There are various cheap ways into motor sports, I remember seeing top gear years and years ago showing some sort of car park time trial, which you could basically use anything for, mini with body panels cut off i seem to remember. They had to reverse into bays normally using handbrakes etc, was quite entertaining for what it was. Anyway, point being you could get into it for as cheap as you could buy the car for. So what sorts of motorsport offer the cheapest bit of weekend fun? Saw the rally post about skodas, and while cheapish, i am sure not the cheapest. Just wondering what is out there that I might be able to get into to learn something more about cars etc.

Ideas/opinions on the different disciplines then please,

Damo

Karting - cheap(ish), fun, and someone else has to buy and maintain the karts!

Must go karting again soonnote>

Originally posted by dab in this post

There are various cheap ways into motor sports, I remember seeing top gear years and years ago showing some sort of car park time trial, which you could basically use anything for, mini with body panels cut off i seem to remember. They had to reverse into bays normally using handbrakes etc, was quite entertaining for what it was. Anyway, point being you could get into it for as cheap as you could buy the car for. So what sorts of motorsport offer the cheapest bit of weekend fun? Saw the rally post about skodas, and while cheapish, i am sure not the cheapest. Just wondering what is out there that I might be able to get into to learn something more about cars etc.

Ideas/opinions on the different disciplines then please,

Damo

Ah yes! the driving tests. IIRC, they were usually held in the car park at Chateau Impney. Great entertainment.

I also remember the BBC showing "point-to-point" events, with teams from the Army competing against civilians around an off-road course. That was great fun to watch - especially the Champs being driven through a lake, with only the driver's head and the jeep's "snorkel" above water! There were some unusual vehicles involved, as well - like the Army "bug", and the Steyr-Puch Haflinger.

Anyway, back to your question - how about hill climbs? I'm sure there are categories for "standard" cars, and you don't need to worry about other drivers getting in the way.

http://www.doctordanger.com/other/hillclimbCar.html

Production Car Trials are cheap abd cheerful

Autotests are also cheap and cheerful

Road rallies and 12 car events can be cheap and are great fun too

So can you recommend any good sites that I can pick up some information from please chaps, especially in the north west area.

Damo

First thing is to decide what you fancy doing..

www.btrda.com is a good site as the British Trials and Rally Drivers Association (I think thats what it is anyways) runs autotests, PCTs and stage rallies.

Once youve found a discipline you fancy and can afford, look for a club in your area that specialises in that - if you look for an organising club for a local event thatd be a good start..

Paul..

There's also sim-racing

It's more full-on than you think. See the sig...

Regards,

Mark