by "JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
Published 03/19/2017 at 23:13
by "JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
Published 03/19/2017 at 23:13
No Tags
STARS: 1
I am watching Top Gear right now on Amazon, and I saw Richard Hammond go into one of those junior F1 cars. Now, I was thinking, is there a name for that? I’ll just call it Formula Junior for now, but is there any way I can actually try Formula Junior (or whatever it’s called). I race go-carts around a track sometimes, and I always shine at it, so is there a way I could get in a Formula Junior car?
I went on a 5-race tournament, I got 2nd in the first race (my cart was broken) and then 1st in the next 4 races. I won a race by more than 4 seconds once. I really think I am good at racing.
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
03/19/2017 at 23:19, STARS: 0
Formula Renault. In terms of getting into a formula car of sorts you’re only realistic shot is starting with Formula Vee or Formula Ford but it would be difficult to get into those without buying your own car and so forth.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
03/19/2017 at 23:23, STARS: 1
*ANTISPEED SIGNAL ACTIVATED
"beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard" (beardsbynelly-Rikerbeard)
03/19/2017 at 23:26, STARS: 0
formula Vee is stupid fun. can vouch from personal experience.
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/19/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 0
Alright, then how do I get into Formula Vee?
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
03/19/2017 at 23:35, STARS: 0
This is true, I’ve only driven one at an autocross but I bet it’s even better on track.
"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura)
03/19/2017 at 23:35, STARS: 0
The almighty $$$$$
"Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
03/19/2017 at 23:39, STARS: 0
There is someone around here that participates in one of thos. I cannot remember which. However the older cars in it sold for about $16k running and new ones for about $45k.
"Svend" (svend)
03/19/2017 at 23:43, STARS: 0
I think it’s called Formula 1000, there is also Formula Ford, etc...
They are 1,000cc engines.
Formula Ford.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_Ford
Formula 1000 is the U.S. equivalent but the U.K. one is often known by the same name.
"tromoly" (tromoly)
03/19/2017 at 23:48, STARS: 1
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/19/2017 at 23:50, STARS: 0
You mind spreading the Almighty with me?
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/19/2017 at 23:51, STARS: 0
$ = 0
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/19/2017 at 23:53, STARS: 0
Want? Want.
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/19/2017 at 23:53, STARS: 0
Do I look made of money? I own a Ford.
"tromoly" (tromoly)
03/19/2017 at 23:56, STARS: 4
Need to have realistic expectations, race seats aren’t gifted in amateur racing, they cost money either through buying a car or renting a seat.
"citizennick" (citizennick)
03/20/2017 at 00:01, STARS: 0
unless your last name is Andretti or you have parents funding it’s going to cost a lot of money even in a lower tier Formula Vee event.
I did Formula Vee a couple years ago, while it’s fun the only way you’ll move up the ladder is pouring more money into a Formula Ford ride. Even though I posted good results at the end of the day I wish I had saved my money on something more worth while.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
03/20/2017 at 00:12, STARS: 1
Antispeed is a guy here on Oppo that has a Formula Ford. Super chill dude. It is very expensive though.
"Clown Shoe Pilot" (csp)
03/20/2017 at 00:20, STARS: 0
Are you in the USA? Formula 4 is where you should be looking.
https://www.scca.com/articles/1997890-fia-formula-4-comes-to-america
Keep your eyes peeled and watch for a racing school to start offering seat time in F4 cars soon.
Alternatively, you could just buy a car. A new-in-box (literally comes in a box) F4 car is about 55K, but you’ll want some spares.
"Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
03/20/2017 at 00:57, STARS: 0
That’s exactly why I don’t have one too. Except I drive a Jeep Cherokee.
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/20/2017 at 06:37, STARS: 0
I feel bad for you...
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/20/2017 at 06:40, STARS: 0
I really want to do Formula 4, but can I afford it?
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/20/2017 at 06:40, STARS: 0
Yeah. And with my current crapcan I don’t think I can afford one.
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/20/2017 at 06:41, STARS: 0
Couldn’t I just rent one? Like when you go to a carting track, you don’t buy the cart , they give it to you for less money.
