Costs of Racing

[Graham]

God, where do I start?!

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Warwick,

Umm... how much? $7000 New Zealand dollars?

What is that in good old Sterling? Probably the equivalent of 7000k too much. That seems an awful lot of money for a small bit of metal with an engine stuck to it (joking!).

I'm just not a kart kind of bloke. I love cars - therefore I want to race one, or not at all.

~~~~~~~~~
Lee,

I would probably need to employ a restoration company to cope with my regular stuffings

Seriously though, yes I'd need someone to do rebuilds of engines, but my brother and I are sufficiently minded to deal with mechanical breakage/ replacements and possibly setup of the car. Anything we didn't know, I'm sure we'd pick up fairly quickly ... erm, maybe ...

Fiat challenge? What, Fulda? Went to their site about 6 months ago just before I launched my (first) site.

What is a Suzuki Swift? And is it ugly? (if it's a Suzuki, why do I bother asking that question?)

The car I race doesn't need to be very sporty. Overall, it needs to be interesting, not ugly and relatively inexpensive. Actually, I find it is usually the slowest cars that provide the best racing.

When I say interesting I mean it should not be bland and boring. A car with some character. I don't want to put another **** car on the tracks because I've spent 8 years puking when Hondas, Fiats, Toyotas et al pass by. I couldn't do that to fellow spectators...

I don't need to have a car that 'can lap as fast as a Porsche 924'. That seems like a boy racer boast. Now then, if I could race against (and hit) Porsches, I'd be in there like a shot!


~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter,

Ah yes, Andrew (Guy) said something about signatures (10?). Isn't that a bit silly, because novices wanting to race have to stump up a bigger budget when they're learning, if they want to get rid of the Devil's Mark. It seems to me (the ignoramus) that this isn't very conducive to getting more people into racing.


Promotion : so you're gonna write reports and articles for The Grid next season, then?
And get your mug/ car featured in Clubman's Corner, a (possibly) free profile service for club racers to attract sponsors and increase public awareness. I don't think Steve (Higgs) has worked out all the details of that yet.


Autosprout(?!) : Must have missed that. Sure you're not twisting someone's words? Anyway, club racing is supremely promotable due to the fact that it is superior to most 'higher' formulae (Boremula 1 is less than nothing, of course), provides amazing racing with interesting cars, provides business to hundreds of development, preparation, parts and car companies, it's relatively cheap, has a friendly atmosphere in the paddock and (mostly) on the track, keeps the circuits in use between 'headline' events, is the breeding ground for new talent, is a useful r&d tool and is just ... cool. I love it


Preparation : at present, a total strip-down and rebuild is a bit beyond the capacity of Andy and I. It's know-how rather than tools and space that's the problem. Andy must have every tool ever made, and we've a workshop to use (if he shifts his Mini outside) but neither of us (especially me) has the knowledge of the finer points of car construction. We're okay with "how an engine works" and what various bits do, but not to the point where we'd find it easy to take stuff out and put it back again without having bits left over


TVRs : back to my favourite subject , the new Tasmin series will be 'club racing' to the letter. It's entirely geared to putting safe, fast cars onto the track for a reasonable amount and to race at an affordable level. Only a few mods are allowed by a couple specialist companies. I think you have to be a TVRCC member to compete, but don't quote me on that.

If anyone has £6500, consider racing a Tasmin and be safe in the knowledge of immense photographic and grinning/ waving/ cheering support by a silly fellow bedecked in Silverstone and TVR merchandise

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Tim D,

I take your point about safety. Very important. As I say above, we are not up to the job of a full rebuild. But Andy may be able to rebuild it with the help of the classic road/ racing car restorer who works across the road from him. That's a long-shot, but worth a try.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Peter again,

Homelife : well, we live with our parents. I'm not going into details but suffice to say I have some carer responsibilities at home. Other than being around should I be required, Andy and I can work away to our heart's content in the workshop.

Bank manager : I don't intend borrowing money for racing. If I can't afford to race, I'll spectate, however disheartening that may be.

Costs : I think Andy and I might not commit to a full season at our first attempt; rather selected races nearer to home to keep costs down.

Martin Haven told me that two drivers cannot share a car and earn collective points. I presume that is to preclude wealthy drivers bringing a 'ringer' in to get some good results...?
As far as I understand, Andy and I could share a car yet our points (as if) would be separate in the championship. Is this correct, and are there any series that allow collective points from two drivers?

Pootling : I agree that I would be unsatisfied with a back row start, but I think that it would be safer and cheaper to aim low(ish) to begin with and keep my nose clean (not stuffing the car at the first race). Then I can learn at my own speed without trying to keep up with other cars, possibly overstretching either car or talent.

Napoleon : Okay then, compared to me you'd be the dashing captain

Kart : I WANT TO RACE A CAR. I have no designs on Tuscans (yet) - the semi-professional drivers have a hard time controlling those beasts. I wouldn't mind (in about my fourth season or so) getting hold of an older Rover V8-powered Tuscan to race in Combe Special GTs or similar, but that depends on moolah (as always) and ability.

ARDS : Didn't Autosport or Motorsport run an article on ARDS last week/ month?

[Craig]

Please explain to us why it is so vital that you race a car which you like the look of...

What is the exact reason for wanting to go racing ? To get out there and compete, or to compete for the 'best looking car' award ? Maybe you should consider car shows or cruisin', if it's the latter ?

If you do seriously want to get out there and race but can't afford it, let's go back to thinking about racing on the ovals. There are other classes than bangers you know - and it'd be a hell of a lot cheaper than circuit racing.

How about join me, Invader & Sparky when we go on our planned winter excursion to an oval race ? (if we ever get it sorted!) There's no way you could call a Brisca F2 car a toy! (although maybe you could a Brisca F1 )

Where is it you live again ? Is it anywhere near Ringwood ? I'm sure my old mate Reg would be pleased to see us...

[Graham]

(sigh)

The aesthetic qualities of cars is a subject close to my heart (you must know this by now). The world's roads and tracks seem to become ever-more ugly places, so I wish not to add to this by racing a (in my opinion) dog's dinner of a car.


EXACT REASON FOR RACING :

1) To partake in the entertainment of racing that I've enjoyed from the wrong side of the fence for 8 years.

2) To revel in the competition between like-minded petrolheads, make some friends, expand my knowledge of both the racing art and the mechanical side of things and to provide the same enjoyment for others that I have felt myself.

3) To have something to share with Andy as brothers; something we can do together and possibly involve nephews when older.

4) To find a release for energy stifled from looking after my father, and to get a break from the strain involved.


