I frequently get asked how much it costs to start racing, so I’m writing this to help answer it! However, so much depends on circumstance, what cars you want to race, and how much work you can do yourself. So I’ll split it up into sections, and add up the grand total at the end, although your grand total might be very different to this example.
Licence
Everyone needs a race licence to race (a non-race licence is suitable for sprints and hillclimbs, but not circuit racing or testing). You have to buy a Go-Racing pack from the MSAUK (Motorsports Association UK), fill it in, get a medical, take a test (called a ARDS test; Association of Racing Driver Schools) and finally send off more money to actually get the licence itself.
- Go-Racing Pack – £65
- Medical Examination – £40 – £80 depending on your doctor
- ARDS Test – £250 – £400 depending on where you take it
- National B Licence – £53
Racewear
You’ll need some clothing to be safe and legal on the race track. You can spend as much as you like, but the bear minimum without being silly (by buying clothes that offer no protection) is probably something like the following
- Helmet – £250
- Suit – £200
- Gloves and Boots – £100
- Nomex Underwear (optional but recommended) – £100
- I would also recommend a HANS device, although not cheap – £400
Van and Trailer
As much as you like. Possible to buy both for less than £1000 if you really don’t mind what you buy. Let’s call it £3000 for something servicable.
Section Total – £3000
Race Car
Again, you can probably buy a ‘legal’ racecar for under £1000, but it won’t impress you or your friends (or potential sponsors). You could also spend millions on something truly exotic. But why not consider a smaller single seater for about £5000 – quicker than pretty much any road car round a track, easy to maintain, probably safer than a worn out hatchback, and far more impressive to look at.
Section Total – £5000
Racing Consumables
The main things are probably as follows, but clutches, paintwork, wheel bearings, hinges, seatbelts and so on all need some expenditure occasionally:
- Tyres – £1000 per year, but you can spend a LOT less
- Brakes – £300 per year
- Oil – £100 per year?
- Brake fluid – £100 per year?
- Fuel – £500 per year?
Minimum Tools Needed
- sufficient tools to remove any body panels or nosecones that scruitineers may want to look behind
- jacks for front and rear of the car, wheel wrench and torque wrench
- sufficient tools to bleed brakes and clutch at the circuit
- sufficient tools to remove and replace the battery
- spare battery and/or charger
- sufficient tools to check and fill both engine oil and gearbox.
- funnel
- wheel chock
- tyre pump and a reasonably accurate gauge.
If you want to drive your car in competition, you’ll need to enter a race. And it would be wise to get some track time before you’re in a heated qualifying session for the first time
- Testing – £150 per event. Let’s say 2 test days in your first year.
- Race Entry Fee – £300 per event. Let’s say 5 or 6 events in your first year.
Grand Total
Using the above costs (averages where applicable), you’ll need to set aside at least £13,500 for your first year of racing – but that DOES include a car and a trailer, and most of the essentials.
