Getting into IT racing

[mmz31]

I have been looking into getting into It racing i have have for 10 years in stock cars but on someone elses dime.. it has been about 5 years since i have race i was just wonder where is a good place to find a car and what kind of car.. i dont want to buy a already made one i want to buy one and build it when time and money permit..any help it appreaciated and thanks for trying to help me get the ball rolling

[jc836]

Welcome
You will be advised that buying a pre-built car is not a bad idea at all. You are already aware that racing is a money pit. I enjoyed doing our build, but probably could have saved some by buying a well prepared car-it just does not allow as much creativity. This board is a good place to search for a car as it is class specific. You will also want to contact SCCA and join as well as buy a copy of the GCR to refer to during the year. (There is an online version for free, btw) There are other organizations that sanction road racing events. You might consider doing a "school" or HPDE before beginning a build-another source of car info.

Hope this gets you started.

------------------
Grandpa's toys-modded suspensions and a few other tweaks
'89 CRX Si-SCCA ITA #99
'99 Prelude=a sweet song
'03 Dodge Dakota Club Cab V8-Patriot Blue gonna tow

[racer_tim]

MMZ31, what part of the country are you in?

Most of time it's cheaper to purchase a built car. If you add up everything that you do to build up a car properlly, it will cost you more in the long run, than purchasing an existing car.

Basically, IT classes are pretty much on a scale to $$$'s. ITS are usually the most expensive, and also the fastest. Then ITA, ITB, ITC.

[mmz31]

im in lawrence kansas .. im not intrested into buying a pre bulit car i have a lot of stuff for race cars and i live with a girl that drives late model stock cars and we have all the stuff we need to bulid a car and do it right i have bulit 3 stock cars before and the always ran up front.. i just wanted to get into cause i am busy with her racing and it would just give me some thing to do in our off time.. i just dont know what IT racing is like here in the mid west and im not intrested if theres not a hole lot of people here to run i know its big back home in maryland just not out here..

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CJ Mcabee
Lawerence kansas

[cherokee]

There are quite a few people that run IT in the area. IT is the largest field that is run at any race that I have been to, I live in the Kansas City area. You will not be running alone thats for sure, and there are some very fast drivers and cars out there. It would be very hard to field a winning IT car in any class in your "off time", you can have fun for sure but they take a-lot of work expecially newly built cars. If you would like drop me a e-mail and I can fill you in on who to talk to. Topeka is close to you the season starts in a couple of months, Just come up to a race and see what it is all about.

[mmz31]

whats ur email i cant find it or email me

[cherokee]

You can get me at [email protected]

[zooracer]

some quick advice from someone who has just entered the world of improved touring, and has also just built his own car.
When all the experienced guys told me to buy a prepared car, for some reason I didnt think it was good advice, and went and built my own. Of course, they had been there and done that, but for some reason I thought I knew better.
Someone once suggested on here that you go out and buy a car with your credit card, then pay it off slowly over time. This way your in a car driving right now, not waiting a year to get it built
I would recommend buying an ITB or C car for 5,000 or so (maybe less...). It will have probably close to 8 or 9 thousand invested into it, and you will be paying 50 cents on the dollar. It may not be a championship car, but will get you on the track.
Oh, and if you think your going to build a championship car, you had better allow for about a 15 to 20 thousand dollar budget. Even if you have some race parts already...
With your circle track experience you may consider a mustang, which race in ITB, as you may be more familiar and parts may match what you have...
matt

[mmz31]

i would love to just just buy a car and get going but i do not have a credit card that i could put a car on..i am real fimliar with the mustang and have thought about going that way but i really havent seen many of them runn and just not sure if it would be compitive.. i would just love to get a car and go racing but im so picky if i bought a car that it would be tore apart as soon as i bought and... it may not be the smartest thing to do but thats just the way i like to do things..

[dickita15]

I have a friend that was going to build up an IT car. He is a tool maker and likes things done well. he just was not getting anywhere because he wanted to do it right. I put him in my car for a drivers school and that motivated him. he sought to buy a car and none were up to his standards. he finally settled on a ok car with a spare perfect chassis. perfect solution. he got to race no while still using the spare to build up the car he wanted.
maybe that would work for you
dick

[mustanghammer]

CJ,

I live in KC and can confirm that the IT Run group is usually the largest one on a Midwest Division race weekend. This is true rain or shine!

