Where to start?

[xelallah]

Anyone got any tips on what series to start in, I've done a bit of Autograss but want to try out some tarmac racing. Anyone have any tips/ideas?

Cheers

[Richy_Rich]

I suppose a lot of it depends on what you want to get out of it.

I race a Triumph Spitfire largely because I have a thing for Triumphs and it's reasonably cheap - as these things go - and hugely friendly in the paddock.

Of course, you might be looking for a route to 'the top' - in which case this sort of thing might not be terribly appropriate and you may be better off starting with Renault Clios or Formula Fords or whatever.

In short, I suppose, what kind of racing are you looking to do (open wheel single seaters, saloon cars, sports cars, trucks etc.) and what would would you like to do, ideally?

[kickstart]

The other very important consideration is to know what is your budget for the season.

[R59]

If I were starting from scratch, I'd choose either one of the 750MC sportscar championships, or the BARC Mod-Prods. Both allow you to race on relatively small budgets, and allow room for development without going completely overboard with drastically modified machinery.

The 750MC Stock Hatch is a good starting point too, but it's proven not to be budget racing (if you want to be towards the front), with some iffy driving standards too, where plenty of innocent people have had their cars mangled at the hands of some eejots who think they have the "talent" of a BTCC/ETCC driver.

If you fancy your hand at construction, the 750MC Locost series is great for that.

One make stuff that's cheap(ish) - MAX5 - even the TVR Tasmin series!!

Rob.

[Chris Y]

Depends on your budget, but one of the most cost-effective champs is the MGOC, or the MGCC. Race winning cars can be grabbed for less than 2 grand, the parts are readily available and cheap, and the racing's close.

[ss_collins]

If you wanna go open wheeled go Vee. Or buy my book!

[bf1]

Im doing my first event this weekend in Vee

[chezza]

Oh good luck bf1...i've heard that the irish lot are a bit crazy!

[andy97]

Well, I am biased (but then so is every one else on here!) and I would definately recommend the Monoposto Racing Club as a good place to start in single seaters. Very cost effective, a good bunch of people to race with and good driving standards/ respect for other drivers.

Cars can be bought cheaply (I know of a Vauxhall Junior for sale for about £3750 in good condition), are fast and yet running costs are low.

Check out www.monoposto.co.uk or PM me if you want more details including a real break down of the costs of competing.

[b1ackcr0w]

4 Suggestions :

1. MGOC. Car are readily available, as are entries and advice from a very friendly club. Easy on the Pocket. Excellent club reputation.

2. 750MC, have a range of lo cast championships and an excellent reputation amongst club motorsport.

3. Max5. New championship for racing MK1 Mazda Mx5s. Lo Cost but getting difficult to get an entry due to popularity. However, I've always thought that having full grids is a sign of a championship that lots of people can afford to compete in.

4. Speed Hillclimb. The relative merits have been debated at nauseum elsewhere in this forum. I still suspect that it's one of the cheapest ways to compete in motorsport. Not forgetting that it can be used alongside circuit racing.

[graeme]

Caterham Graduates? Cars from £7k, season's costs from £3k...

www.graduates.org.uk

[bf1]

Thanks Chezza

[Adam43]

Welcome to 10 Tenths xelallah and let us know how you get on.

There is a lot of choice out there. Chose what you want. Budget is the big consideration, but after that there will still be choice. What kind of car do you want (single seater, hatch, saloon, sports)? FWD or RWD? Light/Heavy, small engined, big engined? Blue, red? etc...

I'd like anything, but big, powerful, RWD drive and a marque sounded fun. I have a thing for Jags too and this year the engine is bigger and simialr to one they won Le Mans with which makes me happy!