~~~~~~~~~~

Craig, you do me no justice when you propose it is "the best-looking car" I want, and that I should perhaps go 'cruisin'. Nothing is more abhorrent to me; indeed, there is no human lower than the attention-seeking imbecile called 'boy racer'. Thankfully I never see those ****e Fords with "MOTORSPORT" emblazoned down their tacky sides at meetings.

If the funds can be found, I wish to RACE. But I wish to race REALISTICALLY and not bite off more than I can chew. To be overly optimistic might ruin my enjoyment and possibly disuade me from continuing.

I wish very much to race on circuits (I just do), but in the coming year I'll have a look at other types of racing - what I really want is some advice from a hillclimber or sprinter, which seems eminently more suitable for a novice with no talent to mess around in first.

Various members of the TVR Car Club bang on about their sprinting, but (a) I don't have a TVR, sadly, and (b) they seem to have unlimited funds as you might expect.

I do (or did) have a couple of friends who raced Escorts in Autograss, which seems quite accessible, but if I can obtain sponsorship moolah I feel certain that they'd want more exposure on proper circuits. I'll have to investigate further next year.

What the arse is a Brisca F2?

As you well know by now, I'm a Dorset blokey. North Dorset. Near Yeovil. Nowhere near Ringwood.

[TimD]

Of course aesthetics matter.

If I was a competitor, I would race a goodlooking car.

If everyone was satisfied with running an ugly machine, we would all still be supporting the Renault 5TS championship.

But we aren't, and designers in their infinite wisdom have given us shapes we can fall in love with, from a Porsche 917 to (ulp!) even a Mini Cooper.

