Help Me Decide.

[Massimo]

Hi Guys

Well time is counting down on buying my first house with my partner. Once this happens I will have my own garage, due to this the E30 will be stripped down and rebuilt (Long term rebuild).

Now I am debating what to do with her. Once side is telling me to make a nice street car, while the other is saying dedicated track toy. My problem is I want to go reasonably wild with the car (big aero turbo monster with wide tires yad yad) which really limits the possibilities on the street. So that is why I am thinking track toy, on saying that, there are a few options in this area.

1: Sports Sedan: Regulated Aero, engine no bigger than 6000cc and rev limit to 8500. There are a few variations to this with weight and what not.

2: Gymkhana: You all know the regulations with this one it is just about free as long as you do not touch the chassie. But and Aero work is pointless as most of the time you are not driving fast enough.

3: Hill Climb: This seems to suit me as the regulations are very free in what I want to do. Going down this path I would probably build with world time trail regulations as well.

Anyways that is what I think I would be interested in. But before I go and start this crazy project, I want to ask why you guys race in the category you do? Do you enjoy it? Dose the limitations of the regulations make it more or less fun? I have also heard people say build the car you want then fined an event to race it in, what are your opinions on that?

At the end of the day I am bit lost on what I should do and just want to know what got you guys into the event you are in, and weather that was a good or bad choice, and why?

Cheers Guys

[jlevie]

Anyways that is what I think I would be interested in. But before I go and start this crazy project, I want to ask why you guys race in the category you do? Do you enjoy it? Dose the limitations of the regulations make it more or less fun? I have also heard people say build the car you want then fined an event to race it in, what are your opinions on that?

The most fun (and best competition) occurs in large fields of similar cars. Look around and see what class the car could fit into that has the larger car counts and build the car to compete in that class.

I have a NASA Spec E30and here in the Southeast US fields of 16-22 Spec E30's are common. There are other classes I could have built the car to, but I chose Spec E30 because of the larger field sizes.

[Emre]

The three types of motorsport you've listed are so different from one another that it's really hard to compare them. Personally, I strongly prefer circuit racing. And the trick to door-to-door racing is, as jlevie pointed out, to build a competitive car in a large class of similarly (or identically) prepared cars.

It may sound cool to build an "unlimited monster," but then you: (a) have no one to "dice" with; and (b) never really learn how good you are as a driver.

And if you decide to go down the road of building an unlimited class monster, then you'll generally be beaten by guys that have a bigger budget than you. Also, the E30 is probably a poor starting point for such a project. You'll want a car with a more sophisticated suspension, stiffer chassis, better aero, etc.

Look at the cars dominating time trials. In other words, you should start with a Skyline GT-R, Lancer Evo, Corvette, GT3, Panoz, Radical, etc. If you're on a tight budget, then an E36, E46, RX-7 turbo, or even 190E would be a better starting point.

[Massimo]

Some good words of wisdom there. The sports sedan series has a 2lt class which I think the 318is would fit nicely into. Although the 2lt class is not huge they do get to mix it up with the big boys in some races so that can be fun.

I supose if I build to sports sedan spec I can compete in all those other events even if I may not be as competative.

[Nsquared97]

I have also heard people say build the car you want then fined an event to race it in, what are your opinions on that?

If you don't ever want to be competitive but enjoy racing the monster you created, then by all means go ahead.

It really depends on what you want here, do you just want to build a crazy E30 and enjoy it by racing it, or do you want to go race to be competitive? Because the only way you will be competitive is to build the car to a class, unless there is nobody else in the class. But what fun is that?

Personally I like autoX, but I grew up in the sport. The competition can be very tight and a lot of fun, but you really have to watch the rules or else you get thrown into a class you have no chance in. The other fun thing is you can gradually move up classes as the car progresses and you progress as a driver, which can be very fun a neat to watch happen.

[carfantiti]

do what floats your boat.for the price of a e30 do one of each.

