James Achard

All, Sorry this is a bit OT but I am considering picking up a used Formula Vee so I can get more seat time to improve the loose nut behind the wheel. Do any of you have any experience with either of these classes?? Are there any advantages/disadvantages to either? Seems to me like it would be a good way to gain experience. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, James

SundayDriver

I have not personally raced either one, but have been around them for many years (I run Sports Racers). Both have low entry costs and are inexpensive at the low levels. To be competitive, both get quite expensive (especially engines). The biggest issue with these classes is whether you will see any decent sized fields. While they used to draw lots of participants, these are classes that are almost dead in SOME parts of the country, at least at the Regional level, where you would find the competition to improve your skills.

I suggest you attend some SCCA Regional races in your area to see if there are enough other cars in those classes to give you some competition.

Personally, I feel a Spec class is the best way to improve your skills. A bunch of identical cars removes the doubt about driver skill. I would look at Spec Miata, Spec Racer Ford or Formula Mazda depending on whether you want doors, fenders or neither.

Geo

[quote]Originally posted by Mark D - TT Alumni:
<strong>Personally, I feel a Spec class is the best way to improve your skills. A bunch of identical cars removes the doubt about driver skill. I would look at Spec Miata, Spec Racer Ford or Formula Mazda depending on whether you want doors, fenders or neither.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Or 944 Cup or Spec 944.

SundayDriver

[quote]Originally posted by Geo:
<strong>

Or 944 Cup or Spec 944. </strong><hr></blockquote>

Interesting. What are those? I have never seen them in SCCA or NASA.

E. J. - 993 Alumni

James,

Mark didn't mention the safety factor about the spec racers vs. the formula cars. With the open wheels it is much easier to lock wheels and end up in the air. Oh, yea, suspension repairs can get pretty expensive too in the formula cars if you touch wheels. The Spec Racers are open cocpit, closed wheel and enjoy the largest fields in all of SCCA racing. I am going to my first SCCA drivers school next weeknd and buying a SRF this winter. 14 years of DE is enough.

Go <a href="http://www.specracer.com" target="_blank">here</a> for more info on the Spec Racer Fords.

Have fun. E. J.

James Achard

All, Thanks for the responses. I will have to check out the entry lists for the Formula vee series in the Northeast. Any idea how I might do this?? I am a machinist and a welder by profession so I figured that most of the repair and maintenance I can do myself on one of these cars. keep the info coming, I really appreciate the help!!

EJ, Thanks for the info on the spec racers. Very interesting and something I would like to aspire to but I just don't have the funds. I plan on doing the formula vee or ford to add to my seat time for Porsche Club Racing.

Cheers, James

Geo

[quote]Originally posted by Mark D - TT Alumni:
<strong>

Interesting. What are those? I have never seen them in SCCA or NASA.</strong><hr></blockquote>

944 Cup and Spec 944 are new NASA classes in certain parts of the country. The rules are pretty similar to ITS in SCCA. In fact, one of the series (I keep getting them confused) accepts ITS cars, so I guess that would be the yardstick.

For someone with James' background, a 944 Cup or ITS car shouldn't be that difficult or realatively expensive to build. Of course, a full tilt boogie race engine for any of the three would be expensive, but so is a full tilt FF engine, even for Club Ford.

SundayDriver

James,

Go to <a href="http://www.scca.org" target="_blank">SCCA</a>and look for your region (region sites have a link on the right hand side. You can usually find results on these sites so that would let you know about participation levels.

Geo -Thanks for the info. I guess they are not yet running those classes in So Cal, nor did I see them on the main NASA site (You should get that added). Sounds like a good class.

Geo

[quote]Originally posted by Mark D - TT Alumni:
<strong>Geo -Thanks for the info. I guess they are not yet running those classes in So Cal, nor did I see them on the main NASA site (You should get that added). Sounds like a good class.</strong><hr></blockquote>

<a href="http://www.944cup.com/" target="_blank">http://www.944cup.com/</a>

<a href="http://www.nasaproracing.com/news/944_spec_class.html" target="_blank">http://www.nasaproracing.com/news/944_spec_class.html</a>

<a href="http://944-spec.com/944/index.htm" target="_blank">http://944-spec.com/944/index.htm</a>

I'll be sticking to SCCA ITS because I'm not interested in either a spec series or single make series, but these look like they could be a lot of fun.

924RACR

Well, George, you should definitely get off your butt and come play with us!!! Just got back from my first weekend with the 944Cup guys... what fun! ITS cars are definitely at home there. My ITA car was neither down to the necessary weight or making enough power, plus blown shocks/struts, but all of those will be resolved for next year, and I should be able to play.

While the 944 Cup hasn't made it too close to TX yet, I suspect there may be an opportunity for you to make it over to the East Coast before long to check it out. As such, it's already on the Left Coast now, and started spreading to the Midwest with this past weekend @ Beaverun - largest 944Cup field to date, IIRC, 17 cars, and all 944's except for me! Check out the website (linked above) for more info... allow PCA Stock class cars, ITS 944's, and POC classed cars all to compete - just juggle the weights to balance competitiveness.