Buying a Tuscan - some questions...

[ehasler]

I'm looking into my racing plans for next year, and just wanted to tap into some PH knowledge!

If I wanted to buy an ex-Challenge Tuscan, when would the best time be in terms of the most choice and best prices. Do they mostly change hands at the end of the season, or are they generally available for sale all through the winter?

Also, can anyone point me in the direction of details of any changes that were made to the cars over the years in terms of chassis/suspension modifications etc...

Finally, what's the going rate for an engine-less Tuscan that's otherwise pretty much ready to go? Is it possible to pick up a decent car for less than £10k?

I'm sure I'll have more questions if my plans come to fruition, so thanks in advance for any help!

[jamesc]

I would say now! I would also go for Chris Stockton's car. Details can be found here www.btcracing.co.uk

regards

James

[Tuscan 29]

Ex29

You have mail

[greenade]

griff2be has posted all the relevant stuff on an earlier thread on this forum. He makes the very valid point that buying it is the relatively cheap bit of the deal.
I think a budget of £10,000 for the car will scarcely be enough for a good one. Then there is the engine lease, tyres,race fees, etc., etc.
Until Mr. Smolenski announces the future direction of motorsport at TVR it strikes me as being a bit of a gamble. If he backs it, then now could indeed be a good time to buy as interest seems fairly low. However if he decides it is too big a drain on resources at present, then you will have an expensive lemon on your hands. The same would apply if he gets the Sagaris sorted to his satisfaction and decides to update the Challenge to a more modern car. That strikes me as being distinctly possible. Proving they have got it all sorted by running them extensively on the track.
Has anyone asked TVR what the position is on motorsport since Mr. Smolenski took it on?????

[jamesc]

greenade said:

Has anyone asked TVR what the position is on motorsport since Mr. Smolenski took it on?????

I spoke to Ben on the day of the announcement and he said mnothing had been decided. We had a discussion at Knockhill and Ben explained the benefits of the Sagaris as a one make challenge car which could also be used for GT races. Chris Stockton's car is worth the £11K price whatever the future of the Tuscan Challenge.

[greenade]

My comment regarding a Challenge car being "an expensive lemon" if they pull the series was in no way attempting to infer that Mr.Stocktons car is anything other than a good buy, merely pointing out that if you buy it and there is no Challenge it would be a "bit of a Bugger". Just so nobody misunderstood my intentions.

[jamesc]

Quite a few people bought cars last year for other series. The car is very competitive in Britcar.

[ehasler]

Thanks for the comments so far.

I wouldn't be looking to race the car in the Tuscan Challenge, as my budget doesn't stretch to that (unless I sell my road car, which I'm not prepared to do! ). As James says though, there are other series where the Tuscan can race, and I'm looking at these, so running costs would be a lot less than Tuscans, especially if I did some or all of the prep work myself.

Cheers,

Ed

[greenade]

Charlie Kemp sometimes runs his at Croft, I think with Darlington Sports car club, and the occasional round of the Challenge too. I know he had a bit of a tiff with a Caterham and on griff2be's figures I estimated the damage ran to about £5000.
Good Luck if you go for it.

[griff2be]

I seriously doubt Charlie's damage was £5k worth. Relatively light front impact - looks much worse than it is - especially if the steering rack and rad/oil coolers are undamaged.

Ed - send me an e mail if you want to discuss.

Cheers

Andy