Who has built a kit car?
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: oustide the asylum?
If you are on a budget, you could try Robin Hood Engineering - they do a couple of kits that may be suitable. I am told that they aren't the easiest kits to build, but they only require 1 donor vehical. (Sierra I think)
They have a website, but I can't remember the URL. Sorry.
They have a website, but I can't remember the URL. Sorry.
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MJ and others
thanks for the suggestions and nice picture of a shed LOL. If I could do overtime I would but I work for a bank and the banking industry is in complete disarray and has been for some time. I have been there a year and thankfully survived the cut backs but have watched 50% of the IT team be made redundant due to about 50% of the bankers being made redundant!
I know I could do a lot better, I looked at Westfields and the cheapest one I found in autotrader was 5k and for that money I bet it was one knackered Westie! Cheapest Caterham was 8.5k.
I know the locost is gonna be a real budget car but building it and learning about the mechanics side is probably more important to me than the actual car in terms of it being a locost or a Westfield. I don't want to spend a lot of money cos I don't have a lot of money to spend on it and so want to keep to the cheapest option and this looks about as cheap as I can go.
I have also looked at the robinhood engineering site as they do locost stuff as well as a fully supplied kit and donor car ready to go based on a sierra. However I have decided to start at the very bottom and see how I go. If I manage to complete it and get the bug then I will move onto better cars but really want to see how it goes first.
My boss has been trying to get me to do club bike racing with him as he thinks I am competent enough to do it but I would much prefer racing 4 wheels and I think the option I have chosen is the cheapest way of starting out.
I will look at the other sites you have suggested as I appreciate any advice. However starting from scratch and completing the build would be a major achievement for me in a big way and would be very satisfying. Cheers for the help.
thanks for the suggestions and nice picture of a shed LOL. If I could do overtime I would but I work for a bank and the banking industry is in complete disarray and has been for some time. I have been there a year and thankfully survived the cut backs but have watched 50% of the IT team be made redundant due to about 50% of the bankers being made redundant!
I know I could do a lot better, I looked at Westfields and the cheapest one I found in autotrader was 5k and for that money I bet it was one knackered Westie! Cheapest Caterham was 8.5k.
I know the locost is gonna be a real budget car but building it and learning about the mechanics side is probably more important to me than the actual car in terms of it being a locost or a Westfield. I don't want to spend a lot of money cos I don't have a lot of money to spend on it and so want to keep to the cheapest option and this looks about as cheap as I can go.
I have also looked at the robinhood engineering site as they do locost stuff as well as a fully supplied kit and donor car ready to go based on a sierra. However I have decided to start at the very bottom and see how I go. If I manage to complete it and get the bug then I will move onto better cars but really want to see how it goes first.
My boss has been trying to get me to do club bike racing with him as he thinks I am competent enough to do it but I would much prefer racing 4 wheels and I think the option I have chosen is the cheapest way of starting out.
I will look at the other sites you have suggested as I appreciate any advice. However starting from scratch and completing the build would be a major achievement for me in a big way and would be very satisfying. Cheers for the help.
the noise is bloody fantastic too
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jun 2002
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I've got a race locost, and have been competing in the championship for the passed two years.
I think your budget is a bit unrealisitc, unless you have a large amount of free stuff...
A race prep'd locost, and the kit you need to go racing will cost you about 4k, racing for a season will cost about the same again.
If you only have 2k, then enlist the help of a mate. Two people sharing a car is not uncommon. If you want more info, mail me, and check out www.desandalracing.com
Locost racing is great fun, competitve, and about as cheep as proper racing gets (not very).......
good links:
www.egroups.com has a locost racing forum.
www.locost-racing.co.uk
http://www.stuart-taylor.co.uk/ (a good place for bits)
http://www.motorsnippets.com/750mc/
Des
I think your budget is a bit unrealisitc, unless you have a large amount of free stuff...
A race prep'd locost, and the kit you need to go racing will cost you about 4k, racing for a season will cost about the same again.
If you only have 2k, then enlist the help of a mate. Two people sharing a car is not uncommon. If you want more info, mail me, and check out www.desandalracing.com
Locost racing is great fun, competitve, and about as cheep as proper racing gets (not very).......
good links:
www.egroups.com has a locost racing forum.
www.locost-racing.co.uk
http://www.stuart-taylor.co.uk/ (a good place for bits)
http://www.motorsnippets.com/750mc/
Des
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I might well be mailing u for some advice etc especially about racing etc! My estimation of 2k was really just to get the basic car built, not including getting it to racing spec with tuning etc.
The 4k a season, is that for keeping the car running etc with bits etc or the cost of entering the series and running in all the races?
The 4k a season, is that for keeping the car running etc with bits etc or the cost of entering the series and running in all the races?
