Get sideways for 1000 EUR
January 8, 2012 4:06 PM Subscribe
Folkrace is a class of rally racing originated by the Finns. Run with old, cheap cars, it's intended to be the racing class for everyone. Watch F1 champ Mikka Hakkinen train up Top Gear's James May for a Folkrace.
Perhaps the inspiration for the 24 Hours of LeMons? Only without the 'creative' runs around the $500 car purchase price that LeMons has.
posted by narcoleptic at 5:18 PM on January 8, 2012
posted by narcoleptic at 5:18 PM on January 8, 2012
Oh, and here's a Folkrace crash compilation.
posted by thedaniel at 5:45 PM on January 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by thedaniel at 5:45 PM on January 8, 2012 [2 favorites]
@basicchannel your link just goes back here. is this what you meant to link to?
posted by Space Coyote at 5:46 PM on January 8, 2012
posted by Space Coyote at 5:46 PM on January 8, 2012
having participated in a few LeMons races, I was disappointed at the lack of crashing. you dig a wreck out of a field or barn, weld a cage into it, and then spend the race weekend avoiding contact for fear of a black flag.
these guys seem to understand crashing is fun. of course they're on dirt so the speeds are lower. if you've never rammed into another car without fear of recrimination or stern letters from Allstate.. it's intensely gratifying.
posted by ninjew at 6:00 PM on January 8, 2012 [1 favorite]
these guys seem to understand crashing is fun. of course they're on dirt so the speeds are lower. if you've never rammed into another car without fear of recrimination or stern letters from Allstate.. it's intensely gratifying.
posted by ninjew at 6:00 PM on January 8, 2012 [1 favorite]
Thanks for this. Growing up in Montreal, I always dreamed of doing something like this with some friends, but technicalities (like safety, money and the law) made me think it wasn't possible. It's nice to see that the Finns are more courageous about such things.
Also, there's something consistently entertaining about those Top Gear guys' videos that always makes me laugh out loud.
posted by Simon Barclay at 6:18 PM on January 8, 2012
Also, there's something consistently entertaining about those Top Gear guys' videos that always makes me laugh out loud.
posted by Simon Barclay at 6:18 PM on January 8, 2012
If I now want to watch all the Top Gear videos on the internet, in order, does that make me a little bit Finnish?
posted by Cold Lurkey at 6:32 PM on January 8, 2012
posted by Cold Lurkey at 6:32 PM on January 8, 2012
I liked the idea that there was a rule whereby at the end of the race anyone could buy anyone else's car for 1000 Euro. It was such an elegant way of ensuring that the price limits were adhered to.
posted by Grimgrin at 6:54 PM on January 8, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by Grimgrin at 6:54 PM on January 8, 2012 [4 favorites]
I liked the idea that there was a rule whereby at the end of the race anyone could buy anyone else's car for 1000 Euro.
It's known as a claiming race.
posted by Purposeful Grimace at 7:33 PM on January 8, 2012 [3 favorites]
It's known as a claiming race.
posted by Purposeful Grimace at 7:33 PM on January 8, 2012 [3 favorites]
"THIS IS NASCAR NOT FINNCAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
posted by I love you more when I eat paint chips at 11:17 PM on January 8, 2012
posted by I love you more when I eat paint chips at 11:17 PM on January 8, 2012
Living in Norway, where we have the identical bilcross class, I never paused to consider that this wasn't a global phenomenon. I mean, I can envision no easier entry into car racing. What's the bottom rung of the racing ladder in other countries? Karting?
posted by Harald74 at 11:40 PM on January 8, 2012
posted by Harald74 at 11:40 PM on January 8, 2012
thedaniel's vids are actually from Sweden, and none the worse for that. Make me fantastically nostalgic.
posted by alloneword at 1:26 AM on January 9, 2012
posted by alloneword at 1:26 AM on January 9, 2012
What's the bottom rung of the racing ladder in other countries? Karting?
Forza?
But seriously, yeah I think karting.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 1:42 AM on January 9, 2012
Forza?
But seriously, yeah I think karting.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 1:42 AM on January 9, 2012
I'd say Karting in the U.S., although the 24 Hours of Lemons (referenced above) has a fairly low barrier to entry as well. But still higher than a Folkrace -- you need a $500 car but what looks like several kilobucks worth of additional safety gear (including racing-style fuel cells) to make it legal to run.
Still, not exactly Formula One; it's probably within the reach of a few motivated people of only slightly-above-average income, working as a team and pooling resources.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:58 AM on January 9, 2012
Still, not exactly Formula One; it's probably within the reach of a few motivated people of only slightly-above-average income, working as a team and pooling resources.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:58 AM on January 9, 2012
Harald74 writes "What's the bottom rung of the racing ladder in other countries? Karting?"
Many places in Canada and the US have dirt ovals where people regularly swap paint in claimer races. Though many series are limited to single models and the claim is for the engine rather than the whole car.
Also Solo, while not head to head racing, can be done in street cars with little chance of damage. I wonder if anyone is running claimer solo events.
posted by Mitheral at 6:30 PM on January 12, 2012
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posted by basicchannel at 4:30 PM on January 8, 2012