How to get into racing

JohnHsanders34 said:
Probably not enough, but I can always borrow money from my folks.
How much do you think i will need?
Click to expand...
I reckon if it's a passion you focus now on getting involved wherever you can and start increasing your real-world exposure to all things racing. You might find you actually enjoy being a race tech or mechanic, in which case the cost to race becomes moot. Not sure how much racing is available in Mossel Bay & nearby surrounds - you found anything in the area?
 
JohnHsanders34 said:
Probably not enough, but I can always borrow money from my folks.
How much do you think i will need?
Click to expand...

What type of question is that? It's a business you need to do some research, sitting here in front of the PC isn't gonna get you anywhere. Even Schumacher worked as a mechanic before he participated in the German Formula Ford and Formula König series. I wonder how he discovered those events and the process to enter. :unsure:
 
You want to get into racing, contact your local stock car club, and then with experience consider to move to a rally organisation.
 
saor said:
I reckon if it's a passion you focus now on getting involved wherever you can and start increasing your real-world exposure to all things racing. You might find you actually enjoy being a race tech or mechanic, in which case the cost to race becomes moot. Not sure how much racing is available in Mossel Bay & nearby surrounds - you found anything in the area?
Click to expand...

I havn't found very much, but there are some places. I will have a look at them when i relocate
 
Moosedrool said:
What type of question is that? It's a business you need to do some research, sitting here in front of the PC isn't gonna get you anywhere. Even Schumacher worked as a mechanic before he participated in the German Formula Ford and Formula König series. I wonder how he discovered those events and the process to enter.:unsure:
Click to expand...

I didn't know that about him, I will definately read more about it.
I know some things about mechanics, I'm rebuilding an old car
 
JohnHsanders34 said:
Probably not enough, but I can always borrow money from my folks.
How much do you think i will need?
Click to expand...

A Masters V8 race car is about R350k. And has ongoing monthly fees for housing and maintenance.

Otherwise you are looking at small series racing the Polo cup or that kind of thing.
 
JohnHsanders34 said:
Probably not enough, but I can always borrow money from my folks.
How much do you think i will need?
Click to expand...

When you are winning you spend alot of cash to stay in front, when you are losing you spend alot of money to try and catch-up. It is a deep dark rabbit hole!
Most people racing have their own company that sponsors them (tax relief?)
 
Go Karting is probably the most reasonable avenue to get started with and the most likely to have any real traction in Mossel Bay.

Then you expand from there.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Go Karting is probably the most reasonable avenue to get started with and the most likely to have any real traction in Mossel Bay.

Then you expand from there.
Click to expand...

This is by far the best piece of advice.

Start with the go-karts.

But without knowing about the racing scene in Mossel Bay, you might be limited to foot races with the locals.
 
Karting is good advice, or look at one of the formula series... Formula Vee is an option and you won't have to sell a kidney to buy a second hand car.

It's a process and you need to be aware of that going in. An expensive process to be sure...

You'll need to start with regional races. Not everyone has the talent and budget to win at Nationals. That means a single-seat, open wheel car... That's the start and you work your way up... if... you have talent (or a *lot* of money).

Formula Libre --> http://www.formulalibre.co.za
You need a club membership and you'll also need to get an MSA licence to compete.

MSA --> http://www.motorsport.co.za

Side note: http://www.motorsport.co.za/DisplayLink.aspx?group=Starting Out in Motorsport&name=Starting Out in Motorsport
And: http://formulavee.co.za/index.php/getting-started/

You'll need storage space, a trailer and you'll probably need someone who can work spanners too... Fact is, you're going to bump into things and you need someone who can put them back together again. Your car goes through scrutineering before every race, so your guy needs to know his stuff.

Also, constantly buying new tyres is going to make you cry. You can quote me on that.

You'll need racing gear and a helmet. Nomex, heat to toe and a HANS device is worth every penny. Don't go cheap here, the life you save could be your own. Gear gets inspected before every race too.

There are folk that offer rentals and that might be an option before jumping in the deep end.

One thing I have found is that racing is community. If you head out to a regional, folk will happily talk you through their experiences... That helps a lot.
 
greg0205 said:
Karting is good advice, or look at one of the formula series... Formula Vee is an option and you won't have to sell a kidney to buy a second hand car.

It's a process and you need to be aware of that going in. An expensive process to be sure...

You'll need to start with regional races. Not everyone has the talent and budget to win at Nationals. That means a single-seat, open wheel car... That's the start and you work your way up... if... you have talent (or a *lot* of money).

Formula Libre --> http://www.formulalibre.co.za
You need a club membership and you'll also need to get an MSA licence to compete.

MSA --> http://www.motorsport.co.za

Side note: http://www.motorsport.co.za/DisplayLink.aspx?group=Starting Out in Motorsport&name=Starting Out in Motorsport
And: http://formulavee.co.za/index.php/getting-started/

You'll need storage space, a trailer and you'll probably need someone who can work spanners too... Fact is, you're going to bump into things and you need someone who can put them back together again. Your car goes through scrutineering before every race, so your guy needs to know his stuff.

Also, constantly buying new tyres is going to make you cry. You can quote me on that.

You'll need racing gear and a helmet. Nomex, heat to toe and a HANS device is worth every penny. Don't go cheap here, the life you save could be your own. Gear gets inspected before every race too.

There are folk that offer rentals and that might be an option before jumping in the deep end.

One thing I have found is that racing is community. If you head out to a regional, folk will happily talk you through their experiences... That helps a lot.
Click to expand...

Thank you for all you're advice. I am considering Formula VEE. But I'll start off small on go karts
 
One of my friends used to rally with his dad, his dad being the navigator and he the driver.
They got some young mechanics to do the labour for free, just for the fun of working on a rally car, and it still cost them about R5k per race for transport, fuel, tyres, accommodation, etc.
You could supposedly buy a used rally car (old Corolla RSI or similar) from someone who upgraded for around R80k. This was a good 5 - 10 years back.
Taking a normal road car and getting it race ready (roll cage etc) will probably cost you close to that, so getting one that's already built sounds like a better idea.

I think he also started with go-karts, so its definitely the cheaper and easier way to go.
Otherwise, look at the rally SA website for when the races are, and hang around the people there asking questions. The community is supposedly quite helpful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X