robertthorpe

iam looking to get into track days like compotition style, as we cant do anything on the roads anymore iam looking to take my frustrations out on the track, i was gonna by a old xr2i and strip it and rollcage it and just practice my driving round a track.
but how do i get into it all, i live about 20 mins away from brands hatch so thats no problem and iam only 19 but i want to know how to get into it, can anyone on here point me in the right direction? websites?
thanks
Rob

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

Go to the Brands Hatch trackday website, book a day, turn up with your licence, rent a helmet, don't drive like a twat.

The thing about trackdays is they don't give you much competition. Maybe think about sprints or racing. Bit more difficult but still doable.

Charlie

J1mbo

iTrader: (1)

if you want to do trackdays its easy, just book on, and go there on the day !
can be done at nearly every race track in the country !

racing is a bit trickier, there is alot of rules and regs you and the car has to meet, if you just want to go some where to drive on track, id deff go for trackdays, good cheap fun, meet people and have cracking days out,

jim

robertthorpe

well think iam gonna go brands hatch open pit day couple of days, i have been on track few times, train up abit, iam used to my 2.8 capri with a welded diff, so will have to re-adjust to a xr2i.
then once iam confident enough i will see if i can get into racing, i have a trailer and a tow-er orginised just got to get a car now.
how would i get into the racing aspect of things?? jimbo i know you dad dose alot of racing you got any more info on the regulations the the car and i need to be up to, i know about the rollcages and harnesses ect ect, but what else?? thanks

J1mbo

iTrader: (1)

my dad dosnt race lol he did used to do alot of rallying and now does trackdays, so im not too clued up on racing rules and regs tbh,


i think you'd have to decide on what "championship" or "series" you want to race in then speek to someone in the class or even ring up and speek to the organisers ect

thats the only way you can find out the real rules and not everyones interpritations.

jim

robertthorpe

ok cheers jimbo

AlexF

A welded diff isnt good for track days - you cant go sideways everwhere...

robertthorpe

Exactly why i dont take the capri on the track lol, plus she is my baby and prefers roundabouts!!!!!

Steve the Plumber

iTrader: (11)

Capri + roundabouts = you dont need a welded diff!, they are lively everywhere in rain or shine., good fun though

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

REALLY?

come back when you have actually DONE some and paid for them yourself Jimbo!!!

Cheap they are not!!!!!!



Robert if after a few trackdays you find you are serious and want to racing. The cheapest and probably best way is to find a decent second hand car thats already been prepped and proven in the series you want to compete in.

BUT almost any form of Motorsport is EXPENSIVE.

The end!

Steve the Plumber

iTrader: (11)

Agreed with Porkie,

I do the odd track day here and there, buy the time you pay for the trackday, (normally Ł150), trailer hire, fresh oil and filter, then petrol, tyres and consumables for the day, ive nearly done around Ł350, and as long as the car is ok.

But it is good fun though.

Chip

iTrader: (3)

Porkie, I read j1mbo's post as saying "compared to racing, trackdays are cheap" and IMHO that is spot on.

Personally if I was going to go racing, i would do something like mighty minis, you can do that for about 10 grand a year realistically, which I reckon is for nothing considering its PROPER single make wheel to wheel racing

J1mbo

iTrader: (1)

well, javelin trackday = Ł99

set of second hand rally slicks 25 quid a corner, will last a good 2-3 trackdays too,

fuel. for a 600hp car, 120 for a day, for a 200hp car for a laugh prob 50 to Ł60 tops

id say this was pretty cheap.

you can make it as expensive as you want ... new tyres each trackday, blah blah, you obviously found trackdays expensive due to using your beloved 888's, at Ł500 a set ....

racing- new set of slicks after 2 rounds tops, new wets and inters all n different wheels so you can race at full potential in all weather conditions, race entry fees, i could go on

i think trackdays are better and cheaper

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

No its doesn't chip.

It says clearly. 'Trackdays, good cheap fun'

Fact is they aren't!!!!

Is Ł200 minimum really a cheap day out?

Not what I'd call a cheap day out....


How can Jimbo be telling people about how Trackdays are better than Racing when he hasn't done either???

They are VERY different things!


I was merely trying to let the original poster know that they are not cheap days out.

and I would struggle to find anyone who actually DOES them who does not agree with me!

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't.

Trackdays are an expensive hobby. For anyone.

You are forgetting brakes, clutch, suspension wear and tear.... it adds up. ALOT.

Tyres and fuel are just the most obvious costs.

The Youth.

iTrader: (1)

totally agree with porkie.
as for racing being expensive, my son has a 60cc comer cadet kart and even that is fooking expensive to run with all the stuff you need traveling etc never mind my track car,cossie 100E etc aswell

steve

lead_foot

iTrader: (1)

??? Lots of succesful motorsport cars run a spool. Like Dick Johnson RS500 Touring Cars, lots of Aussie V8 Supercar racers, Ford and Subaru 4wd GrpA rally cars, some older Porche racers, ect.

