THSCC Forums

OK,
I just wanted to get a few thoughts on this. If there was a track only car available that met the requirements below, what would you be willing to pay, if anything for it?

1) Meet all Requirements for 99.9% of HPDE and driving schools, including matching passenger restraints
2) Be Competitive at a local and regional level, and be mid-pack at a national level in classes such as B or C Sports Racer
3) It would be reliable and require minimal maintenance throughout a season.
4) Use off the shelf and standard parts for ease of upgrading and customizing suspension and power train parts
5) Easy access and use for setup components for Camber, toe, etc.

This vehicle would not be legal for street use in many states to cut keep the cost down. If there were enough bought there could be a spec series similar to the FF5. The Basic concept would be a radical type vehicle on a Spec Miata Budget, and reliability.

So, what are your thoughts?

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Marty Howard
2011 NASA SE Factory Five Challenge Champion
Track Events Logistics Coordinator - TZC/THSCC
2007 Factory Five Challenge Car.
http://www.mh-motorsports.com

Except for the passenger requirement sounds like the 600 Racing's Thunder Roadster would fit the bill. Purchase price 7 (used) to 15 K, fits in the bed of a full sized pickup. Spec sealed motor and spec chassis/tires. Parts are inexpensive and the chassis is adjustable for setup. Bruton Smith and Humpy Wheeler tried to get the SCCA to offer it as a spec class, but was given the cold shoulder because of a fear it might cut into Enterprise's sales of it's spec roadster FWIWT. IMHO that was a major flub on the part of SCCA as it alienated B.S. and in turn soured a potential relationship with the owner of the most asphalt covered real estate in the country.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

You need a fourth choice. Who wouldn't pay 15K for a track only car. If I were racing maybe but for HPDE, no way. Just bought a C4 vette for half that.

Does that include all the go fast parts you may put on it?

And would it be as quick as say a...

...just throwing number out..


1200..140 HP with a tube chassis car?

_________________
Marty Howard
2011 NASA SE Factory Five Challenge Champion
Track Events Logistics Coordinator - TZC/THSCC
2007 Factory Five Challenge Car.
http://www.mh-motorsports.com

The biggest issue I see with Enterprise's spec racers is they are not HPDE friendly, or even HPDE legal with most clubs.

_________________
Marty Howard
2011 NASA SE Factory Five Challenge Champion
Track Events Logistics Coordinator - TZC/THSCC
2007 Factory Five Challenge Car.
http://www.mh-motorsports.com

I would love to see a car like you describe come into being. A full bodied (but open), lightweight, two-up, and relatively low HP car would make a great dedicated track car that would be both fun to drive and plenty fast. Having a spec series that was well subscribed would be cool too.

I can attest as to how much fun it would be. My car weighs about 1130 lbs empty, makes 160hp and 79ft-lbs torque, and has terrible aero (look up the Cd figures for a Caterham sometime...horrible) but still manages to be top 5 in the TT group on a regular basis. The point is, that with a full body it would not take much HP to make for a really fast car as long as it is light.

Running two-up is not as much of an issue as you might think. When I was paying attention, I ran about 4-5 seconds slower on VIR Full with Matt N on board and I dial it back a little when people are riding.

The car would need to have a good design that keeps driver safety in mind to ultimately make it successful in the DE environment. Some clubs are already resistent to home builts or "race" cars (Like SRFs, Thunder Roadsters, etc.). So something that both looks sturdy and can pass technical inspections with flying colors would be a must.

Somewhat related, I would love to see a Legends type car being produced for a spec racing series. Something with a bike engine, a sports racer type body, and realatively low tech components that was designed for road racing and looked pretty current for a sports racer. Those cigar shaped thunder roadsters are NOT what I am talking about either. The catch is that it would need to come in at $15-18K new and be on the used market in a few years for $6-10K. If someone wanted to front the money...I would design one from scratch...just dreaming a little.

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-Jeff

R1 Powered Locost 7
ITB '90 Honda Civic under construction
2004 F250 Super Duty
http://www.project-seven.goof.com/

Touring Corvette Challenge car, Winner 2003 and 2004, 300whp,400ftlbs torque, at 2800lbs

Wow,

If it meets the reliable part....then there you go.

_________________
Marty Howard
2011 NASA SE Factory Five Challenge Champion
Track Events Logistics Coordinator - TZC/THSCC
2007 Factory Five Challenge Car.
http://www.mh-motorsports.com

Well, if you are looking for design work, then this "might" be a design concept.

_________________
Marty Howard
2011 NASA SE Factory Five Challenge Champion
Track Events Logistics Coordinator - TZC/THSCC
2007 Factory Five Challenge Car.
http://www.mh-motorsports.com

For $12,500 the fastest Mustang on the West Coast...ready to go.

http://www.camaromustangchallenge.com/f ... php?t=2868

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner