Options after first race car
Discussion
I’ve been racing with a Porsche 924 for a couple of years now. Although there was a lot of mechanical issues at the start I’m starting to get some seat time, with a car that works most of the time.
I like the 924 as far as handling goes (and I like older cars), however one issue I am facing is that it’s really not that competitive against any other car of the period (both heavy and underpowered). I have raced in HSCC 70s and CALM and there are usually 1 to 4 other 924 so it’s not that much close racing. Pretty much everything else is faster (lighter, more power or both).
I’d be interested to hear people’s views on cars or series that will offer close racing (no contact but well matched cars) with relatively low costs (ie not an arms race).
I like classics buts also open to modern machinery. My criteria is:
- car needs to be “affordable”
- needs to be several series where it can race and be competitive in class
- ideally not huge horsepower as then brakes, crashes etc become a lot more expensive. I am thinking up to c.200bhp/ton ish
- needs to be rear wheel drive
Options I can see so far are:
- 116i cup - huge grids, all the cars use control parts and are cheap. Looks very underpowered though
- Porsche boxster - plenty for less than £20k, can race in cscc future classics, calm, Porsche club etc. Parts are not cheap though and they are quite heavy
- MG B historic - lots of classic series, cheap parts. Still looks like you need to spend close to £50k to get a good one though and they are still slow
Any other ideas? I’m definitely looking for something to race in a series with high driving standards/ no contact, but would like to be able to race against more than 1 to 3 other similarly paced cars.
There is a very cool BMW e30 325i on race cars direct. Are there many places these cars can race and be competitive in class?
Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Thanks a lot.
I like the 924 as far as handling goes (and I like older cars), however one issue I am facing is that it’s really not that competitive against any other car of the period (both heavy and underpowered). I have raced in HSCC 70s and CALM and there are usually 1 to 4 other 924 so it’s not that much close racing. Pretty much everything else is faster (lighter, more power or both).
I’d be interested to hear people’s views on cars or series that will offer close racing (no contact but well matched cars) with relatively low costs (ie not an arms race).
I like classics buts also open to modern machinery. My criteria is:
- car needs to be “affordable”
- needs to be several series where it can race and be competitive in class
- ideally not huge horsepower as then brakes, crashes etc become a lot more expensive. I am thinking up to c.200bhp/ton ish
- needs to be rear wheel drive
Options I can see so far are:
- 116i cup - huge grids, all the cars use control parts and are cheap. Looks very underpowered though
- Porsche boxster - plenty for less than £20k, can race in cscc future classics, calm, Porsche club etc. Parts are not cheap though and they are quite heavy
- MG B historic - lots of classic series, cheap parts. Still looks like you need to spend close to £50k to get a good one though and they are still slow
Any other ideas? I’m definitely looking for something to race in a series with high driving standards/ no contact, but would like to be able to race against more than 1 to 3 other similarly paced cars.
There is a very cool BMW e30 325i on race cars direct. Are there many places these cars can race and be competitive in class?
Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Thanks a lot.
It really depends on you definition of affordable, but I race in Sports2000 and it’s an excellent championship. These are purpose built race cars, not converted road cars, they are very quick (GT3 pace at some circuits).There are basically two classes, modern and historic. Cars for either start at £20-25k but running costs are very reasonable. In the modern (Duratec) cars the engines are basically factory Ford units with ITBs and a dry sump. New engines can be had £4k and rebuilt for £1k gearbox rebuilds are similar. Should you have a bump bodywork is about £5k (for a set of brand new) but it’s sectional so you only need to fix/replace the bits you break. The paddock is very friendly, racing hard but fair and there is a mix of ability meaning most drivers with some racing experience will have some competition.
james.a.c.911 said:
I’ve been racing with a Porsche 924 for a couple of years now. Although there was a lot of mechanical issues at the start I’m starting to get some seat time, with a car that works most of the time.
I like the 924 as far as handling goes (and I like older cars), however one issue I am facing is that it’s really not that competitive against any other car of the period (both heavy and underpowered). I have raced in HSCC 70s and CALM and there are usually 1 to 4 other 924 so it’s not that much close racing. Pretty much everything else is faster (lighter, more power or both).
I’d be interested to hear people’s views on cars or series that will offer close racing (no contact but well matched cars) with relatively low costs (ie not an arms race).
I like classics buts also open to modern machinery. My criteria is:
- car needs to be “affordable”
- needs to be several series where it can race and be competitive in class
- ideally not huge horsepower as then brakes, crashes etc become a lot more expensive. I am thinking up to c.200bhp/ton ish
- needs to be rear wheel drive
Options I can see so far are:
- 116i cup - huge grids, all the cars use control parts and are cheap. Looks very underpowered though
- Porsche boxster - plenty for less than £20k, can race in cscc future classics, calm, Porsche club etc. Parts are not cheap though and they are quite heavy
- MG B historic - lots of classic series, cheap parts. Still looks like you need to spend close to £50k to get a good one though and they are still slow
Any other ideas? I’m definitely looking for something to race in a series with high driving standards/ no contact, but would like to be able to race against more than 1 to 3 other similarly paced cars.
There is a very cool BMW e30 325i on race cars direct. Are there many places these cars can race and be competitive in class?
Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Thanks a lot.
Monoposto 1800 Zetec. I got this for 8k.I like the 924 as far as handling goes (and I like older cars), however one issue I am facing is that it’s really not that competitive against any other car of the period (both heavy and underpowered). I have raced in HSCC 70s and CALM and there are usually 1 to 4 other 924 so it’s not that much close racing. Pretty much everything else is faster (lighter, more power or both).
