Group C prototype race cars market
Discussion
I am looking at investing in a C2 car to do a variety of races and if funds allow actually get into the group c historic races. Anyone know how to get a clear picture of the market in these cars as the prices vary enormously. Are there some to be avoided as they are just not competitive or would struggle to get the right papers?
Thanks for that, I have made contact with many people already in Group C racing and some restorers already with group c experience. It seems there are a few big priced entry level cars that still need expensive work which is likely to be a blank cheque. There are some already running post refurbishment for about half the price of a similar Spice and way below the C1 levels. I am also advised that the cost to run a C1 due to the more complex engines is much higher, rebuild costs are a bit eye watering. I think a clean, straight already refurbished C2 car may be best bet for my wallet and hope the gap between C2 and C1 narrows a bit as there is quite a gap now considering you are in the same races. Also, according to the guys already in group c, the car you buy may be a winner on paper but the wrong team setting it up and the nut behind the wheel make most of the difference and some lesser cars have done well. Have you run a Group C yourself?
Great info all round and as a result I am going in a couple of weeks to the Spa six hours where the group C circus is racing. I will see how they all operate and who seems to be well organised and hopefully fair priced. However any contact numbers for those guys that have good reputations would help now. I was thinking around £135k purchase price which gets things like an ARGO, ADA needing a bit of work, an already refurbished TIGA, a Spice with lower power engine needing work. Jump up £25k and mint C2 cars appear and again a Spice with lesser engine than the other equivalents at same money. £200k get a good all round Spice refurbished with good engine and £250k gets into C1 class by way of Nissan but that is already double current budget. I would Love a Jag XJR anything or C1 Porsche or Sauber Mercedes but big big money to buy and run. I saw someone just spent £350k refurbishing a Lancia LC2. There are some bargain projects around where the base project is available at £45k but estimating refurbishment is a dangerous game and could take a year when I could be racing. So back to reality they all vary enormously but I have found a TIGA that is refurbished and has won C2 in historic Group C race when last out so should be competitive and is still in budget. My enquiries and talking to everybody has also shown that someone will always slag off other cars and the only ones not criticised are way beyond budget so you become a bit damned if you do damned if you don't. I must also bear in mind that buying is one thing the estimated annual budget cost to run a season is £50,000 so my three year budget to actually race is £300,000 allowing for some repairs but big repairs could mean saving money by missing races. The entry fee alone for the Group C Le Mans pre 24 hour race is £6000. Not a time to crash on the first corner.
Deal just done on C2 TIGA with fresh DFL so lets hope I can drive it well enough to do it justice. Had a chat with a few of you guys and think I have the right people set up to run it but will be finding out more at Spa next week and later in month at a no noise restricted test day at Donington. Not sure what is better than a cosworth V8 screaming through straight pipes.
I think I am going to have to stay red. The group C series ask that you keep all the period livery and the sponsor stickers from same period. The car currently looks as it did when it ran Le Mans in 1989, albeit it stopped after 12 hours racing with electrics. There was a time when it ran in the Nurburgring 1000km and won in class and then it was all white but many other cars in series are all white and only a few are red such as a couple of porsche 962s and Mazda 787b. Nice to be a bit different.
Going to use the same company that were running car for last owner as they know it well and were involved in its recent renovation work. They also run a racing F40 and have been in Britcar so know their stuff. A big step up in knowledge and experience from the last people I used called AtomicRex now changing to Minotaur Racing after gaining a bad reputation under the previous name. Was there someone you were going to recommend?
You got it. The history with Simpsons goes back a long way as it was the father of one of the partners in the business that actually raced the car at Le Mans in 1989. They got the car back a few years ago and completely refurbed it. It did a few Group C races with an owner who also runs an F40 and some touring cars. Now it is my turn and they are currently doing the winter nut and bolt strip down.
Changed my name as seemed appropriate. Prep is going well. We has a result in getting fuel cell certificated for another year without need to replace, now just need wheels crack tested and we are ready to roll. Going to miss first race of season in Barcelona but next is Donington followed by Silverstone classic. Cant wait.
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