Would you build yourself a trackday car?

Simon · 9th January 2006, 06:59 PM

If you could build a car JUST to have fun at the track (not road legal) and it could be done on a budget, would you?
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Ron Earp · 9th January 2006, 07:54 PM

Yep, done it a bunch of times so far!!!!

David Briggs · 9th January 2006, 10:50 PM

First race car was like that, an RX 7, bullet proof and lots of fun. The car was given to me and my son and we had it on the track in 30 days! Raced it for 4 years, probably only had $4,000 invested in the car itself(except for tires and brakes). It was very satisfying to take it to a track day with my friends in the Pantera Club, the noise from it's exhaust was painful and even a 600 hp Pantera could not be heard running along side it!

Ron Earp · 10th January 2006, 07:03 AM

Yes - exactly for the reasons David mentioned. Even if I didn't race, now after doing so I'd have a dedicated track day dog. The track dog allows you to get on track in a fully prepped car and be safe as well as confident you aren't going to trash a $XXX,XXXX car. You'd be suprised at what these two things alone do for your track driving. And, the track car can wear proper track rubber (although with the common DOT R tires now this isn't a big deal anymore) and get rid of the crappy street tires. No matter how good your street tires are, when you swap over to some proper tire you will not go back.

Are you thinking about doing it? If so, do it and do it to whatever your budget allows or you feel comfortable. There are plently of race cars for sale that make great track cars for pennies on the dollar. It is a lot more fun driving a fully caged 1st gen RX7 around the track balls out than tip toeing around in a late model street Ferrari.

R

Russ Noble · 10th January 2006, 01:20 PM

Do it Simon![img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img] Everything Ron says is right, but a word of warning....... If you have a competitive streak in you, that budget will go out the window. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nono.gif[/img] The money you have put aside for the wife's new kitchen will go on yet bigger tyres and rims, bigger brakes, better shocks...... And then there's that fella that can't drive but is blowing you off down the straights and pipping you across the start/finish.... Stroker crank, new cam, bigger, heads, dyno time. After that you're going to need a trans upgrade..... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif[/img] If you've got enough equity in your house you should be able to get a mortgage to placate the wife and get that kitchen before she walks out, and while you're talking to the bank you might as well get another 10k just in case there is any unexpected expenditure, like having to replace a corner or two that's got knocked off.

One final word NEVER, EVER use racing and budget in the same sentence [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bash.gif[/img]

Regards

Jac Mac · 11th January 2006, 01:37 AM

Jeepers Russ, You will scare him off the idea, just do it Simon , do it for as long as you enjoy it and while you are young . I have seen far to many who have left their run to late. A final thought, I have a couple of mates who have each bought their wives at least 10 kitchens all of which can exceed 100mph and only ever fried rubber!! and their still married! Where did I go wrong!! Cheers Jack

Simon · 11th January 2006, 04:42 AM

[ QUOTE ]
while you are young .

[/ QUOTE ]

I fear it may be too late already then! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Jac Mac · 11th January 2006, 05:51 AM

Simon, I knew I should have edited that comment! But that Icon appears to be somewhat"tongue in cheek".The fact that you have asked the Question means you want to. Cheers Jack.

Richard O'Clery · 11th January 2006, 08:55 AM

Mmmmm

A 1981 928 - A$10K. Add a 2nd hand LS1 - A$2.5K, a 5 speed + adaptor etc - A$3K, stiffer shocks and firmer springs - A$1K , a cage and some slicks even on original wheels with original brakes - A$2K. An awesome trackday car for less than A$20K! Lots of room to spend more, though...

I'd do it in a moment if I wasn't building something better....

Ron Earp · 11th January 2006, 09:12 AM

Do it Simon, and you don't need to spend a lot of money. Hell, the Spec Miatas we race (you call them Max5s) are plently of track car for most drivers despite the 110hp at the rear wheel. Teach you how to drive and conserve momentum, a good thing. For under $6K US you could have a lot of 1st and 2nd gen RX7s, with cages and race ready, here in the US. But, despite the Fortycation magazine article I saw last month where the author didn't know what he was talking about with US racing, racing in the US is much cheaper than in the UK so, a $6k race car might not be possible for you over there. Go for it!