Turn up and race?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MoebiusUK
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MoebiusUK

MoebiusUK

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Hi all,

I was wondering if there were any places in UK where you can turn up, hire a car and race?

I don't mind if it's karting or road cars. I've always wanted to just try some racing in real life but never really had the opportunity or the money to buy my own car to race.
 
Karting: most go karting tracks operate some sort of free practice-type session, you just need to phone up and book it - probably around £20 for 15 minutes. To race you'll need to get a dozen or so friends together and book the track; depending on the format of the racing, it'll probably cost more than £40 each.

Cars: Most race circuits run driving sessions in a variety of cars - Elises, Ferraris, Formula Palmer Audis etc - which'll cost the far side of £150. I don't know of anywhere that allows you to actually race cars.

Whereabouts are you in the UK? It'll help to suggest some nearby tracks.
 
Roo
Cars: Most race circuits run driving sessions in a variety of cars - Elises, Ferraris, Formula Palmer Audis etc - which'll cost the far side of £150. I don't know of anywhere that allows you to actually race cars.
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To my knowledge, there are a few series that do arrive'n'drive packages but you need a national race licence. One such series is the MaX5 championship for mk1 Mazda MX-5s, another is the Porsche 924 series, and another is the Legends series.

I do know that there are several banger racing/short oval racing series that do arrive'n'drive though which you don't need a race licence for, so it's probably worth looking for a few of those. One such company is Cecil's Rent a Rookie. Most of those sort of things seem to be down South, so if you're a Southern fairy you're in luck. Not sure how much it costs, but it can't be more than a few hundred quid.
 
Thanks!

I'm in west London but I do have a car so I can travel. Where do you think the best karting tracks are near me?

I think that'll probably be my best option. I'm gonna definitely get the race licence soon too.
 
Sorry, forgot to check up on this. I'm not exactly a karting connoisseur, but companies I know off the top of my head:

  • Team Sport - indoor, <500m circuits - your basic, short circuit go karting track. I've raced at the Andover track myself; impossible to pass without contact, which you're not supposed to do, but hey;
  • Daytona - outdoor tracks in Sandown Park horseracing track and Milton Keynes - haven't driven with them, so can't comment; I know Stotty tried organising a GTP event at Sandown earlier in the year, but I was working and thus couldn't attend.

Otherwise, just Google "go karting" and see what pops up.

As for trackdays, Goodwood, Thruxton, Brands Hatch and Silverstone are your nearest circuits. Further than that I know no more about trackdays.
 

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