Capt_and

I am currently working with my shop about converting my BMW M240i into a race car. But, based on extensive conversation with my wife, we 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?

The car would still have all of its daily luxuries like gps, stereo, and a/c but would also have the proper safety equipment and well tuned suspension/performance bits. Of course, there would be no compromise in safety on the street and track.

hf1

raclaims

Nothing would be worse in my mind than a race car on the street...but we have pot holes large enough to get lost in and lose your signal with waze

Dr.Bill

Everything you do to make a better track car will make a worse street car.

By the time you get to full on race car, it's almost undriveable on the street. As mentioned, a full roll cage isn't safe without helmet. Six-point restraints aren't safe without HANS. Suspension would be horrible on the street unless you have glass-smooth roads. Tire wear would suck. The car would probably scrape on everything bigger than a squirrel that you drive over.

Just use the tow vehicle as a daily driver. There are some fancy trucks & SUV's these days.

GPA951s

I am in that Boat, There is ONE Reason and ONE reason only that I leave my Racecar 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 1/2 hr things will show up. In any case 800LB springs stink on the road...and Yes, without a helmet it is fairly dangerous with a full cage..

mark kibort

Ive been drivng my race car on the streets and to races for 20 years. the net net, is that it is noisy (i dont mind), you do have to be careful of pot holes and curbs/driveways, and the ride is a big firm. (also dont mind). tire wear isnt that bad, but thats more of a function of running DOTs which are softer....
it saves a TON of time when you get to the track and commuting to the track.. ( you get to the track , on 3 hour drives, about 30 mins faster).

sign up for AAA Plus, and you got a ride home if something happens you cant fix or change at the track.

LuigiVampa

I still have my 944, with a half cage, race tires, race suspension, stripped interior, etc., legal as a street car. I use it to go no further than 30 minutes from home and that is it. Because it is a 1987 classified as an antique it just needs lights and a horn and it is street legal.

Now a full caged race car is another matter. If you drive a full cage and get into an accident you are going to crack your head open like a coconut! My Cayman is not street legal.

himself

There is a reason more people don't do it. Compromising on one thing to do two jobs is seldom the right choice. You end up with two things that are OK at both, but not great at either. Having the right tool for the job is always better. AC, GPS and a radio is utterly useless in a race. Roll cage, halo seat and 6 point harnesses are useless on the street.

Also, you should just buy a completed race car. Converting a street car is the most expensive way to get a race car...

-td

jscott82

You might as well add wings and have a flying street race car.... ?

Bill Lehman

In the past I was an SCCA racer and my race car exploited every rule. After an absence of many years and the purchase of a base Cayman I discovered HPDE. I lightly modded the Cayman with some suspension mods and R Comp tires. The car remained a daily driver. Looking for more performance, I traded it in on a Cayman S, had the suspension mods moved to the new car. Over the years the S became a street legal PCA H class race car. Had a roll bar rather than a full cage, race seats and harnesses but retained 3-point belts. Suspension had 2-way shocks and stiffer springs and I retained a full interior. Added a little aero. Front splitters became consumables. Car was still used as daily driver. The ride became very uncomfortable but it was a great track car. I got an allocation for a GT4 and sold the car. The GT4 has an aggressive track alignment, roll bar and harnesses, track wheels and tires, but otherwise is stock. I find it a good compromise as a street/track car. .

aryork

I don't need to read any more. Don't you remember FogHorn LegHorn. "Well boy, I'll tell ya, no need to be talkin' to that wife of yours..."

bpu699

Sir5n

JackOlsen

I've been driving a dual-purpose car for 19 years and even if I had a tow vehicle and room for a trailer, I'd pass.

I like driving to the track, kicking some *** (and sure, sometimes getting my *** kicked), and then driving the same car to dinner that night on the same tires.

I bolt on aero pieces that fit inside the car for the drive home.

I realize it's not for everyone, and it wouldn't be viable at the higher levels of club racing. I can't keep up with every car out there, but my annual budget stays very low and I generally do pretty well against other cars.

Jabs1542