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

Very true mate.

Greg Roses Thundersaloon runs a spool diff.

Never seen that go sideways really.

Seen it go VERY fast though!!!!!

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

Bet its awesome though. You must be so proud seeing him whizz around?


Stick with it.... you never know!!!

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

I started racing last year. The link to the blog in my signature should give you some detail of what is involved and how much it costs to classic saloon car racing.

Charlie

Chip

iTrader: (3)

I think fuck all of paying 200 quid for a day out.

So im either a lot richer than you, or just a lot shitter with money

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

Its never Ł200 though in reality is it!!!

and you also fix your own cars... and could win scrap heap challenge with your parts scavenging ingenuity....

and have no wife... or children...

and earn good money!


So in reality a Ł300 day out to you is alot easier to swallow than it is for most people....

But Trackdays will NEVER be cheap fun for 90% of the population.

That was my point.

And if Jimbo ever has to support himself and pay for a house and support a family on a normalish wage....

I'm sure he will agree with me as well!

foreigneRS

what, he might dress like a terrys chocolate orange?

Chip

iTrader: (3)

I think in reality trackdays have probably cost 500 quid average for me over the years not 200, I was just quoting the number you gave.

And I agree with everything else you are saying too, but it IS still cheap compared to circuit racing etc.



Getting back to the actual point, if the thread starter wants to compete, buy himself a 205 and do some 12 car events with his local motorsport club

Lo@der

iTrader: (8)

The two track days i did last year in my cossie cost Ł400-Ł450 a pop plus the PF track evening at snet was about Ł250.

I would not class them as cheap , but compared to spending Ł200+ a weekend out on the piss like alot of ppl do I know which i'd rather.

Matt Evans

I have a mortgage, 2 kids, normalish wage and i agree totally, trackdays aint cheap these days, but, its a hobby i enjoy and have to make sacrifices to enjoy properly.

Been doing trackdays since 1998, and from memory, its never been a cheap hobby!

J1mbo

iTrader: (1)

lee, can you look at the two things we are comparing please,

racing and trackdays

i said trackdays are good cheap fun, which they are compared to a full race season,

i appologise (as im the only one who will) if you read it wrong

imo a trackday is still cheap fun, i could take my car right now as is and pay Ł99 for a trackday and have a hell of alot of fun

obviously our opinions differ greatly leave it at that i guess

Char1ie

iTrader: (6)

I pay Ł200 for 15 minutes of qualifying and two 15 minute races. So that's 45 minutes on track for Ł200. These are cheap race fees but you can see that a track day at Ł150 or Ł200 for the whole day is a bargain.

Charlie

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

I repeat. When you have done shall we say at least.... ONE trackday???

please comeback and tell us that it was a cheap day out!

Look at the people on here, who HAVE done trackdays. They are all saying the same.

Its NOT cheap fun and won't ever be!

They are great fun though!!!!

You are right though Racing is far more expensive.... but from what I have heard its also far far far more exciting and rewarding.

nilrem

now theres an idea! probably the cheapest way to get into a leagal competition!

no need for a fully prepped car and can get quite competitive!

Lo@der

iTrader: (8)

What about hillclimb?

Thats supposed to be a cheapER kind of motorsport.

nilrem

it is, but a few 12 cars would be cheaper to try it first. Ł20ish for 2ish hours competitive driving!

Ridgey

iTrader: (5)

I agree with Porkie.
Trackdays are NOT cheap. (Ł350+ with consumables etc)

But yes, much CHEAPER than racing.

I would love to do 7 or 8 a year but have only managed a maximum of 3 in any one year so far (2 paid for by my mum and one free).
Guess it's all part of supporting a family of 4, not have loads of spare cash.

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

Nice car Ridgey. I enjoyed the feature in FF

Ridgey

iTrader: (5)

Cheers

rstdave

iTrader: (3)

Agree with the masses....trackdays are soo not cheap lol, the cost of the day and fuel is merely a portion of the cost when you weigh up breakdowns and work needed to keep the car in a trackworthy state, also depends on what car you're using. Cheaper way would be to buy a cheapish track car and go halfs with a mate on everythin cos that makes it alot more affordable.

foreigneRS

i would guess that there are some classes of racing that are actually cheaper than an average track day as there are less laps, less use of consumables (as a dedicated track car will generally be lighter and better equipped for the conditions than a road car) and less entry fees or maybe a chance of a prize. not forgetting that you don't have to tax and insure a track only car

but normal track days using a road car are definitely not cheap - and neither is a visit to the nordschleife