I couldn't begin to make an educated suggestion as to a car that you might want to build or buy. I don't know what you like. As for me I sold a Mustang that I built from the ground up to buy a good Mazda RX7 ITA/IT7 car and have never regretted the decison.

Here are my rides:

http://community.webshots.com/user/scottp121

Hope to see you on the track!




------------------
Scott Peterson
KC Region
IT7 #17

[mmz31]

i was kinda leading towards getting a RX7 or a crx.. i kinda wanna start out in ITB or ITC..but its just hard to get started and i really dont know anyone out here in scca but i have been around it for many years..i would like to find a freind with a car and do my school and get it outta the way just to see if i would like it.. but that only happens in a perfect world.. i guess im looking for a complete car under 2500 or a car cheap to get started...

[Knestis]

Ooch. Harsh reality time.

Open a savings account, put your money in it, and work races or crew for someone while you build enoungh capital to buy something that isn't going to be a massive headache. Your budget is about half of what a reasonable, cheap, entry-level used car would cost - all by itself - and a third of what you'd need to spend to get that same car and run enough events to get your Novice logbook upgraded to a Regional license.

This is assuming you have a trailer and tow vehicle or can drive the car to the track, you sleep in a tent rather than a hotel, you already have legal driver's gear, and you count every penny as you spend it.

K

Must have forgot a zero?

Mont

[Marcus Miller]

have to check the rules, but I think this would be close to B or C....

http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2212

MM

[Marcus Miller]

or this one.. depending on where you live?

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=362699


MM

[Marcus Miller]

or this one:

http://home.triad.rr.com/mfpearce/

MM

[racer-025]

mmz,

I know of 2 ITB/C Civics forsale in our region in your budget range. One of them was one of my old race cars (1500S) and the current owner has recently spent about $2000 on it and a bunch of time. Its a good solid Civic with 15 years of development (I raced it for 4 years). I bed $3000 would take it with a brand new set of Toyos and a bunch of spares.

Problem is, we are a way over here on the upper right coast...

on second thought, after reading the post above

http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2212

you'd couldn't go wrong for only $2500. Good deal! I guess it really does reinforce the "buy it instead of building it" theory, and even folks with really low budgets can get into this sport.

[This message has been edited by racer-025 (edited January 22, 2005).]

[mmz31]

thanks marcus i know that there are cars out there fairly cheap and in this kinda sport it is hard to come by to find a car to go racing and have fun.. but thats the way it need to be in IT racing keep the costs down and you will be able to get a hole lot more people involed in the sport..

[Marcus Miller]

No problem!!

MM

[RSTPerformance]

Originally posted by mmz31:
thanks marcus i know that there are cars out there fairly cheap and in this kinda sport it is hard to come by to find a car to go racing and have fun.. but thats the way it need to be in IT racing keep the costs down and you will be able to get a hole lot more people involed in the sport..


I agree with you 100% way to go! Don't listen to stories like...


Oh, and if you think your going to build a championship car, you had better allow for about a 15 to 20 thousand dollar budget. Even if you have some race parts already...

It can be done for much less than that. I have spent the last 5 yrs of my life to prove that IT can be and should be inexpensive. In ITB the cars that dominated ITB at this years ARRC where me and my brother. our cars cost about $7,500 to build and since we built 2 we actually saved more and only spent about 12,000 total. (I figure about 7,500 for one and the added expense is because alot of supplies you can "share" for the 2 cars... for example things like dryer vent hose or shower walls to make spoilers you can share between the cars but for one you would have to by the entire peice anyway.) Don't forget
I said I spent 5 years trying to prove this! That's a bunch of track time to learn how to drive and I am still learning..... Track time = best money to invest in racing but it also = a bunch of money! I also took 5 years because I am on a limited budget and I get by month to month to decide if I am gong to race in a race. 2 weeks prior to the event I stop eating (saves money and weight!) ok just kidding but seriously I save all I can to go to an event. You will also need to really look at expenses like tires and such. I use my tires until they show cord on them. I have to because I want to go fast so I spend a little more on hoosiers and I use them till they are gone. I figure even that last session they are still faster than toyo's and since I spent all my money on an entry fee I can't by more tires. The other hard bullit to take is that at some point you will get crash damage and that is truly the expensive part of racing other than tires since it is always unplanned for! I also use 91 pump gas in my engine this will let you by an extra tire by years end!

