I love the Radicals but am concerned about safety with the open cockpit. They make sense and a rebuild every 2 seasons isn't nuts as the low consumable cost makes up for them. I agree about great deals out there right now, even here in Canada.

In terms of budget I was thinking about $40-50k for the car, depends if I end up keeping the 991 really. I'm thinking a $25k 944 would be enough to start with for a season or 2.

 

^ are you in Ontario or PQ/west?

 

Noted thanks

 

Quebec city, I drive 99% of the time at Tremblant and Calabogie when I make it that far west. I'm not looking to race at this point, just making lapping days safer/more cost effective.

 

^ gotcha

sent you a PM

 

 

Totally forgot about those guys thanks!

 

I love my 944 turbo, just posted a vid in the drivers ed section of me catching both a 911 and a GTR. I do brakes every 10 or 12 track days, they are inexpensive. I did the clutch about 20 track days ago. I spend about 1000 bucks a season doing rod bearings, and at about 50 hours or so I will do a light rebuild. Tires, if just track days, are 1400 a set for a set of hoosier r7s, I get about 15-20 heat cycles out of them. Occasionally, I blow up a trans or a motor, they aren't that expensive to source; my last motor was about 4k after finding a decent used one. it's a 2.7, forged internals, guy used it two races and crashed. I have driven my friends' street cars on track; GT4, 991.2 911S, C7 Vette, Alfa 4c, and I love them all... but what feels stiff as heck on the street feels roly-poly on the track. I have a beautiful street 944 turbo that feels like it would be a monster on the track; it's just not. It's got coilovers, big brakes, all the stuff that should make it work; but that extra 400lbs and the softer springs make a world of difference. Now the track 944 is undriveable on the street. you can feel every pebble, every bit of sand gets picked up by the tires, its jarring and uncomfortable. But I like to say the track starts where the very fastest onramp ends. Bring it to the track and it's very easy to drive if you can handle a little turbo lag. The biggest problem is, in my humble opinion, the 30 year old factor. My first two seasons, I dealt with annoying little issue after annoying little issue; many of them were wiring harness and computer related. After putting in a modern standalone, all of those electrical problems went away. It helps to have a competent mechanic who understands these cars and can regularly inspect parts like half-shafts, transmissions, mounts, bearings, suspension components, the turbo, etc. When you double the hp a car came with and increase mechanical grip to twice what the manufacturer specified, things do break. I would buy a well sorted one; I am probably into mine for about 70-80k, could sell it for about 30-35 on a good day I spend about 250 bucks after every two or three days on the track having the car "nut and bolted", change oil after 5 or 6 track days, trans fluid every 10 or so. No track car is maintenance free. Miata is the closest, which a number of folks mention above.

 

 

I think these threads sometimes turn into a 'what's in your garage' discussion, but seriously...SPB. You can likely come out even by selling your 991 and buying a well-sorted SPB along with a truck and trailer. It'll force you to really learn how to drive, and when the time comes to go racing, the fields are about as big and competitive as they get in PCA. Tires are $1000/set and are good for a race weekend plus 2 DE events, motors are cheap, and trans are cheap. I go through a set of rotors and rear pads per year, and a set of $250 front pads every 1.5 race weekends.

 

I like this thread - refreshing to read on this forum where it seems like everyone is trying to get a GT2 RS or a 991 Cup Car.

One option I would offer up: What about replacing the brakes on your C2S with an AP Racing setup that allows you to use cheaper pads that last longer and also run smaller wheels / cheaper tires? Would be more up front investment but save in maintenance costs.

That said - running a lower power track car will teach you some good things. I had an S2000 track car which was quite reliable until I supercharged it (don't do that.) Also there is no greater thrill at a HPDE than beating a car with twice your horsepower.

 

 

I believe the GTB1 Cayman at WeTune is Sergio`s car, he now drives an older Cup car.
Seen that Cayman a few times and it was well put together by the boys at WeTune , although being a
full dedicated race car it`s probably more than you would want to spend.

You can always reach out to Sergio on Rennlist under the name Serpags !

 

Being a 911 and GT4 guy - I don't know that you'd be happy with the speed of a SPB. I think a SP996 is a great car that's a happy balance of speed, performance, and cost of running. There is a SP996 for sale on the site here that I know personally and the car is awesome.

Take one piece of advice from me though - buy one that's already built. Don't pretend that building one yourself is the way to go.