Hi everyone!
I'm an aspiring, yet boring, early 20's male with too stable of a job and in need of some excitement - I've always wanted to feel the exhilaration of the race track - do you guys have any suggestions of where to learn / get experience (from a background of no experience)? I don't think my car would be suitable for a track either…Toyota Kluger? I'm always very willing to learn :) Thanks for the help!
+1 for go-karting. Not sure I would say that it's not very expensive to get into (I suppose it's relative) but if you own your own kart it's not cheap!
Yeah go karts are good. However you get in trouble for doing skids and there’s also a (profanity) who crashes into you sending you to the barrier
Last time I went, one of my friends crashed through the barrier, dust everywhere, hilarious.
that's a great suggestion, thank you
As someone that's done it along with Rally and now getting into motorcycle track days.
Maybe try those track days things they have on Redballon, I think it's a WRX that you can drive, before jumping in fully into it.
How much are you spending on motorbike trackdays? I did one and as awesome as it was, boy it wasn't cheap. I like to think if I ever retired early I would probably spend most my time doing track days lol
I'm going to be doing the SMSP rider training first, I'll be looking at in the region of $600+ for the two courses I wanna do. Then normal SMSP track days run about $300-350 I think it is without looking it up.
Plus Petrol, my bike is a thirsty bitch, tyres, if you go through them, but being a newb, I doubt I'll be pushing them hard enough to wear them out. Tyre warmers will be costing me another $300+.
Personally, I'm finding cheaper bikes out there in the region of 4-5k that already have race fairings (i.e no headlights), tyre warmers included with stands.
Will be going that route most likely.
If you've never been on a track, have you tried karting? That's where most people start because you get to feel what all four corners of the thing are doing without suspension getting in the way. Might help if we knew roughly where you live.
All of the "experiences" are very much that - experiences. If you want to get into it, chances are you're going to need another car (simply because the Kluger doesn't suit). Pick up a reasonably cheap older MX5, and join up with the car club - lots of club days at tracks, don't need to get too full on either with the kit out; a basic motorbike helmet and a well maintained car will get you out having fun on track days (don't need to go for race tyres, brakes etc unless you're looking at competition).
Most track days - particularly with clubs - will allow you to buddy up as a passenger in other cars so you can learn from others as well (or have them as passengers in yours to give advice). You'll also be doing a lot more than the 10 laps you get on an experience - you're likely to do 10 laps per session, of which there are multiple per day!
Although - fair warning - it is addictive!
Depends on how much your budget is?
consider expensive consumables - a trackable car + rego + insurance, maintenance, brake pads, track insurance, track fees, helmet, extinguisher etc probably ~$10k car + $3k a year?
maybe try sim racing first? ~$5k (fanatec + computer)
If his Kluger has a tow-bar, he can get a WOVR vehicle, a cheapy trailer and no need for insurance or rego.
yea that could work! save 1k in yearly fee, that will also mean his second car is not flexible for road use.
better this way. Cars/bikes meant for the track just do not work, especially cars, if you start making them lighter by stripping them out.
I'm learning that it's just easier to buy a track bike rather than take my road bike onto the track.
@Oz8argain: I would agree with you. Definitely go with a Miata, plenty fun as they are even before you get into tuning them and what not.
@he11bent: I'd personally avoid this route. First of all, importing these cars are expensive, time consuming and an all around headache. Alongside this, they're often rusty. There's then the issue of owning a LHD car in Australia.
@he11bent: Ahhh yeah, the MX5 is a great track car here. But I'd maybe avoid it now due to the covid tax increasing the prices to ridiculous levels.
@Lemy: Used cars in general. My Clio turbo has gone up in price. I'm in the fortunate position that my job wasn't really affected by Covid.
I'm not tempted to go trade in my car for a Corolla ZR Hybrid.
Just wanted to add to others above that have mentioned go-karting.
If you are in Melbourne, there's a group that do hire-karts racing - that is, go around to various go kart track during the year with like-minded people (and most of the time similar skill level). This way you don't need to own a kart but still get a chance to get some adrenaline and is relatively inexpensive way to start out. The group is pretty friendly as well!
Here's the group's page: https://www.facebook.com/ikc.champs/?hc_ref=ARRDYaDxPb95tj55W1cEqeRpGm8N3aif_wa5Ir0ndRjW_NiH-laAAuFd6AoBYuNa9f4&fref=nf&tn=kC-R
that's really interesting, I'll definitely look into that, thank you!