So $12,000 got us 2 cars and pole and offpole at this years ARRC at almost 1 second faster than third place! We also only purchased 4 new tires total for both cars for the entire ARRC weekend everything else was "left overs" We used 91 pump gas from the gas station. The only reason we spent a ton is because we live in NH. The cost of traveling is huge! but for some reason even if I didn't race I think I would still travel!


If you plan on spending $15,000 on a car you should be in SM going to nationals or in production going to nationals. The Valvoline Runnoffs are unlike anything that you can do in IT. IT is regional and should stay regional. IT is entry level for people like you and me. You yourself explained what IT should be perfectly.


I would take advise from Marcus Miller, and racer-025 who are actually helping you not discouraging you. My next post I will post any links for deals I found for you.

Stephen

[RSTPerformance]

Championship car for less than $4,000:
http://www.coloradoscca.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1071&sid=7e17e9604700c78b3e7a5d bdb87155b2://http://www.coloradoscca.org/phpBB2/...d bdb87155b2 (http://www.coloradoscca.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1071&sid=7e17e9604700c78b3e7a5dbdb87155b2)

Another Championship car for less than $4,000:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4521579971&cate gory=80766://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...te gory=80766 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4521579971&category=80766)


How about a hooked up race winning Datsun:
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/10...084341286ss.htm (http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/1084341286/1084341286ss.htm)

A perfect car for what you are looking for!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4520677730&cate gory=80766://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...te gory=80766 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4520677730&category=80766)

This one is more of a project:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4520677781&cate gory=80766://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...te gory=80766 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4520677781&category=80766)

Another small project car but it has been on track before and for only $1,500!
http://www.ner.org/classifieds/index.php?m...t&fromfromid=11 (http://www.ner.org/classifieds/index.php?method=showdetails&list=advertisement&rollid=251&fromfromlist=classifiedscategory&fromfrommethod=showhtmllist&fromfromid=11)

wow check this out for only $2,000! this is great!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4521058110&cate gory=80766://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...te gory=80766 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4521058110&category=80766)

Those that want to spend 15,000 buy this and go National! HP and ton's of fun in one of the largest SCCA Kohler runnoff classes!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4522019959&cate gory=80766://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...te gory=80766 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4522019959&category=80766)

How about SPO for $3,000!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4520845823&cate gory=80766://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ate gory=80766 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4520845823&category=80766)
[This message has been edited by RSTPerformance (edited January 24, 2005).]

OR ITS 944 for $5,000!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4522406207&categ ory=6434://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...categ ory=6434 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4522406207&category=6434)

I liked this and for the price (less than $4,000) it looks great for GT4 or production.
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/10...097516306ss.htm (http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/1097516306/1097516306ss.htm)

Here is a funny one! Why? the first one when you can have the second one for less! A perfect example for big spendeders in IT.
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/11...105198672ss.htm (http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/1105198672/1105198672ss.htm)
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/10...053635973ss.htm (http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/1053635973/1053635973ss.htm)

[This message has been edited by RSTPerformance (edited January 24, 2005).]

[This message has been edited by RSTPerformance (edited January 24, 2005).]

[This message has been edited by RSTPerformance (edited January 24, 2005).]

[Tom Donnelly]

The CRX for 22k was custom built by OPM motorsports for a customer. It is a pristine, no expense spared, absolutely no excuses car whatsoever. If you saw the car, you wouldn't think it was funny at all. I guarantee you'd be selling your cars, spares or whatever to buy it. But you'd have to dig down deep to explain why you didn't win.

The EP Prelude will cost you alot more than an ITA budget. I've seen that car too and watched it tear up the track. Both cars have had help from OPM. EP motors don't last quite as long as an IT car. But this one comes with no-excuses either.

It would take alot more than $22k to build and develop a full 10/10ths ARRC / National car starting from scratch. And show car quality on top of that. Just check your receipts.

Tom Donnelly
ITS 240z

[gran racing]

The point is it is possible to race much less expensively then most say. If this were not true, I certainly wouldn't be racing...

