Quote Originally Posted by simontibbett View Post
In my class (ITA) there are Miatas, older RX-7s, 325E BMWs, CRX SIs, etc.

IT classes are broken up: ITC, ITB, ITA, ITS, and there are some other regional ones like ITR, ITO, etc.

Rules are fairly strict as what can be done, engines can't have much internal work, they can be bored .40 over, bolt ons, suspension can be modified but original pickup points and what not are required, ITA cars run 7 inch wide wheels max, so overall nothing major. It makes for a pretty affordable (relatively speaking) race car.

Mustangs can go in quite a few different classes, including ITO.

In racing I think it's best to go with what's proven, which Mustangs indeed are, but also look at reliability, upkeep, etc. The less that needs to be done between each weekend the better. My budget with the Neon is still $1000 or so a weekend and that's not buying new tires or anything.

I HIGHLY recommend buying an already built car. It takes away from the wrenching aspect but if you buy one now you can strip it down and rebuild it over the winter with whatever new parts you need and get a feel for what's what. You save a lot of money and don't have to spend time doing all of the testing work required building a new car. Plus you could make the Feb. drivers school if you bought one over the winter.
I think it would also be important to point out that a 5.0 is going to fall in a class like ITS/ITR and a 2.3 would fall under ITB.