I need help picking a track car

[B3AST]

I want to get in autoX or some kind of track racing but I can't decide on a car.
I know a good car to start with is a 240 or like a miata but I just wanted to see if y'all
could point me to a more unique car that people don't typically build. I still want to be
able to take it to the strip and run some good times too. If y'all could help me make up
my damn mind it will be greatly appreciated.

[hadouken]

from what i hear efs are pretty good and parts are cheap

[Arm&hammer]

E30 bmws. Cheap and good track cars.

[B3AST]

Yea but wouldn't maintence on an older bmw be a bitch?

[eraser4g63]

AE86 GT-S

[roscoe]

An EF or a E30 would be great choices. There are a ton of E30s at pull-a-part type places. Secondhand stuff is easy to come by for both also

[B3AST]

True, I'm trying to get out of honda for now and try something new, ill have to look into those e30s

[Elbow]

If you want a RACE CAR and want to win you only buy what wins.

Miata
E30 BMW
E36 BMW
Neon ACR
EF Civic/CRX
Mazda Protege
RX-7

You can't just BUILD a race car and race it. You have to figure what class, build those rules, get a licence, etc. It's MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH cheaper to buy a car already built.

E30s are cheaper than Hondas for the most part they also NEVER break. I had 450+k on the original motor and still had perfect compression and great power/torque.

Unless you want a $50k road race car I can't think of many classes of cars that would offer super fast times and the homostrip.

[00 blk G20t]

p10 (infiniti G20)with VVL or DET :)

[Elbow]

p10 (infiniti G20)with VVL or DET :)

Yeah because that'd win races. LOL

[00 blk G20t]

Yeah because that'd win races. LOL

Track Records held by our 95 G20(chris g20.net) Past Track record was:
Autobahn South TTE 1:43.077 7/19/09 (unknown value for TTE)
Autobahn Full TTF 3:01.534 10/13/08 3:08.03 10/8/07 Miata
Putnam Park TTF 1:25.511 5/16/10 1:28.38 5/20/06 Miata
Blackhawk TTF 1:28.044 8/09/09 1:32.41 4/15/06 Civic
Grattan TTF 1:34.804 6/05/09 1:48.289 6/10/07 MR2
Gateway TTF 1:17.094 4/18/10 1:19.96 4/26/08 Miata


the G20 is a very capable chassis.

http://www.g20.net/forum/showthread.php?t=101393


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuOfd_8jPMY&feature=player_embedded#!

[Elbow]

Track Records held by our 95 G20(chris g20.net) Past Track record was:
Autobahn South TTE 1:43.077 7/19/09 (unknown value for TTE)
Autobahn Full TTF 3:01.534 10/13/08 3:08.03 10/8/07 Miata
Putnam Park TTF 1:25.511 5/16/10 1:28.38 5/20/06 Miata
Blackhawk TTF 1:28.044 8/09/09 1:32.41 4/15/06 Civic
Grattan TTF 1:34.804 6/05/09 1:48.289 6/10/07 MR2
Gateway TTF 1:17.094 4/18/10 1:19.96 4/26/08 Miata


the G20 is a very capable chassis.

http://www.g20.net/forum/showthread.php?t=101393


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuOfd_8jPMY&feature=player_embedded#!

Those say time trials, not road racing, big difference.

Those also aren't the most competitive regions.

[msanch24]

Those also aren't the most competitive regions.

but still quick nonetheless

[Elbow]

but still quick nonetheless

Depends...

On Autobahn South a SRF runs a 1:38.*** versus his 1:43
On Autobahn Full a Spec Miata runs a 2:54.*** to his 3:01
On Putnam Park a Spec Miata runs 1:23s to his 1:25
At Blackhawk a Spec Miata runs 1:23s to his 1:28s
At Gateway a Spec Miata runs a 1:12s to his 1:17s.

I used Spec Miata so much due to lack of real mods.

[msanch24]

all true stuff, i was just commenting on the surprisingly quick times of a p10

[B3AST]

Yea I forgot about the class regulations and shit and I have no idea how to get a license I searched and couldn't
Find a damn thing on getting a license

[B3AST]

Yea I forgot about the class regulations and shit and I have no idea how to get a license I searched and couldn't find a damn thing on it

[SeePlusPlus]

Yea I forgot about the class regulations and shit and I have no idea how to get a license I searched and couldn't find a damn thing on it

http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=43

[B3AST]

that's what I was looking for, thanks man

[SeePlusPlus]

that's what I was looking for, thanks man

No problem, track driving is an amazing experience. Good luck!

[Elbow]

Yea I forgot about the class regulations and shit and I have no idea how to get a license I searched and couldn't
Find a damn thing on getting a license

You have two options for an SCCA license...kind of three.

1. Go to a school like Skip Barber. It's about $3500 for a three day school and at the end you can apply for a license. You won't regret it.
2. Go to an SCCA school, you need two, in Feb. there is always a Double School at Roebling Road. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LEGAL RACE CAR WITH LEGAL DRIVER EQUIPMENT. Or rent a car, I can rent you a car.
3. Join NASA, do HPDEs, apply to do a Comp. School. You still need a legal race car and equipment though. You can then do some NASA races then apply for an SCCA license based off that experience.


When I say equipment/legal stuff here is the basics:

-LEGAL full roll cage. READ THE RULES. No Cusco BS.
-LEGAL race seat, one piece, if not FIA approved you need a seat back brace.
-5 point minimum harness...must be SFI legal and in date.
-Fire system for the car.
-Master kill switch for the car wired per rules.
-Window net.
-Legal driver suit.
-Legal driver helmet. No motorcycle rated helmet or anything.
-Legal driver racing shoes.
-Legal driver gloves.
-Legal driver balclava (required for some classes)
-Legal driver underwear (needed for some classes)
-Legal head and neck restraint aka HANS (for some classes)
...and a few more things here and there.

Overall in the end building a race car is extremely expensive, time consuming, and takes a while to get it where you want it. Buying a car ready to go is literally at least 20x cheaper.

[OnURleft]

I'd recommend an already prepared or a semi-prepared E30 with good records. They are quick, reliable and predictable.

I would not recommend an E36, not a for a beginner. Wayyyyyy to fast, like shock/springs/tune/gutted/R comps NOTHING else 1:40 on Road Atlanta fast and you've invested $5000. Also, their extremely aggressive rear suspension geometry really requires someone with experience. If you think you're up on that level, then by all means get one..

Miata's are always good choices, just make sure you invest in safety equipment. By the time you can run a fast lap time in one you'll probably want a cage

[B3AST]

Really good info simon, thanks. Looks like I got some research to do. I think I agree with y'all and getting an already
prepared one is a good idea