One car to race them all (clubs & classes, that is)

What car platform out there has the best ability to get you racing with any given organization, with only minor changes needed?

I am starting to lay out a budget and plans to go wheel to wheel racing; it'll be some time yet, so I am wondering what the best option would be to have as many available events as possible. It sounds like it is insanely difficult to be really competitive in Spec Miata these days so I am looking at other options. Hypothetical budget is $15-20k to spend on a car and the first season.

I know Spec Miatas can run ITA with minor tweaks. Is there a Spec E30 equivalent in SCCA, or someplace they can run? What about E36 cars? Or anything for that matter? I know E36s very well but it does not seem like they are raced heavily at a club level.

In reply to SlickDizzy:

The 1st Gen RX-7 still has a good following (Spec 7, IT7, and regular IT). Honestly though, the better bet would be a car that can cross-club. Running multiple SCCA classes just makes you very busy on a single weekend, a car that can crossover clubs will give you more weekends/opportunities to race.

So, I'd look into BMWCCA and find a class for a Spec E30 type car, or maybe an E36 that can run IT in SCCA, or go PCA for Spec 944 / IT. A Mustang or Camaro has options in NASA (American Iron) and SCCA (IT, etc).

Spec e30 fits in NASA/SCCA/BMWCCA classes - but as a racer I'd suggest first determining which organization has the schedule you'd like to do, and work it backwards.

Javelin, that is exactly what I am looking for, something that can run multiple clubs' events with the least amount of work needed to move from one to another. I am thinking an E36 built right could be a decent contender in SCCA ITR/NASA GTS2 (possibly a BMWCCA class, but I am not terribly familiar with their structure).

There are many E36's being run in competition, they just aren't as popular as the E30.

Since you know the chassis well, might as well go that direction. Keep in mind that trying to build a car to work across major clubs like SCCA and NASA (who are direct competitors) may be more difficult than it is worth since there may be differences in how the cages are built, etc. Basically, instead of talking to us, I would speak directly to the local Tech Stewards for each org you're looking to run with, but only after you've read the rule books for each org.

A spec miata can run GTL, STL, STU, ITA/ITS, EP and/or FP in SCCA with no modification needed. I ran my SM in FP in 2011 and won the regional class championship.

the e36 can run bmwcca is, ip, kp, cm, dm., SCCA IT, NASA GTS 2,3,4 & 5 competitively.. depending on what you do to it. good crossover potential in the prepared/gts classes and there are plenty of TT and auto-x classes where it does well too.

turboswede wrote: There are many E36's being run in competition, they just aren't as popular as the E30.

the e30 is nowhere near as prevalent as it was.

at any BMW club race weekend the two largest classes will be CM and IP, dominated by e36/46 cars.

I am typically one of five or six people racing one in a field of 40. aside from SE30 it's a dead platform.

Here is another idea. What about a car that you can run in a class in SCCA or NASA and vintage racing? I mean there are old enough Formula Vees to be vintage race legal or a Spitfire or Midget.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

I don't deal with the BMWCCA world as it isn't even running up here in the PNW. Around here the Spec classes are Miata, E30 and 944 in that order of size and particiaption and most run in their nearest IT class when they jump orgs (either CSCC, SCCA or TC).

NASA only has a small foothold up here.

Given the number of E30's I've seen built and traded around up here, I'd say its healthy still. Eventually I suspect the E36 will take its place as their prices continue to drop, much like the E30 did to the 2002.

93EXCivic wrote: Here is another idea. What about a car that you can run in a class in SCCA or NASA and vintage racing? I mean there are old enough Formula Vees to be vintage race legal or a Spitfire or Midget.

I know virtually nothing about vintage racing, but this is a compelling option. At 6'3" I am a bit on the tall side for a Spridget though (at least I'm narrow at 173lbs)...any competitive tin-tops with class overlap?

In reply to turboswede:

I guess I am applying a myopic eat coast view here. I have no experience west of the "heartland".

my above statements are relative to the East of the Mississippi crowd.

In reply to SlickDizzy:

65-70 Mustang, 67-69 Camaro, 64-73 Porsche 911, Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z, 79-85 SA/FB RX-7, etc, etc. The opportunities abound.

SlickDizzy wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: Here is another idea. What about a car that you can run in a class in SCCA or NASA and vintage racing? I mean there are old enough Formula Vees to be vintage race legal or a Spitfire or Midget.

I know virtually nothing about vintage racing, but this is a compelling option. At 6'3" I am a bit on the tall side for a Spridget though (at least I'm narrow at 173lbs)...any competitive tin-tops with class overlap?

I know almost nothing about SCCA or NASA wheel to wheel honestly. I would look at MGB GTs, Corvairs, 240Z.

Some vintage racing organizations are starting to accept later cars like 280Zs, RX7s, early MR2s, 944s, etc.

In reply to SlickDizzy:

Cars that you may not fit into well with stock seats, could become options once you bolt the racing seat to the floor. Just sayin....

With that said, sticking with a more German or Swedish manufacturer should also produce results. I know in the 944 with a stock seat, my head hits the ceiling in a helmet and I'm only 5'8", but in a racing seat, I'm like a kid again, struggling to see over the dashboard, combined with the removal of the sunroof in a racing car and you'll have even more room.

So this still leads you back to either a Porsche or a BMW. If you want vintage, you might find a 2002 or a 911/912 that you could campaign there. For more modern racing, a 944, 911, E30 or E36 might work. Volvo's were raced right along side 2002's in IT for many years, so don't discount them when looking, I don't think the larger 7-series cars have done as well, but I don't see why they wouldn't with appropriate prep work (and avoiding that fracking PRV6).

BMW 2002 will fit into just about every form of racing. Easily goes from Vintage to SCCA EP, to BMW club, to just about any other sanctioning body. Problem is it won't be ultra competitive anywhere. This is the only reason I went out and bought one... well that and with box flares it looks really cool.

Do you want to race nationally or locally? This can have a big impact on what kind of car you would want to run in a wheel to wheel application, it seems.

Bryce

It would be nice to have something that could be run locally, and eventually used to move up to a national effort. Initially, local/Great Lakes/Midwest though. I'm just thinking that getting into W2W in the right class/vehicle to ensure flexibility could make it a lot easier to get on track consistently.

NASA's PTx classing is so open-ended (so many points per mod rather than a list of acceptable mods for each class) that I think it should be easy to build a competitive Spec Miata or Improved Touring car for SCCA that can be swapped over to be competitive in one PT class or another.

Just make sure that there are local people in your chosen class(es) before you buy/build a car.

racerfink wrote: A spec miata can run GTL, STL, STU, ITA/ITS, EP and/or FP in SCCA with no modification needed. I ran my SM in FP in 2011 and won the regional class championship.

Just to be a rules nerd, technically not legal for all those classes - GTL requires a fuel cell (and SIR), STL has a 5" minimum ride height. You may be able to slide in tech sheds though.

KJ

Let me point out something...you probably can't afford to run in more than one series. Racing is expensive. I think you'll be hard pressed to get through ONE organization's annual season without going broke, much less two or three.

But, if you want to give it a try I have a Spec E30 I'm thinking of selling. The $1800 tire bill for next year has become financially daunting since my pay cut.

I'm well aware of the expense of racing...hence this being a long-term plan. I need a race car like a hole in the head right now, but what the hell, how much?