Scooby Regular
Joined: Jun 2002
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I'm talking all up costs, everything included.
To go from an empty garage, to startline of race one, will cost you 4000quid, if your carefull with your money.
For our 4k we included ards course, our lisences, memberships, etc.
The 4k for the rest of the season includes all entry fees, towing the car to the races, a couple of racing incidencts, the odd upgrade / replacement part, everything.
If you want you can spend a whole lot more.... but thats not the spirit of locosts! We do it on what i would describe as the minimum budget possible, but still being competitive..
If you want to do loads of testing, have 3 engines, do practice days before each race, then clearly its gonna be more expensive. Luckliy, spending money does not equal results! The driver is far and away the most important factor!
Also you'll be interested to hear that a race locost has a similar power to weight ratio to a UK impreza turbo. It looses out seriously to the scooby at top speed, but on a tight race course, you can easily beet a scooby!
Round Donnington (a power circuit), our locost is only a couple of seconds behind an extreamly well driven MY00 scooby! (until it rains.....)
Not bad for 80ish horsepower!
Des
To go from an empty garage, to startline of race one, will cost you 4000quid, if your carefull with your money.
For our 4k we included ards course, our lisences, memberships, etc.
The 4k for the rest of the season includes all entry fees, towing the car to the races, a couple of racing incidencts, the odd upgrade / replacement part, everything.
If you want you can spend a whole lot more.... but thats not the spirit of locosts! We do it on what i would describe as the minimum budget possible, but still being competitive..
If you want to do loads of testing, have 3 engines, do practice days before each race, then clearly its gonna be more expensive. Luckliy, spending money does not equal results! The driver is far and away the most important factor!
Also you'll be interested to hear that a race locost has a similar power to weight ratio to a UK impreza turbo. It looses out seriously to the scooby at top speed, but on a tight race course, you can easily beet a scooby!
Round Donnington (a power circuit), our locost is only a couple of seconds behind an extreamly well driven MY00 scooby! (until it rains.....)
Not bad for 80ish horsepower!
Des
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Or www.fishersportscars.co.uk. IMHO with a bike engine (low power, low torque) you're better off with something that's a bit more aerodynamic than a '7'.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Yup, there are usually 5 or 6 for sale at the end of the race season. (September/October) they go for 4000 to 4500 quid usually for a race proven and successfull car.
They are advertised in the back of the 750motor club magazine, but your best bet would be come along to a race meeting, and see who is quitting at the end of the season.
Note, the regulations change a tiny bit from season to season, so a couple of minor modifications are required to change a 2002 car to a 2003 car.
Des
They are advertised in the back of the 750motor club magazine, but your best bet would be come along to a race meeting, and see who is quitting at the end of the season.
Note, the regulations change a tiny bit from season to season, so a couple of minor modifications are required to change a 2002 car to a 2003 car.
Des
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Go to my website, click on 'locost racing' at the top, then click on events calender on the left hand side!
Since you're in Kent, Snetterton would perhaps be closest to you. You've just missed Lydden hill which would have been extra local!
Des
Since you're in Kent, Snetterton would perhaps be closest to you. You've just missed Lydden hill which would have been extra local!
Des
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Des
I might well have to go to the Snetterton and Cadwell meets. The videos on your website are excellent, problem is the more I see of Locost's the more I want one and the more impatient I get!
What racing school did u go to to get your qualification for a race licence?
Cheers
Bob
I might well have to go to the Snetterton and Cadwell meets. The videos on your website are excellent, problem is the more I see of Locost's the more I want one and the more impatient I get!
What racing school did u go to to get your qualification for a race licence?
Cheers
Bob
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I did my ARDS course at Brands, but all the major circuits do them.
Note that an ARDS course is just a test, so if you have never done any track driving, it might be worth doing a mornings tuition first.
The test is easy, but track driving is quite different from road driving at first, but perhaps you already know this.....
You need to contact the MSA, and get the "Go Racing" pack.
www.msauk.org
Phone 01753 765 000
then you need to go to the 750mc web site:
www.750mc.co.uk
and read all about the racing.
I'm off home now, but feel free to give me an email. My email is at the bottom of my web site.
Des
Note that an ARDS course is just a test, so if you have never done any track driving, it might be worth doing a mornings tuition first.
The test is easy, but track driving is quite different from road driving at first, but perhaps you already know this.....
You need to contact the MSA, and get the "Go Racing" pack.
www.msauk.org
Phone 01753 765 000
then you need to go to the 750mc web site:
www.750mc.co.uk
and read all about the racing.
I'm off home now, but feel free to give me an email. My email is at the bottom of my web site.
