So I am looking to do some Rallycross this year, with the eventual goal of actual SCCA or other governing body rallies. I would like to start now with a car that I can eventually make this transition with. What classes or cars are the best value and cheapest to get into?
TIA.
Ones that are bought with spares and logbook from people who previously thought they could afford rally.
Spec-rally-focus
Apparently these buggers are very popular for rally.
Rallycross is cheap. Rally is not.
Rallycross can be as cheap (or expensive) as you want to make it.
From what I've seen and read, Stage Rally can be done for less than a lot of people think but it's still waay more expensive than rallycross. It seems like the least expensive route to stage rally is buy a used log-booked car (can be found under $5k) and be a conservative driver (ie: don't over-drive and break the car).
Specialstage.com has a number of good threads on the topic of costs, build vs buy, etc. Here's one: http://specialstage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7838
Rallycross is relatively safe and easy on the car. Rally, on the other hand--------------.
So to better clarify, I am in the immediate future looking to do strictly Rallycross, which is why I am hesitant to buy a previously Rally prepped car as I want to be able to drive to an event.
Basically when it comes to my spec Rally question, is that it would influence the car I buy now or in the near future. But as for costs, short term would strictly be Rallycross.
The A2 chassis VW golf is very well developed for Rally and would be a good starting point for rallycross too.
Do you want fwd, rwd, or awd?
cghstang wrote:The A2 chassis VW golf is very well developed for Rally and would be a good starting point for rallycross too.
Do you want fwd, rwd, or awd?
Honestly, I am open to any and all...I was leaning towards AWD, since I have driven FWD from the start. I wouldn't mind RWD as well, but figured that'd be more difficult to do RallyX or Rally. It seems like FWD might be the cheapest/easiest to get into, but I would definitely love an AWD car.
My only issue with that is I've never been crazy about Subarus, always been a fan of the lancers, but the older versions aren't AWD. The only Subaru I have liked was the older body style Imprezas before they became WRX's. In the end, I won't let something petty like that get in my way, but for now its a bit of a mental road block.
Celica AllTrac
Galant VR4/GTX
Protege AWD
Camry AllTrac
Corolla AllTrac
Agreed that rwd is probably the toughest to master. I'd like to try it at an event or two this season to see what it's like.
Personally, I'd recommend fwd over awd to anyone just getting started. It gives you a chance to master momentum preservation without the "crutch" of awd. It's really satisfying to spank some subarus in your lowly fwd beater too.
Thanks for all the input, after reading this and other info, thanks for the special stage forum post, I think I have decided on starting with a FWD car, unless a really good AWD version pops up and sways me. So with that being said, I am kind of interested in the 2nd Gen GTI, or perhaps finding an ACR Neon, but these seem to be less plentiful in my area as I have only ever seen 1 on CL. I also have owned plenty of Honda's and could be easily swayed that direction as well. I am going to do a bit of research on classes in RallyX and then narrow it down, then use Rally classes as a determining factor for which car I finally choose.
You really can't go wrong with any of those three. They all have readily available limited slip differentials and real rally suspensions, though the neon is probably most lacking in off the shelf options.
Question on the Honda option, what is more common, the 92-95 versions, or the 88-91's?
Also, if a 92-95, I am assuming the hatch is preferred. Am I correct in this assumption?
In my limited 1st hand rallycross and internet-voyeur stage rally experience the newer models are more common. Probably due to the availability of parts and not used up or rusty chassis more than anything.
I don't know if there is any suspension or wheelbase differences between the hatches, coupes, and sedans. Someone who knows Honduhs will have to weigh in on that. The hatch gets my vote though simply for the ability to fit lots of stuff inside easily. I miss my hatchback(s).
You should be able to get a mk3 golf for less than a mk2. Ill get some hate for this but I have a 16v swaped mk1 and its just not as much fun as the mk3. I think the 16v is just to much power for the rabbit and it killed the foot to the floor cornering fun it would have with the 8v engine.
As great as Hondas are, you don't see them much in rallying and I hear there is a reason for that.
mrhappy wrote:You should be able to get a mk3 golf for less than a mk2. Ill get some hate for this but I have a 16v swaped mk1 and its just not as much fun as the mk3. I think the 16v is just to much power for the rabbit and it killed the foot to the floor cornering fun it would have with the 8v engine.
+1 on the mk3 increased track helps. mk1's and 2's are getting harder to come by and anything with a 2.0 can usually be had for cheap. chip, cam, exhaust adds fun. you could also go fwd impreza and upgrade to awd at a later time. the focus is a good option as well.
run mod 2 in RallyX then group 2 or equivalent
96DXCivic wrote:As great as Hondas are, you don't see them much in rallying and I hear there is a reason for that.
Man, Ireland is going to be pissed!
Carson wrote:96DXCivic wrote:As great as Hondas are, you don't see them much in rallying and I hear there is a reason for that.
Man, Ireland is going to be pissed!
Irish rallies are mostly tarmac affairs. Honda's are not considered good rally cars due to their limited suspension travel. They work good on Tarmac, not so much in the nasty rough out on the west coast. Die hard fans do run them, but just more costly than say a gti...
BUy a logbooked car, cars can be found reasonable part the car is just the start of $ for stage rally
