I do autocrosses in my STi, and plan to do a track day later this year at Summit Point. However, if I want to get into a more competitive form of racing around a track, what's the least expensive avenue?

I want to make sure my STi doesn't go to waste, but I'm not ready to start risking my 31k babie's life yet :) Are carts inexpensive to race? 1980s compacts? What kinds of leagues and divisions are there for inexpensive racing, and how much am I looking to spend?

Thanks a lot for any direction.

Kart would be the cheapest IMO. Improved Touring next, but still pricey. You can do it on the cheap, but you are risking your safety in my eyes.

http://store3.yimg.com/I/razorama_1802_119674

:lol: :lol:

J/K...SPEC Miata would be my choice

Bill

Get a WRX Turbo powered Saker :)

www.sakermotorsports.com

http://www.sakermotorsports.com/images/showcase3-800.jpg

Kart would be the cheapest IMO. Improved Touring next, but still pricey. You can do it on the cheap, but you are risking your safety in my eyes.


Risking my safety with kart or improved touring?

Risking my safety with kart or improved touring?
Improved Touring, its supposed to be the "cheap" entry level racing, but its really not.

Formula Vee, F440, F500, karts, spec miata, IT

If you're going to road race, don't get sucked into the temptation of sedan racing, go open wheel. Kart first (non-shifter), you should be able to run a competitive season for under $10k. The path from there will be made clear...I say you'll have more fun in rally though.

--
JP Rowland jeremyrowland -at- mac.com
http://homepage.mac.com/jeremyrowland

Bill's right.. you can have a fully built Spec Miata for about 10-15K... That's what trhoppe has been talking about doing (dunno if he'll ever make up his mind, though:rolleyes: )


- Miranda

I'm with jp. Rally = teh funnerest.

Honda Challenge - http://www.honda-challenge.com/

This is a local series w/ four rounds @ summit point.

ITC car would probably be the cheapest way to go roadracing... Tend to be relatively reliable as far as racecars go, shells+parts are cheap, easy on brakes... Don't need to spend a HUGE amount of money to buy a competitive car.

given where you are, check out www.emraracing.org. Not nearly as big as SCCA, but a much wider variety of cars are accepted.

I vote karting! :)

Rallycross is pretty cheap fun compared to road course outings. You can drive almost any cheap old car and have loads of fun. 80's Volvos, some 80's Audi's, or 80's/early 90's Scoobs can be had cheap. It'll teach you a lot about driving, too. You are in WV, lots of good terrain to practice on, so you could also have some fun with the old buggy when you are not competing.

spec miata

Least expensive way to get around a track is in someone elses car.

I do autocrosses in my STi, and plan to do a track day later this year at Summit Point. However, if I want to get into a more competitive form of racing around a track, what's the least expensive avenue?

I want to make sure my STi doesn't go to waste, but I'm not ready to start risking my 31k babie's life yet :) Are carts inexpensive to race? 1980s compacts? What kinds of leagues and divisions are there for inexpensive racing, and how much am I looking to spend?

Thanks a lot for any direction.
how much are you willing to spend?

The cheapest way to get around the track is walking.... but...

I've done karting... what a blast, broke 5 ribs... 3... then 2.... then 1... then quit.

My wallet is getting ready to vote Spec Miata. Still researching that though.

Least expensive way to get around a track is in someone elses car.

^ what BriDrive said.

I've done karting... what a blast, broke 5 ribs... 3... then 2.... then 1... then quit.
Ribvest not work?

if a kart is seriously an option then motorcycles should be as well. SV650 racers go for less than $4k and then you have ~330lb, 80+hp worth of fun. tires will cost you the most out of an entire season's budget with this type of bike. here's one as an example: http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?threadid=56338

way more fun than a slow car and very cheap.

The least expensive car you can pick up that is already competition prepared. Not to necessarily be competitive but so that you have a car that you can eventually get licensed with. Of course I don't follow the advice of others so I have been tracking my STi while I prepare a 240sx myself (helps when I got a running car that passed inspection for $800). But there are many spec and IT classed cars that will do what you need initially for less than 5k. Of course many aren't titled or street legal so then you are in for $5k for a tow vehicle and $1.5k for a trailer. Yada, yada, yada...

Get the July issue of SportsCar - Go racing now for ... 10 Grand is the cover.

The most bang for your buck around a track is a motorcycle.

Thanks for all of the replies guys. I am looking to spend as little as possible, under 10k including everything if that's a possibility. The nice part about a kart or bike is that I could throw it and the tires in the back of a truck, so I wouldn't need an extra thousand for a trailer.

I would rahter do karting than biking. I rode a motorcycle for 3-4 years and I would feel comfortable on a bike, but I would rather have something where I can learn knowledge that I could apply to four wheel racing; in case I ever strike it rich and decide to turn the STi into a track beast ;)

What are some good sites for learning more about the karting scene?

http://www.ekartingnews.com/

Bill's right.. you can have a fully built Spec Miata for about 10-15K... That's what trhoppe has been talking about doing (dunno if he'll ever make up his mind, though:rolleyes: )


- Miranda
Indecision may or may not be my problem? :alien:

There is no such thing as cheap road racing. I have a Spec Miata, but here is a quick breakdown.

Starter IT-B/IT-C car :$5000.
IT-7/IT-A car: 7k-10k
Tow vehicle, and trailer : $4000
Safety Gear: $800 (at least)
So call it $9800 for your set-up. Add another 4k for a Spec Miata. But with SM you get really close racing and bomb-proof cars.

