Trackdays in South Island?

[gtivr4]

Hey. Glad to finally have found a motoring board with some Kiwis. I am an American doing my degree at Otago, and a car nut with a need for some track time. Its a bit late for me to do anything this year, but next year (school year) I am hoping to do a few track days, and was hoping to get some info on whats out there.

Are they fairly common?
Are there instructors available?
What does it cost?
What are the safety regulations (rollcages? helmet rules?)

Also, can anyone suggest some good cars for around $2500 (total budget) to run track days? I have a Prelude SI, but it would need a bit of upgrading to be trustworthy braking at 150.

Cheers!

[Esprit]

Hey there Welcome in. There's a couple of posters in your area, Dejoux is down in Dunners studying and has his finger on the pulse of the car scene there.

As for track cars, for that money, get a Peugeot 205 GTi.... get a cheap on efor that and Izza can testify what a hoot they are to drive As can I

[htsd]

$2500 doesn't get you far in terms of serious motoring unfortunately- you may even be better off getting a kart for that money and doing that for a while, build up to motor cars. Other than that, the pug would be a great laugh, or for something a bit more solid maybe an older Nissan Silvia or Nissan Skyline could be up your ally- RWD, good chassis, reasonably torquey too.

I'm sorry to advertise moderators, but check out the regional sections on http://forums.performancecar.co.nz for more down south stuff as well as NZ Import topics in general.

[Esprit]

I'd still stick with the Peugeot 205 GTi.... basically it's the most fun you can have on 4 wheels for under $10k.... might not be the QUICKEST car under $10k... but it's the one that'll leave yousmiling... it's also a practical everyday hatchback, economical and just good fun!

[dejoux]

For that kinda money your not gonna get anything to competitive.

My suggestions would either be an EF (87-91) civic/crx si. 1600cc DOHC non vtec 130hp weigh around 1000-1100kg with full interior. Wouldnt have stock handling as good as a 205 GTi but still very respectable and will be alot faster in a straight line.

or a KP starlet. Pretty slow stock but its a good base, and RWD is an advantage too. Relatively easy to do a 4AGE transplant.

The advantage with either of these cars over a Pug are if you bend it (which is pretty likely if your a beginning racer) or even just if something breaks, theyll be alot easier to get parts for.

As for where you can race, theres nothing available in Dunedin, Theres only one race a year but to be eligible for that you have to have several races on a proper track so its not a place to learn. Im not sure as to what is available through Teretonga/Levels/Ruapuna. If your serious Id suggest you get in contact with the Otago sports car club

HTH

[Esprit]

I'd agree with dejoux, get into some sprints/hillclimbs.... the best way to do it.

And the civic isn't a bad option either. The good thing with the Pug is its low weight.... about 880kg and 130bhp for the 1.9L (and it's a torquey monster too).... parts aren't TOO bad, although admittedly a chunk rarer than with any of the suggestions Paul made. Perhaps also you MIGHT be able to get yourself into a Ford Escort MkII sedan.... pretty boring to look at but still a laugh to drive... should be able to pick up a 1300 for that and a 1600 x-flow transplant (or even a Pinto 2L if you're really keen) is as easy as an afternoon with the spanners.... I reckon I could do it blindfolded if I had to.... spares still pretty common, although rarer than they used to be.

If you're on a REAL budget, what about a Ford Laser Sport? 1500CC twin carb and they're cheap and common as well as being reasonably fun to drive..... even a minter shouldn't set you back more than $1k and that'll leave you tweaking money..... have been known to go quite well modified.