Des
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Ok an updte on my situation now, I have just been in a Caterham Super 7 this weekend and could barely fit in the car 
. I couldn't be taken out in it as my head was firmly against the roll cage and one bump would have probably knocked me unconcious! I was strongly advised to look at alternative race series such as hatchback/saloon car racing. I know if I was to build the locost the measurements could be adjusted to accomodate my size but would be a lot more effort than it was already going to require. I also like the sound of racing hatches or saloon cars.
Does anyone here race in such a series or know anyone who does or have any info on any of the series such as websites etc?
Thanks for any help anyone can give me!
Oh and the locost is still a major goal for me but it might be further away than I originally thought, it wasn't just the height of the roll gage but the whole cockpit, my knees were where the steering wheel should be!
[Edited by ************** - 7/22/2002 2:06:14 PM]
. I couldn't be taken out in it as my head was firmly against the roll cage and one bump would have probably knocked me unconcious! I was strongly advised to look at alternative race series such as hatchback/saloon car racing. I know if I was to build the locost the measurements could be adjusted to accomodate my size but would be a lot more effort than it was already going to require. I also like the sound of racing hatches or saloon cars.Does anyone here race in such a series or know anyone who does or have any info on any of the series such as websites etc?
Thanks for any help anyone can give me!
Oh and the locost is still a major goal for me but it might be further away than I originally thought, it wasn't just the height of the roll gage but the whole cockpit, my knees were where the steering wheel should be!
[Edited by ************** - 7/22/2002 2:06:14 PM]
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: same time, different place
Did you see my Cater/field safety thread in Other Marques? Mark W said he got one making sure the seats were low enough so as not to bang head on rollcage when wearing a helmet. Also I assume, if you're tall, you looked at the long/wide bodied version?
Good luck
Brendan
Good luck
Brendan
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Closest to being 'cheap' is 750mc stock hatch - but it's all relative as no motorsport is cheap. Getting my Pug 205 finished for stock hatch next year and have spent about £3500 so far - yet to do suspension.....however you can buy plenty of ready built stock hatch cars for around £2k - look in the back of Car and Car Conversions mag as they are normally some for sale in there.
Also go onto to www.750mc.co.uk and look at all the race series - they're not the best at updating the site tho....
...and do some track days before you do your ARDS - I just had mine on Friday and they expect a lot!
Also go onto to www.750mc.co.uk and look at all the race series - they're not the best at updating the site tho....
...and do some track days before you do your ARDS - I just had mine on Friday and they expect a lot!
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Chaps thanks for the advice, I have decided on the stock hatch series as that looks the cheapest and most competitive because its not all about how much money you have for mods. I am now deciding whether to buy an old one out of autotrader and spec'ing it myself or buying a ready to race one.
I want either a pug 205 or xr2. The pug xsi's look as thought they are cleaning up but don't know if they will be more difficult to work on etc and more difficult to get parts for etc etc. Am currently waiting for my mechanic to get back to me to let me know if he still wants to help me out on this. fhe does I'm sorted, if he doesn't i'll be looking a lot longer as I know nothing about mechanics!
I want either a pug 205 or xr2. The pug xsi's look as thought they are cleaning up but don't know if they will be more difficult to work on etc and more difficult to get parts for etc etc. Am currently waiting for my mechanic to get back to me to let me know if he still wants to help me out on this. fhe does I'm sorted, if he doesn't i'll be looking a lot longer as I know nothing about mechanics!
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....sorry to disabuse you but mods on stock hatch aren't cheap if you want a reasonably competitive car! The decent runners have blueprinted engines, chips, full leda suspension etc etc! You can spend a lot of money doing stock hatch after you shelled out for all the basic safety mods!
There's a guy called Steve Gordon who has a good stock hatch website (gordon-racing.co.uk) I think and also a guy called Steve Ferns did a brilliant article in Top Gear mag (May 2000?)...I'll check. Best bet is to go to a 750mc race meet and there's one at Silverstone on Sunday as it happens!
There's a guy called Steve Gordon who has a good stock hatch website (gordon-racing.co.uk) I think and also a guy called Steve Ferns did a brilliant article in Top Gear mag (May 2000?)...I'll check. Best bet is to go to a 750mc race meet and there's one at Silverstone on Sunday as it happens!
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I intend on going to some races before the end of the season for definite, the suspension will cost me but blue printing the engine should hopefully be something my mechanic will help out on massively. I don't even care about coming last to be honest, just to get on the grid and being part of it will put a huge smile on my face! 
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i would mainly say the lotus super 7 style cars are some of the best for bike engines. im looking at building an MK, but you could try sylva look here for others http://www.totalkitcar.com/manufacturers_kit_x_ref_.htm
[Edited by dogmaul - 7/12/2002 2:52:08 PM]
[Edited by dogmaul - 7/12/2002 2:52:08 PM]
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