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/20/2017 at 06:42, STARS: 0
How much is it to rent a seat? I know I can rent a real race car and go race in LA or Las Vegas, must be the same for Formula Vee
"Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
03/20/2017 at 08:43, STARS: 0
I love mine, it’s not a newer one it’s an XJ. Parts are cheap and the work is easy enough.
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/20/2017 at 09:20, STARS: 0
Oh. I thought you might have that shitty Patriot. I didn’t to believe someone on Oppo has a Patriot, and luckily, I think that’s correct.
"tromoly" (tromoly)
03/20/2017 at 12:36, STARS: 0
I know I can rent a real race car and go race in LA or Las Vegas
What class of car would that be?
"AntiSpeed" (AntiSpeed)
03/20/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 1
I can help you! Junior formula car racing is something I know quite a bit about, I could literally talk for days about the subject. It has many names. The car Hammond drove is a Formula Renault 2.0, not to be confused with its bigger brother, the Formula Renault 3.5, which is now known simply as Formula V8, since Renault withdrew its sponsorship. The numbers 2.0 and 3.5 refer to the engine displacement in liters. This is a common trend among junior formula categories.
But there’s also Formula 2000 (not to be confused with USF2000, which now uses different cars), Formula 1600 (also known as Formula Ford, or Formula F in the U.S. since they know also use Honda engines.) Formula 4 (which is a global category, but the FIA assigns regional monopolies for chassis/engine combinations based on country. For example F4 Italy uses an Abarth engine and Tatuus chassis, wheras in the US they use a Honda engine and a Crawford chassis. They are not cross-compatible.) Then there are two exclusive F3 categories in Europe that run to different rules.
In the US, there is also Formula Atlantic, which used to be a premier Pro category but now is exclusively run by the SCCA (oh, except for the semi-pro championship that is now being sanctioned by USAC), Pro Mazda, which is IndyCar’s AA championship below Indy Lights. I raced at this level in 2006 and 2007 before running out of money.
Then there are the club-level series. There’s Formula Vee which uses old VW Beetle components, F1000 which uses an 1L motorcycle engine, Formula Enterprise which who the hell knows why that exists, and a myriad of exclusive single-make arrive and drive categories run by racing schools. Skip Barber, Bertil Roos and the new Lucas Oil School of Racing all have amateur championships that use their own spec car. Generally they have similar performance to Formula 1600.
If you want to get into racing, the best way to do it is by going to one of the racing schools, then either doing their in-house championship (which is expensive) or contacting your local SCCA chapter and asking them to refer you to an arrive-and-drive service that you can rent a car from (which is slightly less expensive, but not much). It’s an expensive hobby, there’s no way around it.
Shameless self promotion: This year I’m attempting to resurrect my career, starting in Formula 1600. I’ll be racing in Quebec this season and have created a YouTube channel where I’ve documented an engine conversion on my car and a few off-season races that I’ve done at SCCA regionals, which is the least-expensive way to enter racing. If you watch a few of my videos hopefully you’ll get a feel of what’s involved. I’ve put video-game “Let’s Play” style commentary over the on-board race videos to hopefully give some insight into what’s going on.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCv-BXyX7G3EgFtPIKTt41A
Another good resource as http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/ , a forum dedicated to amateur open-wheel racing. They have classified forums for all levels of junior formula car racing from vintage Formula Vee up to formula Atlantic. Have a look at those to get a feel for how much it costs, and feel free to sign up and ask questions. A lot of prep shop owners that you could rent a car from browse that forum.
"Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
03/20/2017 at 13:42, STARS: 0
Someone does and they are quite fond of it. It’s not the worst car to love I guess.
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/20/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 0
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/20/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 0
Thank you! Now, could I get exact prices? I am saving up for a better car. BTW I subscribed. Nice channel!
"tromoly" (tromoly)
03/20/2017 at 14:14, STARS: 0
Took me a minute to find an actual race car on that page.
You’d have to contact places offering an FV seat, it varies rom place to place and what event you’re running.
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/20/2017 at 14:22, STARS: 0
Well, there might not be that may race cars, but still, it’s gotta be fun to drive a 911.
