Older cars at DE
07-19-2008, 04:42 AM
#31
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I'd love to see some of the 6 and 7 GT3 drivers in real 911's.
07-19-2008, 07:20 AM
#33
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07-19-2008, 08:30 AM
#34
Drifting
I was wondering how those with older cars enjoy sharing a track with newer, faster cars at DE's? Something like a 944 in the same session as a GT3.
I did my first few track events with with an older sports car, and it felt like a rolling chicane constantly giving point byes. With the much higher speeds that modern cars are capable of achieving, the speed differentials on long straights seemed quite unsafe. I ended up buying a Lotus Exige and have tracked that for the past few years, moving to the advanced level with a few local clubs.
Recently, I took my older car out to the track, and found it to be just as enjoyable as the Lotus, albeit at a much slower pace. So, I was thinking converting the older car to a track car, and freeing up some capital by selling the Exige. Any insights?
I did my first few track events with with an older sports car, and it felt like a rolling chicane constantly giving point byes. With the much higher speeds that modern cars are capable of achieving, the speed differentials on long straights seemed quite unsafe. I ended up buying a Lotus Exige and have tracked that for the past few years, moving to the advanced level with a few local clubs.
Recently, I took my older car out to the track, and found it to be just as enjoyable as the Lotus, albeit at a much slower pace. So, I was thinking converting the older car to a track car, and freeing up some capital by selling the Exige. Any insights?
My first track experience was racing go karts from 84 to 92. Then nothing for 10 years. I got back to the track with a 2003 Carrera, which i promptly traded in for a 2004 GT3. Waaa all that power, agility, and speed... Once I drove my 85 Carrera race car last year and having to prioritize spending, i ditched the GT3 in a heart beat. Hey, i now drive reasonably well-prepped 80 SC and for me nothing beats the feeling I get on the track with it. To me at least, the only real drawback of the older cars is the cost and frequency of repairs, especially when the power train is concerned. Good luck!
07-19-2008, 08:36 AM
#35
Drifting
07-19-2008, 09:45 AM
#36
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Held him off for 6-7 laps, chased for another half dozen. At the risk of repeating myself...
LCMT
Who do you think was having more fun? (actually we both were...)
LCMT
Who do you think was having more fun? (actually we both were...)
07-19-2008, 10:23 AM
#37
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My first track experience was racing go karts from 84 to 92. Then nothing for 10 years. I got back to the track with a 2003 Carrera, which i promptly traded in for a 2004 GT3. Waaa all that power, agility, and speed... Once I drove my 85 Carrera race car last year and having to prioritize spending, i ditched the GT3 in a heart beat. Hey, i now drive reasonably well-prepped 80 SC and for me nothing beats the feeling I get on the track with it. To me at least, the only real drawback of the older cars is the cost and frequency of repairs, especially when the power train is concerned. Good luck!
+1,000 about the cost. 30 year old parts break...and then the new ones break and they ain't cheap to replace and there aren't a lot of shops that do repair well. And, they weren't built to be dedicated track cars running super sticky Hoosiers which reeks a little havoc on the system (brakes, suspension parts). Engine rebuild for the cars Fred and I drive are $15,000. Tranny rebuild depending on what you do is around $3,000. It is not uncommon to miss a shift and buy an engine. In my case last year it was just a simple broken valve retainer (original to motor). There are pretty constant repairs so being able to handle some of them yourself helps.
Plan on the costs compared to your Lotus being substantially higher. It can get crazy...a little bit of the luck of the draw.
But the reward is amazing.
07-19-2008, 10:43 AM
#38
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07-19-2008, 10:59 AM
#39
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I was wondering how those with older cars enjoy sharing a track with newer, faster cars at DE's? Something like a 944 in the same session as a GT3.
I did my first few track events with with an older sports car, and it felt like a rolling chicane constantly giving point byes. With the much higher speeds that modern cars are capable of achieving, the speed differentials on long straights seemed quite unsafe. I ended up buying a Lotus Exige and have tracked that for the past few years, moving to the advanced level with a few local clubs.
Recently, I took my older car out to the track, and found it to be just as enjoyable as the Lotus, albeit at a much slower pace. So, I was thinking converting the older car to a track car, and freeing up some capital by selling the Exige. Any insights?
