TOM O’F CARS / THE JOURNAL
Stories from the island to the grid.
Opinion, real racing costs, championship guides and the occasional terrible financial decision. Welcome to the less glamorous side of motorsport.
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Latest articles
The most recent articles, newest first. For older pieces, browse the categories above. Expect real costs, honest opinions and the odd questionable decision.
- The Birkett Relay Explained: When the Fastest Car Doesn’t Win
The Birkett Relay brings hundreds of club racers to Silverstone for six hours of racing. But how can a slower car beat a faster one? Welcome to handicap racing. - Track Limits in Motorsport: Why Strict Rules Matter
BTCC track-limits penalties have sparked another debate. But without strict boundaries, are we losing the very thing that makes circuit racing interesting? - Why Aren’t More People Watching UK Club Racing?
Some of Britain’s Best Racing Is Happening This Weekend. You Can Watch It for Free. Motorsport is expensive. I know this… Read more: Why Aren’t More People Watching UK Club Racing? - When Does It Actually Make Sense to Buy Your Own Race Car?
When Does It Actually Make Sense to Buy Your Own Race Car? For most of the time I’ve been trying to… Read more: When Does It Actually Make Sense to Buy Your Own Race Car? - My First Full Race Weekend: What Club Racing Is Really Like
After EnduroKA and a cancelled C1 race weekend, I finally completed two races in a Classic Mini at Brands Hatch. Here’s what 55 minutes of club racing taught me. - Classic Mini at Brands Hatch
A last-minute opportunity was too good to turn down… 👀 This weekend, I’ll be racing a Classic Mini at Brands Hatch… Read more: Classic Mini at Brands Hatch - The Motorsport Rule Changes Club Racers Actually Need to Know About in 2026Motorsport regulations are not exactly exciting bedtime reading. Most of us would rather spend an evening looking at race entries, watching… Read more: The Motorsport Rule Changes Club Racers Actually Need to Know About in 2026
- Top Affordable UK Racing Series You Can Run Your Own Car (2026)
A realistic guide to affordable UK racing series in 2026 where you buy and run your own car, with honest costs, pitfalls, and ownership realities. - Top Affordable Arrive & Drive UK Racing Series (2026 Guide)
A realistic guide to affordable arrive-and-drive UK racing in 2026, with real seat costs, series breakdowns, and what to watch out for. - Cost of Racing | Scottish C1 Cup at Knockhill | UK Cheapest Motorsport?
Ever wondered how much it actually costs to go racing in the UK?In this video, I break down every single expense… Read more: Cost of Racing | Scottish C1 Cup at Knockhill | UK Cheapest Motorsport? - When the Race Weekend Doesn’t Go to Plan – Knockhill 2025
Last weekend was meant to be the one – my first ever real-world sprint race, my first time at Knockhill and… Read more: When the Race Weekend Doesn’t Go to Plan – Knockhill 2025 - From Sim to Circuit: My First Real Race Weekend at Knockhill
It’s finally happening — this weekend, I’m racing at Knockhill in the Scottish C1 Cup with the Scottish Motor Racing Club… Read more: From Sim to Circuit: My First Real Race Weekend at Knockhill - Look at: Trackday Trophy – The Ideal First Step Into Circuit Racing
Trackday Trophy offers an accessible, beginner-friendly entry into circuit racing. Discover the format, what makes it ideal for newcomers, and how much it really costs to get on the grid. - Why I’m Not Racing in 2025 — and Why I’m Still Building This Dream
No racing for me in 2025 — here’s why. From rising costs and life changes to long-term goals and island logistics, this is the honest update on why I’m hitting pause… but not giving up on the dream. - Look at: EnduroKA – The Budget-Friendly Endurance Series Putting the Fun Back in Motorsport
Discover EnduroKA — the affordable endurance racing series built around the humble Ford KA. Learn why it’s perfect for newcomers, how much it costs, and what goes into building a race-ready KA. - Sim Racing Is Keeping Me Going Until I Can Get on Track
Sim racing is more than a game—it’s keeping my racing dream alive. From organising events with PASR to winning the Authentic Racing eSeries in a Mazda MX-5, here’s how the virtual world is helping me prepare for the real one. - Top 5 UK Racing Series That Don’t Cost a FortuneWant to go racing in the UK without breaking the bank? Check out these 5 budget-friendly racing series — including real costs, pros & cons, and onboard YouTube footage.
- The Price of Passion: Facing the Risks of Motorsport in 2025Motorsport remains dangerous in 2025, as recent tragedies remind us. But for many racers, including me, the risk is part of what makes it worth doing. Here’s why I still choose to chase the dream.
- The Hidden Costs of Car Racing Nobody Tells You AboutGetting into motorsport? Here are the sneaky hidden costs of car racing no one talks about – from scrutineering stickers to overpriced paddock burgers.
- How Much Does It Cost to Go Racing in the UK? (2025 Breakdown)Thinking of going racing in the UK in 2025? We break down arrive-and-drive costs for C1 Endurance, Trackday Trophy, and GT Cup – including hidden extras like gear, travel, and insurance.
- Cost of Racing | My First Car Race with EnduroKA | UK Cheapest Motorsport?From sim racer to real-world racing at Donington Park—here’s what it really cost to enter my first EnduroKA race in 2024. Is this the cheapest way to go racing in the UK?
- From Remote Island to Race Track: Welcome to Tom O’F Cars
Join Tom O’Farrell on his journey from a remote Scottish island to the race track. Honest insights, sim racing, behind-the-scenes fun — all chasing the motorsport dream without a millionaire’s wallet!
The best stories start before the green flag.
A ferry, hundreds of miles in a van, and a fairly optimistic plan. If you want to know how all of this began, start with the journey.
