Most Versatile Motorsport Car

[Osmoliver]

Thanks to responses to a post in here back in 2017, I've kept myself busy with lots of motorsport over the last six years. I've done grass autotests, autosolos, road rallying (including targas), sprinting and track days. Some point soon, I'd like to give circuit racing a go too.

Here's the impossible challenge, does a car exist that can perform well at ALL of the above?

Criteria:
Reliable - I enjoy competing more than spannering
4 cylinder engine (must be sub 1.5l if forced induction) - to comply with road rally rules
Preferably RWD - I find it more fun, but this could limit options
Road legal - to drive to events and comply with road rally rules
Capable of carrying tools and spares - minimum of two spare wheels (four is better)

Obviously, the car would need modifying/setting up for different events to maximise performance. I think that could be achieved with different suspension and wheels?

[Martin315]

What’s the budget?

Struggling to think of anything that would meet all those criteria. Would you considering trailering it to track?

[LimaDelta]

MX-5

[SAS Tom]

BMW 116i?

[Osmoliver]

Martin315 said:

What’s the budget?

Struggling to think of anything that would meet all those criteria. Would you considering trailering it to track?

The cheaper the better. In theory, the less spent on the car the more money there is for events.

Cars have to be driven to Autosolo events, so if it ticks that box it shouldn't need trailering to track? What did you have in mind?

[Osmoliver]

LimaDelta said:

MX-5

It's always the answer! I currently have 4 at home. Recently blew a head gasket on my supercharged NA. It's back together now, but now have smoke coming out of my oil breather.

I am tempted to go back to naturally aspirated power and just focus on suspension/set up.

[LukeBrown66]

Spend a bit more GT86?

There are countless options for you fwd to be honest and I would go that way.

Otehr than you are limited to older stuff like BMW, really old Alfa's why not try an old Merc!

[Osmoliver]

SAS Tom said:

BMW 116i?

Interesting. Could definitely tick all the tarmac boxes given there's the 750 Motor Club series. I can't say I've seen one rallying yet.

[Osmoliver]

LukeBrown66 said:

Spend a bit more GT86?

There are countless options for you fwd to be honest and I would go that way.

Otehr than you are limited to older stuff like BMW, really old Alfa's why not try an old Merc!

I did own a GT86 for a brief amount of time. It's a good suggestion.

Yes, there's a lot more options. I have a MG ZR rally car at the minute and that is okay on track and probably wouldn't take much to be good at all of the things listed.

What BMWs, Alfas & Mercs are you thinking of?

[andy97]

BMW 1 Series
Older BMW 3 series
MX5
GT86
MG Midget/ MGB


And that’s about it, probably.

Edited by andy97 on Saturday 8th July 06:19

[LukeBrown66]

Was thinking not sped factor, more fun, a big old Merc 190 would be hilarious, or a Jag can pick them up dirt cheap, difficult and expensive to race prep though

[bumskins]

LukeBrown66 said:

Was thinking not sped factor, more fun, a big old Merc 190 would be hilarious, or a Jag can pick them up dirt cheap, difficult and expensive to race prep though

First time i've read of a 190e being described as 'big' Given their exploits in stage rallying and touring car competition would imagine one could be made to 'sit up and beg' quite well, however trying to find a manual one that's rust-free would probably be the main sticking point.

[k20ris]

BMW compact sounds like a good solution. 325ti or lesser pending what you're after, can be entered as a Hatch too.

[Fishy Dave]

A left-field choice, with motorsport heritage: a BMW E90 320si. Find one with a later, replacement engine or ideally with steel liners.

[TGCOTF-dewey]

7 style kit car.

Removes the need for spare wheels too as you can do a td and still have plenty of tread left for the return journey.

I did York to Anglesey - day on track - and back with plenty of tread left for the return. Soft 48r tyres too.

[mat205125]

MX5

BMW 325ti Compact

Civic Type R "bread van"

[stevieturbo]

TGCOTF-dewey said:

7 style kit car.

Removes the need for spare wheels too as you can do a td and still have plenty of tread left for the return journey.

I did York to Anglesey - day on track - and back with plenty of tread left for the return. Soft 48r tyres too.

Presumably spare wheels are for punctures in the rally side of things ?

[Scrump]

Porsche 912

[TGCOTF-dewey]

stevieturbo said:

TGCOTF-dewey said:

7 style kit car.

Removes the need for spare wheels too as you can do a td and still have plenty of tread left for the return journey.

I did York to Anglesey - day on track - and back with plenty of tread left for the return. Soft 48r tyres too.

Presumably spare wheels are for punctures in the rally side of things ?

You can carry spares if you want - you can strap them to the boot cover / roll hoop.

I've done exactly that on a auto-test on an airfield as I didn't want to trash a set of new 48r tyres so used a set of cheap SH tyres and wheels instead.

[sassthathoopie]

I entered my mk1 MX5 in a couple of historic navigational road rallies last year. Great fun chasing classic Elans, early 911s, 70s Astons and plenty of British classics. We ended up 2nd overall on tests for one, but dropped the ball on the nav mid afternoon.

Round the cones on tarmac the 5 was awesome. We actually had quite a lot of luggage in the boot which seemed to create a useful pendulum effect when turned in hard. Pick up a boot rack cheaply off one of the FB marketplace buy & sell groups and theirs your wheel stowage.

I'm pretty sure there are dedicated classes for MX5s in sprinting/hillclimbing

It is a cliche for a reason - you really can do everything with an MX5, and 4 or 5 grand will still get you a pretty good one.