Graham, as if to negate everything I just said, didn't I read in another posting that you had a couple of Moggie Minors knocking about? If so, they're eligible for Classic Saloons, and you could learn your preparation skills on those.

But I'll admit that they aren't the most svelte of shapes ever to hit the tracks.

[Craig]

I'm afraid you're living in a dream world there, Graham!

You want to race, but you're doing it mainly to entertain, to meet fellow drivers and to have a good time, and to have a bit of fun working on the car.

Coupled with the fact that you have almost £100 to spend, you're looking in the wrong place. Circuit racing is not for you.

Short oval racing (doesn't have to Brisca, but that is big in your part of the world with Bristol, Taunton & Ringwood within easy driving distance) is one major area you need to look at. Basic classes include Brisca (the traditional stock car), saloon stox, stock rods (non contact), hot rods & national hot rods (built to standards which will put the vast, vast majority of circuit cars to shame! However costing big bucks...)

BTW, this is a Brisca F2 car - no one could say it don't look like a race car - there's no doubt what it is!



This is a white top - in other words, a novice. To enhance the enjoyment of the driver and the spectator they start at the front of the field with yellows, blues, reds, etc behind. Champions & superstars start at the back of the field (and often still win!)

Come on you old tart, get yourself out to an oval and meet some of these 'real clubbies' you keep harping on about - you know, the man in the street.

[DAVID PATERSON]

Graham, I know where you're coming from. Your resources and preferences sound very similar to mine, so i hope I can give you helpful advice rather than tell you you're wrong about everything. Rest assured being competitive is fun and winning is more fun than coming last, but coming last is heaps and haeps more fun than watching, believe me i know. If you don't like sports cars/open wheelers or karts or speedway/ovals, don't be pushed into it. You'll enjoy your racing a lot more if you race a car you like. when you're on a very tight budget, like mine, travel can kill you. stick to your local track and save plenty of $$$. Definitely get a 4 cylinder car, bigger, heavier cars with powerful engines cost a lot more to race, this is a fact. Minis are fast cheap and fun, they're cool too, so you should definitely consider one, or what about an early Cortina or RWD Escort? Classic Saloons are a great class for people on a budget. Here in Australia I race in historic Touring Cars, (very similar to Classic Saloons), my Datsun cost me just $5000 to buy and prepare for my first race, that's about GBP2000. A season of racing, six meetings with 3 or 4 short races per meeting, 2 or 3 practice/test days, regular maintenace and licence/registration etc. costs me just $4200 (GBP1680). Hey I never win races but because the car is nearly standard, it's very reliable and consistency pays, I won last year's club championship, primarily because i never DNF'd. If money is very tight and you have no experience I would strongly recommend a season or two of hillclimbs and sprints before your first race. That's what i did and it costs about a quarter of what it costs to go circuit racing. Also, my car is street registered and i drive it to the circuit, this saves me a fortune on tow cars and trailers.

[Peter Mallett]

Hi Graham old (?) chap,

You make some startling points that suggest that you don’t really have the commitment for racing. I’m sure that’s not the case but to illustrate my point I’d like to relate my experiences.

When I was but a lad I had the go faster 1500cc Anglia. Thought I was the fastest thing on four wheels. I took the Silverstone racing driver’s course and as often as funds would allow took part in some FFord races. (School cars of course).

Money soon dried up and I decided that I should go out and work for a living. All of which meant that my dreams of track stardom came to nought. I have always been a MG fan and when I bought my current MGB in 1985 I met a man by the name of Barry Sidery-Smith. He, it transpired, was and still is the Chairman of the MG Car Club MGB C V8 Championship. He knew of my interest and indeed my photographic skills so invited me along to “Oily rag” for him. This got me track passes so I also took piccies and sold them to the drivers. My ambition was to build a road-going Modified MGB for Class B of the championship. The cost of this was at the time prohibitive.

As a MG Car Club member I got to meet loads of enthusiasts and one of them (Steve Hall) was developing a championship for MG Metros. (I know, not your or indeed, my favourite car). However I gave you the costs for starting in that championship and because I was as good as some and better than most, I attracted some sponsorship.

