Hi ,
I'm in the process of acquiring a Locost racer with with I intend to undertake a limited program in next seasons series. I'll do as many meetings as the girlfriend will stand! The car is a Stuart Taylor chassis, which was rebuilt at the beginning of last season (the car seems to have done 4 races only in 2003). I would welcome any recommendations any of you have as to where to spend my money and where to save it. For example what sort of budget should I allocate? I am hoping to get sponsorship from my employer so need to put together a written budget for his analysis. What about overnight stays? I 've got a historic camper van - not sure if its up to towing the car ? As I said any recommendations welcome.

Chris

Where to start?
This year entry fees were about £1750 for all 14 races.
Add in £30-50 in fuel for the towing vehicle, and £20 for the race car per event. More if you wish to test.
Test sessions are about £150 - 200 per half day/day.
You "should" need:
one set of tyres for the season at £200 - 250
one set of brake pads - £30 EBC Green - £100 Pagid/Hawk
Lots of oil (they are XFlows) at £25 per 5 litres (Valvoline Race 20W50) - say 3 of those, maybe 4 if you leak a lot
Some oil filters, some coolant, some brake fluid, some new tools and that could see you through the season - it's pretty much all I spent this year as I didn't hit anyone or anything.

Last year though, I had 4 accidents - probably £200 for each of the first 3, and £1500 - 2000 for the last one! Ooops.

Accommodation - tent is free, van is free, B&B is not too bad - say £30 per person. Motel is not too bad.... Probably more than half the field stay in tents or vans for "free".

Food - add in some for bacon rolls, burgers etc (ice creams in summer)

Beer - a seriously large amount of the season's cost, especially on double header weekends.....

I should think that is is £4000 ish for the whole year with no accident damage - I started a spreadsheet at the beginning of last year and this year, but it didn't make it past May!

Hope this helps - feel free to ask more.
Dickie
Locost 71

welcome aboard m8!!

I completed mine last year and enterd one race at oulton which was my initial goal!! came last!!

words of advice: if your starting building - research each item b4 you buy, especially shocks/engine work/exhaust. dont just go for the cheapest option cos it will cost you more in the long run!!

I have made that mistake and its costing me this closed season!

you will also need to do work on your engine!! in my one and only race i was very frustrated as my car lacked serious amounts of power in relation to everyone else's - i just got wasted on the straights so never even got a chance to show off my schu - ie like drving abilities!!





qu for dickieb, where do you get your engine work done? mines in serious need of a rebore and blueprinting so i can try and catch you next year!!

pumpers.

[Edited on 8/11/04 by pumpers]

Not the ginger minger . Has Billy spent that much of your money? Good luck with your efforts and get a camera fitted while you're at it, I liked watching the videos on Desandal but they've packed up now I hear.

Pumpers
Originally my engine was done at Brian Randall who has done most of the top engines for the past few seasons. However the refresh this winter will be done by a mate, as I can't afford the time to go to Suffolk and back, nor the money.
Dickie

Indeed its not THE Chris Evans PeteFF! Thanks for the budget DickieB, I'd feared as much -seriously though seems pretty reasonable compared to say a season of Karts(which was my last racing experience 18 years ago). The car is the ex Ged Sidnall JPS colour scheme job.Team mate of the 2002 champ. So hopefully nothing will fall of. When it turns up I'll take it for ashake down at a track day -any recommendations in the South East. In the meantime Medical, ARDS and Motorhome? Thanks again guys!

[Edited on 8/11/04 by chrisevans]

tx Dickie, take it it's this Brian randall??


www.randallmotorsport.co.uk

No it's not - although that could be related as they used to do hotrods - I think his daughter was national champ.
I'll dig out the no when I get home from work.

Brian Randall is on 01359-251888

tx dickie, will give him a ring and start saving some pennies!! reckon a ton should do it!!! LOL


PUMPERS

It was dropped off today and I've got to say I'm quite pleased considering I bought it without viewing it. Ged and James both did a professional job on the car it seems, my mates in the garage trade were suitably impressed. We even started it briefly and it ran well enough. Now a question - what is the best fuel for this engine ,I presume it should be leaded 4 star? Also any thoughts on a track day close to London where I can get some miles under my belt? Cant wait to get behind the wheel properly1

[Edited on 16/11/04 by chrisevans]

Most use unleaded with lead additive. Make sure you don't use octane booster as you will break MSA rules! Castrol do stuff that is only lead replacement - Halfords sell it.

Whose car exactly did you buy?
Dickie

Hi Dickie,

The car is the ex-Ged Sidnall car last raced in 2003. Thanks for the advice on the fuel.Can't wait to try the car! Mind if I ask what type of seat most people use?The car currently has what looks like a fibreglass kart seat. Do you know any decent rolling road people who can help me set up the carb properly?

[Edited on 16/11/04 by chrisevans]

Seats come in all sizes and shapes. I've used a home made 2-pack foam seat for the last 2 years, but am swapping for a fibre glass "bucket" type seat this winter - I rather fancied being able to see the bonnet, nosecone and wheels for a change.

As for rolling road, the "expert" seems to be Pete Baldwin over in Cambridge area somewhere.

You have U2U

Dickie

[Edited on 16/11/04 by DickieB]

Hi Chris, easytrack.co.uk are arranging for track days at Brands with open pitlane on 27th Nov & 19th Dec (my birthday) cost is £189 I am trying to get to both for shake down trials for my first season next year