What do you guys think of these as track devoted cars?..

[Alex Milenkovic]

There's "classes" in racing. It's not simply "Take X car, mod it, go out on the track." There's always limits to what's allowed (unless it's an open class, and usually people have $50,000+ in mods in those classes). The whole idea is to have an affordable racing class (where you do nothing) and an expensive one (where you can do whatever). The best thing for you to look at, is SCCA's website (www.scca.org). Most "club racing" is done through them. NASA also has a racing organization that is starting to grow (although they are mainly on the west coast). I'd look at SCCA's ITB class (Golfs, old volvos, etc) or one of their Spec classes. Two good ones are Spec RX7 and Spec neon. In the Spec classes, ALL the cars are identical. They're kept completely stock, and the idea is to see how fast you can go vs identical cars! If that sounds boring, you can try IT(A, B, C) racing. These have different cars, and the slowest are ITC, fastest are ITA (I may be wrong, but I think this is the progression). Approx cost for an ITB Golf or ITB Volvo are around $5-7000 fully prepped with roll cage, race tires, spare parts, etc. You can usually buy them used. Or you can try to do it yourself.. an 86 Golf shouldn't run more than $500-1000 anyway.. if you feel like doing the work yourself. The idea is to find a car within the "class" that suits YOUR style. They're closely matched so that it's a test of driving skill, more than just car speed. There's no gran turismo style class where you can enter a 500 hp car into a pack of 150 hp cars and toast em. Or maybe there is, somewhere, who knows? By the way, if you are gonna get a golf for racing, you need to get a MK1 golf, not a MK2 golf. I believe it's those that are allowed in IT class. Also make sure you get the 8V engine, since the 16V engine goes into ITA class, and the golfs are NOT competitive in ITA, but they do allright in ITB. Alex.

[MiniMadMan]

[MiniMadMan]

What I have in mind is to buy a car that I can grow into.. I want a car that has a lot of potential.. At first I just want to get seat time to improve my driving skills then I will begin modifying the cars' suspension, engine, brakes, tires/rims. As my driving skills increase I would like to work myself into a competitive class so I want a car that will be able to compete with the vetts, and Porsches (am I being unrealistic?).. so with that being said what are your opinions concerning
1. Mustang 90 5.0 Lx.. My reason for considering a mustang is b/c they are cheap, it is easy to find parts, their parts are cheap, and its easy to make them fast.. But how well can I make one of these things handle? I have been reading about Grigs that does some amazing things with their suspension but it costs $5000.. Any one see any of these things on the track kicking some ***?
2. Golf.. I know there are a few of you out there that swear by these things but I am a little worried that i will not be able to keep up with some of the other racers on the corners and straightway.. I know their weight is a big plus, but do their engines and suspension have potential? If so using what? What companies sell good products to modify golfs?
Is there anything else that I can get for about 5 grand that has potential? Also what model/ year of the golf would you consider? i was thinking early 90's.. if there anything that I am leaving out? and I do not want to spend thousands on driving courses just a couple hundred.. Also what is a good site where I can read about the different classes in NY or CT or NJ? thanks

[MiniMadMan]

[Warren Wang]

Don't worry so much about the car. You have plenty of choices under 5 grand. 81-85 RX-7, GTI, Rabbit GTI, Scirocco, Honda CRX, old Civic, 90-93 Miata, blahblahblah. All of these run well, and are pretty reliable track cars. I suggest staying under the 150 hp range.

Go hitch some rides with some real road racers w/ about the same car. 10 bux says they scare the **** out of you. Believe me, you would not believe WTF a good driver can do with a low hp car. It takes years to get good. Just get something, stick a cage in it, and go attend auto-x's and driver's schools.

If you really want a race car, the cheapest way is to buy a used one. Join your local SCCA chapter, and you'll see race cars for sale every month, or go to your local road racing track and find some for sale posters. Check w/ your local NASA chapter too. While you're at it, look at the lap times for some of the cars. Some of those cars are old, and not so great, but they drive the living snot out of them, and have a jolly blast humbling more expensive "faster" car owners (like myself!).

Warren

[MiniMadMan]

[JayP]

I love the 16v engine (had an '88 GTi 16v for several years) but its just doesn't have that much torque and isn't competitive in class.

The other factor is the maintenance... the timing belt MUST BE WATCHED or else. If it snaps, the head is toast. The 8v isn't interference.