Board logo

Kit Car racing vs Locost racing
Berticus - 5/3/04 at 12:00 PM

Hi,

Is anyone here building a Kit-Car racer (e.g. based on an Indy or Luego) as opposed to a Locost racer?

The reason I ask is that it seems infinitley easier to find a Sierra doner than an Escort.

Thanks,
Rob


Kitlooney1000 - 5/3/04 at 12:07 PM

you can still build a locost out of a sierra, it will just have independent rear suspension instead of a live axle, and bits are easier to resource


ned - 5/3/04 at 12:14 PM

kitlooney, a sierra donor locost wouldn't fit the regs for hte lcost 1300xflow 750mc series. i think this is what the post is getting at!

Also bear in mind the kitcar series envelopes full bodied cars such as stylus, phoenix, fury etc which are better aerodynamically and bigger budget cars such as caterham, westfield, maybe even ultima (if there's a class for big engines) and rear engined ie mk gt1 and westfield xtr's etc.

Ned.


Berticus - 5/3/04 at 12:20 PM

I see these as two options:

1) Build an escort based Locost as per the 750MC locost championship regs.

2) Build a Sierra based Indy or Luego to race in the Kit Car championships.

I just wanted to know if anyone else had taken option 2?

Thanks,
Rob


ned - 5/3/04 at 12:23 PM

try looking up the 750mc site, i seem to remember looking at entry lists for some races before to see what cars were entered. bear in mind not all 'kit car' racers use this forum...

Ned.


SparkyPups - 5/3/04 at 12:38 PM

the kit car championships are dominated by furys - speak to the guys at www.kitcarworkshop.co.uk they will be able to guide you


Berticus - 5/3/04 at 01:56 PM

Nice website, but its mainly concerned with the bike engined cars. I read somewhere that there is a special class for 1800 zetec engined cars, which would suit an Indy for example (I believe MK are planning a version of their chassis to take the zetec?)


wicket - 5/3/04 at 03:56 PM

This link tells you all about the Locost series

http://www.motorsnippets.com/750mc/racing/regulations/Locost_Championship_2004.pdf


Jon Ison - 5/3/04 at 06:36 PM

or 1800 zetec in 750mc kit car class

http://www.motorsnippets.com/750mc/racing/formulae/kitcars.asp


D Beddows - 6/3/04 at 10:35 PM

The main difference is talent+about 8/9k makes you very competitive in the Locost Championship whereas talent+about 16k makes you comptitive in the Kit car championship.

Dave


DickieB - 7/3/04 at 04:02 PM

Dave
Agreed - I must find more talent and more money!
I also feel that you can be better at KitCars by throwing money at it than you can at Locosts. There are only so many things you can throw money at on a Locost by comparison to a KitCar.
Dickie


Jon Ison - 7/3/04 at 04:52 PM

Anyhow, who will be at Mallory, will be there with my son, stock hatch blue pug 205 #71, come say hello........


Berticus - 8/3/04 at 01:16 PM

I don't know about talent, but I certainly couldn't stretch my budget to 16k

Its looking more likely that the Locost championship is for me (when I've build a car of course)

Thanks for all the help and advice


DickieB - 8/3/04 at 01:37 PM

16K ? I can't even stretch mine to 8/9K. Maybe that's why I'm not winning!


Jon Ison - 8/3/04 at 06:52 PM

there is an "alledged" front runner 4 sale in our local add-mag, £2995, will dig number out 4 u, don't know who is selling it, dont know the car, but it may be of interest to you.....


Berticus - 9/3/04 at 09:33 AM

I'd rather build my own car for a few reasons:

- The satisfaction of saying I did it
- Gives me something to do at the weekends
- I'll know how to fix it after I crash

I'm hoping I can build a car for around £4-5k. As for being a front runner, I doubt whether that would happen for me even with the best car on the track. I'll be happy to just not come last.


DickieB - 12/3/04 at 04:42 PM

quote:

I'll be happy to just not come last.


So you'll be happy until you beat at least 1 car. And then you'll want to gain another place, and another. And before you know it, the car is being rebuilt, a new engine added, you're doing test days, and you're having a great time in the top 5 places. Your bank manager will be less amused.


Berticus - 12/3/04 at 05:11 PM

...and my wife. She still thinks these things cost £250

I'm planning to come to Donnington next weekend to watch the racing and she's agreed to come along.

I thought about asking her to be a marshal once I start racing. What do you think?


pumpers - 12/3/04 at 06:37 PM

Berticus, I've gone down the same route as you! I now dread to think how much it's cost me, I stopped counting after 3k!

cars nearly finished now and im just hoping both the car and i will be quick enough to race with someone, probably whoevers second to last cos ill be last!!!!

ive got great satisfaction out of building it myself ( with alot of help from my mate!!!) i hope you do too. Just remember you#'ll get there in the end!!! and finally, do some research b4 buying anything - ive made the mistake of not doing so and it's cost me more in the long run, and will continue to do so !!! anyway, have fun adn ill see you at some locost race day! pumpers. ( aiming for oultoin on 4th sept as my first race !)


Robster - 15/3/04 at 10:15 AM

quote:

I now dread to think how much it's cost me, I stopped counting after 3k!



I don't like the sound of that too much - I am trying to get myself sorted to start building so that I can race in next years championship, but it sounds like it could turn out rather more expensive than I hoped. £8/9k!!! I can't afford that.

I was aiming for more like £5k to build the car, and then probably another £1k to get myself racing gear, trailer, racing licence etc.

Like you Berticus, I have no illusions of winning, just want to have fun & not be last. Looks like there could be a few of us aiming to finish second to last then.

Pupmers, what research do you recommend - I have read most of Ron Champions book & spend more time than I care to remember following the posts on this site etc. I am presently trying to work out where I am going to get the donor parts from (lack of Escort donor's around here) & then how to make the necessary mod's.

I can see that this may take a lot longer than anticipated!


pumpers - 15/3/04 at 07:13 PM

5k should be enough to build a car. Im probably up to about 3.5k and mines almost done. I did however make my own chassis, wishbones and numerous other bits and pieces.
regarding research, make sure you look into the key component parts that are going to make it go faster/handle better. ie ignition system, exhaust system and shockers. don't just go for the cheapest option as it probably won't be the best. I have made this mistake and will probably end up replacing some bits when i find out my cars too slow. im not that bothered cos i've never raced b4 so don't expect to be anywhere near the front anyway. If i really get into it ( which im pretty sure i will cos i have a need for speed!!!) then i'll replace the bits ive got wrong for next season after ive got some experience. pumpers.


pumpers - 15/3/04 at 07:14 PM

oh and do lots of searching to source other bits cheap like wheels, carbs etc. pumpers.


Robster - 17/3/04 at 12:13 PM

quote:

regarding research, make sure you look into the key component parts that are going to make it go faster/handle better. ie ignition system, exhaust system and shockers.



I thought that the regs say that the ingition system must be standard? Am I misreading the reg's?

Rob.


pumpers - 18/3/04 at 08:16 PM

im under the impression that electronic ignition can be used although im not 100% im pretty sure most of the cars run the lumention system from aldon or burton. not got mine yet so not researched properly!!! pumpers.