entering motor racing

[Craig.]

Okie dokie, I've been giving more and more thought into getting into motor racing, I know a couple of people here have experience in some form or another, so really I am asking for advice as to where to start. I've looked into the national competition license, it doesn't seem too expensive considering, but I have no clue what to expect. Do they use their own cars for the tests and training?
I'm not interested in your sunday morning banger racing, or karting, Karts i'm to old to use as a springboard into anything and these local banger races end up leaving you with some crapped out ford sierra that you need to tow home. I want to get into something thats at least competitive and opens up possibilities of real speed and skill.
I know from the start I'm not going to end up going the same route as damon hill, I simply dont have the money, but I am hoping to have a new and rather well paid job pretty soon to at least maybe open up options in series like Formula Ford or Formula Renault, both of which I was reading, you can buy and run a private car in for a "reasonable" price.

[C]

I know from the start I'm not going to end up going the same route as damon hill, I simply dont have the money, but I am hoping to have a new and rather well paid job pretty soon to at least maybe open up options in series like Formula Ford or Formula Renault, both of which I was reading, you can buy and run a private car in for a "reasonable" price.

Is that the same Hill family who were virtually bankrupt after 1976?

[MWISimmer]

Craig, I completed a racing school at Brands Hatch in the mid 90s with a view to entering national competition. I was looking at the Ford Fiesta series as a starter point. I got my national licence in a matter of weeks, actually it was easier than I thought.
The cost of racing put me off though. Firstly, and obviously, you need a car. Then you need a TEAM of mechanics, transport, accommodation at the event (a motorhome will do, some even make do with a tent) spare parts and bodywork, tyres, insurance (liability), your event entry fee (yes you're charged) and time off to achieve all this.
A middle of the road sponsor may help you in some of this but it really is an expensive hobby.
A Ford Fiesta in those days was upward of

[Craig.]

True, but Formula one now runs a pay driver into the millions per year.
And the Hill's always had their name to back up any possible chance of racing in the case of Damon.

[Craig.]

Cheers mate.
I know it's a difficult and hard to acheive goal. So what does the racing school actually involve? Was it an every day, full on dedication thing, or was it simmilar to your driving licence, couple of hours a week and test when your ready?
The numbers you quoted there are what a season in formula Renault would set you back, mechanics included. Fuel not included.

[quote]Craig, I completed a racing school at Brands Hatch in the mid 90s with a view to entering national competition. I was looking at the Ford Fiesta series as a starter point. I got my national licence in a matter of weeks, actually it was easier than I thought.
The cost of racing put me off though. Firstly, and obviously, you need a car. Then you need a TEAM of mechanics, transport, accommodation at the event (a motorhome will do, some even make do with a tent) spare parts and bodywork, tyres, insurance (liability), your event entry fee (yes you're charged) and time off to achieve all this.
A middle of the road sponsor may help you in some of this but it really is an expensive hobby.
A Ford Fiesta in those days was upward of

[ozzy72]

Craig at the end of the day MONEY TALKS!
I've done XR2i racing, Formula Ford and rallying. If you ain't got the dough (and a blindin' team of tweakers behind you) you'll never be nowt in racing.
In my beloved old TR8 I could whip Sierra Cosworths, alas a friend hit a tree at nearly 120mph and that was the end of that
Racing takes some serious dough! Best bet is to do some courses and join a motorclub. That'll help you get into things without giving the bank manager a hairy baby

[MWISimmer]

So what does the racing school actually involve? Was it an every day, full on dedication thing, or was it simmilar to your driving licence, couple of hours a week and test when your ready?

When I did it, bear in mind this was mid 90s, it was mainly made up of sessions on track, coupled with classroom sessions. The sessions on track were rev limited until you proved yourself at that limit then the rev limit was increased until you reached the required lap times. It was down to the driver to keep the revs within the limit, no gizmos were involved, I presume to get an awareness thing going (and to teach a bit of right foot discipline no doubt  ;) ). The classroom sessions were more about the actual physics of motor racing, balance of the car, and flag recognition. Believe it or not, flags are one of the hardest things to get used to.. imagine fighting it out with a pack of cars, you've one eye on the three cars around you, one on the track, one in the mirrors.. and you're still expected to notice the little man with the yellow flag as you whizz past him at 100mph+  :o

[Craig.]

Craig at the end of the day MONEY TALKS!
I've done XR2i racing, Formula Ford and rallying. If you ain't got the dough (and a blindin' team of tweakers behind you) you'll never be nowt in racing.
In my beloved old TR8 I could whip Sierra Cosworths, alas a friend hit a tree at nearly 120mph and that was the end of that
Racing takes some serious dough! Best bet is to do some courses and join a motorclub. That'll help you get into things without giving the bank manager a hairy baby

Hi Mark. thank you for the advice.
It seems that the two hobbies/interests in this world that some of us here share, also have simmilar flaws. Both flying and racing require stupid amounts of money to even get into, and once your actually qualified to do the job, no matter how good you might be theres still no gaurentee you'll get anywhere with it. Still, bloody good fun in both cases though.
I know it may sound stupid or cocky, but I just know that if I do it, i'll be quick. What I am hoping to at least do if I get this job, is just get my foot in the door to at least give me a chance to prove it to a possible sponsor. I'm not too worried about mechnical sides of it, I have a cousin who's a very good mechanic, he's torn apart just about every car we;ve had in the last 10 years, and put them back together again. So I would be hoping he can help me out at the start.

[Craig.]

So what does the racing school actually involve? Was it an every day, full on dedication thing, or was it simmilar to your driving licence, couple of hours a week and test when your ready?

When I did it, bear in mind this was mid 90s, it was mainly made up of sessions on track, coupled with classroom sessions. The sessions on track were rev limited until you proved yourself at that limit then the rev limit was increased until you reached the required lap times. It was down to the driver to keep the revs within the limit, no gizmos were involved, I presume to get an awareness thing going (and to teach a bit of right foot discipline no doubt

[MWISimmer]

I forgot to answer your question fully Craig, I did my course mainly very early in the morning at a cost of about

[MWISimmer]

Did you use track cars supplied by the track and school? Or were they standard road cars with some modifications for the track?

BMW 318is and Formula Firsts, both race spec and on semi slick tyres.

[Craig.]

cheers mate:)
The big cost I have read about seems to be the racing gear when starting out.
This is partly why I'm so interested in being at the autoshow both days, I want to try and gather as much information and as many prices as possible.

[MWISimmer]

cheers mate:)
The big cost I have read about seems to be the racing gear when starting out.
This is partly why I'm so interested in being at the autoshow both days, I want to try and gather as much information and as many prices as possible.

I'd imagine race suits, fireproofs, helmets and boots aren't cheap these days. I never got that far.  :P

[Craig.]

I've been told I'll need them before starting out.
Helmet with full FIA compliance and Hans compatibility:

[C]

cheers mate:)
The big cost I have read about seems to be the racing gear when starting out.
This is partly why I'm so interested in being at the autoshow both days, I want to try and gather as much information and as many prices as possible.

I'd imagine race suits, fireproofs, helmets and boots aren't cheap these days. I never got that far.  :P

From my Demon Tweeks Direct catalogue, which just happened ti be next to me:

Using the cheapest options:

Using Sparco (OMP were comparable, Alpinestars a little pricyer):

Suit