My friend ended up spending near $70k on his track car (repairs, maintenance and upgrades) over 5 years, which he sold in the end for only $24k. In short, it's an expensive form of entertainment.
He's moved into go-karting simply because it's cheaper and I was to join him until getting back into VR racing. For me, it's cheaper, less time wasted on travelling, but still get the thrills of racing and environment (VR).
what car?
The car really wasn't that good at all (in my mind), but engine rebuild, upgrade this, upgrade that.. It was a Nissan Pulsar SR20.. I kept on giving him 'stick' that he could've spent all that money and gotten a proper sports car.
yea… gotta pick the right car, but as an enthusiast, it's all about the journey!
I think miata is always the answer.
@Oz8argain: Problem is, he's right and that's not being pedantic. Miata is the car's name in the US.
Why would you preferentially adopt the US name over the local name for a Japanese car in conversations in Australia?
We're not yet the 53rd state.
Get a Motorcycle!
Not the best advice. I've done both, currently on a bike.
You bin the car, relatively you're still safe, you bin the bike, well the shoulder injury I have speaks for itself.
If safety is a major factor then VR is probably the answer.
nah. You just don't get the same feeling. Have tried VR, it's so not like actually doing it.
@he11bent: until vr becomes a full sensory experience….then it would be like you actually doing it since you would be there feeling it and controlling every aspect of the game down to the tiniest of details that you could do in real life too…
@Zachary: even then, still wouldn't. There is nothing, that currently can compute the tyre slippage point.
Even F1 with their hundred million simulators, can't simulate that special sensation of the wheel and tyre contact with the pavement.
even then, still wouldn't. There is nothing, that currently can compute the tyre slippage point.
Mmmmm. I dunno……we'll see when the tech comes our way….
Even F1 with their hundred million simulators, can't simulate that special sensation of the wheel and tyre contact with the pavement.
What are their sims like?
Cams license and a Alfa Romeo 156 (5k for good condition) or something
In SA, we have MSCA Super Sprint. http://www.mscasa.com//default.aspx
Rich mans sport, got to pay to play, and boy do you pay with motorsport.
Mario Kart and Red balloon stuff probably best to see if you like it. Can do club level events if you had a sports car. Did that with my old WRX, its expensive even if you DIY the work/prep.
If you want the cheapest way to get a taste, try local motorkhanas. Cheap entry, can run literally any car, low speed/high technique and lots of fun. The entrants generally have a good attitude too, very open to giving/receiving advice instead of talking crap about each others cars.
Looks up CAMS come and try days, with various clubs, disciplines and locations. Usually around $25 entry as a taster. Then if you reckon it's for you, dive in a bit deeper. I wouldn't recommend immediately buying a car and then trying to get started until you've tried a few disciplines to see what you like. Big difference between motorkhana, hillclimb, circuit, drift etc.
If you are in Victoria, keep an eye out on the Winton Raceway sprints and trackdays
Theres a non time/competitive family day 3/11/2020. This means you can bring anything in a road worthy race condition. Its a cheap way (~$50 AASA licence ~$50 entrance fee). Have a look on youtube to see what kinda vehicles that might surprise you that day.
https://wintonraceway.com.au/event/melbourne-cup-repco-fun-d…
Is Excel Racing still a thing? That used to be pretty cheap (comparatively) to get into.
It certainly still is.
I wanted to do the same but the cost is too high. Unfortunately it's a rich man's sport. I am into iRacing and race on my own home simulator setup. You just need a wheel, a subscription and a half decent pc. I find it enjoyable as most people take it seriously but I too want to experience the speed and thrill in real life. I want to do a track day at Sandown or Phillip Island but even they are $500 for only a handful of laps. I am thinking about doing a track day with a car club but not sure what I need to do to be able to participate.
When I was in a car club all you needed was a road registered car with a bolted in fire extiguisher. A helmet. Enclosed (leather?) shoes. Clothing (cotton?) that covered the arms and legs.
Honestly, if its something you think you MIGHT be into, buy / borrow / rent a sports car and take it to some twisty roads, see if its actually something you want to do.
If you want to get into motorsport of any type, you're going to need money and time and mechanical skill (or more money).
IMO something like a Toyota 86 is a good starting point for a number of types of racing (bar drag racing), while being decently reliable and plenty of options for modifications
I joined a car club (Southern Sporting Car Club) with a focus on track events when I was in my 20s. It was a tonne of fun.
