anyone race cars?

[JJ]

I did a day at Thruxton Circuit on the weekend and absolutely loved it. Does anyone here race cars for fun? How did you get into it? Am I too old for it (am 37)? I would guess that there might be a few midlife crisis victims wanting to start, although those might be mainly men?

Has anyone ever done the Caterham Academy or anything else? Any recommendations? Am thinking ahead to next year, so have time to book well in advance.

Thanks!

Yeah, everybody in my village!

Do you? I'd really like to give it a go.

No, but if that's what you want to do, go for it

37 isn't too old to do anything .. so keep bumping the thread.

There's bound to be someone on MN who does it!

Thanks!

I had an absolute blast. Feel very hooked by it.

Vrrrrooooom vrrrrooooom... bump.

Someone here must do this.... anyone?

My brother runs a race team and used to race himself, though not so much these days.

I think the best way is to join a club. if you go to the circuits and see which type of cars you may be interested in and ask around as they all have a series organiser. There are races somewhere most weekends.

Or there are other car clubs around that organise track days etc where you take your own car. I think a lot start here.

My brother started in karts, then hill climbs and sprints and progressed to track, he got into the series he was in mainly through the people he met along the way.

I haven't had a go my self yet except at some testing sessions a long time ago but keep meaning to get in on a track day sometime

It is great fun to be part of.

I used to date a guy who went banger racing

not quite what you are after, I'm sure

Go for it!

I'd recommend Formula Fords, which are seriously good fun (single seaters). I used to have a caterham, too which was a laugh. But that was all when I lived in Africa (where such foibles are dirt cheap), so no practical advice for the UK. But I certainly understand your bug!

Yeah, maybe not banger racing. I'm not exactly sure what it is but don't think it's for me.

Thanks for the info on the clubs. I will try to find something around me. Or something along the lines of the Caterham Academy?

Thanks too for the info on the cars. I loved driving the Formula Renault and it's good to read that you liked your Caterham! My husband got me this racing day for Christmas so I will try out the Formula Ford. (It's an early present to be sure. ) Was it hard maintaining the cars? That's one of the things that appeals to me at the Caterham Academy - they teach you how to maintain it and it must be easier since I'd build it myself, I suppose.

If anyone else races, I'd love to hear about it.

I left car maintenance to my DH to sort (which meant giving money to his petrol head friend to do everything)... I must confess that stuff like carbon fibre brakes and the like can cost a fortune. I wouldn't dream about owning a racing car in the UK - too much cost, too many regulations (I think)