race car on the road
Discussion
i was looking at www.racecarsdirect.com and saw this-
www.racecarsdirect.com/cars/details.asp?id=7050&cat=6
Interesting? yes , because the plan is in a few months to by a track/sunday car for around the £25,000 mark. Was thinking of a variety of things, ranging from Subaru P1 to a seven r400 and alot of things in the middle, but i am now seriuosly thinking of getting this or something similar. I just wanted to know how much work it would be to get a race car road legal. Obviuosly things like the lack of a handbrake, slicks and suspension set up would be an issue, but what else is required? Also realistically, how fast would i t be? 0-60, on a B road?
www.racecarsdirect.com/cars/details.asp?id=7050&cat=6
Interesting? yes , because the plan is in a few months to by a track/sunday car for around the £25,000 mark. Was thinking of a variety of things, ranging from Subaru P1 to a seven r400 and alot of things in the middle, but i am now seriuosly thinking of getting this or something similar. I just wanted to know how much work it would be to get a race car road legal. Obviuosly things like the lack of a handbrake, slicks and suspension set up would be an issue, but what else is required? Also realistically, how fast would i t be? 0-60, on a B road?
I wouldn't even try and consider it.
I've run a Talbot Sunbeam, a BMW M5 and now an Escort RS1600i. All are out-and-out race cars and none are road legal.
As I have trade plates I sometimes run the cars round the block to test brakes, run in engines etc. Heres the downsides.
- Suspension as you've gathered is totally unusable on the road.
- No heaters or ventilation
- Brakes will be designed for the track, so no dust seals, AP fluid (which is hydroscopic). You'll knacker them very quickly.
- Engine will be tuned for racing - narrow rev range and a nightmare at traffic lights etc.
- Cooling, most race cars have enlarged rads and maybe no cooling fan. They're designed to run at 90deg whilst hammering round a track, not idling in a traffic jam on the M25.
- Then there are logistical issues - like it won't have an ignition key - so you can't park it in Tescos and leave it secure!
I've run a Talbot Sunbeam, a BMW M5 and now an Escort RS1600i. All are out-and-out race cars and none are road legal.
As I have trade plates I sometimes run the cars round the block to test brakes, run in engines etc. Heres the downsides.
- Suspension as you've gathered is totally unusable on the road.
- No heaters or ventilation
- Brakes will be designed for the track, so no dust seals, AP fluid (which is hydroscopic). You'll knacker them very quickly.
- Engine will be tuned for racing - narrow rev range and a nightmare at traffic lights etc.
- Cooling, most race cars have enlarged rads and maybe no cooling fan. They're designed to run at 90deg whilst hammering round a track, not idling in a traffic jam on the M25.
- Then there are logistical issues - like it won't have an ignition key - so you can't park it in Tescos and leave it secure!
I think I'm right in saying there is a new Clio out later this year. In other words unlikely Renault Clio Cup with current cars in 05..... drop in value as they become club cars.
Race/track days cars are not so bad on the road if only used occassionaly but the Clio Cup cars I know for a fact are proper stiff and would soon do your head in on the road, not to mention need regular maintainance.
Look else where for a road going track /race car and frankly for that role you can't realy beat a Caterham.
Race/track days cars are not so bad on the road if only used occassionaly but the Clio Cup cars I know for a fact are proper stiff and would soon do your head in on the road, not to mention need regular maintainance.
Look else where for a road going track /race car and frankly for that role you can't realy beat a Caterham.
Simon Mason said:
Yeah great Idea and loose £10 grand in a day in the process. Fantastic.
.....i was being sarcastic....... do you really think that turning a racer into a road car would be a profitable exercise and that there would be a queue of people at the front door the day it was advertised for sale!!!
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