[etxxz]

dude no.
suggest you find a type of event that you'd like to run and track it in a stock car to taste the waters, then build You don't need a wild monster to have a ton of fun. From you post i gather that you have no idea what you're talking about.
1 from the build standpoint
2 from the driving standpoint
3 from the event stand point
4 you have a "partner" makes you sound gay too (and there's nothing wrong, i live in san francisco)

6000cc and 8500rpm limit mean nothing. Remember that there's a 1000 ways to skin a cat... just.. no.. save your money. you'll enjoy it more and track a hell of a lot more if you're not spending all your time in a garage. people get saturated from working, problems and not tracking. Track Track Track, seat time is what makes it fun. Not work work work cash problems, erection dysfunctions and problems with said partner.

[Massimo]

dude no.
suggest you find a type of event that you'd like to run and track it in a stock car to taste the waters, then build You don't need a wild monster to have a ton of fun. From you post i gather that you have no idea what you're talking about.
1 from the build standpoint
2 from the driving standpoint
3 from the event stand point
4 you have a "partner" makes you sound gay too (and there's nothing wrong, i live in san francisco)

6000cc and 8500rpm limit mean nothing. Remember that there's a 1000 ways to skin a cat... just.. no.. save your money. you'll enjoy it more and track a hell of a lot more if you're not spending all your time in a garage. people get saturated from working, problems and not tracking. Track Track Track, seat time is what makes it fun. Not work work work cash problems, erection dysfunctions and problems with said partner.

LOL I only want to know why you do what you do. If you must know we call each other partners because we do not believe in marriage and when we have been together for 8 years GF and BF sounds a bit childish.

Secondly I don’t over work myself I make good money which allows me to buy a house and build a race car. I don’t waste money, everything I own is paid for in full by me I do not own credit cards or a line of credit, in fact the only credit I will ever have is a mortgage when I buy my house, so you don’t need to tell me to save money. As for the bedroom well will just say she can’t get enough. If you actually did know me you would know that I am a very happy and relaxed guy I don’t need someone that does not know me tell me how to relax just ask Blunt he knows how chilled I am.

Yes there is a million ways to skin the cat and yes 6lt and 8.5k rev limit does not mean shit, well it dose a bit but don’t need to go into that. I am simply implying that those are some of the regulations under sports sedan these vary depending on your car. If you read my other post there is a under 2lt sports sedan series. They have events on their own and with the regular SS class. I also said this is something I can get into and probably do hill climbs and gymkhana with the SS 2lt regulations. The point you made on racing a stock car first I understand and I can do that under the SS regulations as long as I meet the safety requirements e.g. roll cage, harness.

As for what I know, well I know how to build cars, everything I know I have learnt in my own time buy myself, with no help from anybody I am very proud to be able to say that. You are right I do not have firsthand experience at driving on the track or in an event. I understand that real life experience is the only way to learn but I have read a shit load on this and to say I have no idea at all is not right. I know something’s and understand the funder mentals which is allot more then allot of people.

I do get somewhat frustrated with people who say track a stock car first. While I understand the learn behind the idea, for some people the building of the car can be just as exciting as the driving. Hence why I want to build the track car, then hit the track. I really can’t wait to start the build. I hope you can understand where I am coming from.

Anyways thanks for your concern I think lol, and I will probably take your advice and throw in the roll cage and hit an event and see what I think.

[jlevie]

I didn't have a problem with your use of partner, nor would I have had a problem with the term "significant other". To me neither imply anything other that a possible "life partner". If someone wants to read something into that, that is their problem.

Working on or building a race car can be a lot of fun. But there is more fun to be had by competing with cars of similar performance. Which is why I suggested building a car to fit into the largest classes.

[HippyEarly]

I don't think the following has to do what you are looking for, but....

