xeonoex said:The Audi can fit a set of spare wheels and gear in it. The Miata can haul a few things, but definitely not wheels. Something else to consider.
Along those lines, I saw a guy at my last track day show up with an 86 packed with a jack and a full set of track wheels and tires. I thought that was pretty impressive, haha
cyow5 said:xeonoex said:The Audi can fit a set of spare wheels and gear in it. The Miata can haul a few things, but definitely not wheels. Something else to consider.
Along those lines, I saw a guy at my last track day show up with an 86 packed with a jack and a full set of track wheels and tires. I thought that was pretty impressive, haha
I saw some madman on YouTube pack two complete sets of tires into a Toyobaru for a drift event 
Rodan said:I don't want to turn this into an EV thread, but a Tesla is probably not a good choice for a track vehicle right now (especially for a track novice), considering most tracks don't have the capability for them to charge effectively, and some tracks are outright banning electrics because they don't have the infrastructure to deal with EV fires.
Last spring a guy showed up at one of the events we attended with a Model 3 (towed to the track by a Tesla X!), he ran two sessions and put it back on the trailer. I talked to him, and he said he could get two sessions at full power, but without a supercharger he couldn't charge fast enough to avoid diminishing returns after that.
There are certainly folks out there tracking them, and going fast, but it's a niche that would add a lot of complications for a new driver.
Plus a lot of EVs are one-lap-wonders, the Tesla S being the poster boy for that issue - charge level and both real and simulated temperatures have to be in the butterzone for a quick run and then it slows down. The Tesla 3 and Porsche Taycan are probably the only sub-7-digit production EVs fit for doing even a handful of back-to-back laps (although some more will be out soon from Hyundai, Caterham and Lotus). And then there's still the lack of on-track charging and the sharply increasing number of tracks banning EVs due to lack of firefighting capability over the last few years.
Excellent suggestions, ND, GR86, and Spec Mustang are all excellent choices. The Supra is also a BEAST, especially when modded, and the 2-Series BMW is the best model in their lineup.
But if you want to go another direction altogether, I'll be the fanboi here and say get an Elantra N. Yes, it is a 4-door sedan, but it can hang at a Grid Life or Time Attack event right out of the box, no need for mods. I mean, I would still drop in some better pads and brake fluid to ensure that you have no problems, but it will last longer on track than an ND or GR in stock form. It will also run them down on the straights and out of the corners, it has the kind of power that makes you smile, not say "come on come on". And of course, more power is only a catalog order away.
And yes, it is FWD, but it is a great chassis to learn on. Very progressive, very forgiving, and very capable. Plus plenty of room to bring stuff to the track. And 2nd gear will work after a track day, unlike an FK7 Civic. And at $32K, you have plenty left over to spend on entry fees and mods.
My issue with a Miata is my brother's NC has had issues with BMW club events passing stupid "broomstick" tests from top of rollbar to front shock tower.
Like the damn thing won't hit speeds over 65 on the straight and your more worried about its safety than the novice hitting 145 in a new GT3 at the end of a straight signed off on the start of day 2 as solo.
Olemiss540 said:My issue with a Miata is my brother's NC has had issues with BMW club events passing stupid "broomstick" tests from top of rollbar to front shock tower.
What??
Pretty sure no convertible could pass that test.
In reply to Olemiss540 :
Uh, roll bar to front strut tower? How does that even work? The broom stick rule is rollbar to windshield header. Which pretty much anyone in a Miata will fail if they're close to 6' tall and are using a stock seat.
FWIW
Sinking $60K into a Track Car, with just SIM experience does not jive.
Having been around SCCA, NASCAB, IMSA and other Series for more years than I like to admit, those who have been successful, have started small and advanced, after a lot of hard work and effort.
There is a lot of great advice on the three pages of this Post.
I would suggest spending $20K on a last years AS RACED car and the other $40K on track time , consumables and more rack time.
YRMV
It is okay to not want a miata. I feel like everyone shove them down people's throat in every advice thread. Yup, they are probably the smart choice, but is okay to drive a car that excites you to drive. You didn't specify if this would be a DD or a dedicated car. That changes things a lot.
This is a list of super common top finishers at nationals.
I might have missed a few, I was just browsing the national stock and ST results. Excluding super expensive stuff.
The other thing to keep in mind, is by the time you complete a couple years of autox, advance through hpde ranks and arrive in TT you may want a completely different car. I know my opinion changed a lot over that journey.
FWIW
Sinking $60K into a Track Car, with just SIM experience does not jive.
Having been around SCCA, (Regional / National Series), IMSA, Vintage Series All 3 NASCAB Series for more years than I like to admit, those who have been successful, have started small and advanced, after a lot of hard work and effort.
There is a lot of great advice on the three pages of this Post.
I would suggest spending $20K on a last years AS RACED car and the other $40K on track time , consumables and more track time.
YRMV
Rodan said:Olemiss540 said:My issue with a Miata is my brother's NC has had issues with BMW club events passing stupid "broomstick" tests from top of rollbar to front shock tower.
What??
Pretty sure no convertible could pass that test.
That's exactly their point. Will dig up the event inspection requirements and post. Their point was that the front windshield is of zero structural value in a rollover. It was a E36 M3show although the BMWCCA is typically the most restrictive org with regards to convertibles basically requiring full cages.
This explains the measurement our BMW club was assessing safety during the inspection: https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=735007
Posting the image here for clarity....
That's absurd. I don't think any two seat convertible could pass that standard with a bar that fit under the factory top. And you can't really measure it objectively with the hood and windshield installed to begin with.
Note that I didn't just say "get a Miata", but an ND1 Global Cup car. It'll have a full proper cage and seats as well as fire suppression and a logbook. ND1 because then you can add boost if you want, and the trans coolers and beefed up transmission internals will keep the drivetrain together. Plus you can race wheel to wheel with it (even in a pro series) and if you keep it class legal it'll have good resale.
Downside is that it can't be street registered, but if you want to go fast on the track you will need a trailered car.
So for the record I drove my SCCA legal Showroom Stock C Miata to and from the track. I took everything I needed in the car.
Of course the track was only 9 miles from my house but everything fit.
Get this: https://rennlist.com/forums/market/1387895
Really good momentum car to use to learn the basics before stepping into something fast.
Bumping this thread. What if the car had to be RWD and no clutch pedal?
cheesedip said:Bumping this thread. What if the car had to be RWD and no clutch pedal?
Typically newer is better for autos. What's the budget?
Found it interesting that the OP has not WEIGHED IN on what he decided to purchase.
Thanks for the bump
So, speaking as someone who has done it all wrong...
The main considerations are a place to run, how competitive you want to be, and expenses.
If I was starting fresh... https://www.scca.com/pages/club-spec-csm
It is a purpose class that addresses the main considerations. You have a class in autocross and time trials It's a spec class, so development work is mostly done for you. It's looking to be well subscribed by good drivers, so you can get your measure for driver development. You don't have a bottomless pit of development and getting the wrong parts before you know better. The spec is made with some eye to affordability, so you don't need absurd tires, motor work, etc.
You wind up with a swiss army knife that, should you want to move on will be fairly marketable.
Spoken as someone who is running a 30yo formula car and headed for club racing, it's what I would do for everything short of wheel to wheel of I was starting over. (Then again, formula cars are addictive)
You'll need to log in to post.
