As a karting dad I dreaded the day when my lad decided to hang up his racing boots. Fortunately that hasn't happened yet but now he is in his thirties we thought it might be worth trying something else. After all we could always go back to karting.
So about 18 months ago we bought an mx5 mk1 race car. My son had done a few track days in his road car but was yearning for the cut and thrust of racing.
We knew it was going to be expensive compared to karting, particularly the way we went about our kart racing, but all we really knew about were the entry fees.
One of the big decisions is deciding what to race. Obviously it had to be as cheap as possible. As it turned out a good friend ran a race team and as his drivers were moving up to race Lotus Elises we had the chance to buy one of his Mk1 Mazdas.
So having purchased that we did a few test days and at the end of last year did a couple of race meetings in two different championships to see how competitive they were.
There are in fact 3 championships devoted to the Mazdas. BRSCC, Max5 and 5 Cup.
This year we decided that the BRSCC Mazda championship was where we wanted to race as it had the biggest grids and the best drivers.
So what does it cost you may be wondering.
A good race ready competitive car will cost about £5k but you can pick them up from about £3500. They are quite easy to resell as the 3 race series are very popular.
You have to join the BRSCC and register for the series which cost about £400.
Race entries are £395. Ouch, you will say! For that you get 4 twenty minute sessions. (Practice, qualifying and 2 races or quali and 3 races). Occasionally if the programme permits you might get more. At Croft this year we got 2 practices, quali, 3 championship races and one extra race, all for the same fee! Racing takes place over two days.
You will use about 50litres of fuel per weekend, say £65
Tyres. Minimum is one set of dry (shaved) tyres and preferably a set of full tread wets but quite a few lads just buy a couple of shaved sets for the season, about £600. We have just sold a couple of secondhand sets at £20/set for testing.
Damage. Unless you roll your car( (yes a couple of guys did) most dents can be beaten out and front wings can be bought for £15. Plus a few cans of spray paint. You will be unlucky if you spend over £100.
Brakes. We have been through several sets of front brake pads but rears should last a season so budget £150 or so.
Transport. Most people have their own trailer but if you haven't teams will store and prep your car and take it to and from the tack for about £500 per weekend. Doing it yourself will cost about £500 per season plus maybe £1000 if you use hotels. We sleep in our camper van. Loads of racers camp or sleep in their vans.
So, realistically once you have your car you can do it for as little as £5000 per season.
Typical grids this year have been about 40 with 50 for the season finale at Donington.
TV coverage on Motors TV.
Best of all its great racing. Check it out on BRSCC Mazda on Youtube.
I will be delighted to answer any questions
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