If you have always had a secret yearning to get behind the wheel of a racing car, you wouldn’t be alone, and there are many local clubs that cater for the amateur racer. Saloon car racing has seen a surge in popularity in the UK, and for many guys (and girls), spending their hard earned money on the sport they are passionate about goes without saying. So, at entry level, what would one need to start racing? Here are a few essentials for any budding F1 driver.
The Car
Of course, you will need a car to race, and your choice would very much depend on what kind of racing you are into. Regular circuit racing is perhaps the most popular, and one can start with a factory produced saloon car and go from there. Safety is a major part of motor racing, and your vehicle won’t be allowed on the track if it doesn’t comply with the strict safety codes. Anti-roll bars, full harness seat belts and a resident fire extinguisher would all be required in the vehicle and you would need to wear suitable overalls, helmet and gloves.
Getting to the Track
One cannot just drive the race vehicle to meetings, although this has been done on occasion, so you will need to procure a car trailer. There are online suppliers, and if your budget is not up in the F1 brackets, a second hand trailer would be the best way to go. Modern units are light and equipped with all the necessary safety options, and once you have your trailer, you can focus on the venue.
Source a Club
The best way to move into motor racing as a hobby is to look for a club in your area, and the Internet will no doubt help you find a suitable club. By registering with a racing club, you will meet other enthusiasts, and you will learn valuable information about the categories the race, along with the specifications of the cars.
Partner up with a Mechanic
Unless you happen to be a wizard with a ring spanner, try to hook up with a friend who likes the engineering side of motoring and would love the chance to prepare a car for racing. In fact, if you have a few friends who like the sport, why not form a team? That way all the costs would be shared, and you could even try to drum up some sponsorship with local companies. Motor racing as a hobby doesn’t come cheap and you are advised to crunch the numbers well before actually buying anything, and once you are sure you can afford to race, you can begin to plan for the coming season.
Many motoring fans mistakenly think that motor racing is only for the very wealthy, yet the sport is very popular at amateur club level, and providing you like to get your hands dirty and have nerves of steel, motor racing is a very rewarding hobby.
