Thoughts on a track car

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

I've always got that track itch, and am always torn about what to do about it.

Current situation - I have a '98 Boxster that I throw race seats and race pads on for a DE weekend - it's a great, fun track car, but if I went anymore down that slope, then it would become less of a road car and more of a track car, and I don't really want to do that. Also, I don't have a trailer / tower (I have a 2007 CR-V, but that can only haul 1500 pounds).

Being as how I like the mid-engine feel, I started looking for 914s - they are pretty cheap and make excellent track cars. I do a lot of mods for it to be a fun track car and still be street legal to drive to events. However, then I'm left licensing a car, insuring it, etc., plus I'd have to rent a garage to store it because I only have a deep two-car at present.

So, then I got down the path of a Formula car, like a Formula V or Formula First. Fun cars, cheap, light enough to be towed by the CR-V, and could probably fit sideways in front of the Boxster. I'm not completely off this kick, but I'd be looking at around $15K - $20K for a car.

I got to talking to someone, and they were saying that you can build a very lightweight car using a motorcycle engine and transmission. I started searching the Web and found this:

http://www.stingraymotorsport.com/

It looks perfect - mid-engine, sequential gearbox, tons of fun, and I could probably assemble it myself for less than $10K. Unfortunately, they are only sold in the UK, but I'm working on that.

Opinions?

Rot 911 · 07-28-2009, 02:20 PM

If it was me I would go with a Miata spec track car. Can get into for much less than $15K!

m21sniper · 07-28-2009, 03:14 PM

$5k will buy you a supercharged miata, then you can just start taking stuff out to lighten it.

rammstein · 07-28-2009, 03:19 PM

If I had a garage and could buy a dedicated track car, Miata is the winner at that price level all day long. Tons of races, cheap parts, and they look like a lot of fun.

Zeke · 07-28-2009, 03:58 PM

Have you thought about karting?

trekkor · 07-28-2009, 06:55 PM

Just a DE car right?

KT

fastfredracing · 07-28-2009, 07:00 PM

There was a guy who showed up at a local auto cross a couple of years ago, with a kit car like you are describing. It was setup like a lotus 7, but had a 1100 cc superbike motor . The thing was sickening fast, and made some nice noises as well. It was so rev happy, he could not keep from spinning out, but if sorted , I am sure it would have been an ftd car every weekend.

jhynesrockmtn · 07-28-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

So, then I got down the path of a Formula car, like a Formula V or Formula First. Fun cars, cheap, light enough to be towed by the CR-V, and could probably fit sideways in front of the Boxster. I'm not completely off this kick, but I'd be looking at around $15K - $20K for a car.

I vintage race a formula V and they are a ton of fun but not a DE car. I doubt any club is going to let you run an open wheel car with a bunch of sedans on a track day. I know the race school I went to runs track days and they absolutely said no when I asked. Visibility is a problem and open wheel, closed wheel together is not the best combo. If you go that route and get into racing you can probably get into a car for less than $15-$20k, at least for a V. I picked up a nicely sorted car last year for $6k. FF cars are a different story.

For a DE car I like the Miata route or possibly an older RX-7 if you don't go Porsche. I personally wouldn't go the kit car route, harder to sell down the road and not street legal or if it is, not street friendly. Honestly, for DE's I'd stick with the Boxster or get an older 911 you would still use as a driver and resist the hard core track car mods. The costs of running an extra car can add up over time. Ask me how I know :-(

VincentVega · 07-28-2009, 09:17 PM

Whatever you buy make sure there are similar cars in local events you can run with. Being the best driven 914 at a DE getting run over is no fun, unless there are other 914's to play with. Sure you learn a lot but it gets old quick.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

BMW E30. Inexpensive, durable, and if you get the itch, you can turn it in to a spec E30 and race it.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Sounds like you have some serious constraints in space, tow vehicle and willingness to register and insure a second vehicle.

What's wrong with the Boxster? Not fast enough? Sure you can hop it up for track duty without making it useless as a daily driver. If you don't want to take out weight, put in more power. You can do a lot for 10k.

I have seen some engine donations from the 996 that looked like a fun project and a potent car when finished.

Or sell the boxster for a newer boxster S.

George

Jim Bremner · 07-28-2009, 11:07 PM

That car offers zero protection from side impact.

I would want more crush room, that and something that has torque with a capitol "T"

HardDrive · 07-29-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

That car offers zero protection from side impact.

I would want more crush room, that and something that has torque with a capitol "T"

74 Eldorado?

Jim Bremner · 07-31-2009, 10:28 PM

http://uk.video.yahoo.com/watch/4016847/10870179

Just why? but DAMN! turn up the speakers to 11!

s_morrison57 · 08-01-2009, 05:29 AM

If you want to fast for cheap and drive a real car then get a Forula Ford, I have an 89 Vandieman, totally redone , zero time engine , spare engine that has to be put togeather with all new parts, spares, jigs, body molds, enclosed trailer, got close to 40K into the team, selling it all and the enclosed trailer for 18500.00CDN, raced for 10 years, had 3 Ford's and loved it. Why am I selling? I work over seas and my butt got too big to fit. PM me if your interested

stomachmonkey · 08-01-2009, 07:06 AM

My brothers selling his Formula Ford.

North Coast Cab · North Coast Cab's Garage

944
Keep it in the family.

serge944 · serge944's Garage

I'll second the e30 suggestion. Bulletproof cars with German character.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-02-2009, 04:56 AM

E30, RX7, and Miata are all really good suggestions. I'd be tempted by a 944 Turbo for a track car. For $10k you could buy a decent one and install some tasty mods, it would be a true giant killer. Just think, you're already starting with a great suspension, Brembo brakes, plenty of power, etc. A 914 would be fun too.

m21sniper · 08:07 AM

Was just looking on ebay last night, there are a couple nice Turbo Miata's on there now for cheap. Many 944T's are also significantly less than $10k on ebay.