Quote Originally Posted by raceweasel View Post
I am wanting to eventually race in a scca race and am wondering what class to aim for with my 1980 datsun 210 for next year. My plan is to leave the engine mainly stock and gut the car, put in roll cage, fully upgrade the suspension/brakes and run dot tires. I was thinking the class I would run in would be ITC. In ITC there are a lot of datsun 510 guys that race in that class. My car's engine (A14 1400cc pushrod motor) maybe a little bit less in hp than a 510's L16. Though could i compensate by taking more weight off to compete? Is that legal? Also what other cars race in ITC so i have an idea of what i am going up against. I also think this class would be perfect for my situation as i do not have tons of money to invest in a fully built engine yet. This class seems to be a momentum class which is also something i like. Anyways are there other ITC guys in here that race datsuns and know about the 210's and could give me their opinion on the car i have and being in an ITC class? What do you people think?
Welcome to the insanity! FYI, most posters include their names and location in their profile and signature (minor point).

B210, that is a nice looking car. Best of luck! ITC is a real active class in the Great Lakes Division.

With that said, in the next few days, you will be bombarded with advice to buy your first race car already prepared, instead of building. If at all possible, heed their advice. I built instead of buy and it took much longer than planned and after four years, I am still making improvements.

The best $15 you'll spend will be to buy Dave Gran's book 'Go Ahead and Take The Wheel'. Then arrange to go to some races as crew. I never appreciated this advice until I visited Road Atlanta and Road America for the first time this year. Now, when I go there to race, I will know my way around and can concentrate on racing, and not figuring things out. Do track tours in your street car if you have the oportunity - gives you a chance to see the track out of a windshield without the pressure of being in a race car.

Set realistic goals, and build up gradually. And have a good attitude. Racing is great fun, but there will be setbacks, and trials. Attitude will get you through them, and you will have a great time.

Good luck.