Track Kitcar What to get

[EasyJimbo]

Hi Guys
I am looking for a kitcar (either 7 Type or something similar), that I can use on the road but mostly use for track days. I want to buy something already built to a high standard ot factory built. I want to try and acheieve good performance such as that of a Caterham R300 etc. I am thinking Bike engine and wonder what is my best route. My thoughts so far are either:

Order a new MK Hayabusa IndyR built by MK
Used MMR Vortex RT+ (R1?)
Used Westfield
Other..

What are peoples thoughts, I think the new MK is quite appealing as it is well specced, new and a reasonable price..

Any other options, budget is upto 15k.

James

[Furyblade_Lee]

I would be looking to buy the very best second hand car possible for that budget, you could pretty much have any bike engined car out there for £15k. You will end up with a much better car too, only downside it wont be 100% as you would have personally specc'd it, but you will have saved enough money to change a few bits. Good luck and have fun looking!

[Furyblade_Lee]

As an aside, my mate just bought a MINT very high specced Westfield R1 for £8.5k, so your money will go a long way!

[GreigM]

Spanner in the works:
http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?...

I doubt you'll go quicker on track for £15K...

If you need something more "user friendly" you could get a VERY well specc'd westfield megabusa for that money....in fact, you could get one for about £10K, and spend £3K on a supercharger and have an extremely rapid and capable car.

[EasyJimbo]

How didnt think I could afford one of them...:-) What sort of performance will the XTR be and also the westy R1..?
James

[Furyblade_Lee]

Probobly the XTR 0-60 3.5 seconds and an R1 Westy probobly just under 4. But all dependant on weight and can you get the power onto the tarmac with no traction control and a bike clutch. In gear is more impressive and the way they corner....

Just be aware too that Radicals / XTR's etc. Have to run at stupidly low ride heights for that aero to actually produce proper downforce, and that low means that you can forget running them country lanes, they could bottom out and spit you into the trees or oncoming traffic at worst. Witness 750mc RGB racing a few years back when somebody got Radical to build them a car but running to RGB regs ie: sensible standardised ride height and no wing just a spoiler. They were beaten by cars like the STM Phoenix with virtually no ground effect bodywork. But if you want it purely for track, its not a problem, but it will be slower round a track with road safe ride height.

[bobbus]

Furyblade_Lee said:

Witness 750mc RGB racing a few years back when somebody got Radical to build them a car but running to RGB regs ie: sensible standardised ride height and no wing just a spoiler. They were beaten by cars like the STM Phoenix with virtually no ground effect bodywork.

Not arguing with the general gist of what you are saying but I do want to point out that JW in that same Radical did also win the championship by a huge margin, once he had a chance to get the setup right. Completely irrelevant to this discussion I know, but somehow I felt the need to pipe in.

Regards,

Rob.

[rhinochopig]

On the topic of Aero cars vs Sevens, be aware OP that aero cars are very much marmite in the way they drive. They are night and day faster on track and you really can 'lean' on the aero, but they are much less involving and IMO much less fun on track because of this. You simply can't play with them in the same way as you can the sevens.

Some love them though so worth trying one before you buy and I mean on track, as jumping straight into one on the road will have you putting a deposit down immediately as BECs - whichever you drive - are so far removed in performance terms from normal cars that you simply must have it

[stacy]

Don't discount an exoskeleton such an RTR (RoadTrackRace) Rocket. Have had a couple of great sessions in one of those now, latest was at Gurston Down hillclimb. Definitely an alternative to a 7.

S.

[B33FY]

I must admitt I do quite like the idea of a Spire and am considering one as my next project. Not into high revving low torque BEC's myself, I rather fancy a mid engined impreza turbo setup in the Spire as in my current v-storm project

[pete w]

Tiger have two factory built belters for sale at the moment, neither are BEC but are worth considering and are both within your budget, just!

http://www.tigerracing.com/zencart/index.php?main_...

http://www.tigerracing.com/zencart/index.php?main_...

[buzzter]

Go for a Spire. You cant beat it for value for money. They now have the new GT3 which is doing really well in the 750MC RGB series.
http://www.spiresportscars.co.uk/news/2011/01/10/1...

There is more info available on the owners club site.
http://www.spireoc.co.uk/