Cheapest race car

Duke said:

The cheapest racecar is one somebody else already built.  Unless you have a burning desire to build your own, buy somebody else's and just take care of whatever it needs.

Truth!

along these lines, retired 1st gen RX7 race cars can be found super cheap - $1-3k

I’ve seen a 4th gen V6 Firebird that ran VERY strong in the WRL GP2 class at Texas World Speedway.  There are a lot of those cars around.

Streetwiseguy said:

BMWGeoff said:

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

Right now I'm just looking for ideas from people with experience, and suggestions beyond the standard Bmw/Miata/Honda that's the initial answer to most questions.

There's 2 low-budget endurance series running in Ontario at the moment, plus it could be run in the regional series, or even just lapping to have fun.

I can meet you in Winnipeg August 23 with a race ready Integra.  Caged, Kirkey roadrace seat, non adjustible Konis, 4- 15x8 inch stock car wheels, surge tank for full 2 hour stints at full yahoo, 72 hours of brick like reliability at the Edmonton Chump races.

Or, how about a Cheater twincam Neon?  WCMA legal IT2 car, it would make the points inspectors lose their minds with Konis and camber plates and coilovers and such, but you could pull a few of those parts out.

Or, a well used twincam Neon ministock car, stock car cage and tons of dents... You'd need to stand the wheels up and balance up the spring rates...

Or a 88 Prelude stock car...

How much money do you have? I have a car for you, no matter the budget.  

 

 

I don't currently have the means to tow long distance.

And I'm a mechanic by trade, so building a car is part of the fun for me, as much as buying someone else's already built car is often the cheaper option.

Miatas are a no go here... $5k if you want one that isn't heavily rusted... same for anything interesting you find for peanuts in the south.

I might just have to settle for whatever I can find that's manual and rust-free for a reasonable price.

racerfink said:

I’ve seen a 4th gen V6 Firebird that ran VERY strong in the WRL GP2 class at Texas World Speedway.  There are a lot of those cars around.

Yes I was in that race and that car was quick. It had some huge tires on it

In reply to buzzboy :

$350-$550.

$100 in mechanical parts, oil, and gasoline

$100 in crash damage

$100 in entry fees

$200 in tires every two or three weekends

$50 to drive 100 miles each way in a minivan

I suppose you could also count the depreciation; if you buy a used kart and sell it two years later you'll lose $1000-$2000 on it which will come to between $25-$200 per weekend.