I’d be interested to hear people’s views on cars or series that will offer close racing (no contact but well matched cars) with relatively low costs (ie not an arms race).
I like classics buts also open to modern machinery. My criteria is:
- car needs to be “affordable”
- needs to be several series where it can race and be competitive in class
- ideally not huge horsepower as then brakes, crashes etc become a lot more expensive. I am thinking up to c.200bhp/ton ish
- needs to be rear wheel drive
Options I can see so far are:
- 116i cup - huge grids, all the cars use control parts and are cheap. Looks very underpowered though
- Porsche boxster - plenty for less than £20k, can race in cscc future classics, calm, Porsche club etc. Parts are not cheap though and they are quite heavy
- MG B historic - lots of classic series, cheap parts. Still looks like you need to spend close to £50k to get a good one though and they are still slow
Any other ideas? I’m definitely looking for something to race in a series with high driving standards/ no contact, but would like to be able to race against more than 1 to 3 other similarly paced cars.
There is a very cool BMW e30 325i on race cars direct. Are there many places these cars can race and be competitive in class?
Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Thanks a lot.
I'm assuming there's a reason you're ruling out Caterham racing?
At least four series (Official/ MacMillan/ Graduates/ Mag 7s) that offer a sliding scale from expensive to clubman. At c500kg they are light on consumables, easily repaired and hold their values. Some series are true one class racing others less so.
At least four series (Official/ MacMillan/ Graduates/ Mag 7s) that offer a sliding scale from expensive to clubman. At c500kg they are light on consumables, easily repaired and hold their values. Some series are true one class racing others less so.
Caterham-Andy said:
It really depends on you definition of affordable, but I race in Sports2000 and it’s an excellent championship. These are purpose built race cars, not converted road cars, they are very quick (GT3 pace at some circuits).There are basically two classes, modern and historic. Cars for either start at £20-25k but running costs are very reasonable. In the modern (Duratec) cars the engines are basically factory Ford units with ITBs and a dry sump. New engines can be had £4k and rebuilt for £1k gearbox rebuilds are similar. Should you have a bump bodywork is about £5k (for a set of brand new) but it’s sectional so you only need to fix/replace the bits you break. The paddock is very friendly, racing hard but fair and there is a mix of ability meaning most drivers with some racing experience will have some competition.
Hi have in fact indeed looked into this. Jon H has given me some driver coaching and he races in the historics. The moderns look soooo fast! I love the idea of a Lola with 70s livery but i feel like it would be best enjoyed with a few seasons under my belt in something faster than the 924. I also would like to stick to a closed car. But sports 2000 does look mega. How long have you been racing for? The pace at the front looks very fast.
ribiero said:
Oh I like the hscc 70's roadsport class! and 924 i'd of thought would be fantastic for it
Is there any other car you'd think about moving to that would let you hop up a bit in hscc 70's ?
HSCC 70s is fantastic. Great group of people, beautiful cars, competitive but clean racing. Can only recommend it. My issue is the 924 is only competitive with the 924’s and a Lancia Beta. And to move up the grid into something faster i think you really need to spend something in the 40s and then it’s still a 40/50 year old car so high maintenance.Is there any other car you'd think about moving to that would let you hop up a bit in hscc 70's ?
If classics i would love a Lotus Elan..
WombleCate said:
I'm assuming there's a reason you're ruling out Caterham racing?
At least four series (Official/ MacMillan/ Graduates/ Mag 7s) that offer a sliding scale from expensive to clubman. At c500kg they are light on consumables, easily repaired and hold their values. Some series are true one class racing others less so.
Yes indeed. They tick a lot of boxes but i don’t really want to be in an open car. And for some reason they really don’t appeal to me emotionally. It would probably be the most rational route though.. just can’t get excited.At least four series (Official/ MacMillan/ Graduates/ Mag 7s) that offer a sliding scale from expensive to clubman. At c500kg they are light on consumables, easily repaired and hold their values. Some series are true one class racing others less so.
One option someone has suggested is an E46 BMW.
It looks like a 330ci running just around 180bhp/ ton would be competitive in BMW CCRC class 6, 760 Roadsports class C and Club Endury class C. there seems to be plenty of cars in those classes at every event. The car would also have to have a stock engine (well mostly stock everything) to comply with CCRC rules which should also keep it cost effective (no expensive engine rebuilds, brake upgrades, etc.).
Anyone have any experience of these cars?
It looks like a 330ci running just around 180bhp/ ton would be competitive in BMW CCRC class 6, 760 Roadsports class C and Club Endury class C. there seems to be plenty of cars in those classes at every event. The car would also have to have a stock engine (well mostly stock everything) to comply with CCRC rules which should also keep it cost effective (no expensive engine rebuilds, brake upgrades, etc.).
Anyone have any experience of these cars?
james.a.c.911 said:
Yes indeed. They tick a lot of boxes but i don’t really want to be in an open car. And for some reason they really don’t appeal to me emotionally. It would probably be the most rational route though.. just can’t get excited.
The emotional/ excitement is the only part that matters. To me the purity of a low-powered Caterham is the excitement, and, understand (love the fact) we’re all excited by different race cars.Great friend is going to race a 70’s TVR, that would scare me…
rallycross said:
Stick a 968 3.0 engine or 944 turbo in that’s a cheap way to go much faster but some series won’t allow that combo as non original.
I know of a really really nice example of a 924s with 968 running gear, I had the honour of racing it for a season a few years ago and it’s a lovely car and superbly built and maintained.Gassing Station | UK Club Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff