Tell me about vintage racing ..

[fastfredracing]

Thinking about getting back into some form of motorsport in the next few years. Was talking with some old autocross buddies, who are now hill climbing, which sounds like real fun. One mentioned that he was considering moving towards vintage racing . 911's are now eligible .
Seems like you could do a few events a year for fun without spending the kids college fund .
Any body here ever ?

[strupgolf]

911's have been eligible for a long time in vintage racing. ANY form of car racing is expensive. Go through the pits at any event and you'll see hugh transporters hauling hugh buckets of money around the country. Many of these owners fly in to have fun. If you have a car from years ago that you paid nothing for, considering, then yep, go into it and have fun. I would love to have a old bugeye sprite set up just right going up the hill at Road America.

[gman911e]

Vintage Racing, nothing goes faster than the money.. Did it with a 914-6, old guys can still do it

[Brian 162]

Try and find someone selling his vintage race car.
It will probably be cheaper than building one from scratch.

[motion]

Vintage Formula 1. Yeah, that's what you want to do. Can I be on your crew?

[ckelly78z]

Racing; a great way to make a huge fortune....small. It's always been a dream of mine to run a Datsun 240 in BRE colors around Mid-Ohio, and Watkins Glen.

[Bowling]

Racing 2 wheels is cheaper and feels faster....

[Ferraripete]

Originally Posted by Bowling

Racing 2 wheels is cheaper and feels faster....

make no mistake ...it is costly too. racing is racing...it is all expensive.

[Ferraripete]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Racing; a great way to make a huge fortune....small. It's always been a dream of mine to run a Datsun 240 in BRE colors around Mid-Ohio, and Watkins Glen.

do it. it will not disappoint.

the greatest times in my life were racing. 2 wheels, 4 wheels...it was all with hair on fire. to this day I would never trade the experiences and stories but I would not mind having the money back

[fastfredracing]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjkgcfBj4XKAhWIWT4KHcjaBpUQFggoMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.svra.com%2Fdriver-member-info%2Fhow-to-get-into-vintage-racing%2F&usg=AFQjCNGMcaOGokkASJ1iWNQoKiXvMr5ubg&sig2=6xBUpY0xAUBvun93FXcMsg

[motion]

Mine:

[sc_rufctr]

Vintage Racing is very expensive but you already know that. But how Vintage do you want to go?

A cheaper alternative is "Cyclecar racing". It's huge in Europe!
You can build one of these from scratch for not a lot of money and I'd bet there is an active club near were you live.


https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Cyclecar&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiv_5elkYXKAhUHJqYKHexuCaoQ_AUIBygB&biw=1920&bih=1033

[ted]

2 different groups, Vintage racing and Historic racing.

Historic racing cars have documented history having been raced back in the day.
Historic race cars prices vary according to how rare, did it win a championship, current condition, was it restored to the correct and most desirable period in time.
They are expensive and considered an investment.
Historic cars will have results that may be found on sites like this.
Racing Sports Cars - Home Page

Vintage racing can be just as fun with recreations that look like they were raced back in the day.

Whatever vintage car you race I'd try to find one that can be made extra safe.
Spectate a few vintage races and talk to the drivers in the classes that you find interesting.
Find out what modifications are permitted, or good cars that are for sale.

Some other resources.
Sports Car Digest - The Sports, Racing and Vintage Car Journal
THE VINTAGE AND HISTORIC RACING NEWS MAGAZINE
Vintage Motorsport - The Journal of Motor Racing History

Find out what vintage race clubs hold events close to your location.
I like to race with these 2 clubs.
SVRA | Sportscar Vintage Racing Association
Historic Motor Sports Association

Vintage or Historic racing appeals to me as I really don't care to do track days with new cars.
In car video at our local historic/vintage race.
https://youtu.be/xksW6hYJFS4

[DanielDudley]

I have a friend who is doing a bit of that now. Some people do it cheaper than others, but even so, his other hobby is checking his stocks on his I phone app.

He's running a TR3 that he has built up from an original vintage race car. Puked his overdrive and transmission in his first race.

[John Rogers]

I raced with HSR West for 10 years or so with my 914-4 and later it was a 914-6. That group was happy to have everybody with a safe and "old" car come play with them. At first there were cars from all sorts organizations such as NASCAR, Mexicano Series, PCA, IMSA, SCCA, etc, etc. The car did not have to be famous and safe driving was the rule and if you did not act nice to other drivers you got black flagged. Finally sold my car after the pain in my hips and legs got too bad and I was becoming unsafe and my doctor would not sign off on my physicals any longer.

If I was starting again....I'd go with a Formula Vee as that is about the best bang for the buck and it is all about the driver, NOT about pouring lots of $$$$$$ in an old IMSA car or something.

[Jeff Higgins]

This thread really strikes a chord with me, as vintage racing in a 2.0 liter 911 has been one of my retirement goals for years. I have a number of good friends who are very active in this locally, and have provided a good deal of insight for me.

They tell me it breaks down into two separate and clearly distinguished groups: the guys looking for a good time running something they love who could care less about winning, and those who must win at all costs. It's clear to me I would fit in with the former.

The guys at the front of the field typically push the "vintage" aspect of the rules to the limit. For example, early Mustangs and Cameros with de-stroked NASCAR motors turning damn near 10,000 rpm down the straights, requiring rebuilds every race weekend. Or early 911 motors built to the same outrageous modern specs. Modern Tremec transmissions in vintage pony cars, modern engine management systems hidden behind the dashboards, and on and on. No one on a "budget" will ever compete with these guys.

So don't even try. Have fun running what you like. You will always find a kindred spirit to race. That's my plan, anyway. I know and love early 911's. I can work on them in my sleep. I have lots of parts. I will run a period correct car that is not so highly stressed that I cannot run it for a few years between tearddowns. And I'll have a ball...

[Charles Freeborn]

SVRA or Sovren here on the west coast.
I ran the back of the napkin numbers on a Sovren ready '72 914. Car and equipment totaled about $40k and $3k per race NOT including the tow rig, hotels, meals, etc.
If you've got it, go for it.
Chump with a group of buddies is still the best bang for the buck.
-C

[dlockhart]

If two wheels still hold some appeal, it is hard to beat AHRMA.



Dear hipsters, I spent the weekend watching your dads race motorcycles. And it was awesome.
The Barber Vintage Festival Is Some Of The Best Racing I've Ever Witnessed

[Ferraripete]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

This thread really strikes a chord with me, as vintage racing in a 2.0 liter 911 has been one of my retirement goals for years. I have a number of good friends who are very active in this locally, and have provided a good deal of insight for me.

They tell me it breaks down into two separate and clearly distinguished groups: the guys looking for a good time running something they love who could care less about winning, and those who must win at all costs. It's clear to me I would fit in with the former.

The guys at the front of the field typically push the "vintage" aspect of the rules to the limit. For example, early Mustangs and Cameros with de-stroked NASCAR motors turning damn near 10,000 rpm down the straights, requiring rebuilds every race weekend. Or early 911 motors built to the same outrageous modern specs. Modern Tremec transmissions in vintage pony cars, modern engine management systems hidden behind the dashboards, and on and on. No one on a "budget" will ever compete with these guys.

So don't even try. Have fun running what you like. You will always find a kindred spirit to race. That's my plan, anyway. I know and love early 911's. I can work on them in my sleep. I have lots of parts. I will run a period correct car that is not so highly stressed that I cannot run it for a few years between tearddowns. And I'll have a ball...

steve earl ran a tight ship. the others, not so much.

[Embraer]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Vintage Racing is very expensive but you already know that. But how Vintage do you want to go?

A cheaper alternative is "Cyclecar racing". It's huge in Europe!
You can build one of these from scratch for not a lot of money and I'd bet there is an active club near were you live.


https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Cyclecar&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiv_5elkYXKAhUHJqYKHexuCaoQ_AUIBygB&biw=1920&bih=1033

have spent all morning googling cyclekarts. hmmmmm, this might be taking up some more of my time. so, so cool