Fuel for Towing to RA: $50
Fuel for race: $25
Tires: $100 (maybe more)
Wear items: $50
Entry Fee: $185
Random Expenses and broken stuff:$200 Rotors, hubs, wheels, motors, etc

So we are looking at about $610 per event.
Sucks, doesn't it?

But on the upside, you will become instantly addicted and never be able to give it up, spending more and more of your money. Every time you buy anything non-race related, you will determine its value in "race cost"

"hmm...that new cat-back for the sti is a set tires"
"My water bill was a pair of rotors. Who needs plumping anyway?!"
"McDonald's for lunch every day this month is brake pads. Ramen is the way to go"

I'm completely broke, and about to sell my S4 so I can dump more into the Miata.
Like they say, it's more addictive than heroin. Nothing beats wheel-2-wheel. :)

hmm lets see what my tally is for my '96 Impreza L... Not going to be very competative, however it will be fun :)

'96 Impreza L - $500
Trailer - $1700
Cage/seats/safety stuff -$2200
Suspension -$700
Brakes -$500
Rims, Tires -$600
Exhaust -$300
Total of ~$5500

With that I've done at least 30 auto-x events, 30 Track Days and soon to be doing road racing with it. :)

It's not the best but I'm too old to make it as a race car driver, so I built/building this just to have fun.

-mike

Paisan,

How is it possible to only spend $1,100 on brakes, tires AND WHEELS for 30 track days?! What mineral based tire are you using to get 30 track days out of them?

Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com

Paisan,

How is it possible to only spend $1,100 on brakes, tires AND WHEELS for 30 track days?! What mineral based tire are you using to get 30 track days out of them?

Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com


flintrocks 5000 :lol: :lol: :lol: :disco: :banana:

maybe you should see if someone is selling half ownership of a race car. Not only would you have a race car but maybe someone who knows what they are doing and can help you out. The advantage is that you will have someone to crew for you when you race, the disadvantage is that you have to crew when you want to be racing.

Just an option, I 'm actually thinking about selling my half of a Spec Miata race car. *edit* hee hee, just kidding Jeffro (audi_s4). *edit*

Good luck with the racing.

Godspeed

--Wayne

Paisan,

How is it possible to only spend $1,100 on brakes, tires AND WHEELS for 30 track days?! What mineral based tire are you using to get 30 track days out of them?

Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com

Hee hee, those costs were initial and non-routine tire/pads.

Although I've picked up lots and lots of R-compound tires for track days (at least 5 sets for $100/each) from people who bought a set of 16" R compounds for auto-x and then decided they'd want to have 17" Rs for Auto-x. So I scoop up their slightly used Rs for $100. As for Rotors, I got them from one of our sponsors RacingBrake and done at least 10 track days w/o any wear on those. And 3 sets of HP+ pads for the 4-pots.

I should have clarified that those prices were non-wear items only.

-mike

maybe you should see if someone is selling half ownership of a race car. Not only would you have a race car but maybe someone who knows what they are doing and can help you out. The advantage is that you will have someone to crew for you when you race, the disadvantage is that you have to crew when you want to be racing.

Just an option, I 'm actually thinking about selling my half of a Spec Miata race car. *edit* hee hee, just kidding Jeffro (audi_s4). *edit*

Good luck with the racing.

Godspeed

--Wayne

Don't be saying that crap. :)

Get rid of the car payments, save up a few bucks and start racing you pansy. All you need is gear. The freakin car is already paid for!!!!

You're racing next season. Period.

But, Wayne does have a point...buying into a race car is a great way to start. All the start up costs have been spent and all you have to do is learn to race.

Joe, http://www.specmiata.com/Classifieds/


I'll most likely go this route once I can afford it (read: when I graduate). I've thought about shifter karts, and I haven't yet ruled out ClubRally, but Spec Miata seems like the best compromise of fun, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Until then, it's Auto-X and Rally-X for me.

-Matt

I'm looking at early Impreza L's for auto-X/rally-x and general beaters. Hell, if I find a nice OBS for a decent price, I'll give that to my youngest brother and reclaim my 1993 Impreza L.

~~Quentin

turboICE has it pegged pretty well.

I went this route for a school/time trial car. I bought a former SCCA ITA CRX-SI with a ton of spare parts (engine/wheels/tires/body parts) for $4k over the winter. The car model had become uncompetitive in ITA, so the driver wanted to upgrade to a car that had a chance to win. So far, I've put less than $200 total into the car this season. I also trailer the car, so the tow vehicle and trailer figure into it. I had run an Audi S4 before and after too many transmission failures decided that I needed a car that could fall off the trailer and not kill my wallet. The other consideration was cheap replacement parts and a really good local mechanic for those problems that I could not figure out myself. I also wanted a very light car, as they go fast with little power and don't wear out very fast.

jack

Is it a First Gen CRX? Our region, the 2nd Gen CRX SI is the car to have.

Get a MAP R200... :lol:
http://www.mapmotors.com/images/101-0104_IMG.jpg
http://www.mapmotors.com/images/100-0037_IMG.jpg

Seriously, I would get an old rear-wheel drive car. For instance a BMW 2002, Datsun 510, or a 1st generation RX-7. And their cheap!


-Mark
www.MAPmotors.com