"AntiSpeed" (AntiSpeed)
03/20/2017 at 15:04, STARS: 1
Sure, I’m assuming you’re in the US, since things are substantially different in the UK/Europe.
Prices vary, and keep in mind spare parts that come with the sale are also a big deal, but looking at some of the examples for sale on Apexspeed:
Formula Vee: Many examples of under $10k, the most expensive I saw was $11k but most were between 5-7k. This is by far the cheapest you’ll be able to go. Personally I think the cars are a bit too slow to have any fun, but they will damn sure teach you how to drive and if you’re desperate to get on track it’s the way to do it. These cars not only use a VW Beetle engine, the also use both front and rear suspension. They’re the only post-war race car you’ll ever find with swing-arm rear suspension.
Formula Ford: Most expensive cars are up to $45k, but older examples that are still excellent for new drivers can go as low as $15k. There are 2 engine options, the old Kent engine that uses a carburetor and the new more modern Hondas. Here’s a pretty good looking example that has been reduced to $12k: http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76796 . That’s actually a pretty awesome deal. If you can stretch for it, I’d recommend one of these over the Vee for sure, even an older car. But keep in mind running costs will be slightly more expensive as well. The Kent is less expensive up-front, but the Honda lasts much longer between re-builds.
F2000: These cars use the same spaceframe chassis and transmission as Formula Ford, but have wings and a bigger 2 liter engine. Newer cars are going for relatively cheap right now since the IndyCar feeder series USF2000 just switched to a new car, and the now obsolete cars are flooding the market. Pro Mazda cars will probably be much cheaper later this year for the same reason. There are again 2 engines, the older Pinto 2L and the newer Ford Zetec. They go from about $30k to around $20k.
Formula Mazda: Rotary engine and spacefram chassis. Look pretty cool, sound AWESOME. They seem to be going for around $20k.
Pro Mazda: Rx8 rotary engine, and a carbon fiber moncoque! Sound awesome, look awesome, and you feel like a Formula 1 driver with a reclined driving position and surrounded by carbon fiber. Around $45k, prices will probably drop later this year when all the pro teams put their cars up for sale.
To give you an idea of running costs, a set of Formula Ford tires is about $800 and lasts about 3 weekends. Entry fees for an SCCA regional is $250-$350, and optional Friday practice is an extra $100-$300, depending on the track. All these cars use 93 octane pump gas and my Formula Ford gets about 12mpg, and last week at VIR, used about 3 gallons in a 30 minute session. All of these cars are very light (<1200lbs) and can be towed pretty easily on an open trailer.
Us racers have a slightly different mentality than most car enthusiasts. For us it’s 100% about the driving, and the car is merely a tool. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Formula Ford or an LMP1 car, the goal is to drive the perfect lap, the perfect race. There are no traffic laws, cops, pedestrians, or stop lights. It’s just you, the track, and your own limits. That’s why if given the choice of a new Corvette or a Formula Ford, I’d take the Formula Ford every time.
"AntiSpeed" (AntiSpeed)
03/20/2017 at 15:08, STARS: 0
You can, but prep shops are very small businesses and can be really hard to find. Contact your local SCCA chapter, tell them you’re looking into getting started and would like to get in touch with an arrive-and-drive service. But be prepared to spend a couple thousand dollars for a weekend, even in Formula Vee.
"AntiSpeed" (AntiSpeed)
03/20/2017 at 15:09, STARS: 1
I’m on the case!
"JohnH3ASP" (jh3-21)
03/20/2017 at 18:35, STARS: 0
I want to do Formula Vee so bad. Well, guess who’s not going to college!
Paris Hilton. I’m still going to college.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
03/20/2017 at 20:21, STARS: 0
I’m doing some twitch streaming tonight if you want to jump on. If not is okay haha
"AntiSpeed" (AntiSpeed)
03/20/2017 at 20:45, STARS: 0
Nice! I might jump on a little later!
"Little Black Coupe Turned Silver" (littleblackcoupe)
03/20/2017 at 20:48, STARS: 1
See if your college of choice has a Formula SAE team you can get involved with.