Edited to add PC-friendly link to the above:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Deutsche Marks is an offshoot from Future Classics, so Id presume so - I think that accepting post 1990 vehicles is the only difference.

Change .com to .co.uk and you're away. I think.

Great thread btw - would love to get a track toy and race myself, but my total technical ineptitude puts me off somewhat, and this thread underlines that...

Thanks GC, perils of using my phone.

Can't imagine someone going to all that expense and trouble to only do one race per weekend if they have the chance to do more. The thread says the E30 is 870 kilo and I imagine with have at least 250hp even with no real tuning.

You see that is the problem when a race series becomes popular and has very open rules. Nothing to stop someone building a very light car and/or picking one which allows for massive engine tuning both of which are not really achievable with the 968 (if comparing with stuff like the E36 M3 evo).

Another option is Track Day Trophy;
http://www.clubmsv.co.uk/teams-2011/manhattan-raci...
Top bloke Tony, I believe he did DM for a bit as well and is sometimes found on the 968uk forum.

Sadly I can't enter the 968 into the Future Classics (yet) as its too new. However, not sure the rules about the other way around. I'm guessing you should be able to enter Deutsche Marks with the BMW.

Parts shopping for the 968

Now the cage, seat and harness are done, I now need to order some more parts for the 968 to comply with the regs. Here is the shopping list.

1) Fire extinguisher system, with fixings & hose
2) Battery kill switch, cable and fixings
3) Battery box
4) Boot and Bonnet pins
5) TRS tow straps
6) Toyo R888 225/45/17
7) Toyo R888 255/40/17

All comments and advice on which parts of buy, experience of fitting, issues, very welcome!

Just take the gas strut lifters off. With that amount of weight there is no way the rear hatch will be flapping about if you take the gas strut lifters off.

Ok, I won't bother with the boot pins. Just thought it might save a bit of weight to remove the electric boot catch and lock. But guess its not much

Sunroof has been removed and metal panel welded in its place. Along with the cage should make it much stiffer.

Saturday 27th October will be remember as a key date in the story of my "dream of becoming a racing driver". It was the first time I have driven my 968 race car!

The guys at RPM have been busy all week making the final touches to get it drivable. Its certainly not finished, and the paintwork looks rubbish, but reached a point where it can be started up and run around a circuit.

Made the 1 hour drive over to Bedford Autodrome, a 4.3 mile circuit which I have driven many times before. Its a great circuit for testing cars as it has some long straights, fast and slow corners and importantly lots of run off areas! I unloaded the 968 and was ready for the maiden voyage. Strapped into the bucket seat, steering wheel fitted, helmet on, and I headed out on the circuit. I took the first couple of laps steady while I got use to driving the car - as I have never actually driven the 968 before! Ever!





First impressions were very good. It was very noisy due to the lack of any sound-deadening or carpets. The engine was running smoothly and the 6-speed gearbox was good. I was sat low down in the car, and this along with the roll-cage, actually made the handling very good despite being on standard suspension. The pace was very good, able to keep up with most things on the circuit. I pushed it a little harder in the corners and that's when I spun in quite an impressive pirouette!



I could have driven for many hours, but sadly the car started to over-heat and leak coolant so I had to retire to the pits. It could be either a lack of air-vents in the new front bumper or something wrong with the thermostat But I wasn't disappointed as that is the point of doing the shakedown.

So a very successful day, and we now have a benchmark to now improve and tweak the car. There is still a lot to do (including paintwork), but I am pleased we have managed to get this far!



As always, more photos and generally ramblings on my blog http://matracing.blogspot.co.uk/