Cool! Still too rich for me though.
Photography by J.A. Ackley
While the prices of purpose-built race cars continue to esclate, Howe Racing Enterprises looks to buck that trend with its HR6.
“I hope for it to be a car more [for the general] populous,” says Charlie Howe, who designed the HR6 with Turn Key Motorsports engineer Jack Rinke. “The current road racing market has gotten very professional, and the prices reflect that. I hope this appeals to a more small-time operation kind of guy … a father-and-son privateer type of team.”
Howe aims specifically to bridge the gap between spec Miata and cars such as the Trans Am TA2 class, the latter of which Howe also builds cars for.
The purpose-built racing chassis features bolt-ons such as a Howe reinforced fiberglass body, Wilwood six-piston calipers with 12.188-inch rotors, double-wishbone front suspension with single adjustable coil-overs, three-link rear suspension with a Panhard bar on a Winters Ford 9-inch rear end and a Detroit Truetrac differential. It currently comes with a Tremec TKX five-speed, with additional options under development. In total, the car weighs 2600 pounds.
Perhaps, most interestingly, is what’s under the hood from Turn Key Motorsports. The powerplant consists of port-injected 4.3-liter GM V6 under the hood that puts out 400 horsepower and 365 lb.-ft. of torque. It has a Dailey dry-sump oil system and a Holley ECU.
The HR6 is still considered to be under development. It should sell for around $115,000, says Charlie.
The big question is what will it be used for? Door-to-door racing, time attack, track days, hillclimb or something else? That’s to be determined. However, the folks from Howe feel it fits a need in the market.
Cool! Still too rich for me though.
There's definitely a market for this.
If I can learn to live on about 4% of my annual income I might be able to buy one.
On a serious note I know of at least 4 people that would fit in the target market.
Tom1200 said:If I can learn to live on about 4% of my annual income I might be able to buy one.
You can sleep in a car, but you can't race your house. 
Tom1200 said:There's definitely a market for this.
If I can learn to live on about 4% of my annual income I might be able to buy one.
On a serious note I know of at least 4 people that would fit in the target market.
I’d agree. It’s not for everyone but for those seeking a new tube-frame car, it does seem to hit a sweet spot. Looks like it will retail for about $15,000 more than a new MX-5 Cup car.
Looking at the Howe site right now. Looks like a rolling TA2 chassis retails for $94,000.
My new Legend car with a new motor was about ten per cent of that. Can't imagine what that one would do to a marriage.....
In reply to J.A. Ackley :
Wrong forum.
In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :
J.A. and I discussed that. I think it’s also part of our world. It’s towards the upper end but it’s also reflective of what we see at track events.
bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) said:My new Legend car with a new motor was about ten per cent of that. Can't imagine what that one would do to a marriage.....
J.A. and I discussed Legends cars. Does something like this compete or compare? Or is a Legends its own unique thing with no equal?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
It may only be about $15k more than a new MX-5 Cup car, but also looks to only be about $15k less than a new complete TA2 car. Sure it splits the difference there, but to what end vs just jumping to TA2?
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