Teggsan wrote: @Salanis: you're going to Germany to become a master brewer? Very cool.
You bet! That's why I'm selling the race car. I won't be using it for at least a year, and am going to need the money for school expenses.
Teggsan wrote: @Salanis: you're going to Germany to become a master brewer? Very cool.
You bet! That's why I'm selling the race car. I won't be using it for at least a year, and am going to need the money for school expenses.
It was a realization that I have a lot to learn. Making good progress but the more I learn the more I realize there is to learn.
i'd say go with a cmc eligible car then. i agree with others that there is a lot to learn from having less power though so maybe a good CMC capable mustang with a stop in the gas pedal to make you treat it like a momentum car. that way you can spend as much time learning as you want and not have to start over with developing a new vehicle when you are ready.
Ironically alot of CMC racers would call their cars momentum cars (compared to the AI and AI-x cars they run with) it's all a matter of perspective. Figure the average CMC prep fox body mustang migth have 250hp (guess) in a car that might weight 2500-2700 lbs that could be momentum of sorts when compared to my Civic with 135-140crank HP in a 2000-2100lb package.
My current fantasy du jour 
The MEV Exocet. It seems to have love it or hate it styling. Personally I'm in the love it category. It's part Atom, part 7 all Miata.
Step 1 Take a Miata and remove the body leaving the running gear, suspension, subframes and PPF intact.
Step 2 Drop the Exocet 'Chassis' over the running gear and bolt in place
Step 3 Add wiring, gas tank seats and steering column
Step 4 Let Hoonage begin.
http://www.mevltd.co.uk/exocet_gallery.htm
No it's not going to handle as well as a 'real' 7 or Locost vehicle as the engine is still between the front wheels, rather than behind them in a front/mid engine location. Yes the gas tank is a little higher than ideal. Overall the polar moment and CG may not be as optimal as some other cars, but still better than 99% of vehicles out there.
But here's the kicker. The price. Once you exclude the UK 20% tax, the kit is around $3,300-3,500 USD Depending on what the exchange rate is at any given moment. That's realistically 25% of a Westfield or less than 10% of a Caterham. I'd go so far to say that you could build a from scratch Locost for that. Now shipping will probably add $1,500 - 2,000 to that, but it's still cheap. People over in the UK are genuinely buying MX5's as donors and selling enough off them to recoup the costs. Add $2-3 for wheels, tires, shocks etc and I think a $6-7k build is entirely reasonable. They are building a race version with a full cage and some minor aero tweaks for a one make championship, so track work is on. Even adding extra for the cage and some other nice track parts and re-furb along the way, I think $8-9k is easily doable leaving enough for a trailer to come in under $10k.
Oh, I should have mentioned that the cockpit is larger than a standard Miata. Look at the pic above. Even with standard Miata seats not real track seats, there's a ton of room. There looks to be at least 6-8" behind the drivers seat and the foot wells are wider and longer than a Miata.
Race version 
You can see here the engine is in the normal Miata location, which means a relatively massive passenger area 
Yes, I'm sort of smitten with this thing aren't I? 
In reply to Adrian_Thompson:
Yes, we can see... I am now interested... thanks. Let me know how it goes for you... you can be the guinea pig. I am interested to hear how shipping, customs and registration goes.
No, I wont be the guinea pig for a nother couple of. There is one bing built here. He's a link to his build http://www.mevowners.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=exocet&action=display&thread=961
Important question is: How much weight do you save?
Seam's a little unclear, but they talk of 300kg's less than an MX5. So extrapolating I get 2,200lb's for an NA, less 660lb's = approx 1,540ish.
Teggsan wrote: I was thinking of joining CMC and running a Mustang, but upon further reflection, including a weekend at MSR Houston, I think that's a couple of years away. In the meantime, I want to stop doing track events in my '11 Mustang and get a dedicated track car. I'm 6'4" so Miata is probably not the answer. Goal: Move up to red run group within a year on a path toward becoming an instructor. Wish list: * soft limit of $10K including trailer * 250 or so HP (a little more is better) * something that's lighter and more tossable than my 3400 lb Mustang * more or less turnkey but I could take on a prep job if I need to
If you want to just track... then 944 Turbo. Easy 250 to 300 whp and 3200lbs. Price can be 6000-10000 for stockish car. However if you really want to have fun get 944 non turbo and prep it for 944 spec racing. There is a nice group growing in NASA Texas right now and you can get a complete race ready log book race car for under 10k. It has only 130 hp to the rear wheels,(150 at the crank), but is very fun to drive coming in at 2600lbs with driver and racing in pack of other 944's is plenty fast. The car is easily tossed from corner to corner and is easy on consumables due to the low weight and low hp. It can also handle a 6'4" driver as we have a few that tall racing with us.
Klayfish wrote: I'd agree with the others. Ditch the hp requirement. Find the racing groups you want to run with and find a car to go play with. Your budget is enough to overwhelm you with choices. I've been out of the track day game for several years and hoping to return this year. It'll be with a <120hp car that's almost 25 years old which I bought for under $1000. It's a former SCCA car, so it's ready to run. I won't set any speed records, but who cares. I'm out for some fun at the track. You can find tons of old SCCA cars from racers who are getting out of the game or upgrading. Since you've run Mustangs, look at the Fox body or early SN95. You can get a fully race prepped one for well under your budget. If you insist on a super light car, maybe a race ready CRX? I think you'd fit in it fine.
Where did you find a deal like that? I have been scouring the internet for a couple months trying to find a dedicated track car for me to run. I would really like to pickup an E36 but at this point I would drive anything light on the budget.
Sometimes deals pop up on here.
http://www.race-cars.com/
not mine, but....
http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=34860
How about this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Late-Model-Chevy-Road-Race-Car-/280702329877?pt=Race_Cars_Not_Street_Legal_&hash=item415b29a415
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