ITB Sentra - WTF?

[erlrich]

Why would you want to race a Sentra rather than your 240 Earl? Not for nothing, but your car is a proven front runner, while there are no Sentras built, and who knows how much $$ and development it would take to make one a front runner? MARRS aint weak in ITB!

Jake - not to start a big debate, but (and I know there are those who disagree) I'm 100% convinced the 240SX is done in ITA. Back when Stretch was winning at Atlanta, with a full-tilt, custom-everything, 100 lb lighter 240SX, he was winning with 1:43+ times. I know tracks change over the years, but I just don't see anyone getting one of these to run 41s at that track. Neal Harrison has one of the best built & driven 240s I've seen in the past few years, and he's still a couple of seconds off the ITA record at VIR on his best day.

And yeah, I know ITB is a very competitive class right now; that's why I'm looking there. I wouldn't want to run in a 'lame' class; hell I can go race with EMRA if I just want to collect a bunch of trophies. I know there have been some pretty fast Sentras in ITA (Crazy Joe's comes to mind immediately), so I think one of these - at the correct weight - could do pretty well in ITB. And like I said, I'm just daydreaming right now; but when I came across that listing I just thought it looked funny.

[Knestis]

Come to the darrrrk siiiide....

K

[erlrich]

Come to the darrrrk siiiide....

K

I'm sensing a disturbance in the farce...

[gran racing]

Why not one of the Civics?

Actually...why not just buy a fast ITB car instead of building one? Save yourself a ton of time and money. You've already been doing it the hard way with the 240, no?

[erlrich]

Why not one of the Civics?

Actually...why not just buy a fast ITB car instead of building one? Save yourself a ton of time and money. You've already been doing it the hard way with the 240, no?

Dave - I don't speak Honda; if I were going to go with a known quantity I would take the Golf.

And I know conventional wisdom says buy rather than build, but I dont' think this works for everyone. In my case there are a number of reasons:

1. I'm one of those guys who likes to know every little modification that has been done to the car, and if it was done right. The only way I would ever buy a built car would be if it were a pro build directly from a place like FM or Brimtek, and unfortunately something like that is waaaaay outside my budget.

2. I've seen (and heard about) some of the shit guys have done, even on the fast cars, and I don't want to have to worry about whether my car is legal or not, or if it is going to blow up the next time I go on track.

3. I like the idea of building something different - as long as I think it has a shot at being competitive. Ok, so I'm a little weird that way.

4. I really, really like the idea of being competitive in a car that I built with my own hands. I can't imagine anything more satisfying.

[mossaidis]

I am not sure where the debate is ... the listing is incorrect and it needs to be fixed. EOT ok, let the hijacking begin! oh, it already did... teehee

Ironically,
Mickey

[quadzjr]

3. I like the idea of building something different - as long as I think it has a shot at being competitive. Ok, so I'm a little weird that way.

4. I really, really like the idea of being competitive in a car that I built with my own hands. I can't imagine anything more satisfying.

Personal experience it can be very diffiult to produce something that will satisfy both 3 and 4. That has not been already expolored.. We all look at the numbers.

<-Built/developed MR2 to be different

[gran racing]

You want to run up front, don't want to spend a ton of money to do so, and aren't willing to wait several years to do so???????

I am NOT trying to sell my car, but can tell you someone like myself is your prime person to buy from. They've spent a TON of time researching, developing, researching, and improving a car. The person has experienced the weak points then addressed them. Then if you're lucky, they've proven the car is capable of running up front even though there's more that can be done to it.

Go ahead, build some car on a low budget. We'll get you out there and I'll waive to you as I'm lapping you next Labor Day.

Yes, I get there's the "Earl built this" and not a "hey, that's Andy's old car" attitude. At the same time, you want to take the driver out of the equation as you're looking for a car which can be competitive. Essentially what we all want is "that car is only competitive because Earl built and drives it".

Dave, who is kinda but not really trying to sell his car. Much more towards the not really side.

[mossaidis]

3. I like the idea of building something different - as long as I think it has a shot at being competitive. Ok, so I'm a little weird that way.

4. I really, really like the idea of being competitive in a car that I built with my own hands. I can't imagine anything more satisfying.

