What car - Track Car

[XJSJohn]

Hi folks,

Looking for a bit of inspiration here and perhaps some creative thinking too.

Doing a bit of a shake-up with the old motorsports and am thinking of getting a track car that i will probably perminantly keep at circuit as an alternative that is probably affordable.

Car can come from anywhere in the world as will probably have to import anyway.

Think the basic criteria that i have come up with is as follows (for assorted race series / affordability etc)

1 - Strong engine
2 - Easy parts availability
3 - Affordable parts
4 - 1988 or older
5 - RWD
6 - 2000 - 3000 cc engines
7 - would like to keep the all in cost (including cage etc) to ballpark GBP 5 - 10k

Happy with wildcard ideas too,

So what should i have on my shopping list, my first pass came up with a bunch of Beemers but i have never been a beemer fan, even though they are the logical choice for this exercise.

[Snoggledog]

MX-5 with a mahoosive turbo.

eta.. Chap who services my car has been working on an MX-5 he's named Project Christine. (Yes after the Steven King book). At the moment it'll spin up the back wheels in 6th @ 120 mph when running on full boost.

Edited by Snoggledog on Monday 7th June 14:57

[dan19evans]

an old mini with a hayabusa engine conversion... and a turbo for extra vroooom

[Elskeggso]

Merc 190 Cosworth?

[davemac250]

Ford Capri/Sierra?

Alfa 75? (ok reliabilty might be an issue)

Merc 190?

Or, if you want something very left field SD1...

All raced with various degrees of success, all have good enough background for you to be able to obtian cages/race seats etc without high bespoke charges.

All are not BMW's.

[XJSJohn]

strong engine and easy parts availability i suspect rule out the cossie and the bike powered mini (much as i love that idea)

MX5 interesting idea, when did they start making them??

... probably should point out that likely to mostly tracked on high speed F1 circuites, hence a desire for a bit of grunt.

[7 Sevens]

An XJS Challenge car would seem fitting.

[dan19evans]

Merc 190 Cosworth and Capri are both good ideas mmmm mk3 2.8i capri

[Silverbullet767]

Bit of sideways fun??

200SX?

ETA: Thought you had written 1988 or newer..... Must read properly!

Edited by Silverbullet767 on Monday 7th June 14:59

[Snoggledog]

XJSJohn said:

MX5 interesting idea, when did they start making them??

1989. So almost falls within your time frame. How does an estimated 450 bhp sound? (see above edit)

[rhinochopig]

Starion - cheap, reliable, and given your location parts should be relative ok to come by.

[dougc]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1635027.htm

[dan19evans]

dougc said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1635027.htm

YES THAT! spotted that a few weeks back in the classifieds... me want

[XJSJohn]

7 Sevens said:

An XJS Challenge car would seem fitting.

and i already own the Haynes manual too

Starion ... actually not such a silly idea, possible.

Loving the Dolly!

[GSP]

Snoggledog said:

MX-5 with a mahoosive turbo.

eta.. Chap who services my car has been working on an MX-5 he's named Project Christine. (Yes after the Steven King book). At the moment it'll spin up the back wheels in 6th @ 120 mph when running on full boost.

Edited by Snoggledog on Monday 7th June 14:57

What use is that in the real world though really.

I vote 3 dr Sierra RS cosworth.

[S3_Graham]

shame you have the 1988 limit, there is an early 90's 320 coupe in teh 'fieds for £300 due to a tiny bump on the front... i instantly thought track slag!!

[XJSJohn]

The '88 limit is for one of the more affordable race series' out here (i fink - still some research to be done there .... )

This has given me some ideas though ....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1744125.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1699182.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1748475.htm

Would love teh Jag with a straight through pipe!!!

[dan19evans]

XJSJohn said:

The '88 limit is for one of the more affordable race series' out here (i fink - still some research to be done there .... )

This has given me some ideas though ....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1744125.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1699182.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1748475.htm

Would love teh Jag with a straight through pipe!!!

quite like the cossy

[Snoggledog]

GSP said:

What use is that in the real world though really.

Boring old hairdressers car which can out accelerate a Lambo? It has a certain Q car element to it.

XJSJohn said:

The '88 limit is for one of the more affordable race series' out here (i fink - still some research to be done there .... )

This has given me some ideas though ....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1744125.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1699182.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1748475.htm

Would love teh Jag with a straight through pipe!!!

If it's an '88 limit then go for the Jag. You know you want to. Although the Cossie would take a close second place. Before the Merc would be even halfway useful, it would need to go on a serious diet.

[V8mate]

XJSJohn said:

...a track car that i will probably perminantly keep at circuit ...

Interesting... is that an option at many circuits? What kind of costs/facilities are you aware of?