I want to build a rally car... but I don't know where to start.

[majglow]

Hey guys,

Ok, I know this will probably sound crazy, but I want to build myself a rally car.

But, I don't really know where to start and all.... What car to buy to start out with....

I would really like a subie 2.5 RS, but I doubt I could get enough money to buy one used... besides, I would get this car at the end of the summer...

What do you guy suggest?

-cARL

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[steppin16]

get a sponsor

[majglow]

Ok...

Well... I'm really not experienced with all this stuff...

All I know is that I want to race...

How do I get a sponcer, and would people even sponcer me?

Also, I have no racing experience... I'm hoping that I can take lessons somewhere (even if they are really expensive), does anybody know anything about that?

-cARL

[Zypper]

Well first things first learn how to drive.

Get an old Subaru, or whatever. Prioritize. Make sure it runs first of all, safety next, then suspension, then work on power.

Set up a website and sell youself. Talk to possible sponsors saying if you give me XX dollars, I will put a logo this big on my car. And issue press releases.

Check out SubiGal's web site to see how it is done.

[majglow]

Well.. I'm planning on getting a WRX soon...

but then.. I was thinking.. I could get an RS, and then buy a second car for rallying....

I also know that at the race track by me they have racing lessons... but I don't know about rally....

well.. I'm off to check out subie gal's website...

-cARL

[quentinberg007]

i have a 93 impreza L just begging to be turned into a rally... it's the AWD model, not front wheel drive, and it's a 5 speed.. mechanically sound, all stock, body has it's problems, but hey, it's a rally car.. haha, it's going to have body problems eventually.

~~Quentin

[ashtaron14]

Get a Subaru JUSTY!

It's the tiniest AWD car you'll probably ever come across...



Sunny

[majglow]

Heh....

The justy sounds fun....

But, if it's for racing, shouldn't I get a car with some umph to it?

[Zypper]

Too much power is hazardous to you, and your car's health.

If you know how to drive your vehicle properly, you don't need to have loads of power. Time is made and lost in the corners, any idiot can drive a straight line.

[lophilip]

My friend suggested that you stay away from awd for your first rally car. First you go out and spend about 3 grand on the cars itself. Buy 3 $1000 dollar cars (he suggested the vw rabbit). That way you will have plenty of replacement parts.

Then you take the car with the best engine and transmission and add on a roll bar, racing seats, seat belts. Then you learn how to drive it (and get a license).

From there.... well that's up to you.

[orbit03]

Here is some advice I should have listened to: Don't build your first rally car, buy one.

Also, listen to others when they say stay away from AWD for your first car. They are more expensive up front, more expensive to maintain, and you will be a better driver in the end if you start with a 2WD car.

One other thing, before you jump in and try to start rallying (which is expensive and difficult), I would spend a year or two and do a bunch of autocrossing, rallycrossing, and TSD rallying. The last two will REALLY help you. The rallycrossing will teach you car control on loose surfaces and TSD will teach all about how a rally and rally timing work.

Good luck.

[majglow]

Ok guys....

Thanks for the tips so far...

Ok... I guess I'll probably be better off starting with a crappy car, and yeah.. I was planning on starting with those smaller events.

lophilip: You meantioned getting a license... Do I need a special licence to drive cars in Autocross, rallying, etc...?

-cARL

[orbit03]

You don't need anything special for Auto-x, Rally-x or TSD.

[driggity]

Man whats with all these on-topic posts in off-topic? I'd go ask this question again in the motorsports forum as there are a number of people there who have done this. However, from what I've heard most of the advice from here is good. Another point for the 2wd vs awd thing is that I think you might have slightly easier competition in the 2wd classes. Although as Jamie will tell you a 110 hp fwd impreza is going to have a hard time keeping up with a 180 hp fwd celica.

[majglow]

Well.... I didn't really know where to post... so I guessed...

Well.. If the post could be moved that would be good...

-cARL

[Ferg]

A post being moved from OT to a regular forum? Is that even possible Fishy? Doesn't that require some sort of sacrifice to balance the i-Club scales?


Buy your first car. Do lots of AutoX, RallyX, and TSD. Also try and get a job as both a mechanic and a co-driver. You'll get a wonderful appreciation for how hard it is.

Good luck.

[majglow]

Well...

I admit this want is based on no experience except watching those kinds of events and wanting to do the same....

But hey... we all have to start somewhere right?

