Finally Going Racing
Discussion
Not sure quite where to post. Not quite trackdays and not bold enough to stick it in the Motorsport section. Mods if you need to move it then please do so.
After years of enjoying track days, I am finally taking the plunge and going racing. Myself and 3 good friends are stepping up and our first race is a 12-hour endurance race at Anglesey in November. We are doing the Race of Remembrance on the weekend of Friday 11th November to Sunday 13th 2022.
The team is made up of 4 middle aged blokes who fancy a go at racing. So far we have come up with a team name, done a bit of social media stuff, got a bit of sponsorship, got our race licences and bought some race suits and fireproof underwear. We have booked long time Pistonheads member to give us a crash course on the Anglesey circuit and few pointers on how to race. All 4 of us are up at Anglesey on the 20th October with him so we can learn the track and possibly how to overtake. 2 of the team have never driven there before so should be a productive day.
We are renting a car/team and will be driving a BMW 116 Trophy race car which is being prepared as we speak. The first time we will drive it will be the day before the race.
I am just seeing if there is any interest in a thread following a bunch of 50+ year old wannabe racing drivers (well 3 of us are over 50 and one is pretty close behind) dipping their toe in the waters of racing and seeing how we prepare, learn and get on in the actual race. Think Foggy, Compo and Clegg go racing. One other driver is also a long time Pistonheads member. He is Bee_Jay on here.
Look up Matabooboo Racing and you should find us easily enough. Happy to answer any questions and comments on any of our driving from videos on you tube welcomed (I think).
After years of enjoying track days, I am finally taking the plunge and going racing. Myself and 3 good friends are stepping up and our first race is a 12-hour endurance race at Anglesey in November. We are doing the Race of Remembrance on the weekend of Friday 11th November to Sunday 13th 2022.
The team is made up of 4 middle aged blokes who fancy a go at racing. So far we have come up with a team name, done a bit of social media stuff, got a bit of sponsorship, got our race licences and bought some race suits and fireproof underwear. We have booked long time Pistonheads member to give us a crash course on the Anglesey circuit and few pointers on how to race. All 4 of us are up at Anglesey on the 20th October with him so we can learn the track and possibly how to overtake. 2 of the team have never driven there before so should be a productive day.
We are renting a car/team and will be driving a BMW 116 Trophy race car which is being prepared as we speak. The first time we will drive it will be the day before the race.
I am just seeing if there is any interest in a thread following a bunch of 50+ year old wannabe racing drivers (well 3 of us are over 50 and one is pretty close behind) dipping their toe in the waters of racing and seeing how we prepare, learn and get on in the actual race. Think Foggy, Compo and Clegg go racing. One other driver is also a long time Pistonheads member. He is Bee_Jay on here.
Look up Matabooboo Racing and you should find us easily enough. Happy to answer any questions and comments on any of our driving from videos on you tube welcomed (I think).
Edited by rex on Tuesday 25th October 09:23
clarki said:
Sounds brilliant.
Something i'd love to do being a similar middle-aged man.
Always wanted to move on from trackdays but never brave enough. Fair play. Keep us posted.
It's scarily easy to get your licence, literally takes an afternoon. If you've driven on a few track days it's easy.Something i'd love to do being a similar middle-aged man.
Always wanted to move on from trackdays but never brave enough. Fair play. Keep us posted.
The challenge is finding a race to do - I chose RoR as I'm heavily involved in the charity, they are good people and it is a very, very friendly event with some amazing people.
Granted starting with a 12 hour endurance is a big step, but go big or go home eh?
We figured this would be much more of an adventure than just doing a quick race one Sat afternoon somewhere.
Krikkit said:
I'd enjoy a bit of a thread as you go along, fingers crossed for you!
As you're renting a prepped car I assume you'll have maintenance and crew on hand to look after the car? If you run short of hands I'm not that far away being in Chester.
Yes they are providing a maintenance crew and the owner is going to be the team manager/director. It really is a case of turn up, race and then bugger off home again. We will have a competitive car. How competitive we are remains to be seen. If you are close then pop down and stick your head in the garage and say hello. As you're renting a prepped car I assume you'll have maintenance and crew on hand to look after the car? If you run short of hands I'm not that far away being in Chester.
