Vintage Porsche Racing Questions
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ventura County
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vintage Porsche Racing Questions
I currently run DE and time trial events in a 1997 993TT. I want to start racing wheel-to-wheel in an entry-level VARA or HSR class. I was hoping somebody could help me with a few questions:
What is the best VARA and HSR class for a beginning racer to start in?
What is the least expensive class to race and maintain?
Where is the best place to find an entry-level vintage Porsche, set up for VARA or HSR racing?
Or, should I buy a stock 67-69 911 or 912 for $10K, plug in a roll cage, fire system, seats, harnesss, etc, and rock and roll!
I would certainly appreciate everyone's opinions on this.
What is the best VARA and HSR class for a beginning racer to start in?
What is the least expensive class to race and maintain?
Where is the best place to find an entry-level vintage Porsche, set up for VARA or HSR racing?
Or, should I buy a stock 67-69 911 or 912 for $10K, plug in a roll cage, fire system, seats, harnesss, etc, and rock and roll!
I would certainly appreciate everyone's opinions on this.
#2
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Craig,
I can talk to you about HSR "east" not "HSR West". There are some HSR West and VARA racers over at Pelican who might be able to better help you as well as a reputed builder (and accomplished racer) over there.
I have been through the building process and I would recommend that you either commit and have a pro shop build a car for you or, buy someone else's car. From my experience, you are looking at a minimum of $50K for a somewhat competitive 2 liter 911 to over $130K (I won't tell you where I am in that range in an open forum but my engine costs more than a lot of cars ).
If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive class to run in, I'd say stay away from the 2 liter classes. Parts are limited and getting power from them is quite expensive. Other "more common" engine sizes are more reasonably priced.
Drop me a line if you care to learn a bit more from my perspective ( ervikingo at gmail.com ).
Hope I'm not scaring you away...... but I'm a CPA by trade and a racer by passion. Its a hard combination to have, kind of manic depressive.
Cheers, Juan
I can talk to you about HSR "east" not "HSR West". There are some HSR West and VARA racers over at Pelican who might be able to better help you as well as a reputed builder (and accomplished racer) over there.
I have been through the building process and I would recommend that you either commit and have a pro shop build a car for you or, buy someone else's car. From my experience, you are looking at a minimum of $50K for a somewhat competitive 2 liter 911 to over $130K (I won't tell you where I am in that range in an open forum but my engine costs more than a lot of cars ).
If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive class to run in, I'd say stay away from the 2 liter classes. Parts are limited and getting power from them is quite expensive. Other "more common" engine sizes are more reasonably priced.
Drop me a line if you care to learn a bit more from my perspective ( ervikingo at gmail.com ).
Hope I'm not scaring you away...... but I'm a CPA by trade and a racer by passion. Its a hard combination to have, kind of manic depressive.
Cheers, Juan
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ventura County
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the input Juan,
I went down and spoke to Ray at Ray Stephens Automotive today. He is active in VARA west and takes care of several active VARA racer's cars. He had some good advice as well. I'm going to start off in the C1 class. I can always upgrade from there.
After several years of running a 993TT at Willow Springs, I think starting in the slowest vintage class will be a little disappointing at first, but I think it's still best if I start there (for my confidence as well as my wallet).
I went down and spoke to Ray at Ray Stephens Automotive today. He is active in VARA west and takes care of several active VARA racer's cars. He had some good advice as well. I'm going to start off in the C1 class. I can always upgrade from there.
After several years of running a 993TT at Willow Springs, I think starting in the slowest vintage class will be a little disappointing at first, but I think it's still best if I start there (for my confidence as well as my wallet).
#4
Race Car
Craig, what kinds of times does a 993TT run at Willow? (That sounds a little like a loaded question, but I honestly don't know.)
The Pelican Racing and Autocross board has a lot of VARA guys on it. I've driven with them, and I can't imagine anyone finding that kind of traffic disappointing.
The Pelican Racing and Autocross board has a lot of VARA guys on it. I've driven with them, and I can't imagine anyone finding that kind of traffic disappointing.
#5
Lifetime Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Craig Trask
Thanks for the input Juan,
I went down and spoke to Ray at Ray Stephens Automotive today. He is active in VARA west and takes care of several active VARA racer's cars. He had some good advice as well. I'm going to start off in the C1 class. I can always upgrade from there.
After several years of running a 993TT at Willow Springs, I think starting in the slowest vintage class will be a little disappointing at first, but I think it's still best if I start there (for my confidence as well as my wallet).
I went down and spoke to Ray at Ray Stephens Automotive today. He is active in VARA west and takes care of several active VARA racer's cars. He had some good advice as well. I'm going to start off in the C1 class. I can always upgrade from there.