I also need to learn bout mechanics, I never actually did any serious work with cars.... I looked for some schools, and the only one I found was at a community college, but I could never attend it since it asks for 5 hours a day every day of the week, and I don't have that kind of time since I'm going to school full time and working part time, I was hoping for some night classes....

What are the other possibilities for learning, besides trial and error, cauze I don't think that would work 2 well for me...

I could always get a cheap car, take it apart, and try to put it back together... but I don't know how well that'll go

-cARL

[Subie Gal]

first off...

forget the 2wd vs awd thing.
it's all about what you want to do.
not what is more expensive
or what class is easiest to run in.

what is your long term goal?

where do you want to drive eventually?

i suggest something like this...
worked the rallies
got to know how they worked...
what can go wrong, what things cost, how people finish
what can potentially happen out there... and learned how the rally itself works...

become a co driver or service for someone
see the stages and the damages/issues yourself
get to know what you will need to carry for spares...

do the TSD's and some rallycrossing if possible
great way to get to know your car and how it handles.
best to be comfy in the dirt if you are going to toss
the car into a 90Left at 50mph....

as far as the car, i suggest whatever you get
buy it... dont try to build your first car...
it's very expensive and very risky. you could do a lot of things wrong...

there are many used and good rally cars for sale all of the time
www.bensrallypage.com
classifieds....
shoot... i should start a classifieds of my own...
there are so many cars out there...

when you're ready, you'll find one...

one thing at a time!
first learn the sport...
and have fun!
Jamie
www.subiegalracing.com

[majglow]

Yeah....

I would love to get involved, become a co driver, etc... But, I don't think anybody would want me... heh...

And yeah, I need to learn the sport...

A sport like this just seems so impossible to start from scratch...


I wonder how I'll become a codriver, but I can always try... heh

-cARL

[Subie Gal]

first off... get out there and work the rallies...
get to know the sport...

get a rule book - www.scca.org

and get an scca license...

then after a bit of time, get the word out that you're willing to learn to co drive.... if someone is willing to give you a chance..

that's what i did... and it was an absolute blast!

good luck!
Jamie
www.subiegalracing.com

[majglow]

Ok....

I've been looking through the SCCA website...

The whole deal with memberships, licences, insurance, etc... completly confused me...

Could someone quickly summerize it for me? If I want to volunteer at events, what do I need? price? Who do I contact to volunteer?

I guess I should start with that, and then work for codriving later...

Thanks,
-cARL

[Mike Anson]

AFAIK, you do not need to be an SCCA member to volunteer to work at rallies. It would help to know where you're located. What you want to do is to find a some rallies near you and send an email to the organizer - they are ALWAYS looking for volunteers. Be prepared to drive a while to get to the rally - they are usually held far from major metro areas (I'm near Chicago and the closest major rally is an 8 hour drive). All you need to work is to show up, is doesn't cost you anything other than your own personal expense of getting there, staying there, eating, etc.

It's pretty easy to join the SCCA - just buy a WRX. The other way to join is to call the customer service dept, get the # from the website, and tell them you want to join.

You don't need a competition license until you're ready to start co-driving.

Insurance is generally the worry of the organizers. Just make sure you've got regular car insurance.

HTH,
Mike

[Subie Gal]

you only need to locate an event in your area.
most events have a web site with contact information.
contact those in charge... tell them you want to volunteer...

it's free!

they will love you!!!!

get out there and get involved...


Jamie
www.subiegalracing.com

[gameboy]

a previous post mentioned auto-xing and rally-x for experience before you run a real rally. if your goal is to become a driver, this is a fantastic way to start. it's cheap, easily accessible to anyone with a car and will give you a taste of the committment and time required to race. you'll learn a lot about car control and how to drive in a competition environment. start off small- it'll go a long way.

like jamie said, when you do finally get your first car- don't build it, buy it built. it's cheaper, you'll get started much faster, and you'll be less attached to it when you do wad it up.

i started auto-xing 3 years ago with absolutely no mechanical or driving skills. (some would say i still don't have these ) i'm still learning. a year ago, i jumped into rallying with an awd car i bought pre- prepared. last weekend, i broke the suspension and dnf'd at oregon trail. it's not difficult to get into the sport. as you said, you have to start somewhere. just remember, auto-x and rally-x are cheap, rallying is very EXPENSIVE!

good luck

eugene

[TOMMY B]

I think anyone could start here ??

http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthr...hreadid=177720

RALLY ON //////////////////////