CSCC Tin Tops - What car?!

[TAHodgson]

Hi guys/girls,

So i'm looking at getting back into racing and this series has caught my eye. Had a quick skim through the regs and seen the different classes etc, just wondering about what kind of car YOU would be looking at as a base. On the road i'm currently driving a Clio 182, which would fit into one of the classes, but I want to keep this as a road car. Just as a challenge, lets SAY I'd like the car and prep to not cost any more than £5k. With entry fees etc on top. Not entirely bothered about which class, but i'd want to build a competitive car, and see if my driving can keep it competitive.
So far i've caught my eye on:
- 205 GTI's
- Clio's (1*2's)
- Mk2 Punto HGT (Bit of an unusual one, anyone think it could work?)

[wildman0609]

A mate has a race prepped punto a he thinks its amazing. I'd be looking at an Integra dc2 would be great in the 1.8 class and a civic vti or Si with the 1.6 160hp engine would be good to.

[frodo_monkey]

I've had a 205GTi and it was fantastic, but you do see a lot of MGZR's out on track so could be one to consider? A friend has a very fast 306XSi which might be a newer option Either way as you no doubt know it is almost always cheaper to buy as opposed to build...

[bozla]

I used to have a HGT as road car. It was fun but I think you will spend a long time trying to dial out the understeer.

[Kickstart]

I think the results for the last few seasons are on the website - from the races I have seen Honda Integra Type R's and Civic Type R's seem to do very well

[andy97]

Agree with kickstart, however at the OPs budget of about £5k I doubt that's possible!

I reckon a 1600 Pug 205 would be an excellent prospect in the upto 1600cc (8v) class and thats what I'd go for - good performance, good spares availability etc. I do know of one potentially for sale so PM me if you want details (its not mine by the way!).

I wouldn't have 2 litre Clio because they would be in the top class against the Integra and Civic Type Rs.

If you can find a decent DC2 Integra at £5K then go for it,because that would be the class of the class! MGZRs also do very well in the 1600-1800 (16V) class.

Another possibility could be a Honda CRX if you can find one.

Enjoy. It's a good club and a good series.

[leighroy]

frodo_monkey said:

but you do see a lot of MGZR's out on track so could be one to consider? Either way as you no doubt know it is almost always cheaper to buy as opposed to build...

I've a ZR which I've nearly finished building for this reason. They're pretty cheap to buy now but as stated above, buying a ready prepared car would be cheaper than doing it all form scratch.

[MMC Andy]

To the OP - the next CSCC Tin Tops meeting is at Mallory Park on Sunday. Not too far away for you - probably worth a look to see what's competitive at the moment. Qually is 9.30am, with the race at 1.35pm.

Andy

[jasonxr2racer]

do you not fancy a Mk4 XR3i XR Challenge spec 2011 Championship winning car?????

has all the right bits on it and would fit into the 1600 8 valve class

[anonymous-user]

Although I never started the build, i have a spreadsheet with the costs associated with building a Phase 1 Clio 172 to "back of the grid" race spec, starting with a nice MoT'd £1500 car and then building it from there. most parts came from K-tec. Cage was about £1000, KW suspension was about the same again, uprated pads and discs, some gentle engine mods, £300 seat, £200 harness, thats about £5k gone...

it is far more cost effective to buy a ready built car but i wanted a long term project and buying parts over time was more financially viable for me.... or so i thought!....

I realised that at the point of the first race, the whole thing would have cost me about £10k (racewear, ARDS test, pre race testing etc) and put it all on the back burner for another year or two..