I was having a discussion similar with my brother and my dad about building my car to a class spec a few weeks ago. Everything from cage to suspension. What we came across (and this is for my needs), is to build my car (a car i have owned for 10 years and is my first and will own till it is no more) to backwoods spec. What my car needs to do is put a smile on my face carving canyons and country roads. The ability to run a 1000 mile tour down the coast and rip some mountain terrain. If/ when the satisfaction of what my car can do is not enough and i want more competition (aside from my brother and father in their germans) a second e30 in a specific class similar to what others are saying. For me I imagine it would be Pro3 class because of my location. As well the money is not there at this time for me to be able to support a race car flat out. So a car that i can enjoy on back roads with my family and friends is more important/ valuable.

[SlapDash]

There's always rally...

slapdashracing.com

Go to cagethis.com for the cage.

I've never had more fun in my life. Really.

Despite the multi near-death experiences.

[etxxz]

lol i'm just busting chops with the partner thing, mate. i'm in your same position.

my point was an experience based - even further than my own - suggestion on getting the most fun and track time as you can. Psychologically, people that spend too much time working and fixing their cars get saturated quickly. First failure, sure you fix it fast, get back on the track. Happens again and again, you'll find yourself it takes more and more time, causes aggravation, costs lots of money, you miss many events etc. Its easy to build a very fast, reliable car within a decent budget. Once you cross into monster realm, to lap 1-2 seconds faster, then problems are sure to follow. You will make up that time by becoming a better driver. Big aero, Wild engine, First build. Just too many variables to tackle at once. "When you see your neighbors beard on fire, put yours in water."

You can go big, just set some targets unless you're ridiculously rich, in which case, don't even go e30. As listed above, you're past that point where it makes more sense to buy a bad ass car and start from there. Know this though, its more fun to drive an e30 than an e92 m3 because you don't have to go 150,000miles an hour for it to feel fast or fun... its also a hell of a lot cheaper just to throw a couple relatives.

[Massimo]

lol i'm just busting chops with the partner thing, mate. i'm in your same position.

my point was an experience based - even further than my own - suggestion on getting the most fun and track time as you can. Psychologically, people that spend too much time working and fixing their cars get saturated quickly. First failure, sure you fix it fast, get back on the track. Happens again and again, you'll find yourself it takes more and more time, causes aggravation, costs lots of money, you miss many events etc. Its easy to build a very fast, reliable car within a decent budget. Once you cross into monster realm, to lap 1-2 seconds faster, then problems are sure to follow. You will make up that time by becoming a better driver. Big aero, Wild engine, First build. Just too many variables to tackle at once. "When you see your neighbors beard on fire, put yours in water."

You can go big, just set some targets unless you're ridiculously rich, in which case, don't even go e30. As listed above, you're past that point where it makes more sense to buy a bad ass car and start from there. Know this though, its more fun to drive an e30 than an e92 m3 because you don't have to go 150,000miles an hour for it to feel fast or fun... its also a hell of a lot cheaper just to throw a couple relatives.

Lol I know where you are coming from my two brother inlaws own a 135i and a e46 m3 driven both and still can't get enough of the e30. LOL. Ill get a cage and harnesses put in the got hit some events.

[Fusion]

Personally, my 30 is going through an evolution from just street to (hopefully) full fledged track.
Except my main reason is the laws over here will soon make it almost impossible to street my car, especially because swaps are illegal. The positive thing is I've been tracking the car since it was a shitbucket and have tried to think through upgrades, learned to drive with the upgrades etc. I think "building the best thing possible" isn't always the best approach because you could find yourself in a situation, where you don't like a certain aspect of the car when finished and you might not be sure what should be done because you don't have experience with the "shittier" version.

A similar explanation is the guys that buy an E46 M3, take it to the track and think they're the fastest. Yes, they might have a 10s better lap time, but what good is that if they spin out after three laps? If it was a race, I'd rather be slower but with consistant lap times and finish the whole race than be disqualified after a couple rounds.

Get an e30 touring or sedan with a hitch, build a track e30, and get a trailer to pull the e30 with the e30. Win.
That's just my 2c. I'm not implying that a different approach is wrong in any way. We're all in it for the giggles afterall.