Cost of tracking a Radical vs Spec Miata vs Spec Boxter
03-14-2018, 05:21 PM
#16
Drifting
Noticed the OP said "tracking" not racing. If you're just doing track events and some TT it opens up your options a lot more and I wouldn't limit yourself to spec classes and rules.
03-14-2018, 06:07 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
Tim
03-14-2018, 07:37 PM
#18
Have you considered an NP01? Not sure what your budget is, but in terms of recurring costs it was my understanding they are similar to the SPM/SPB. I think there is a couple owners who occasionally visit this forum and a facebook group who could provide first hand experience.
03-14-2018, 09:43 PM
#19
Instructor
Thread Starter
Have you considered an NP01? Not sure what your budget is, but in terms of recurring costs it was my understanding they are similar to the SPM/SPB. I think there is a couple owners who occasionally visit this forum and a facebook group who could provide first hand experience.
Looking at the initial acquisition cost, a new Elan NP01 is about $87K built by Elan and $77K as a kit.
There are a few used ones on racing junk for $74K to $79K, am I missing something here, they seem expensive for being used !?
A new Radical SR3 is in the range of $100K and you can find used ones in the range of $35k to $90K.
A new MX-5 Global cup is $59K and $76K with the new sequential gearbox.
A SPM is $15k to $25k
A SPB is $35K ish
Hmm, so many options
You guys know what shop has any experience on the NP01 in the SFBay area ?
Thanks to you all.
03-14-2018, 11:26 PM
#20
Rennlist Member
The SM is a blast to race. Large fields, regardless of your experience level there is always someone to race, and once you start moving up the pack you will face stiff competition from very capable drivers. It is a tremendous learning tool. Parts are cheap, as noted above. And when you need small replacement parts Mazda sells them direct to you at a discount. Imagine that from PMNA!
SM is not much fun to track on a DE day. Overall they are one of the slowest cars on track. They are very fast in the corners however and if you over slow the car it ruins the lap. In a DE environment seems there is always someone slow in the corners so you get segments, not good laps. Get ready to hang your arm out the window for others to pass you.
For DE would look at one of the other options listed.
SM is not much fun to track on a DE day. Overall they are one of the slowest cars on track. They are very fast in the corners however and if you over slow the car it ruins the lap. In a DE environment seems there is always someone slow in the corners so you get segments, not good laps. Get ready to hang your arm out the window for others to pass you.
For DE would look at one of the other options listed.
03-14-2018, 11:55 PM
#21
Yes definitely looking at the Elan NP01 as well. Closed cockpit is probably safer as well...
Looking at the initial acquisition cost, a new Elan NP01 is about $87K built by Elan and $77K as a kit.
There are a few used ones on racing junk for $74K to $79K, am I missing something here, they seem expensive for being used !?
A new Radical SR3 is in the range of $100K and you can find used ones in the range of $35k to $90K.
A new MX-5 Global cup is $59K and $76K with the new sequential gearbox.
A SPM is $15k to $25k
A SPB is $35K ish
Hmm, so many options
You guys know what shop has any experience on the NP01 in the SFBay area ?
Thanks to you all.
Looking at the initial acquisition cost, a new Elan NP01 is about $87K built by Elan and $77K as a kit.
There are a few used ones on racing junk for $74K to $79K, am I missing something here, they seem expensive for being used !?
A new Radical SR3 is in the range of $100K and you can find used ones in the range of $35k to $90K.
A new MX-5 Global cup is $59K and $76K with the new sequential gearbox.
A SPM is $15k to $25k
A SPB is $35K ish
Hmm, so many options
You guys know what shop has any experience on the NP01 in the SFBay area ?
Thanks to you all.
From the spreadsheets i've seen, running costs looked much closer to SPM/SPB Check out here https://www.facebook.com/groups/elan.np01/
I'd love to self-build my own one day.
03-15-2018, 09:23 AM
#22
Rennlist Member
With no shop support and fresh tires for each race I think using $2-3k per race is a reasonable average to run for a season. Matt runs at 115%, can't go by him! 
Tires every race (use the least fresh for practice days and DE but they will still be "good" when tossed and it hurts..), brake pads every 2-5 events depending on your driving style, transmission once per season at least, engine refresh once a season to be sure it's 100%.
Tires every race (use the least fresh for practice days and DE but they will still be "good" when tossed and it hurts..), brake pads every 2-5 events depending on your driving style, transmission once per season at least, engine refresh once a season to be sure it's 100%.
03-15-2018, 11:09 AM
#23
Drifting
My question to you is about your level of experience, not budget. Budget aside (since there's just a wee bit of difference in cost & running a Spec Miata vs. a Radical), there is a world of performance difference between a SM and an SR3 - they're not even on the same planet. I'm surprised one would think of those two as an "either/or". If you're new to tracking or have limited experience, a SM is a great learning tool while an SR3 is probably getting in over your head. If you're experienced, then go with what you can afford and with what you want.
