Hey all!
I read some good advice recently to take part in at least one great car event each year. Something that I have not been great with over the last few years.
Anyway, decided that since I live close to the Silver State Challenge, I should sign up. So I have.
My son and I will be entering one of the rookie classes (95, 105, , 115, 125mph) and are currently without a good hardtop car option (my Jag f-type and 76 porsche targa would reqire a rollbar), so we are on the hunt for a sub- 7k ride to purchase and use for the event. It is likely that the car we purchase will be short term and resold, so something relatively marketable.
Looking for some ideas on cars. I have been thinking about any German lux- (BMW 540, 740, Merc E or S class, Audi 6 or 8) along with American power (Ford Police Crown Vics, Mustang, Camaro, Charger). What obvious choices am I missing?? High speed sleepers??
I read up on the event via Wikipedia
I see...
Drivers and optional navigators compete to set a specified average speed ("Target Speed") over the 90-mile (140 km) course. The start and finish time for each car is recorded against a GPS clock, and the average speed is calculated from the elapsed time. In each speed class, the winners are driver and navigator to achieve the speed closest to their target speed.
- Touring Class (Speed classes: 95, 100, 105, 110 mph)
Stock street cars with regular 3-point seatbelts may be run in this class. A handheld fire extinguisher must be fitted, while gloves and Snell approved motorsports helmets must be worn by drivers and navigators. First-time drivers must run in this class unless they have appropriate motorsports experience. At no time may the car exceed the Tech Speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).
I see the dream having a fast car where you can tweak the ecu to not exceed 124 mpg.
I am reminded of some old like Gen4 Camaros. The cars were capable of 150 mph but if you didn't buy the car new with the big-fast, z-rated tire package then the car came limited with a much lower top speed. But, it still was just as fast up to that limit.
Now, with engine tune options you should be able to set a top speed limit.
I've been a course worker at the Big Bend Open Road Race, run under similar rules. HERE's the results from this spring (The only one I've missed since starting in 2005). Some observations:
In some classes, it feels like a Corvette parade. With good reason, I suppose.
There are always lots of Mustangs and Camaros among the sporty cars in the field. They don't take much work to meet the rules and be competitive in the slower classes.
BBORR allows pickups and SUV's. I know of one team that, having a problem with their car in practice, raced their truck and did well.
There have been a few Miatas, including some with forced induction.
I occasionally see scruffy V8 GM F-bodies for sale in your price range.
How much are the Charger cop cars going for these days?
Novices have to run Touring their first year so nothing outrageously fast. Comfortable, safe, and reliable are the things to shoot for. Probably a German sedan/wagon of some flavor.
First gen Genesis sedan R-spec
Yeah- I know that Z06's are a big hit each year for the Silver State also. Maybe after we get fast!
Seems like big german sedans make the most sense. Could rock an LS400 also!
Tom1200
SuperDork
6/17/21 10:58 a.m.
Any reliable car that will do 125mph will do. The only section of the road that has actual corners is the canyon / white river narrows and that is all of a mile.
Something like 30 years ago I hauled some signs up to Lund for the organizer. Drove my mini pickup and I think we averaged 90mph (it was floored the whole way) The road is that open. If you haven't already take a drive up that way.
The speed limited classes are the way to go.
My vote would be neon srt4. Go have some fun in something quite different.
So, you need to average somewhere between 95-125 mph over 90 miles of (probably pretty flat) desert roads? Total budget under $7k.
Seems like a W211 (or W210) E-class would be perfect. Sedan or wagon. With or without AWD.
I just picked up a one-owner E350 sedan with 135k miles on it for under $4k. Just needed a proper 4-wheel alignment and a set of new tires (Michelin Pilot Sports). Doing a full brake job and fluid flush just to be safe.
Seems like the perfect car for what you need
Do you have a specific speed class in mind?
I don't know how twisty turny the 90 mile course is, but I'd imagine almost anything made in the past 30 years could compete in the 95mph class.
So since you're probably going to sell it along soon, why not chose something that you've always wanted to try, but wouldn't own due to long term maintenance costs. I'm thinking along the lines of an S4.
The rules probably dictate proper speed rating needed for tires. If choosing a unique vehicle, make sure you can get proper tires for what might be a unique tire size.
This year I am capped as a rookie in touring
- Touring Class (Speed classes: 95, 100, 105, 110 mph)
so 110 average is the fastest I could go. There is also a limit to top speed (124) in touring, so almost any car is eligible.
I have my eye on an 2001 Audi A8, but it would be just my luck to lose the glass tranny under my ownership. I did see a nice MB CLK but it sold. E class would be a good option.
I think the e38 740's are nice, the later ones are somewhat scary.
I used to race Neon ACR's (gen 1 and 2), SRT would be fun if I can find one that is not totally MF'd
Somewhat off topic (but it's my topic...), seems that Craigslist is not what it once was, FB marketplace is full of scams. Where to search for cheap cars anymore?
I also found a line on a nice 2004 Mini Cooper S
FB has really hurt CL but I still like CL.
My hatred of FB is that you can't filter to only see private party sales. It's just chock full of bloated dealer listings.
If shopping high end, then https://bringatrailer.com/
Or, the lesser, https://carsandbids.com/
It seems to me that you want reliability more than performance.
Can't most modern cars do 124mph?
Saturns, some of the E36 M3tiest of E36 M3boxes were governed @ 124 back in 1991. I would imagine a Camry or Accord V6 would maintain 100ish speeds easily, with adequate power on top, without being a rolling timebomb. This is assuming its not a very curvy course.
Otherwise, the answer for performance in this price range seems to be Z / G35
