How much does it cost?

No motorsport is cheap but, compared with circuit racing, if you discount the initial cost of your competition vehicle (relatively cheap if it’s your road car, not so cheap if it’s a state-of-the-art single seater), a season of hillclimbing and sprinting can be considerably less expensive.

As with circuit racing, the use of an approved crash helmet and overalls is mandatory (see Section Q of the MSA Yearbook). Prices vary considerably, but you need to get the best you can afford. Racewear suppliers can be useful sources of advice about race equipment and make sure you check about longevity, as things like helmets and overalls have a well-defined legal life. You’ll find supplier ads in most of the motorsport press, but there’s nowhere better to start than the advertisers on MotorsportAds.co.uk!
 



Here's some useful suppliers:

MSAR safety - specialists in competitor protective equipment
racewear.co.uk - high-quality racewear for all motor sport disciplines
SpeedSport Promotions - official stockists of MOMO products
Headcase - the ultimate crash helmet carry case


With less running time, wear and tear on the car  is less (except perhaps in the transmission department, with a minimum of four racing starts per day!), and there’s no possibility of being involved in someone else’s accident. Engine rebuilds, less frequently required than in racing, vary between £2000 and £10,000 depending on the level of sophistication of the unit.  If you’re running soft compound hillclimb tyres on your racer they have a limited life at maximum efficiency. Expect to pay around £700 for a new set, although naturally there’s a ready market in used items! Entry fees are cheaper than circuit racing (if you discount the ‘£'s per mile’ argument in the introduction), at around £50 -£70 for a club event and £90-£100 plus for British Championship rounds but, as we’ve already mentioned, travel and accommodation costs can mount up if you’re contemplating contesting a nationwide championship. As far as defraying the costs goes, as with the minor levels of circuit racing, individual sponsorship in speed events is normally fairly low-key – but it’s always worth a try!

· What car do I use?
· How do I start?
· What events should I enter?
· How much does it cost?