I "raced" a Mk1 Capri 1600 (all show, no go), a 4.2l VB Commodore (badly geared for racing) and a 1600 Superbug. The bug was the most fun.
It was an expensive hobby. A weekends racing cost around 2-3 days pay plus the extra maintenance, tyres, etc and we had an event every 3-4 weeks. I paid my mortgage off in the 12 months after I stopped racing (wrote the bug off on a public road). Another 6 months of saving and I went to Europe for 4 months.
If you can afford it, do it.
If you not familiar with racing lines, traction and balance of a car, I'd suggest try some form of sim racing first.
Something like Assetto Corsa or even Gran Turismo.
You will be like a fish out of water if you go straight to a track and have no prior understanding of general car handling and limitations.
In a game you can push hard and improve lap by lap, hit a wall and it's all ok.
Once you get to a track you can quickly adapt what you've learnt thru sim racing. Even if the track is different to a track in a game, you'll be able to pick lines better and because you already have that awareness and sense of judgement.
https://nuggetnationals.wordpress.com/about/
Basically under 1500cc under $3000. My friends wanted to do it with a purchased Daihatsu Sirion but plans fell apart due to disagreements over using professional mechanics vs DIY. Hope it is suitable for OP. It is low cost racing and OP lives in VIC.
Just pop out the Nullabor and light up the nitro. Then go flying off the cliffs into the sea Thelma and Louise style.
Get yourself an old school modded jap car, join a car club, go to track days. Depends on your budget though
The guys at Bad Obsession Motorsport recently started a series of Youtube videos showing that you can get into real racing for less than a decent SimRacing setup:
Every track has fun days you can go to for $100-150 and get a feel for it.
Obviously something more appropriate than a Kluger would help, but it doesn't mean you need a sports car straight away. It helps if you can work on the car yourself and not rely on a mechanic for every operation.
Get something light, reasonably sporty like a Peugeot 206 or something more common to find parts easily. The good old Hyundai Excel isn't the kind of cars you'd think of but there are heaps of them in amateur racing.
My brother bought an old Falcon (EB) and started with a couple of Fun Days at Winton, then Club Days, then lately he upgraded to a slightly less crap Falcon (same old shape though) and joined the Sprint series, a 5 round time attack series (so less risk to get someone smashing into your car)
https://wintonraceway.com.au/event/pedders-no-bull-sprints-r…
Where are you located? If in Sydney, you're spoilt for choice.
Luddenham, Marulan DTC, Eastern Creek, Pheasant Wood circuit and even Wakefield isn't that far away.
Track days are around $250 for an entire day - you'll get loads of track time.
Start off with something cheap, easy to maintain, reliable, and low on power. I'd recommend a Honda Civic (EG/EK) or Integra - you'll find that these are very popular at most track days.
Other cars that are quite common are MX5, Evo, 86/BRZ, S2000. All comes down to how deep your pockets are.
Join a club
If you want casual racing, find a friend(or friends or randoms) who also wants to casually race, and use the streets - can't get any more casual than that! Have fun. But if you want to do it professionally, use the tracks(And get a professionally modded race car)…or the streets for that extra realism and thrill over a stale track that never changes….just dont get caught speeding….
No. Finding a friend on a public street is simply reckless, ignorant and a complete disregard to others.
Hey hey, he wanted casual very casual racing I might add - this is as casual as you can go without needing anything extra or pay for anything extra, I'm just putting out suggestions…more than this is its obviously not casual anymore…besides…he didnt say anything about not not be reckless, ignorant and disregard of others…. ☺
Ok so who's going to start the OZB casual karting group?
Here in Sydney? I'm keen for some karting
Yes
Maybe the next OZB social meet?
Ah… motorsport…
Started with GT (the original one) and all subsequent GTs. Played with both steering wheel and joypad. Good theory taught throughout the game. Aim for all gold medals.
Uni days, started with go karting, putting GT learning into practice. Eastern Creek is probably the best one. The real G force and skidding (yea well, the kart slowed down to a halt, nothing like Initial D) in a safe environment.
Then after uni earning the real $, fun car, as well very rare occasional track day, bwm/audi Driving Experience.
Trip to Germany - visit the Nur!
Given up since. Too costly to keep up. Bring back good old memory.
Hey OP, so what did you end up doing? Or casual racing is too much for you and just given up on the idea?
Friend of mine started go-karting. Very fun and not that expensive to get into.