There is a growing market for build-it-yourself racing cars, particularly those which mimic the lightweight Lotus 7-type cars of the 1950s and early 1960s. The market has opened up further in recent years, catering for all sizes of wallet – and ambition – ranging from the GBP£250-budget ‘Locost’ to GBP£50,000+ Jaguar C and D-type replica racers, and plenty in between.
If you are interested in taking the plunge into the DIY-race car world, there are a few things to consider before your wallet need get involved. Firstly, you will need to consider the various classes of race car, the makes and models that are eligible for with competition, and the dozens of kit car producers who are ready to take your hard-earned money. Some questions to consider for example would include whether or not you intend to use the car for road use, or whether the car is a race-only machine – or, indeed, both.
Once you have settled on a class, make and model of kit race car, you will also want to consider which specific kit specification suits your skills set (and, in most cases, wallet). Most kits are available in built, half built, or component form, with prices matched accordingly. Half built cars, for example, are priced at considerably higher levels than the more basic component form kits, which arrive literally as a box of bits. At this stage, you’ll need to balance the increasing cost against the reduced build time and skills requirement. At this stage, it will probably be a good idea to speak to the race series organisers or, at the very least, the car’s owners club, about the relative pros and cons of the particular model and specification you are considering.
With the kit ordered, your next task will be to source a suitable donor vehicle. The donor vehicle acts as a ‘parts bin’ for many of the more mundane components (such as the wiring loom, gearbox, wheels, and so on) which can be expensive and quite time consuming to source brand-new. As a general rule, a good quality donor vehicle will significantly aid the completion of a good quality racing car, so make sure the parts you intend to salvage are of good quality.
With the kit now in your possession, it is time to commence assembly of the car. This will require much patience, so be sure to get a good quality race car handbook before picking up the spanners.
Once the build process has been carried out, you’ll need to have the car tested by the SVA if you wish to drive it on the road. If the car passes the test (which is, to all intents, a super-detailed MOT) your car will be issued with all the paperwork needed for it to be road-legal. With adequate insurance in place, it is now time to take the car out on the road – enjoy.
The final task will be to source and install the racing accessories needed to compete. These will typically include a plumbed-in racing fire extinguisher and battery cut-off switches for the car, in addition to race suits, racing helmets and racing boots for the driver(s). You’ll need to consult either your race organisers or the MSA for a full list of mandatory safety accessories here, but it is always advisable to speak to both.