I did my first few track events with with an older sports car, and it felt like a rolling chicane constantly giving point byes. With the much higher speeds that modern cars are capable of achieving, the speed differentials on long straights seemed quite unsafe. I ended up buying a Lotus Exige and have tracked that for the past few years, moving to the advanced level with a few local clubs.
Recently, I took my older car out to the track, and found it to be just as enjoyable as the Lotus, albeit at a much slower pace. So, I was thinking converting the older car to a track car, and freeing up some capital by selling the Exige. Any insights?
My car has mildly modified suspension (22/28 tbars, bigger swaybars) and is a true street/track compromise, not a racecar. Just went to Toyo RA1's from years of using street tires. And I am not a racer (although some day I'd like to try it). So my perspective is that of a DE driver, not a racer doing DE's. I personally enjoy the feedback that the older cars give vs. the newer cars -- easier to slide/drift through the turns, no ABS, etc. I feel that I've had to learn better car control than a driver that may have started in a newer, more technologically advanced car. I've had no problems with the GT3's, Turbos, racecars in my run groups as far as passing is concerned, and I've been doing this long enough that I can run with some of the newer stuff through the twisties. To me, it's all about watching your mirrors. I'm faster than a lot of guys and slower than a lot of others. As long as you don't get caught up in needing to be the fastest car in your run group, I'd say enjoy your old car for what it is. I prefer to be fast in an old car than the fastest in a new car.
Also, I tend to be relatively easy on my equipment (tires & brakes not included
). I think that the racers probably tend to try to squeeze the last 1/100th out of their cars even at DE's, and that's why they tend to have more mechanical issues/brakedowns. Just my humble opinion. Anyway, I'd say enjoy your old car for what it is. I wouldn't trade mine for a GT3 -- that's not a knock on the new car, it's just that I'm an old car guy & have been since I was a kid.
07-19-2008, 11:03 AM
#40
+1,000 about the cost. 30 year old parts break...and then the new ones break and they ain't cheap to replace and there aren't a lot of shops that do repair well. And, they weren't built to be dedicated track cars running super sticky Hoosiers which reeks a little havoc on the system (brakes, suspension parts). Engine rebuild for the cars Fred and I drive are $15,000. Tranny rebuild depending on what you do is around $3,000. It is not uncommon to miss a shift and buy an engine. In my case last year it was just a simple broken valve retainer (original to motor). There are pretty constant repairs so being able to handle some of them yourself helps.
Plan on the costs compared to your Lotus being substantially higher. It can get crazy...a little bit of the luck of the draw.
Plan on the costs compared to your Lotus being substantially higher. It can get crazy...a little bit of the luck of the draw.
07-19-2008, 11:34 AM
#42
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No question about it. Some of us put stupid amounts of money in older cars, but the go faster stuff in a stock class 30 year old race car is really about 7,000 worth of suspension stuff. The rest is marginal return (other than the engine rebuild).
07-19-2008, 11:55 AM
#43
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Who's spending tons of money on old cars?
I'm in that club. A bit here and there. Fixing the things that brake and adding a bit at the end of every season. I took the hot month of July off to rebuild the transmission, fixing the 915 3rd gear cruch, adding a cooler and a few choice WEVO products that the car doesn't already have, and planning on how to harrass my GT3 buddies next month.
Not all of us would jump into the most expensive GTxxxx car we could afford if we had the money. I could have bought a GTxxx with money to spare with what I have spent on my SC. I'm having a ball in my little 3.0L car, working my xssssss off to get competitive lap times. The smile never ends.
I'm in that club. A bit here and there. Fixing the things that brake and adding a bit at the end of every season. I took the hot month of July off to rebuild the transmission, fixing the 915 3rd gear cruch, adding a cooler and a few choice WEVO products that the car doesn't already have, and planning on how to harrass my GT3 buddies next month.
Not all of us would jump into the most expensive GTxxxx car we could afford if we had the money. I could have bought a GTxxx with money to spare with what I have spent on my SC. I'm having a ball in my little 3.0L car, working my xssssss off to get competitive lap times. The smile never ends.
07-19-2008, 12:18 PM
#44
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I'd like to see the guys in the fast older cars borrow the 996 GT3 for a couple of laps.
07-19-2008, 12:28 PM
#45
Drifting