24 replies to this topic

[barber90]

I'm interested in finding a racing league or something of the sort to join, so I can compete in races. Has anyone got any previous experience on this: in relation to costs, ideas, basically anything that might help me out, warn me or put me off, because I don't just want to throw all my money away on a pointless exercise.

anything from anyone would be appreciated

cheers
Andy

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

It depends what you want to do really.

For racing Mini's as a Mini enthusiast then Mighty Mini's/Super Mighty Mini's is your best bet, Including the car you can do your first season for around £12000, £15000 to run competitively. Add £1200 to each for Super Mighty Mini's.

If you want to get into motorsport and plan on moving on some day then Mini se7en's/Miglia's is best because its known as the 'start' of the Touring car ladder, if you would. For a competitive season in Mini se7ens, first season inc car your looking at around £20,000 not including licenses. Mini Miglia's, double that sum. My uncle started his team in 7's in 1990 and did very well, he was on a cheaper budget than everybody else, too. He moved on to Caterhams and has been there since 96... Although he still has his 96 Mini 7 that placed 4th 2 years running and the spare car, once i get settled down with a decent job the plan is to bring it up to current regulations for me to start racing it on a cheaper budget as per the old days.

Sponsorship is the way to go.

It sounds expensive, but look at the cars and tell me there not worth it...

Mighty Mini:



Super Mighty Mini:



Mini Se7en:



Mini Miglia:

[Rosslin Racing]

hillclimbs and sprints are cheaper maybe?

[barber90]

It depends what you want to do really.

For racing Mini's as a Mini enthusiast then Mighty Mini's/Super Mighty Mini's is your best bet, Including the car you can do your first season for around £12000, £15000 to run competitively. Add £1200 to each for Super Mighty Mini's.

If you want to get into motorsport and plan on moving on some day then Mini se7en's/Miglia's is best because its known as the 'start' of the Touring car ladder, if you would. For a competitive season in Mini se7ens, first season inc car your looking at around £20,000 not including licenses. Mini Miglia's, double that sum. My uncle started his team in 7's in 1990 and did very well, he was on a cheaper budget than everybody else, too. He moved on to Caterhams and has been there since 96... Although he still has his 96 Mini 7 that placed 4th 2 years running and the spare car, once i get settled down with a decent job the plan is to bring it up to current regulations for me to start racing it on a cheaper budget as per the old days.

Sponsorship is the way to go.

It sounds expensive, but look at the cars and tell me there not worth it...

Mighty Mini:



Super Mighty Mini:



Mini Se7en:



Mini Miglia:

cheers for the info, expensive but your right, they definitely look worth it, will defo look into it more now ive got somewhere to start

cheers andy

[barber90]

hillclimbs and sprints are cheaper maybe?

anywhere in particular to start looking?

[Body stylist]

put a bigger engine in and sprint it -

http://www.absmotors...index.php/news/

http://www.16vminicl...ead.php?t=20545

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

No worries!

And as per above, Sprinting/rallying is a lot cheaper than track racing. Get onto Mini93 for that though, i know nothing of it!

[steverose]

Andy, I started in Mini racing in 2009 and it doesnt cost as much as you might think as long as you give the work a go yourself and do most of your own general work which to be honest is not to difficult. There are a few mighty minis for sale at the moment, have a look on http://www.mightymin...loadframes.html for more details on the championship. If your going for Super mightys then the one above is for sale at the moment.
But depending were you are in the UK have a think about going to Castle Combe on bank holiday Monday as the mighty minis and super mightys are both racing, if you get to pop down then make sure you come over and say hello.
If you want any more details drop me a pm, and below are a few links which give a load of info and a link to a few pictures from the first race of the year.
http://www.classic-mini.co.uk/
http://s205.photobuc...i... Park 2010/

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Andy, I started in Mini racing in 2009 and it doesnt cost as much as you might think as long as you give the work a go yourself and do most of your own general work which to be honest is not to difficult. There are a few mighty minis for sale at the moment, have a look on http://www.mightymin...loadframes.html for more details on the championship. If your going for Super mightys then the one above is for sale at the moment.
But depending were you are in the UK have a think about going to Castle Combe on bank holiday Monday as the mighty minis and super mightys are both racing, if you get to pop down then make sure you come over and say hello.
If you want any more details drop me a pm, and below are a few links which give a load of info and a link to a few pictures from the first race of the year.
http://www.classic-mini.co.uk/
http://s205.photobuc...i... Park 2010/

Did it cost you more than the website says though? We've been working it out at a lot more than their estimates going on the condition of a £1000 Mini Cooper at the moment. We were looking at Mini's that would fit the bill with no rust and it was looking to cost a lot more than Mighty Mini's website make's out

Edited by Mini-Mad-Craig, 27 May 2010 - 09:40 PM.

[Turbo Nick]

i'm sure Matt said it cost him about 10k for his first season in mighty's.. his car's up for sale on pistonheads now for under 3k i think.


sure there's a link on the old site somewhere with a cost breakdown..

http://www.rhubarb-r...ent/view/47/52/

Edited by bud666, 27 May 2010 - 09:48 PM.

[mini93]

No worries!

And as per above, Sprinting/rallying is a lot cheaper than track racing. Get onto Mini93 for that though, i know nothing of it!

i wouldnt bother rallying a mini unless your either rich, full on obsessed with minis and adiment about doing it or rallying in hostorics.
theres your vote of confidence there just not competitive when you see what other potential cars your up against (unless its a single make championship in which case i can see that being very good)...of course its not always about being competitive and quite alot of people still like seeing minis about, my friend got spirit of the rally a couple of times too, tis all fun and hey, at least ur not in a Ford KA seen a couple of terreble KA's before

[samsfern]

im planning on sprinting my mini next year, you will need a full fia approved roll cage, fia approved seats, fia approved minimum 4 point harnesses, plumbed in fire extinguisher, external and internal (must be able to operate from driver seat) battery cutoffs, lots of other bits as well....

[CJ-RACER]

www.mini7.co.uk/

[steverose]

Did it cost you more than the website says though? We've been working it out at a lot more than their estimates going on the condition of a £1000 Mini Cooper at the moment. We were looking at Mini's that would fit the bill with no rust and it was looking to cost a lot more than Mighty Mini's website make's out

To be honest I got my car as a race ready one, as I didnt want to go through building it up as I had never messed with minis before. As has been said there was one on Piston heads for £2750 but this has now sold. If you can get one for that sort of price then you shouldnt be to far off the prices on the website if you shop around, although helmets and overalls are more expensive now so this may add more onto your budget. But all in all it probably is the cheapest mini circuit racing around (but I am bias )

[Lot]

im planning on sprinting my mini next year, you will need a full fia approved roll cage, fia approved seats, fia approved minimum 4 point harnesses, plumbed in fire extinguisher, external and internal (must be able to operate from driver seat) battery cutoffs, lots of other bits as well....

I used to sprint and hill climb 10 years ago in the road modified production class and none of that stuff was necessary at the time. Nice to have of course from a safety point of view but it was just a helmet and fire proof race suit that was the minimum needed. May be a lot has changed since then but it would be interesting to know for sure.

Depending where you live, the Midland Speed Championship might be interesting?

http://www.midlandspeed.org.uk/