------------------
Dave Gran
NER ITB #13
'87 Honda Prelude si

[Tom Donnelly]

Dave,

I completely agree. It can be done much cheaper. There are cars less than half that price that run at the front. My point was about the "funny" comment. The price seems strange until you look at who built the car. Tom Fowler is a second generation racer with a wealth of experience, pro and amateur. And he wins. Consistently. And the car is absolutely immaculate. Actually too pretty to race (I'd hate to ding it). Dynoed motor and the works. And since I consider Tom a friend, I thought I'd defend the price just a bit. But you can build for far less and win. There's just no pizza carton cold air boxes on this car. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

That EP Prelude is no slouch either, you should have seen it dice with Grayson Upchurch's EP 240z.

I like cars and racing way too damn much!

Tom Donnelly
ITS 240z

[RSTPerformance]

Tom,

Sorry to offend you. It wasn't ment to offend anyone It cars go for that price all the time. It jsut seems funny to me when the EP car is probably a much better car for the money. $22,000 on a ITA car is way out of contorl for me. Is it worth it for that car yes absolutly. I have seen the car, it is fast, reliable, clean, and no expenses spared. So is the fastest ITA car in the country that was sold for around that price this year. (Anthony S.) His car was perfect as well. If you have the money and you want something like that then it's worth it but for someone like myself or MMZ31 it seems discouraging at first and it shouldn't be. If I did have that kind of money I wouldn't be racing in IT regionals either.

My point is that if you just want to win (even the ARRC) you can easily spend 1/2 that money. Especially in ITB or ITC. I,ve added receipts before. My brother and I have tried very very hard to stay economical. I gaurentee I can build a legal ITB Audi Coupe GT from scratch that could Win at the ARRC. If someone wants to try it give me the budget, I will spend the time to price everything I need out ahead of time then you right the bills and I will build the car and drive it at the ARRC next year. It can be done. I'll budget myself to 9,900. Call grassroots motorsports.

Stephen

[Marcus Miller]

Thanks Stephen, I'm glad to see I'm not the only poor sap out here http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif

That Volvo looks like a screaming deal; If it wasn't across the country...

MM

[Tom Donnelly]

Stephen,

Thanks for the reply. I wasn't offended. Nor do I disagree with the fact that it can be done much cheaper. It definately can. I was just defending a friend's hard work.

Tom Donnelly
ITS 240z
(also on a shoestring budget)

[gran racing]

Stephen, shower walls to make spoilers? Really? You have me really curious about that one.

I too am totally into the Home Depot race shoppe. It is pretty amazing what racing parts you can get if creative.

Tom - if I had the money, I'd consider buying one of OPMs cars... But back to reality for me. http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/frown.gif

------------------
Dave Gran
NER ITB #13
'87 Honda Prelude si

[zooracer]

I cant believe some of the prices for cars ready to go that you posted.
I did build my car from scratch, but like most mere mortals, I had to contract out the cage and some other stuff (like rebuilding the tranny). After purchasing everything from the kill switch to four Kumho tires to four Koni's, etc., I can honestly say I have nearly 8 thousand in receipts. And trust me, my car will not win at the ARRC like it is. And I dont have spare wheels, etc.. Only the very basics. My car was also free, a gift from dad.
I am 34 yrs old and just now getting into IT racing. This is something I've wanted to do since high school, but couldnt afford. So please believe I love the class for it's affordability. In fact, I wish there was a limit on how much you could spend, kinda like grassroots motorsports 200* challenges.
If your a really good mechanic with the tools necessary (thats another thing I have lots of receipts for...) and the time, then building can work.
But from your posts of cars for sale, I would definitely recommend buying built. 50 cents on the dollar (or better)
matt

[wbp]

Good used IT cars don't have to be expensive. We recently sold our ITC Civic (the Red, White and Blue) for $5000. It won a first and a second at the ARRC, SARRC Champion in 2004, Endurance Championships, etc. Fine race car. Rains and Drys, including a set of good 04 Hoosiers plus one new one. Transponder. Ready to go run up front. If you aren't rich, choose ITC.

[cherokee]

Drop me a note you have my e-mail. I am trying to sell my Mr2 again. I will let it go pretty cheap. All you need is a seat and new belts.