I always liked the Group 1 Touring Cars and when I discovered the CSCC upon my return from Vietnam in 1994, I considered building and running a Dolomite Sprint. (Just like my hero Gerry Marsh). However the Taxman got involved and I settled for a Capri. I like Fords but the Capri was not my first choice of car. I rebuilt the beast and raced it at Brands Hatch. I finished fifth in class and so decided that with time I could develop the car. The red Capri is my second because the first took to the public enclosure at Cadwell Park in 95.

So I guess what I’m trying to illustrate here, is that we always need to compromise if we want to do something badly enough.

Now lets review your recent answers. (You post 28/12 @ 22:00)

NZ$7000.00 is approx. £3500.00. So you could probably build a (previously developed) car for that, including the purchase cost. Lee’s point about a Fiat would appear to fit this bill.

A Suzuki Swift was the car to beat in the early 90’s Group N Saloon Car Championship. It’s obviously not a bad car.
It used to be 11 signatures and no, it’s not silly. Even if you have upgraded you still need to visit the Clerk of the Course upon your first visit to a circuit. I had to at Combe in October. The point is that just learning one circuit means that you don’t get a good idea of changing surfaces or varying types of corner. I think the minimum is four circuits but I need to check this.

Promotion? I already write articles for my local newspapers and my progress reports also go to Autosport/Motoring News/Classic Cars etc. Unfortunately these publications are like you in that they much prefer to write about the expensive (attractive cars) end of the market if at all. When I was PR co-ordinator for the CSCC we appeared on TV twice. So I think I know enough about promotability.

Take a look at Club Autosport and tell me how much of it is devoted to “real club racing”. Don’t think you’ll find much about 750mc, CSCC, MGCC or any of the others. You will find a lot about Palmer Audi and Tuscans and the like. That’s my point. The average punter doesn’t know what club racing is because nobody gives them any info. Ergo they’re not likely to surf the net looking for something they don’t know exists. Its as promotable as the big mags want it to be. You see club racers don’t pay for their promotion unlike the bigger semi-pro championships.

You must never consider entering a race without being as certain as possible that the car meets all the technical and safety requirements. That’s preparation.

Your general points in reply to me:

Homelife. I was thinking more about divorces etc. All very tacky.
Bank manager. You will certainly be the proud owner of an overdraught if you want to compete. Don’t worry though it tends to go away as you get older and earn more money.

You can enter a car as a team and each earns individual points. You also earn points as a team for the team prize. The CSCC championships run this system but I’m not sure who else does.

I didn’t say you wanted to race Tuscans. I meant this as an example.

Your response to Craig’s “Aesthetics” question (28/12 22:57) is an example of my point about commitment. In this world nobody cares what you race as long as a) you are competitive and b) you don’t get in the way if you’re not. If the chance presents itself I would go for it. That’s commitment.

The remainder of your response is (forgive me) naïve and romantic. I race because I want to, not because I want to please a crowd.

Personally (I know David P says differently) I would not recommend hill climbing as a starting point because even if you are competitive you would still need to take an ARDS course and start all over again before you were allowed on a circuit. Those are the MSA rules.

TimD makes a good point. I would love to race an Aston Martin DB5 but I can’t afford a wheel let alone a £60K engine! There is an A60 for sale, which is prepared for the Classic Saloon Championship. An Interesting and pretty damn competitive car £3500.00. Otherwise look at those Moggies and call me because I can put you in touch with a real Moggie enthusiast.

I don’t know enough about short circuit to comment but you need to be really very aggressive even as a novice. Is that you?

Responding to David P. It may be that the Oz regs are different to the MSA. In which case you can progress without travelling to other circuits. Not so here I’m afraid. As to sticking to Combe and racing an Historic/Classic. Do they run such championships there? If not I fear you are already looking at a bigger budget for more recent machinery.

I don’t mean to be hard-nosed with my reply but I do think you need to understand what it’s about. It’s about getting out there (wherever) and racing. You don’t know what the outside of a car looks like when you’re in it so why worry? The chances are that the spectator (s?) won’t be looking at you anyway (unless you’re winning).

