Road to Race conversion numbers?

[BootStrap]

I've been wondering what are currently the most popular road cars being converted to race cars by individuals. Anyone hazard a guess?

As a way of gauging the most popular I suppose one could look at new race series' being created and what late cars are being entered. Also, fashion &/or trends would dictate that those popular manufacturer based/promoted series would lead to higher numbers of the relevant cars being converted/used for new race cars.

Who has 2pence worth?

Edited by BootStrap on Saturday 9th March 00:08

[SmartVenom]

I'd say it would be cars for one of the popular one make series. Either a series that seems to be growing quickly (BMW compacts?) or more established one make series like mr2s or mx5s that will always need new cars. I also wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of Clio 172s and 182s converted due to their popularity and the fact they are undoubtedly a great base. That said their engine size may be an issue.

[mdm1uk]

Mr2 mid engine rear wheel drive and from £500 base need I say more

[indigorallye]

Lots of Clios appearing in Tin Tops, and they have their own series this year too (750MC).

[mrmr96]

Gotta be Caterhams, surely?

[BootStrap]

Saw some Mk1 MR2s racing at Snetterton this past weekend with MSV, looked like great fun, I'd say the vast majority have been converted already tho - just 3 currently for sale on AT.

I'm off to see TinTops on Apr 6th at Rockingham I think, it'll be interesting to see how many clios there are this year. And I must take a closer look at the new 750 series regs/plans too.

And lastly, I don't know much about Caterham series'/championships. Is the mainstay the 'Graduates' and associated website detailing the different classes? Are there other championships run by different clubs for Caterhams?

[McSam]

mrmr96 said:

Gotta be Caterhams, surely?

Not so sure, as most of those are sold by Caterham as race cars already, aren't they?

E36s, as a type, must be very high up between the Compacts and M3s being used in various series all over the place. Plenty E30s for Production BMW, Project 8 and rallying as well.

[mrmr96]

McSam said:

mrmr96 said:

Gotta be Caterhams, surely?

Not so sure, as most of those are sold by Caterham as race cars already, aren't they?

E36s, as a type, must be very high up between the Compacts and M3s being used in various series all over the place. Plenty E30s for Production BMW, Project 8 and rallying as well.

I think the Academy cars are road legal.

[McSam]

I think so too, but my point was they're not converted from road cars, they leave the factory like that

[mrmr96]

Ok, I agree. So whether they qualify or not depends on how you interpret the OP's question I suppose, because they do get converted into race cars as you progress through the series'.

[WhiteBaron]

Historically, the answer must be old mini's just for the massive no of series they used to run in...


currently maybe saxo's? saxmax/stock hatch/sprints/autograss and cheap too

[andylaurence]

All I ever see at events is MX5s. AutoSolos are full of 'em. Sprints and hillclimbs are full of 'em. There's race series for 'em...