Would You Buy a Streetable Porsche Race Car?
Is a caged, shelled-out, stiff-suspension Porsche race car really viable on the street? Or is it just a disaster waiting to happen?
If there are two things we have a major affinity for around these parts, it’s Porsche vehicles and race cars. Preferably, Porsche race cars. But aside from your average GT3, you don’t exactly see lots of people driving full-on racers to the grocery store. For obvious reasons, of course. Race cars are hot, loud, and generally unlivable in traffic. Regardless, Rennlister Capt_and wondered aloud recently – if you had the chance to buy a streetable race car, would you pull the trigger?
“I am currently working on converting my BMW M240i into a race car. But I want to be able to use it as a street car as well. I spoke with the shop about this and they thought I was kidding. Personally, I am surprised that this hasn’t been done by more people. No more having to trailer the car and no more car that can only be used off-road. Am I the only one that thinks a fast, well sorted streetable race car would be marketable?”
A fair question, it seems. But gauging by the responses to this question, it doesn’t look like a lot of people are in the market for such a ride.
“Impossible,” said hf1. “Unless you also wear your helmet and HANS in your fully caged car on the street. Then there’s tires, alignment, suspension, etc. What’s best for the track will be awful for the street and vice versa. There are a lot of good street/track cars but none without compromises.”
“Nothing would be worse in my mind than a race car on the street,” added raclaims. “But we have pot holes large enough to get lost in and lose your signal with Waze.”
All of which are good points. But GPA951s feels like there’s at least one good reason to have a street legal Porsche race car.
“There is ONE Reason and ONE reason only that I leave my race car street legal – shakedown. Put a new engine in it or do whatever to it and take it for a quick cruise on the street. Usually after a half hour things will show up. In any case, 800 pound springs stink on the road. And yes, without a helmet it is fairly dangerous with a full cage.”
Regardless, some people certainly don’t mind at least driving to the track. Including mark kibort.
“I’ve been driving my race car on the streets and to races for 20 years. The net net is that it is noisy, but I don’t mind. You do have to be careful about pot holes and curbs/driveways. And the ride is a bit firm. Tire wear isn’t that bad, but that’s more of a function of running DOTs, which are softer.”
And that seems to be about as far as most people will take it. For obvious reasons. But we’re still curious to know – would you daily (or every other daily) a Porsche racer built for the streets? Head over here and let us know, either way!
