Amateur competition car help
Discussion
Long time lurker etc but did have account on here before but no longer remember my old username or email address for it.
Anyway, for a while now I've wanted to compete in entry level motorsport (I've dabbled before but only in other peoples cars), but I'm struggling to choose a suitable car to buy.
Now because of where I live there's not all that many events in a reasonable distance, so I want a car that I can use in different event types such as hill climb and auto tests/auto solos, and anything else I can get into.
Criteria:
Sub £700. Im on a very tight budget and need to be aware of running costs so cheaper the better as the upgrades to make it competitive will follow.
Relatively small. So it can be chucked about and competitive in auto tests.
RWD. Just because.
MX-5 seems obvious, but I don't want one. :-)
If you'd know of anything that would prevent me from competing in different competitions please speak up, I'd really appreciate it and any vehicle suggestions.
Thanks
Anyway, for a while now I've wanted to compete in entry level motorsport (I've dabbled before but only in other peoples cars), but I'm struggling to choose a suitable car to buy.
Now because of where I live there's not all that many events in a reasonable distance, so I want a car that I can use in different event types such as hill climb and auto tests/auto solos, and anything else I can get into.
Criteria:
Sub £700. Im on a very tight budget and need to be aware of running costs so cheaper the better as the upgrades to make it competitive will follow.
Relatively small. So it can be chucked about and competitive in auto tests.
RWD. Just because.
MX-5 seems obvious, but I don't want one. :-)
If you'd know of anything that would prevent me from competing in different competitions please speak up, I'd really appreciate it and any vehicle suggestions.
Thanks
Thanks guys but because I want to do auto tests I want it to be RWD (more fun in the fields/on gravel), but also I've already got a 182 as a daily and no doubt a 172/182 would be great, I needs to be different to what I drive every day and again RWD.
Do you see any problems or conflict in the regs between auto tests and hillc climbs or sprints? Don't want to miss anything.
Thanks
Do you see any problems or conflict in the regs between auto tests and hillc climbs or sprints? Don't want to miss anything.
Thanks
MSA Bluebook Section S: Hill-climbs, Sprints and Drag-Racing is your friend.
Downloadable gratis off the MSA website. Will give you a run down of all the bits you need and what you can and can't do in whatever class your in (it sounds like roadgoing series production cars).
To be honest on your budget its an MX5 or bust if you demand RWD. If you can stretch up to around or just over the £1000 it will give you more options, again in the ropey but usable category.
MR2s may be had around there, and MGFs as well.
Downloadable gratis off the MSA website. Will give you a run down of all the bits you need and what you can and can't do in whatever class your in (it sounds like roadgoing series production cars).
To be honest on your budget its an MX5 or bust if you demand RWD. If you can stretch up to around or just over the £1000 it will give you more options, again in the ropey but usable category.
MR2s may be had around there, and MGFs as well.
R182S said:
MX-5 seems obvious, but I don't want one. :-)
Interesting. I think the requirements of cheap and RWD mean that there is only really one (right) option and you say you don't want to go that way. If you want to be competitive and you want to really have RWD fun, then you need an LSD and the MX5 gives you one whereas nearly every other choice doesn't. A diff for any car will cost you the best part of your entire budget.
I have had 2 MX5s for autosolos and Targa rallies and they are the best choice - in that you'll have loads of people to compare yourself against and you will be in a car that stands a chance of winning (no excuses). You can pick these up cheap if you hunt around, you want a Mk2 1.8iS to make sure you get the diff.
If you really don't want to go this way, then the only other car that fits the bill to me would be a BMW 318 of some shape. I think I would choose the E36 318ti as used by the compact cup guys which would give you a car that is worth keeping. You could run the coupe but I think the compact will be easier to hustle round. I've seen prepped ones of these bought for your budget.
Bob
R182S said:
If you'd know of anything that would prevent me from competing in different competitions please speak up, I'd really appreciate it and any vehicle suggestions.
To add - this generally means road rally regs which allow you to enter Targa rallies, road nav events etc. You want to read the blue book (which is rather difficult to follow) but in general the rules that apply to road car events restrict you to 4 cylinders and normal induction.
You may also want to keep some level of interior trim for certain events.
Have a look at an entry list for one of this year's Targa Rallies for inspiration...
http://chelmsfordmc.co.uk/Entry/JJTarga15/EntryLis...
Bob
Worth noting that for hill climbing, if you want to stay our of the modified class you need to leave the interior as the manufacturer intended - eg seats need to be in situ (can be replaced with racing seats) etc. I think you are allowed to remove the floor mats, if that helps!
If you remove trim, you'll be popped into a modified class and really have your arse handed to you!
If you remove trim, you'll be popped into a modified class and really have your arse handed to you!
Thanks for the great advice and link.
It might be worth me mentioning that I've competed in autotests/autosolos before, and came 2nd in my second ever event in someone else's car (E36 compact with LSD).
I'm sure an MX-5 is a good option, but it just doesn't do it for me, but maybe I'll come round to it. E36 compact is probably top of the list at the moment.
I'll be having a more in-depth look at the blue book and the entry lists for ideas.
Thanks again guys, you've all been really helpful so far.
It might be worth me mentioning that I've competed in autotests/autosolos before, and came 2nd in my second ever event in someone else's car (E36 compact with LSD).
I'm sure an MX-5 is a good option, but it just doesn't do it for me, but maybe I'll come round to it. E36 compact is probably top of the list at the moment.
I'll be having a more in-depth look at the blue book and the entry lists for ideas.
Thanks again guys, you've all been really helpful so far.
fat80b said:
I think I would choose the E36 318ti as used by the compact cup guys which would give you a car that is worth keeping. You could run the coupe but I think the compact will be easier to hustle round. I've seen prepped ones of these bought for your budget.
Really? Sub £700? Add a zero, perhaps...https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/56513/bw...
88racing said:
Sorry, I wasn't clear, you won't find a compact cup car for that price but you can find a non std car for about that. A friend of mine bought an ex rally school 318 last year for exactly 700.Bon
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