starting in motorsport

sherdydan

hey all, i saw the thread on the 6 year old child who wanted to race F1 and the advice his parent was receiving. I didnt want to comment on that thread, and start another as the situation is, im 19, have feck all money and havent yet gotten my full driving licence. I just want to know whats the best form of motorsport to get involved in, especially in the "bang for buck" sense.

I'd love to race in something that would allow me to compete in championships and possibly win prize money if that happens? (and if i had the skill :rolleyes:)

my only exposure to motorsport is a few times karting. Anytime ive been there ive always managed to keep up and be hasstle for anyone else on the track, even the ones who bring there own helmets :P

any advice would be great thanks!

twincamman

try hot rod racing/autograss.cheap enough and is great crack.you could start with a 100euro micra or something,strip it out,fit rollcage and an oule race seat and off you go

sherdydan

i assume the autograss is the same as autocross as found on the motorsport ireland website?

i like the idea of it i must say, but what exactly has to be done to the car? is it really as simple as rip everything out, put in a proper racing seat, fire extinguisher and rollcage and off ya go?

fixie

i assume the autograss is the same as autocross as found on the motorsport ireland website?

no not really..
i bought my car for £500 ready to race and it flies. entry to a raceday cost no more than £12 to enter a days racing and its great fun and everyone helps eachother out.
on the same day there'll be minis worth €500 as well as specials costing anything up to €30000 and more if you want racing in different classes
best off to come to a meeting and talk to a few people..
i know a few lads selling car in down autograss so you should come up the next day..its the last meeting of the year on the 25th of september..
check these out and anymore questions just pm me
http://downautograss.jimdo.com/
http://www.national-autograss.co.uk/about.html
this is a great site for any questions you want to ask..
http://www.yorkshiredales.uk.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=1

twincamman

autocross is timed laps in a quarry.good craic aswell

JoeNaughton

hi! Rallyin is defo the sport 4 u! U can buy a car 4 a grand or 2 now and der is plenty of championships with good prize money! i recommend a honda civic and the junior rally chamionship.

JoeNaughton

DEFO DO RALLYING! TRUST ME!:)

Daniel S

Formula Vee is where I want to start. I'm too big/tall for karting so I need a car where there's a minimum weight. 375kg, car only. 475kg race ready with driver. I'm around 85kg (I think) so I'll have 15kg to play with to try and get back on even terms.

I'm quite handy with a welder/building cars so I'd like to give building the chassis a go.

EDIT: Whoops, accidentally dug up a zombie thread

Max_Charger

Threads 2 years old but anyway
What height are you that you think you're too tall for karts?

Daniel S

Max_Charger wrote: »

Threads 2 years old but anyway
What height are you that you think you're too tall for karts?

Yea, I edited it just before you posted that. The lads I've seen in karting are the same size as jockeys. I'm about 6' 1" - 6' 2", haven't measured myself in about 2 years.

010010011010

@Daniel S
I was in your exact position a year and a half ago, in college, broke and wanting to build a Formula Vee to go racing. However with a bit of hindsight now I wouldnt recommend building one for a first car, in the future once you have a bit of experience by all means give it a go, but theres plenty of good cars around going for not so much. Dont underestimate the work involved in just running a car.

If your seriously interested in getting started then you should go to a race and talk to a few people they're all very friendly and willing to chat to you about the cars, give some advice and information etc (theyre especially friendly if your thinking of buying/renting a car ) The next round in Mondello Park is in two weeks time - the 10th of june, and if the race is anything like it was last saturday in Kirkistown it should be a cracker (there was 2or3 lead changes every lap and they crossed the finish line three abrest! margin of victory was 0.002 seconds) , well worth the trip alone.

This might be worth a look as well, http://www.mondello.ie/driver_search/ its a very good competition and at the very least you get to do a course in the racing school.
WARNING: After you have a go in the single seater there is a strong chance that you will become addicted

Dont overlook Formula Sheane either, even as Ireland premier one make series its more affordable than you might think due to sealed engines and a few other cost cutting measures. Check out www.formulasheane.ie

Finally you should check out the 'pitlane' section of Octane.ie, theres some good info on it and a few cars for sale too.

Best of Luck!

p.s. when did UL start a formula student team?

Daniel S

010010011010 wrote: »

@Daniel S
I was in your exact position a year and a half ago, in college, broke and wanting to build a Formula Vee to go racing. However with a bit of hindsight now I wouldnt recommend building one for a first car, in the future once you have a bit of experience by all means give it a go. If your seriously interested in getting started then you should go to a race and talk to a few people they're all very friendly and willing to chat to you about the cars, give some advice and information etc (theyre especially friendly if your thinking of buying/renting a car ) The next round in Mondello Park is in two weeks time - the 10th of june, and if the race is anything like it was last saturday in Kirkistown it should be a cracker (there was 2or3 lead changes every lap and they crossed the finish line three abrest! margin of victory was 0.002 seconds) , well worth the trip alone.

This might be worth a look as well, http://www.mondello.ie/driver_search/ its a very good competition and at the very least you get to do a course in the racing school.
WARNING: After you have a go in the single seater there is a strong chance that you will become addicted

Dont overlook Formula Sheane either, even as Ireland premier one make series its more affordable than you might think due to sealed engines and a few other cost cutting measures. Check out www.formulasheane.ie

Finally you should check out the 'pitlane' section of Octane.ie, theres some good info on it and a few cars for sale too.

Best of Luck!

Thanks for the info!

I'm afraid, I've been addicted since my first go in a kart when I was about 10!