I’m sitting here knowing that in 12 days time I will be taking part in my first “real” Race.I will be entering the MAX5 championship and maybe 2 of the BARC open car events.
I started track days about 2 ½ years ago with a sprint at the Haynes Museum test track…Id got no idea what I was doing but the car looked the part.
I tried my hand at several ciruits and tried to listen to the good advice that many drivers gave me… NickD + Al Clarke amongst them.I did a few Ring trips with them and enjoyed the time out there without ever feeling that I had gone anywhere near my limits.
Half way through 2010 I was starting to think about going racing. But life always seems to have excuse to steal your time and your Funds…
The descision after much disscussion with the Wife was to give it a try
“What was there to lose? ”.
This had come on the Back of us loosing a family member at the age of 54 and a Close neighbour being diagnosed with Motor Neurons at 44,
Life was like a box of Chocolates…but they were all S****** coffee ones.
So at the Young age of 42 and few Currys over a normal BMI I took the plunge.
THE ARDS TEST
Well a MSA GO Racing pack was ordered and read through several times
The monotonous DVD was watched and a medical was booked.
The Doctor Fitted me in at lunch time…If only I could earn £90 for half an hours work…Passed fit.
The ARDS test was booked for Cadwell and Having passed the written part. Out with the Instructor Examiner. He was a Man mountain of a man and My little mx5 never looked so full.
I was on New and untested tyres and I’d had the Geometry reset so how was the car going to be?
“ 3 warm up laps then 2 fast laps at pace which you will be marked on”
It was a damp track so I took it carefully …1 car had spun at park in front of me, and I didn’t want to copy him. Well I passed with a few words od advice from the examiner.
The form was posted back off and a New MSA National B licence was returned.
THE EBAY FRENZY FOR GEAR
So you look at the list of stuff you Need. I think MSA means “More Squids Added”.
A new helmet, race suit balaclava (still in Bag) and the myriad clothing you need. I think the postman was bored of coming to the house.
This all stopped for a few weeks whilst I tried the clothing out at a few track days. I felt a right tit at some of them but I needed to get used to wearing them.
Then The frenzy started again As I tried to put a small toolbox together
Trolley , new socket set, tie down straps a few spare parts for the new car
It’s the little stuff that you need to think off the most.
THE BIG BOYZ TOYZ
The point of no return came when I went to view a fully preped MK3 race at Paul Roddisons Garage. The car was built an run in last years championship, the car finishing 2nd in more experienced hands than mine.
A deposit was placed and now the long search for a trailer was unleashed.
Id convinced (Asked Nicely) the wife that A nice 4x4 would be well suited to her as we get very bad winters up here.and so one was found and she liked it, The fact that it had a tow bar was just Coincidence.
I found a company who made stock cars up in Morecombe and they also produced trailers to your spec at a very good price similar to a 2nd hand Brian James.
So Bingley Engineering built my trailer to my needs and I was off to collect it. I had never driven with a trailer so that was fun until I came to reverse…Lets not go into that.
I was Ready to collect the car and did so in time to attend the Bedford Track day .On arrival I had to ask NickD how to open the fuel release as I had no idea. I Had so far only driven On and off the trailer, and I had a good day getting used to a new and unfamiliar car. She went well. 
Next time Im in her will be during qualifying on the new Snetterton circuit.
THE LAST FEW DETAILS
I joined BARCas they oversee the Championship and you need to be a member of a racing club.
I have sent my entry forms off to BARC and Are waiting for confirmation (do they confirm receipt ?).I have ordered some race Numbers and hope to run under the number 42.
Which according to D Addams Is the answer “To life , the Universe and everything”…Lets Hope so.
Alan R
This will be a long term Bloggy type thing and I would like to thank
Mazda On Track for getting me and my car here in one piece
Paul Roddison for his help with the car and advice on entering
And the 3 Forums who will ride along side me
MX5 Nutz
MX5 Owners Club
Track Culture
And Helen. SWMBO .Who I can only repay with having her project on my car www.heroespastandpresent.org.uk/
Oh and a trip to Canada…sorry Mrs tried to get out of that one…
