Look who's back!

[kbf71]

So I missed owning a Nova. The old GTE was a good motor, still is - won a few races with the guy who bought it from me, and another new owner is going for it in the new season. My Saxo is still not a front-runner, so I got myself another little project to alleviate the pain of Saxo ownership...

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/kennybrackfan/IMG-20130125-00056_zpsfd0bdefd.jpg

Not gonna be ready for the new season, but maybe in time for the last couple of rounds ;)

[meritlover]

... I got myself another little project to alleviate the pain of Saxo ownership...


That would take something significant to be fair.

[Edd]

think i might cry ....

[kbf71]

Why so sad? :(

Found out that the engine in my new car is rebuilt from the one in this tasty-looking black GSi I snapped at Cadwell Park in 2006 - 2 years before I actually started racing! Better still, he's chasing the man who I bought my Saxo off at the end of 2011! (who also happens to run the 20Ten Clio Cup team).

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/kennybrackfan/LeadBattle.jpg

Sadly the black car is no longer with us :(

[pete17]

Looks that fun that mate, if you dont mind me asking, how much does it cost per meeting? and how much is the race licence? Reason is i used to do oval racing and i packed up 2 years ago and have the itch to return to it, but would love to do something rather than turning right all the time lol lol lol ive raced rookie rods, super bangers and finished with saloon stock racing and understand its an expensive just wondered how it compares price wise?

[kbf71]

Well the difference is if you were racing every weekend in rods, you'll probably spend something like the same in the 7 weekends you have in circuits! ;)

Worth bearing in mind, unless you are able to put a full budget in place - your first year will be the most expensive. When I started I aimed at doing the last 4 rounds of that season to even out the expenditure of getting the car and the following:

Startup Costs:
MSA 'Go Racing' Pack £64
ARDS Course (approx) £295
MSA National B Licence £58
750 Motor Club Membership £20
Championship Registration £130

You'll also need tools, tow vehicle, trailer, potentially a towing licence (costs in the reigon of £450 to obtain), spares, which is why I stress that a partial first season is ideal to balance the cost.

Since 2011, all rounds are now 'double headers' with two championship points-paying races over the weekend either on a single day, or spread over the weekend. The entry fee varies from £232 - £305 depending on the circuit. Silverstone, Brands, Donington are all at the top end of the scale while Cadwell, Pembrey, Mallory etc are at the other.

Cars... depends what you want. I sold my old Nova for £2500 having won the championship twice. It was fast, but the shell was bent quite badly after a crash I had in 2009, and many more impacts besides - although I was still winning races with it. If you don't mind doing some work, you can get cars under a grand (I know of a 205GTi from Classic Hatch that went for £300 because the engine was dead - but the shell and suspension were sound!), but generally you're looking at a minimum of £1700 for a car ready to race. A more competitive car should start around £2500 and the most expensive car I knew of was a freshly built XR2i that sold for £4000... but it is rapid and is probably the nicest turned-out car on the grid. It will always cost a lot more and take forever to build your own.

The Nova I just picked up is a good shell, cage, and engine - but it needs a seat, belts, plumbed-in extinguisher, brake callipers (previous owner was expecting to cheat by the looks of it lol), fuel lines and brake lines - so while it was a good deal, it still stands to cost me some more.

In my championship year of 2011 I spent £4200 over the season INCLUDING travel, damage, replacement gearbox, race fuel.

If it all sounds like a lot of money (which it is, I work a mechanic, bartender, and takeaway delivery driver), see how much I have doing it ;)

Racing Highlights! (http://www.youtube.com/embed/_S5QDQHwHPY)

http://youtu.be/_S5QDQHwHPY