Arrgghh its all the CSL and this forums fault!
Ill be aiming to do 4th season with Ginetta G40s this year (although i am very tempted by the M3-Cup). But the CSL i had is the whole reason i ended up racing! As with many, I got so into trackdays with it that before i knew what i was doing I started looking at the Motorsport section on Pistonheads and responded to an advert for a Ginetta G40-GT5 "challenge" car by saying "sorry, no money, but do have a CSL if interested". Of course, he was...so ended up swapping a rapidly appreciating asset for the financial equivalent of a black hole
, but it had to be done.
3 seasons (and one championship title, somehow) later, ive had to sell all my assets and cars, but i dont regret one bit. Although I have learned that you really need to set out budget beforehand and stick to it.
I do miss the CSL for its, er...specialness, that glow of appreciation i got ever time i drove or even looked at it. And the fucker would have probably gone up 30k since
...but ive found an M3-CS + race car is a damn fine way of consoling myself.
Ginetta are great for the parity between cars, the tracks (GP layouts) and the glamour/atmosphere of the paddocks. Supporting BTCC and BGT with budgets 10k-25k for the season all-in (plus car) really is great value and would be an enjoyable weekend even if not racing , but being "part of the action" -even if only in a small way- is just brilliant. Its also good for corporate guests (or just a "rent-a-mob" of beer swilling mates) to come along to.
HOWEVER...the cars are VERY fickle handling and not big power (until you get to the G55 cars, which are GT4 class), which is great for learning, but ive always wanted to have a go racing an M3. As such, did a test in M3-cup car at Donny, which was great fun (especially mid December on greasy track). I can see the downsides to them and can certainly appreciate the upsides of Shimmys 1100kg/390bhp (that WILL be fun). But IF they can keep some level of parity between the cars, keep the costs down and fill the grid, then i think it could be quite a cool, competitive series.
Might do an "arrive and drive" at first round on April1st to check it out.If i can find anything else to sell to fund it...like a kidney.
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