Oh and on the subject of Ford. They have done more for all aspects of Motorsport in this country than any other motor manufacturer. Also, it’s probably because they provide parts in abundance and relatively cheaply that we can race them as well as modify them a la “boy racer”.

This post is taking over all my time

Anyway, let's start replying...

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Tim D
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Whatever anyone says, I'm not going to race an ugly car. I despise ugly cars on the road, so I'm definately not going to throw down my principles very easily.

Yes, I want to race (badly, in both senses) so if an ugly car is available I shall wait and save my money for something more suitable. That's just common sense ( my common sense!).

Moggies are cool little cars, are I think were quite innovative for their time. Issigonis designed it, didn't he? A what was that other car he designed...

We have three knackered Moggies in the orchard, rusting away slowly. They are technically owned by my cousin but he's not bothered about them so I expect should we want to, he'd give us what we want. However, my brother bought and restored Berol, my sister's white Moggy, about 5-6 years ago to near concours condition (has original leather seats) and it's stayed in the shed ever since - never driven. I'm not sure whether Andy would want Berol to do any active service, but then I'm quite persuasive The more I think about it, the better it sounds...

Not svelte, but not bad-looking.


~~~~~~~~~~
Craig
~~~~~~~~~~
You again! Harping on about ovals...

Okay, I'll try next year to pop down to Honiton and watch some oval racing. I can see bangers when I like up on Warden Hill, but I've seen that loads of times.

Reasons for racing : surely those are some good reasons, nonetheless...? People go on about motorsport becoming too commercialised - would you rather I was in it to make money (not that it's easy)? Everyone can have his or her reason for racing, so why can't I race for pleasure and to give some enjoyment back such as that I've had over the years?

Where did I say I had £100? If you read my first post, you'll notice that I'm talking about racing ONLY if I find a job and can afford it. Andy would be putting some money in, and I hope to persuade some relative's businesses to sponsor us as well - quite probable, in fact. I would imagine that, all things considered, I would have around 5 or 6 grand to play with - that is purchase of a car and preparation for the first race. After that it may or may not be a case of racing when the money is available. Realistically, I would aim to attend half of the races in a season.

Do you want me to race ovals because you like that and you know I'd give you free tickets??


~~~~~~~~~~
David
~~~~~~~~~~
I agree with all you say, but wonder if there are regulatory and economic differences between USA(?) and Blighty. For instance, Peter has pointed out the factor of race signatures - is this the same over there? Plus I presume that, with a larger racing population, you may have more racing cars for sale with consequently lower price tags. What about running costs and entry fees?


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Peter
~~~~~~~~~~
I make some startling points, do I? Well I aim to provide enough fuel for you...

I think you would find me a terribly committed racing bloke - in fact, I think once started I may not be able to stop. I just have a different outlook, different experience and more complicated reasons for taking to the track.

I'm capable of compromising in certain areas, but not so in others. I'm not stupid; I just want to do something I'll enjoy as much my way as possible. If I come a cropper, I'll expect you to dispense the righteous verbal kicking.

Headstrong I certainly am, which obviously increases my determination and resolve to see things through once started. I'm not rushing into this, am I? If I was, I'd probably be talking about racing next year which is just dumb.


Suzuki Swift : but WHAT does it look like, and how does it sound? It's not that smallish, characterless blandmobile usually decked in white and blue? Or that nasty **** with four small round headlights?


I have a choice : either jump in and buy a car I'd be embarrassed to turn up with, or wait, save some money and buy a car I really like, with better bits. If that's stupid, my respect for racing drivers has just gone down.


Okay, I understand about the signatures now.


Promotion : umm... I wasn't attacking you or anything. I was just asking whether you'd be helping Steve promote club racing next season.


WILL YOU STOP SAYING I PREFER TO TALK ABOUT THE EXPENSIVE CARS!!!


Autosport : about 30% of the Clubsport section, I'd say, is true club racing. There are so many series in Britain that to talk about every little championship, however great, would bump up the price of the mag far beyond that which peeps would pay. Autosport has to balance between the 'headline' series like Boremula 1, Snoring Cars, F3000 and GT and National/ Club championships enjoyed by fewer numbers.

Why it is enjoyed by fewer numbers is hard to say : perhaps it is a combination of factors such as a large difference in numbers between active spectators, armchair enthusiasts and 'spectacle' worshippers; then you have the catch 22 situation of smaller series having no TV coverage, so peeps remain unaware, so the TV companies don't need to show them; then there *may* be a general apathetic response from club racers to aggressive promotion; then you have manufacturer involvement, whereby it doesn't pay to sponsor or support series known to few of the public, probably due to reasons above; perhaps it is also an inherrent human characteristic to search for luxury or the exotic - the cars that they see every day may not appeal to a larger audience, so it is only the enthusiasts that spectate and support.

I'm guessing here, of course, because I'm not involved at the sharp end.