I would not agree more (minus roll cage, engine rebuid and tuning/setup). Just add $15K+ to the purchase of the car.

[StephenB]

And I know conventional wisdom says buy rather than build, but I dont' think this works for everyone. In my case there are a number of reasons:

1. I'm one of those guys who likes to know every little modification that has been done to the car, and if it was done right. The only way I would ever buy a built car would be if it were a pro build directly from a place like FM or Brimtek, and unfortunately something like that is waaaaay outside my budget.

2. I've seen (and heard about) some of the shit guys have done, even on the fast cars, and I don't want to have to worry about whether my car is legal or not, or if it is going to blow up the next time I go on track.

3. I like the idea of building something different - as long as I think it has a shot at being competitive. Ok, so I'm a little weird that way.

4. I really, really like the idea of being competitive in a car that I built with my own hands. I can't imagine anything more satisfying.

I TOTALLY agree with you Building my last car this past summer was almost MORE fun than actually driving it on track. Granted I am not even close to the front guys yet so someday maybe it will become more fun to race it than it was to build it! The first session I went on track with my new car was just as exciting and I had the same if not more nerves then the start when I qualified second to my brother at the ARRC. I will also never forget going 130 down the back straight for the first time at WG and saying to myself "Holy shit... we actually got this thing to work!... now which bolt didn't I tighten..." My BEST MEMORY that I will NEVER forget is still the day I got the logbook and to be honest I would hang that on the wall LONG before any of the first place trophies I have ever gotten. (That's my picture that very day holding my logbook in my avatar!)

I think to some of us it's about winning and to others it's about the overall experience from start to end. Ya I want both but in the end racing something you built with your own hands along with friends has a different level of satisfaction even if I never do win, for me anyway.

With all that being said... building a top level car that could be competitive is SO damn expensive! Even when you try really hard to be cheap! Just think of all the money you will put into a new car and what you COULD have done to your current car before you make your final decision! I could have had a kick ass ITB car if I spent all that money on my old car...

Stephen

[Knestis]

Who wants to build my next car because they love it? Bueller? Anyone? Sign me up for some of that.

K

[erlrich]

I think to some of us it's about winning and to others it's about the overall experience from start to end. Ya I want both but in the end racing something you built with your own hands along with friends has a different level of satisfaction even if I never do win, for me anyway.

Thank you - I'm glad someone gets it.

With all that being said... building a top level car that could be competitive is SO damn expensive! Even when you try really hard to be cheap! Just think of all the money you will put into a new car and what you COULD have done to your current car before you make your final decision! I could have had a kick ass ITB car if I spent all that money on my old car...

Stephen

I hear you, and I've been debating that very thing for some time now. Ultimately it comes down to one question; does it make sense to keep putting money into a car that you believe will never be competitive. If that is the case, you either need to be content with what you have, and resign yourself to mid-packdom forever, or you go looking for something else to try.

[Wreckerboy]

Come to the darrrrk siiiide....

K

...and buy a Miata?

[erlrich]

...and buy a Miata?

Oh, wow...and here I always thought guys bought Miatas to get in touch with their feminine side...

[Knestis]

That's the dark stockings side. A very different thing.

K

[Greg Amy]

That's the dark stockings side. A very different thing. K

[Wreckerboy]

Touche!

[Andy Bettencourt]

Jake - not to start a big debate, but (and I know there are those who disagree) I'm 100% convinced the 240SX is done in ITA. Back when Stretch was winning at Atlanta, with a full-tilt, custom-everything, 100 lb lighter 240SX, he was winning with 1:43+ times.

We SHOULD debate this. What times did Serra win with? Alex? Ya know Ruck ran in the 41's this year right? How do you explain that? Do you think that if Stretch built a car now, and developd it, he wouldn't be any faster?

Tracks change, tires get better, people develop. Look at how much faster Moser has gone in just the last 2 years under intense pressure. NOBODY thought there was anything left in that car - but guess what? It NEVER STOPS.

[Robbie]

The B13 Sentra has a ton of power being robbed by its crappy exhaust manifold. I think you'll easily be able to make process power on one. Sport Compact Car did a project on one back in 2001 and even without ECU tuning and a street tuned header, it made some large gains. I'll see if I can dig up the issue.

[Matt93SE]

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