How do you get started in racing?

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:13 am

Pretty open ended question I know, but....

I would like to start racing for the first time next year, any suggestions for where to get started?

I am doing the last 2 Supersprints this year (first last Sunday), and certainly am not about to jump in to wheel to wheel this year but with a summer of track time and tweaking (driver more than car

), want to start racing next year.

Is the MRA series a good way to get into it?

Also: cage and licence. Looks like a 'type 2 half safety cage' is sufficient, do you guys run a full cage? Licencing: AASA is ok for MRA but full PC elsewhere, how many go down this route?

Thanks....seems I have squeezed 3 questions in there, hope that isn't over my quota

Postby **mx5racing** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 4:30 pm

If you're around next Saturday come over to Eastern Creek. There is a FOSC event on and many of the runners got started in supersprints before progressing to racing. There will be a decent number of MX5's doing the supersprints and the racing so I'm sure everyone will be able to offer you some advice on where/how to get started.
Some of the very quick supersprinters/track day guys such as Ralph and Phil are lapping as fast if not faster in their road NC's than some of the race cars now!!
Whichever way you decide to go you have picked the right car

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 4:53 pm

Yes I saw the FOSC event was on , sounds like a fun day. I am in Melbourne unfortunately.

I will have a chat to Ralph (who I have seen in action, including behind the wheel of my modest ride.....yes very quick) and others on the 28th Oct at the next SSprint. Thanks.

evil_weevil · Postby **evil_weevil** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 9:07 am

I started doing Sau nsw days in my boat of a skyline.
Bug bit hard.
Wanted to do a club series and r33 wasn't competitive enough so did some searching and research and mx5s we're the cheapest option and still competitive.

I have done a few super sprint club championships with southern sporting car club and decided mra/mx5 challenge was the next logical step.

I was lucky I bought a car ready to race. Didn't want to sart from scratch like the r33 and spend a billion.

The last mx5 challenge we had 11 mx5s and times ranged from 1.07 to 1.16 so great field and battles no matter where you were.

Would be good to see more mx5s at mra. Pity you cannot make fosc next weekend as wod be a great event.
As for cage and license, I have a full cage. Some run the BD bar only.
I have the aasa national cct. More events these days are running under aasa permits rather than cams. I dont have a cams pc or l2s. Just sticking to aasa events.

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 5:01 pm

Great info thanks. Yep shame I am in Melbourne next weekend, however gives me the summer to learn to drive the car properly and really have some fun next year.

I have the mx5 plus bar, will run with that for now.

Thanks again, look forward to meeting you at the track some time.

evil_weevil · Postby **evil_weevil** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 5:35 pm

No worries!

There is last round mra in November, I can't make that however I did get an email from Wakefield that there is anther weekend soon? They want mx5 challenge there. Haven't entered that either doh!

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:29 am

It is worth doing a few CAMS supersprint events, I think if you do 5 in a year you can upgrade your L2S to a circuit race licence without having to do the tests (apart from medical)...It's on the CAMS website somewhere.

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 11:46 am

Thanks deviant.

I did the 16 Sept round and am doing the 28th OCtober round too. Will continue in next year's also.

Good tip re the licence, didn't know that.

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:03 pm

Found it: http://www.cams.com.au/Publications/Spe ... ANGES.aspx

It will save you a little bit of money when the time comes. There are a lot of costs that will suddenly be in top of you with racewear, medical, club membership, licence fees etc.

evil_weevil · Postby **evil_weevil** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 6:56 pm

Cams ate trying to keep up with the times and compete against aasa.
My aasa national is $100 a year and a medical. The normal l2s is $100 or so!

I think cams prov cct is like 3-400?

From my perspective as I only race aasa events and only do a handful a year aasa is best budget.

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:40 am

So evil ... I am thinking of doing the 25th November MRA. The FOSC sounds great too - touch a panel and you get red carded, like the sound of that!

For the MRA there is certyainly more involved than a Supersprint. The licence sounds fairly straightforward to get (I have Cams) fortunately. But need to organise pit crew in the right gear additional extinguisher etc etc. What I am surprised at is the lack of requirements for the car, unless I have missed something. No mention of extinguisher (I have one already), bonnet tie downs, stickers, etc etc, apart from roll-over protection.

Anyhoo will see who I can con into wearing fireproof pyjamas for a day in the pits and may just line up for the 25th!

evil_weevil · Postby **evil_weevil** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 7:07 pm

Hey Craig,
Pm sent!

Mra is fun, you'll still need those requirements with car and bonnet pins etc.

I can't make mra as have a mates wedding but looking to get back into it in 2013 with some mods. My nugget is in need of more gear!!