SCCAForums.com

Obviously just joined the site and I've done my fair share of searching through this section to figure out what I should be doing to get involved but still have some questions.  I want to get into club racing, but from what I've seen alot of you guys say that it's probably best to start in autox which is understandable.  I live in ohio about 3 hours west of Mid Ohio, I know they have some track courses that go for a decent amount of money but I figure they're worth it.

One question that I have at this point is what do I need to do to get into club racing...?

I'm aiming for the T3 or T2 class and figure while I'm planning to get into that at some point I might as well go ahead and purchase the car I will build for it.  I would also be using that car in the autox competitions to get use to it and how it drives.  Which brings me to my next question.  What car should I use?  I've been torn between an rx-8 for T3 or a 350z for T2.  I'm not interested in spending a bunch of money to buy a nice car just tear it apart so I thought those were rather modest cars to choose considering the earlier models are decently priced.  Looking for suggestions of cars to a 22 year old who has a decent income, but not enough to drop tons of money on a car just to drop tons more into it to make it track ready. 

 I know alot of you guys on here are seasoned racers, but I'm definately the little guy with a dream...so any help would be great.

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Lose lips sink ships.

Actually, your best bet is to buy an already-prepared car from someone who is moving on or up.

Nothing is more frustrating than doing poorly and not knowing if it is the driver or the car -- or both.

You'll have a lot more fun as well with a car that is already set up. Just get in and drive. 

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Glenn L. Austin, Computer Wizard and Race Car Driver
2005 Ultra Yellow Nissan 350Z Track Model
Austin-Soft.com
Author of AXAnalyst and PAXitis

How much do you have to spend? Here's the basics of what you need (the costs are my estimates others may be able to provide better numbers):

1) A car - buy a car that's already prepped and has a log book or buy a car and prepare it yourself - cage, fire system, battery shutoff, tow hook, airbag removal, seat harness, window net. The list goes on for a long long time so be smart and buy a car that's ready to go. A cheap T2 or T3 car will probably be $10K+ and will not win but that's ok for now

2) Personal safety equipment - Helmet, fire suit, gloves, shoes, underwear, HANS device - $2K

3) Tow vehicle - You can't drive a race car to the track!!! $15K used $25K new

4) Trailer - open trailer will be $2K - enclosed $4K+

5) Tires - figure one set per weekend $800 - $1400

6) Tools - jack, jack stands, impact gun, etc. $1K

7) Race license - requires attendance at a school - $1K - $5k

8) Per Weekend costs - Brake pads, rotors every couple of weekend, oil change, tires - as above, hotels, fuel, meals, entry fees, etc. $1K - $2K

First year costs for 5 race weekends - $ 38K

Wow, that's expensive!!! And that does not include the cost of wrecking the car (your insurance won't cover it!).

I suggest you start with autocross and then try some track days. Much more budget friendly

 

PS. There are tons of young guys with good incomes who got into track events and racked up huge credit card debt. This stuff is addictive so start slow and don't get in over your head.

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Alan Pozner

I knew the price of this hobby was going to be expensive, but that's not an issue coming from a person who normally spends around that to get a car and make it go fast in a straight line.  I'm sure buying an already prepped car is smart and cost friendly, but I've never been a fan of buying already modified cars because since you didn't do the work yourself you know less about the car when something goes wrong. 

Very helpful advice, thank you for the input on the numbers :) that gives me a bearing of how I should go about starting up.  I'm probably going to buy a T3/T2 car that isn't modified and go ahead with some autocross.  As time goes on I'll get better with driving skill along with saving up money/ taking school courses to aquire a race license.  While the progression may take a couple seasons, that gives me time to put money where it needs to be without stretching out my bank accounts and going into debt.  Two or three seasons of autocross gives me time to build the car, buy the equipment and safety gear, save up a bit for the "first year" of club racing,  take the school courses and still not be completely broke.  Think that's a good course of action?

As far as competing in club racing and the T3/T2 classes, I'm still stuck at what car(s) would be best to look into and start test driving.  I'm also a little confused about the STU class and it's rules and regs.  Is the STU class a bit more competitive than the Touring class?

 Thanks for you're inputs guys, there's only so much information I can get out of the scca websites and pdf docs.  I'm just trying to get a bearing or a starting point for this.

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Lose lips sink ships.

   If you go further down the site there is a T1 T2 and  T3,(club racing) where they will help out a new guy out. I would say a BMW or Pontiac Solstice in T2 or in T3 I would go with any Turbo car or a Honda S2000.

Hope that helps   

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MIKE MACHI
CREW CHIEF
USGUYS RACING
IM IN SHAPE! ROUND IS A SHAPE