~~~~~~~~~~

Homelife : I'm not married, nor is Andy. No probs.


Moolah : I believe that I may be able to cover the cost of purchase, preparation and repairs for, say, 8 races depending on car, championship and travel. I would only borrow if it was an ABSOLUTELY LIFE AND DEATH requirement.


Points : Sounds good.


Aesthetics : I care! After all, who's bloody racing the damn thing?


I shan't get in the way. I'll have probably have met the tyre wall by the first corner.


Race reasons : I thought racing because I wanted to, would go without saying.


Hillclimb/ Sprinting : I presume that in America it is a different set of rules and stuff. Plus, I expect there's far more hillclimbs and tracks because they have room and money.

I wouldn't mind having a go at sprinting though. It seems a good way of learning car control, if nothing else.


Moggie enthusiast : what? That bloke with the beard who was racing at Combe? I've seen him at races quite a few times. Speaking of Moggies, there's a renowned Moggy restorer/ seller or new 'uns in Martock about 15 miles away. Went there a couple of times to buy bits for Andy. I think they race a couple of Moggies, but in what championship I don't know. It may be banger racing, for all I know.


Aggressive in what way? Physically, I'm not aggressive. Quite the opposite in fact. Mentally, I'm more determined than aggressive. I'll do what I want to do, but I'm not going to **** on someone else to do it.


Spectators : obviously you spend too much time in your car, rather than with spectators. Personally (and from my experience of others), spectators are just as interested in the bloke a couple of laps behind as the one streaking away into the sunset. For example, most of my photos show those in the back half of the grid.


Ford : maybe, but they still make butt-ugly cars so they are to be despised... There is no need to release a car that looks so utterly ***

[Craig]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
You again! Harping on about ovals...

Okay, I'll try next year to pop down to Honiton and watch some oval racing. I can see bangers when I like up on Warden Hill, but I've seen that loads of times.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Isn't Wardon Hill one of those dodgy dirt tracks ? Hardly the same! Let us know when you're going down to Honiton - not been there yet, so could be fun

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
Do you want me to race ovals because you like that and you know I'd give you free tickets??
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hardly! I do love the ovals but, for one reason or another, i've not been for several years. Free tickets ? You've obviously never been! You only have to know the person on the gate and you're in for free anyway! Or you can just circumnavigate the security altogether...

No. I just think, from the arguments you are putting forward, that it really would be the way to go... especially your desire to entertain the public.

The guys on the ovals are the most friendly racers out there, and it'd be an ideal way to get into the sport. Ask the Warwick family...

[Graham]

Or the McKellar family...

[Graham]

Or the McKellar family...

[Graham]

What the hell happened there?

Anyway, I'll think about it - got any moolah statistics for ovals?

Most importantly, can I race a Mini?

[Craig]

Or, my favourites... Barry Lee or Robbie Collard (a true privateer who came very close to winning the Vectra Challenge and getting a ride in BTCC 2000...)

You can race a mini... as long as you're under 16 Mini-stox they're called... Seriously, yes, I do think i've seen minis in the (I may be wrong here) stock rod class. ie non-contact

As far as readies goes, you'd be best off chatting to one of the guys who race. Take a look at http://tentenths.com/links/Sport/Sto...Short_Circuit/ for links...

[Craig]

I've just checked...

Mini's can be raced in 1300cc Stock Cars - this was, a couple of years ago when I last went anyway, the best looking class as far as fun and competition goes... Looked great fun, and a 50th of the price of running a big stocker such as a Brisca F1/F2 or Spedeworth Super Stox...

