Yes, it’s possible to go racing without remortgaging your house… just about.
So, you want to go racing in the UK without selling a kidney? Good news: there are options out there that won’t completely destroy your wallet (though it might still give your bank manager heart palpitations).
Here’s a handy rundown of five UK racing series that are relatively affordable, come with a good vibe, and let you live out your motorsport dreams without needing F1-level sponsorship. Plus, I’ve chucked in some YouTube videos from each series so you can get a feel for the action.
1. 750 Motor Club – Locost Championship
Estimated Cost: ~£6k–£10k for a car, ~£6k–£9k for a full season
What is it?
A proper grassroots special — lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and powered by a humble 1.3L Ford engine. Think Caterham looks but on a Dacia budget.
- Pros: Loads of second-hand cars and spares, close racing, huge grids, proper camaraderie
- Cons: Building a car takes time/patience, and the veterans are *quick*
Vibe: Friendly chaos. Like a local pub league, but everyone’s in race suits and there’s slightly more fibreglass.
Sample the action:
2. Citroën C1 Racing Club
Estimated Cost: ~£3k–£6k for a car, £1k–£2.5k per endurance race (shared entry)
What is it?
Yes, we’re talking about racing 1-litre Citroën C1s. Yes, it’s hilarious. Yes, it works.
- Pros: Big events (Silverstone 24hr!), great value, genuinely fun
- Cons: Slowest cars on track, mistakes hurt
Vibe: Like a stag do that accidentally turned into a legitimate racing series.
Sample the action:
3. BRSCC Clubsport Trophy
Estimated Cost: ~£4k–£8k for a car, ~£500–£800 per event
What is it?
Multi-class racing with a relaxed, turn-up-and-race vibe. Perfect for beginners or older builds. 45-minute mini-enduros with a pit stop.
- Pros: Very inclusive, low pressure, race with a mate
- Cons: Multi-class confusion, car must meet power-to-weight regs
Vibe: Track day with trophies. Low stress, high fun.
Sample the action:
4. MG Metro Cup
Estimated Cost: ~£2k–£5k for a car, ~£4k–£7k per season
What is it?
Race-prepped MG Metros from the 80s and 90s. Cheap, cheerful, chaotic.
- Pros: Ultra-budget, loads of fun, retro cool
- Cons: Fragile cars, parts can be scarce
Vibe: Nostalgic chaos. Like a Vauxhall Nova met a scrapyard rave.
Sample the action:
5. BMW Compact Cup
Estimated Cost: ~£5k–£9k for a car, ~£6k–£10k per season
What is it?
E36 318Ti Compacts go head-to-head in a spec series. Grippy, grunty and full of proper battles.
- Pros: Huge grids, RWD thrills, very competitive
- Cons: Cars get bumped about, slightly pricier entry point
Vibe: It’s a punch-up at 100mph with a group of polite Germans.
Sample the action:
Final Thoughts
None of these are cheap in the real-world sense — but in racing terms, they’re about as wallet-friendly as it gets. If you’ve got the itch to race and a bit of mechanical curiosity (plus a few mates to help push-start the thing when it breaks), there’s absolutely a way in.
Whether you want to build a car, buy used, or split an entry with friends — grassroots UK motorsport is alive, well, and a bit mad. Just how we like it.
Tom O’F – documenting the journey from remote island to race track.
“From Remote Island to Race Track”
