I've been toying with the idea for a while, but being honest never had the cash or free time to consider seriously. The more i read, the more i want to get invovled, I think its around £20k for a year (including a car!) and very tempted to get involved now.

I think i would just sell the S to fund to initial cost and from what they say, barring personal safety equipemnt, you should not have to spend anything on the car bar simple maintenace (unless of course you get personal with a tyre wall or fellow competitor!). They suggest that a set of tyres will also last the season! excellent.

SO, has anyone done this, or looked into it, or know anyone that has done it? would be interesting to understand if the claims are true as would not be able to justify a further £10k or so in 'running costs'.

I would plan to drive the car to events and not trailer as seems the 'ethos'.

your views much appreciated.

Phil.

 

It looks great but there are cheaper ways of going racing.

Caterham Graduate Classics (dreamer will know more about this) is worth a look.

You should get your money back on the car at the end of the year but unfortunately that further £10k is probably more than a rumour.

A big crash in Caterham could cost up to £6k, keep that in mind.

I'm currently doing what is supposedly one the cheapest series in the UK (PBMW and TTRS) .

I'm keeping a spreadsheet of the cost this year and it is truly frightening

 

ge2 - how far are you through the season, and how much has it cost you?

i'm getting more and more tempted to go track racing (more than just track-days), but the possible costs involved are putting me off.
as everything - one mans cheap is another mans unaffordable... so whats your running costs so far?

 

Caterham Academy is potentially a good start but the series is a bit crash prone form what I've heard from ex-Academy guys who move onto Caterham Graduates - where Jo / dreamer races and I pit crew for her.

As for one set of tyres lasting a season Gards are allowed a max of 3 sets for the season and this is one of the regs but one set of tyres is balls. Sorry.

The reason why Academy is a bit crash prone is all the racers are new and therefore in-experienced and often seemed to have moved on from Kart racing or track days and the red mist sets in. only without the track craft to back it up. Don't get me wrong, I am sure they are all better than me, but this is the perception and comments the grads have for the academy drivers.

The other thing to think about is that once the 1st season is over you have to move on to something else (there is a development series - but this involves a lot of changes, lining Caterhams pocket as you go). Whereas you could get a grads car and only make small changes each year to stay in the same series.

I know Jo will come along and comment - and don't let her know I said this, she is actually quite good at it. Still looking for a top 10 finish out of a grid of about 30+ cars, and she woudl be there this season if her back had allowed to rce I'm sure.

The nice thing is the sense of community. Even wioth me not a racer, the guys chat and involve everyone

 

Halfway through, about £7k not including the £2k I've just spent on a van.

That doesn't include the car or any start up costs like suit, helmet etc. as I'm in my third year now.

No big accidents.

And it's only going to get worse; I'm moving up the field so won't be happy on 'old' tyres any more, the slightest hint of the engine losing power will have it whipped out and seen too

 

I remember making a certain phone call to your brother from one side of the track to the pits, need I say any more?

 

I fear it's only a matter of time before history repeats itself

 

Completely off topic, how's Andy's rallycross going?

 

It's not!

His car's in bits so he's out racing with me (his missus does PBMW, he does TTRS, I do both).

I'm winning so far

 

That chimes with our costs too.
We're in a local series (so no overnighters until Mallory next month) but we do have a mechanic on race days at £80 a day, plus he's done a few of the more demanding spanner jobs (like gearbox removal/refitment) at £15ph.

No accidents but a couple of scrapes that cost us a day with the rattle cans (the Caterham that Rich hit had to have a new wing) and replacement body parts come from the scrappers in the main which keeps costs down.

Ah yes, that.

Then there's the end of season spend.....

So far we have polycarb windows, a new head and throttle bodies on the (ever growing) list for next year.

Which would suggest that the Academy isn't the best series to do in terms of cost, as the upgrade and repair costs would soon add up if you were to take the 'free' car and race it anywhere else. Though I know there are routes through the series for the years following your first Academy year. Also, in the Academy you do have a race series where, in theory at least, everyone starts from the same point in terms of machinery.

Wouldn't have said it's the best way to start motor racing though. Any number of successful series can be entered for half the cost of the Academy including the car;

http://www.ma5daracing.com/
http://www.750mc.co.uk/F-mr2.php
http://www.750mc.co.uk/F-locost.php
http://www.750mc.co.uk/F-stock-hatch.php
http://www.classicsportscarclub.co.uk/tintops.htm

....just for starters.