Starting racing when older?

[brgbrm]

Are there any of us who've started racing, when pretty old - say over 40? I've done 10-12 track days, 'experience' track activities and so on, I think it's probably wisest to leave it at that, but ...

[kaiowas]

A lot of club level racers don't start until they're older, typically it's people who have done well for themselves and can finally afford to do so.

As long as you treat it as a hobby and don't have any illusions that you'll be getting into F1 any time soon then there's no reason not to have a go.

[tonigmr2]

Just do it! Not over 40 but I entered my first championship aged 37.
www.mr2championship.com

Lots of more 'mature' gentlemen at race days IME.

[Rogue]

Age is no barrier to racing... it's just an excuse! Have a look at some of the drivers currently racing in the MR2 Championship:

http://www.mr2championship.com/drivers.htm

The youngest driver is just 16, while some of the oldest are in their 60's. Like Kaiowas suggests, you just need to approach it with the right mindset. You can do just about any form of motor racing you want - the only real limit is how much money you have. As long as you have the appropriate license you can turn up and race at LeMans... as long as you can afford the car, entry, fuel, tyres, support team etc!

To get started you'll need to apply to the MSA for a Go Racing! pack:

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentvi ... rticle=784

Once you've got that you need to book yourself in for an ARDS test at a racing circuit:

http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentvi ... rticle=789

The test is both written and practical but neither are hard. Familiarise yourself with the flag colours and circuit etiquette. The best way to do this is to talk to an experienced racer - preferably at a race meeting and possibly shadow them through the day. If you've done plenty of track days then you should be familiar with the concepts of racing line, entry, apex and exit points, but it wouldn't hurt to just revisit the theory behind these terms as you'll need to demonstrate a knowledge of this in your practical exam. You'll be given some coaching as part of your ARDS course. Once you've passed, the school will stamp your application and you can send it back to the MSA in exchange for a national B license.

Next up you'll need some equipment. The minimum requirement is an approved helmet and race suit, although I'd strongly recommend race shoes and gloves as well. Each layer of nomex provides around three seconds of protection in a fire so weigh up your own personal safety versus the cost of these items. A lot of racers also wear nomex underwear and headovers. Also consider a HANS device; this will limit the movement of your head in a crash.

The National B license will cover you for almost all of the racing that you'll likely be able to afford to do. You will need to display a novice cross at the rear of your car until you have completed six races for which you will gain six upgrading signatures. Not only can your novice sign be removed, but you can upgrade your license to a National A, which will open up the majority of the remaining series to you (such as the Britcar 24 hour).

Finally, you're going to need a race car! Spend some time visiting race series (and their associated forums if they have one) and pick the right one for you. Remember it's not always about how fast the cars go - it's how fast they go compared to each other. The MR2 Championship would be an excellent place to start as the modifications to the cars are tightly controlled. This means that the cars are safe, fun and very evenly matched, and that driver skill alone determines your finishing position (not the depth of your pockets!).

Here's an example of a typical MR2 Championship race (although this was at a non-championship round):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYVbp3kpxyk

There are lots of options to getting your race car. You can build one yourself from scratch, have a company prepare one for you or buy one pre-built or secondhand. You can then choose to transport and support the car yourself or have a professional race team do it for you. Finally, you can hire a car from a race team where you have to do nothing other than arrive and drive. Team Rogue Racing offer all of these facilities so please drop me a line if I can be of any assistance.

I was a newbie myself five years ago (aged 28 ) and had only been to one race meeting before I started racing myself. Having picked everything up as I went along, I've probably helped more than 20 other people to get started in motorsport. I'm now the formula official for the MR2 Championship and am starting a new modified MR2 racing series next year!

The next MR2 Championship race meeting is at Silverstone on Saturday 22nd August if you fancy coming along?

[buba]

my father started racing mr2's in his late 60's. plenty quick enough i'll tell you. i started in my late 30's and we usually run much the same times. as long as you can pass a basic medical and WANT to do it, go for it.

[WillJohnson]

I lined up on the grid for my first race on the weekend before my 51st birthday. Eyesight problems prevented me from starting racing earlier in life as I could not get a race-license.

The longer you leave it, the more you'll regret not having done it earlier.... but the richer you'll be.

And your really couldn't pick a nicer car to start racing!

Cheers JOHN #77 MR2 Championship (Mk2 Rev3 N/A)

[brgbrm]

Thanks very much for all the replies everyone, particularly that in-depth one Patrick, and apologies for the late response, have been a bit waylaid by non car things recently!