ECS

I believe it was the 2000cc

A.Wayne

Did you mean to say F3 , instead of F3000 ?

ECS

Nope, meant to say F3000 as I believe that was the class discussed in France. However, it doesn't mean I'm right. Could have been F3 but I thought there used to be a Formula 3000 recently.

ECS

Guys, great comments all. Was going to thank some individually but too many.

Scootin159

Formula 3000 is the old "GP2", a.k.a 1 step down from Formula 1. It was very popular at one point (early 90's), but as speeds & cost grew, it became pretty impractical as a feeder series. The final generation of the cars were nearly at the Formula 1 speeds of the time.

924RACR

Very good to see the feedback here... I'm expecting to be moving out of my car in a couple of years, and trying to decide the next racecar... very tempted by the Dark Side (formula/sports racers). But right now the 944S2 as an ITR (and possible DP) car is heading the list; I love racing in the rain, too much so to destroy the experience by planning on getting soaked every time with an open cockpit! Besides, if the F SCCA cars are still so spendy... OTOH, in a couple of years...

BrandonH

EMRA as mentioned by Tony is a new idea I'll have to look into. But I haven't found any DE that will let you run open wheel cars. In fact the only reason I became a member at NJMP is that their member days include an open wheel/sports-racer run group. As others have mentioned, seems like track time is sparse on SCCA race weekends.
I get the impression most serious open wheel racers get their laps in by renting the entire track for test days. We did this on Thunderbolt with Anderson racing last month. Pricey, but pretty special to have the track all to yourself!

All racing is expensive but the bottom rungs of formula car racing (Formula V, Formula Ford, F2000) seem to be no more than a stock class P Car. Seat time is the pricey part, but then that's why they invented karting...

MPD47

I'm confused as to groups letting Caterham's run if they dont let open wheel cars?

Scootin159

Perhaps because they have mini-fenders over the wheels? Which then raises the question of "what if you add similar mini-fenders to your formula car"?

MPD47

Exactly my point Scott.

ECS

Yep, I believe the whole "mini fender" thing would be a great move. It would certainly cut down on those nasty rubbing/take-off accidents.

lowside67

I havent found a street car that gave me anywhere near the visceral experience of my open wheel car. A full aero car such as the Renault you are considering or the Stohr F1000 that was suggested (my car is also an F1000 car), you will never find a fendered car that will perform the same kind of way. The F1000 is particularly attractive as there is no cheaper powerplant available (and it includes a 6spd sequential gearbox!)

-Mark

DaveM993

I drove a Formula Mazda last year...close to 300 hp on a 1200 lbs car.

I still dream about it........................................and am still ruined.

gbaker

Bingo.

Ron Cohn

I cut my teeth in formula car racing and nothing compares to open wheel racecars. I have just driven a Radical SR3 and really enjoyed it but some response and the visual cues of suspension movement are absent.

I have decided to stay away from lighter format track / race cars, due to age and safety. If your main focus will be racing, then formula cars are the ultimate way to obtain a high ratio of price-performace. If you are doing mostly track days, I suggest sticking to a car with a lid.