[Graham]

Okay, I'll admit it - it does sound interesting. But if I can afford to race on circuits, that's what I'll do.

If not, it looks like I'm off to the ovals...

[DAVID PATERSON]

Graham and Peter, yes there are a few differences in regs between Australia and UK. In Aus it's a piece of cake to get into sprints/hillclimbing, you join a club, pay a small fee, fill out a form and you get a licence. It's much easier than getting into circuit racing. In Aus we only require 5 signatures in a year to get a licence upgrade. In Sydney and Melbourne, there are several circuits to choose from, but in some states there is only one circuit for 1000km, so in those states you can get all your signatures from one circuit.
Graham, if you're only interested in being a clubbie and racing just for the fun of it, you don't need to worry about upgrades. the first step i suppose is joining a club, so find some that appeal to you, go along to a few meeting nights and find out if they're what you're looking for. If at all possible go for circuit racing not speedway/bangers/ovals. I suggest Peter's CSCC is worth a good look, i still suggest a Mini or early Cortina or RWD Escort. You're right new Fords are butt ugly, but Mk I & II Escorts and Cortinas look just fine.

[Tony Harman]

Blimey Graham you certainly got this discussion going, and got tons of advice into the bargain. Well here my ten pennies worth, (bang goes the racing budget again)
"What does racing cost" ? TIME and Money, well from what you say you've got time (but you'd be surprised how much you need). Money, well you've seen you can pick up prepared cars from £3k - £4k but you would have to be prepared to do some work on them, (I agree that you are better off buying your first racer ready prepared, you are going to have enough to learn as it is), are you mechanically competant ?, you don't have to be the worlds best race prep artist just careful and have some common sense and a thorough approach. If you love Mini's and want to race one then do just that, I think if you choose something just because it might be a bit cheaper then you will never be really happy with it and won't give it your best. There are a number of places you can run Mini's, a friend of mine is doing the Mighty Mini's championship and having good fun at a reasonable cost. Mini's are still probably the cheapest car to make competitive.
It does cost a lot to win, rebuilding engines, using pro set up companies, the best of everything, BUT you can do it all yourself and still not come last by a long way.
Here are some finance ideas;
Purchase of car - £3-5k
Prep of car for 1st season £1k (to include the bits you didn't notice were broken when you bought it)
Trailer £500 (You NEED a trailer, driving the car to the meeting is OK but how do you get home when you've stuffed it at the first corner ?)
One offs; ARDS course - I'm not sure of the cost of this, probably around £350
Clothing/Helmet etc; usual advice - get the best you can, around £600-700 total.
Club memberships - could total £150
Running costs - basically a penny more than you've got. Look at approx £130 per meeting entry fee, tow car and race fuel (Dorset to Combe return maybe a tankful ?) these are probably your biggest individual costs per meeting. I reckon if you are doing a club saloon championship most things on the car should last about a season, it really depends on how highly tuned it is and how stressed the parts are, (and the driver) Overall I would guess your other costs "could" be kept below £1k for a season.
Last season I spent approx £3k (I get a company car so no fuel costs) in 8 races including a gearbox rebuild (Hewland so a bit pricey). My current mount is a Classic Formula Ford, (miles cheaper than the HSCC Historic FF, knock a zero off the price), before that I did Clubmans B Spec with the 750 M/C, (a very good club, their Stock Hatch class is v.cheap). Before any of that I started off in in Minicross and then Rallycross (in a Mini !) because I couldn't afford the circuit racing. Before I could afford any of that I spannered for somebody else that could.
Sponsorship - got some - great.... but don't rely on it, make sure you can afford it yourself first, the sponsorship money can be used for all those go-faster bits and driving lessons you will realise you need after the first meeting.
If you fancy having a go then do it, whatever it takes.
If you're still not sure then come over and spend an evening helping me prep the car, or come along and spanner for me at a meeting. (We're not at Combe until Oct though)

You were quite right that wasn't my FF in the piccy - far too modern. If you can tell me how to post one I'll do it (sometime).
See you on the black stuff TH