After several years of running a 993TT at Willow Springs, I think starting in the slowest vintage class will be a little disappointing at first, but I think it's still best if I start there (for my confidence as well as my wallet).
Now, why vintage and why a Porsche?
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ventura County
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JackOlsen
Craig, what kinds of times does a 993TT run at Willow? (That sounds a little like a loaded question, but I honestly don't know.)
The Pelican Racing and Autocross board has a lot of VARA guys on it. I've driven with them, and I can't imagine anyone finding that kind of traffic disappointing.
The Pelican Racing and Autocross board has a lot of VARA guys on it. I've driven with them, and I can't imagine anyone finding that kind of traffic disappointing.
I ran a 1:35 best, but tend to average 1:36-1:37 with a stock motor and weight, R compound tires, and M030, but I know a guy who ran a 1:34 in a bone stock 993TT.
I didn't mean to say that vintage racing would be "disappointing" at all. I think any wheel-to-wheel racing must be exhilarating. Any competition in cars classed on a level playing field is exciting regardless of HP. I simply meant my lap times in the mid 1:40s would be a personal adjustment.
I want to start in the slowest of the vintage classes. I think that's more considerate to the experienced drivers. Once I get some wheel-to-wheel seat time, I can always move up.
#7
Race Car
I think the quicker VARA guys are in the 1:32-1:36 range, so the change shouldn't be too dramatic. And the amazing thing is that they do it with no wings or other aero help. They slide all over the place through eight and nine.
I think your plan makes sense. Even a mid-1:40's lap in a light, low-hp car is going to feel pretty exhilarating.
I think your plan makes sense. Even a mid-1:40's lap in a light, low-hp car is going to feel pretty exhilarating.
Trending Topics
#8
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ventura County
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by SundayDriver
Absolute speed has little to do with the excitement of racing vs. DE. I had a 'breathed on' TT and an SRF at the same time. The SRF would top out at ~110 (115 with a good draft) at Willow and it was way more exciting to race that than to drive the TT around the track.
Now, why vintage and why a Porsche?
Now, why vintage and why a Porsche?
I want "vintage" because I love old cars and assume the vintage racers are in it more for the fun and nostalgia. Additional, I had a cervical fusion in 2000. The vintage racers statistically don't crash as often.
"why Porsche"...I'm a Porsche guy, have always been a Porsche guy, and have a serious Porsche vs. Alfa Romeo rivalry with a neighbor.
#9
Race Car
The VARA cars are some of the coolest looking racers you'll ever see:
You should definitely go to one of their events and introduce yourself around. It'll give you an idea of what the drivers are like, and if it's a good fit for you. All of the VARA guys I've met have been great.
You should definitely go to one of their events and introduce yourself around. It'll give you an idea of what the drivers are like, and if it's a good fit for you. All of the VARA guys I've met have been great.
#11
Instructor
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree w/ Jack... the vintage cars are definately the coolest looking out there. I've sat up at the Balcony @ Willow watching and they put on a great show.
If you're not completely sold on vintage, you may want to take a look at POC. I've been timetrialing w/ POC and I'm in the process of stepping up to racing. The POC is a top-notch organization and has a great safety record. They're definately worth checking out.
If you're not completely sold on vintage, you may want to take a look at POC. I've been timetrialing w/ POC and I'm in the process of stepping up to racing. The POC is a top-notch organization and has a great safety record. They're definately worth checking out.
#12
Lifetime Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Craig Trask
SundayDriver, I agree. That's why I'm going to try racing.
I want "vintage" because I love old cars and assume the vintage racers are in it more for the fun and nostalgia. Additional, I had a cervical fusion in 2000. The vintage racers statistically don't crash as often.
"why Porsche"...I'm a Porsche guy, have always been a Porsche guy, and have a serious Porsche vs. Alfa Romeo rivalry with a neighbor.
I want "vintage" because I love old cars and assume the vintage racers are in it more for the fun and nostalgia. Additional, I had a cervical fusion in 2000. The vintage racers statistically don't crash as often.
"why Porsche"...I'm a Porsche guy, have always been a Porsche guy, and have a serious Porsche vs. Alfa Romeo rivalry with a neighbor.
#13
Lifetime Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by JackOlsen
Craig, what kinds of times does a 993TT run at Willow? (That sounds a little like a loaded question, but I honestly don't know.)
The Pelican Racing and Autocross board has a lot of VARA guys on it. I've driven with them, and I can't imagine anyone finding that kind of traffic disappointing.
The Pelican Racing and Autocross board has a lot of VARA guys on it. I've driven with them, and I can't imagine anyone finding that kind of traffic disappointing.