03-15-2018, 11:32 PM
#24
Rennlist Member
03-16-2018, 12:07 AM
#25
Rennlist Member
Maybe this has to do with accounting then...
Greg Holmberg’s survey was the most extensive I’ve heard of and he came up with $1100 per race weekend but he had some limits on what he did and didn’t include. For instance, data, crash damage, travel, and towing were not included. His stated target was a nationals competitive SPB. Perhaps those giving feedback here didn’t respond then and had better data. (And I mean that honestly not facetiously)
https://rennlist.com/forums/spec-box...nal-costs.html
Greg Holmberg’s survey was the most extensive I’ve heard of and he came up with $1100 per race weekend but he had some limits on what he did and didn’t include. For instance, data, crash damage, travel, and towing were not included. His stated target was a nationals competitive SPB. Perhaps those giving feedback here didn’t respond then and had better data. (And I mean that honestly not facetiously)
https://rennlist.com/forums/spec-box...nal-costs.html
03-16-2018, 12:42 AM
#26
The Penguin King
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Yes definitely looking at the Elan NP01 as well. Closed cockpit is probably safer as well...
Looking at the initial acquisition cost, a new Elan NP01 is about $87K built by Elan and $77K as a kit.
There are a few used ones on racing junk for $74K to $79K, am I missing something here, they seem expensive for being used !?
A new Radical SR3 is in the range of $100K and you can find used ones in the range of $35k to $90K.
A new MX-5 Global cup is $59K and $76K with the new sequential gearbox.
A SPM is $15k to $25k
A SPB is $35K ish
Hmm, so many options
You guys know what shop has any experience on the NP01 in the SFBay area ?
Thanks to you all.
Looking at the initial acquisition cost, a new Elan NP01 is about $87K built by Elan and $77K as a kit.
There are a few used ones on racing junk for $74K to $79K, am I missing something here, they seem expensive for being used !?
A new Radical SR3 is in the range of $100K and you can find used ones in the range of $35k to $90K.
A new MX-5 Global cup is $59K and $76K with the new sequential gearbox.
A SPM is $15k to $25k
A SPB is $35K ish
Hmm, so many options
You guys know what shop has any experience on the NP01 in the SFBay area ?
Thanks to you all.
03-16-2018, 12:53 AM
#27
Instructor
Thread Starter
My question to you is about your level of experience, not budget. Budget aside (since there's just a wee bit of difference in cost & running a Spec Miata vs. a Radical), there is a world of performance difference between a SM and an SR3 - they're not even on the same planet. I'm surprised one would think of those two as an "either/or". If you're new to tracking or have limited experience, a SM is a great learning tool while an SR3 is probably getting in over your head. If you're experienced, then go with what you can afford and with what you want.
I have no doubt SM is a great learning tool and yes I am a beginner (2min 5 sec at Thill first time ever on track, gt3 991.1 and moved up 3 groups on my first DE) very humble and trying to soak in all the info available.
03-16-2018, 01:01 AM
#28
Instructor
Thread Starter
Well, that's exactly why I am asking for RListers to chime in.
I have no doubt SM is a great learning tool and yes I am a beginner (2min 5 sec at Thill first time ever on track, gt3 991.1 and moved up 3 groups on my first DE) very humble and trying to soak in all the info available.
I have no doubt SM is a great learning tool and yes I am a beginner (2min 5 sec at Thill first time ever on track, gt3 991.1 and moved up 3 groups on my first DE) very humble and trying to soak in all the info available.
Shifter kart vs SPM vs SPB vs Global cup MX-5 vs Elan vs Radical SR3 vs "my" GT3.
First world problem, I know...
03-16-2018, 01:17 AM
#29
If you are a beginner I would not recommend getting a Radical. You will learn a lot more with a car that can be driven at the limit at lower speeds where the consequences for a mistake are not as high. A lightweight high downforce car with slicks is a great way to refine advanced driving skills but a bad way to develop basic skills.
Charley
Charley
03-16-2018, 11:07 AM
#30
Rennlist Member
I went with a Radical over a SM or SPB; more performance for less cost. Although I don't have extensive track experience in a car (~ 5 days / year for the last few years), I've raced motorcycles for the last 10+ years (6 years of asphalt) and raced an average of 10 weekends/year + trackdays. In that experience I raced a number of style of bikes, from a few times on a liter bike, couple of years on 600's and more recently on lighter weight GP-esque bikes with high corner speed and limited braking.
From that experience, the Radical seemed a better fit. My plan is to race my motorcycle program this year while getting in a number of track days in the Radical and then transition over to testing the waters racing on 4 wheels. The SM class obviously offered more racing opportunities, but didn't fit what I wanted to get out of it.
From that experience, the Radical seemed a better fit. My plan is to race my motorcycle program this year while getting in a number of track days in the Radical and then transition over to testing the waters racing on 4 wheels. The SM class obviously offered more racing opportunities, but didn't fit what I wanted to get out of it.
