, Modena Cente Ore, Tour Britannia. For the cheaper events you are probably looking at £8-10,000 all up (eg entry alone for Tour Auto €8500, Modena €4900 and Spa is €3500). Then you have to get in or know someone to get you in - my immaculate lightwieght E type which sold last year for £180,000 was't enough for Le Mans Classic even with a French co-driver.
A friend of mine ran a couple of Porsche 356s in the Carrera Pan America and the budget was €40,000 for the two cars - one came back destroyed.
Having a trouser leg rolled up helps for some events.
If you have a suitable FIA car there are a number of great race events - Goodwood, Spa 6 Hours, Le Mans Classic. Or if road rallying with a bit of track time is more your thing there's the Mille Miglia, Tour Auto, Modena Cente Ore, Tour Britannia. For the cheaper events you are probably looking at £8-10,000 all up (eg entry alone for Tour Auto €8500, Modena €4900 and Spa is €3500). Then you have to get in or know someone to get you in - my immaculate lightwieght E type which sold last year for £180,000 was't enough for Le Mans Classic even with a French co-driver.
A friend of mine ran a couple of Porsche 356s in the Carrera Pan America and the budget was €40,000 for the two cars - one came back destroyed.
Having a trouser leg rolled up helps for some events.
benjj said:
In order for that to be a proper big deal one would need an international racing licence. After all, you wouldn't want to miss out on the track bits would you...? 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5GMImUUxB8
Watch the Cobra floor it at about 2.40 onwards...
Cobra's are one the the best spectacles to watch ! The all Cobra race at Goodwood was epic last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5GMImUUxB8
Watch the Cobra floor it at about 2.40 onwards...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Moz0rx1mIE
another great clip from Tour Auto Jean Ragnotti

Hi Fiscracer,
You will be pleased to know your wheels and tyres have been put to good use. Our comprehensive testing programe starts and finishes at Castle Combe next thursday (either side of a good lunch at the pub in Combe) and then fingers crossed we will do a UK race (not sure what yet) and then do the Eifelrennen and Old Timer GP at the ring and maybe the Spa 6 hours depending upon boring things like time off work and money.
I presume the TVR would be eligible for something like the Targa Florio but I have no idea as whether we would actually get an entry and how much fun it really is.
Hope your Marcos is going well. Ours is in a million pieces awaiting a new chassis, engine rebuild etc...
You will be pleased to know your wheels and tyres have been put to good use. Our comprehensive testing programe starts and finishes at Castle Combe next thursday (either side of a good lunch at the pub in Combe) and then fingers crossed we will do a UK race (not sure what yet) and then do the Eifelrennen and Old Timer GP at the ring and maybe the Spa 6 hours depending upon boring things like time off work and money.
I presume the TVR would be eligible for something like the Targa Florio but I have no idea as whether we would actually get an entry and how much fun it really is.
Hope your Marcos is going well. Ours is in a million pieces awaiting a new chassis, engine rebuild etc...
Kickstart said:
£29k for Peking to Paris - ye Gods that would be difficult to slide past Mrs Kickstart
Love the idea of the MM and remember watching James Martin's documentary about it but reality is that outside a big lottery win I will never have an eligible car
Will have a look at the articles on the Targa Tasmania as I do have an eligible car - 1969 Marcos V6 although have no idea about transport costs and how you get a license for the car to compete
I live in Australia, there is a specific rally import approval for your vehicle, its $50 to apply. Love the idea of the MM and remember watching James Martin's documentary about it but reality is that outside a big lottery win I will never have an eligible car
Will have a look at the articles on the Targa Tasmania as I do have an eligible car - 1969 Marcos V6 although have no idea about transport costs and how you get a license for the car to compete
As far as I am aware as long as you have that and your car has all the neccessary safety gear your good to go.
Allow 2.5-3K shipping each way.
Wasn't there a pop-singer, or an internet millionaire, who bought a vintage something to enter the Mille Miglia and despite spending six figures on the car, having a support barge in attendance, and with accompanying TV cameras, broke down irretrievably a few miles from the start? Schadenfreude doesn't even get near it, as he was a complete engineering numpty.
Not you, Kickstart, obviously, but I fear that anything that costs five figures to enter will not get you five figures of enjoyment and memories. Far better set your own targets. Mine have been to race on as many GP circuits as I can. Done all the UK courses, then Zandvoort, Monza and the 'Ring. Next I hope, Spa. Meanwhile, I've discovered a sideline in old road racing courses, that don't exist in the UK, thanks to our laws. Gueux-Reims, last used for the French GP in 1966 is the best with the old track buildings still intact, then Rouen-Les Essarts. Researching, visiting and driving them in my race car (which is road legal) - gives me great satisfaction. Next up - Solitude: http://www.solitude-revival.org/
John
Not you, Kickstart, obviously, but I fear that anything that costs five figures to enter will not get you five figures of enjoyment and memories. Far better set your own targets. Mine have been to race on as many GP circuits as I can. Done all the UK courses, then Zandvoort, Monza and the 'Ring. Next I hope, Spa. Meanwhile, I've discovered a sideline in old road racing courses, that don't exist in the UK, thanks to our laws. Gueux-Reims, last used for the French GP in 1966 is the best with the old track buildings still intact, then Rouen-Les Essarts. Researching, visiting and driving them in my race car (which is road legal) - gives me great satisfaction. Next up - Solitude: http://www.solitude-revival.org/
John
Edited by tapkaJohnD on Friday 15th March 10:04
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