Circuit racing
Please
note that this is only a brief outline of what is involved. If you want to know
more our club nights are a great source of information and there will always be
someone there who will answer any questions you may have.
What is
it?
This is unfortunately one of the most expensive
forms of motor sport, but it also provides one of the biggest adrenaline rushes
too! Races are held at established race tracks throughout the country (eg Brands Hatch, Silverstone,
Grid positions for each
race are determined by the fastest time set by individual drivers in the
practice session held before the race. The grid is organised with the fastest
car at the front in ‘pole position’ with the remaining cars organised in
practice time sequence, with the slowest car at the back of the grid. Practice
sessions at club events usually last for 15 minutes and the races are usually
of 10 laps duration.
Races of mixed types of
cars running to the same basic formula are often organised into classes, with
in effect smaller races being run within the main race. In this case
championship points are awarded for class position as well as overall position
in the race.
The easiest way to get
started is to compete in one of the many club formula
that are available such as road-going saloons or the many historic
single-seater formula that are around. It isn’t necessary or advisable to go
straight out and buy a brand new competition car as mistakes will be common in
your early races!
What do I
need to get started?
Age
14 if racing in the BRSCC
T-Car Series, otherwise 16 (NB. You can start racing at 8 years of age in the
various Kart formula).
Paperwork
Competitors making an
application for the first time for a race licence must obtain a novice race
driver ‘Go Racing Driving Pack’ application from the MSA for £51 and then
complete an approved course at a school registered with the Association of
Racing Drivers School (ARDS). This will cost you around £250 for the day. Once
passed, you will need a Club membership card and a National B race licence
(after passing an annual motor sport medical from your GP if over 18) available
from the Motor Sports Association (MSA) for approximately £40. Medicals can
cost anything from nothing to £100, depending on your GP.
Vehicle
There are numerous classes
for a great variety of vehicles from standard production saloon cars up to
thoroughbred GT cars and the many single-seater formula from
Formula Ford to Formula 1 for all you budding Michael Schumachers. Most cars these days are either towed to the
circuit on a trailer or inside a truck for those with deeper pockets.
Useful
items/modifications
You will need an MSA
approved helmet and fire-retardant overalls. All cars, other than a few
exceptions in the historic single-seater formulae, must be fitted with a roll
cage and have an external ignition cut-off and fire extinguisher switch. The
MSA ‘Blue Book’ contains full details of the requirements for particular types
of car.
What will
it cost
For organising clubs with relatively low race entry
fees, the average season of 12 races will cost you up to £2,000 in entry fees;
you will tow your car some 2,500 – 3,000 miles, have some overnight costs,
running repairs and routine maintenance so you are probably looking at £2,000-
£3,000 for the season. However, you can spend considerably more, as many people
do to try and improve the car and on accident damage. A very rough rule of
thumb that seems to work is ‘whatever you spent to buy the car, you will spend
again on a season’s motor-racing’.
What can
I enter
The club no longer runs
race meetings, however a number of our members race in
various national championships and these can consist of as few as 8 rounds of
which 7 count up to championships with perhaps 16 races in a season.
The down side - possible pitfalls.
Invariably racing against
up to 36 other cars on a circuit can be significantly more dangerous due to the
proximity of other cars. Mistakes are made and they can result in you taking
yourself off for a trip into the scenery, taking other competitors off, or
being an innocent victim and being taken off by someone else.
You will be driving at
much higher speed than is possible on the road and the car can break so regular
maintenance is an absolute must. If you have driven to the event and it breaks,
then it may need to be taken home by trailer if you haven’t brought one to the
circuit.
If you are looking for a
large adrenaline fix and have the cash to spend, then this is the one for you!
As with any form of motor sport, although they are
rare, accidents can happen. You must be aware of the risks and accept them, if
you are to compete.