We have rented a little motor home so we can keep warm and have somewhere to change so you possibly even get a cup of tea.
Quick update on preparation for the race. Car is still in process of being built. Had a couple of days at Spa with Circuit Days where the weather was superb
https://youtu.be/ibyzkQQzaeQ
Order of drivers in car has been decided. Main criteria was that there was one driver we all agreed was not allowed to start. He is a bit headstrong and would be overtaking the pace car. (He has history of this in the parade Laps at LeMans) Pace car lit up like a Christmas tree when he went past and 2 pissed off French blokes.
We are all off to Anglesey for a bit of practice as 2 of the team have never driven the circuit. Will see if I can get some footage.
Matabooboo Racing stickers getting on our cars
https://youtu.be/ibyzkQQzaeQ
Order of drivers in car has been decided. Main criteria was that there was one driver we all agreed was not allowed to start. He is a bit headstrong and would be overtaking the pace car. (He has history of this in the parade Laps at LeMans) Pace car lit up like a Christmas tree when he went past and 2 pissed off French blokes.
We are all off to Anglesey for a bit of practice as 2 of the team have never driven the circuit. Will see if I can get some footage.
Matabooboo Racing stickers getting on our cars
garypotter said:
Awesome, please keep us posted with everything, can i ask if your team have bought your own car? and having it race prepared or have you bought a seat for this one race?
We are hiring a car for the race which is being prepared by a very experienced team in the BMW Trophy series (and others). We realised that as complete novices at racing that preparing our own car was out of the question.We have just spent a day with a race coach at Anglesey for which I will do a write up when I get home.
asbojohn said:
My second race was ROR in the relay class and we were ill prepared, lacked lights, weather protection and wet weather tyres.
Unfortunately not doing it this year, but make sure you fit lots of extra lights
good luck its a great event.
Thank you. As someone that has donr the race what would your best bit of advice be.Unfortunately not doing it this year, but make sure you fit lots of extra lights
good luck its a great event.
If you've got someone preparing the car for you who has experience of ROR you'll have most things covered.
Night racing isn't for everyone a couple of our team hated doing the qualifying in the dark especially when combined with the rain, if you can try to work out whose most comfortable with the night stints.
Going from 20 minutes track day sessions to 60-90 minutes in the dark is a big change along with some big speed differences in the class structure from C1's to full fat Caterhams, don't be surprised to overtaken on both sides while trying to pass a C1.
We've always done the race in open topped cars without windscreens so have learnt to get very wet, as an older dirver the first time out I really struggled with the brightness of the lights on the other cars, Caterhams with meter long off road light bars are very bright. If any of you wear glasses try to get a night driving pair. Made a lot of difference for me.
Make sure to take your upgrade cards as its a good way to progress to removing the black X.
Spend some time wandering along the pits, watching the Mission Racing team is a humbling experience.
Most of all enjoy yourselves
Night racing isn't for everyone a couple of our team hated doing the qualifying in the dark especially when combined with the rain, if you can try to work out whose most comfortable with the night stints.
Going from 20 minutes track day sessions to 60-90 minutes in the dark is a big change along with some big speed differences in the class structure from C1's to full fat Caterhams, don't be surprised to overtaken on both sides while trying to pass a C1.
We've always done the race in open topped cars without windscreens so have learnt to get very wet, as an older dirver the first time out I really struggled with the brightness of the lights on the other cars, Caterhams with meter long off road light bars are very bright. If any of you wear glasses try to get a night driving pair. Made a lot of difference for me.
Make sure to take your upgrade cards as its a good way to progress to removing the black X.
Spend some time wandering along the pits, watching the Mission Racing team is a humbling experience.
Most of all enjoy yourselves
Many thanks John. Was wondering about my glasses and may try out my contact lenses. We have discussed the order of driving as it will be dark from 4:30. (Saturday race time is from 3 till 10) so everyone will need to do at least an hour in the dark. One of us really does not want the night session so only has 1 hour in the dark.
We have our number now. We are 52 which was chosen as it is our average age.
Decals being taken up to car this Friday.
We have our number now. We are 52 which was chosen as it is our average age.
Decals being taken up to car this Friday.
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