mrbill_fl

How many hours are spent before each weekend preparing to race?

vs preparing for a DE?

Thats what killed racing for me. $ costs were high, but the time commitment was out of control, consuming all free time, and then some... plus I couldn't afford the arrive and drive option. but some of my competition could.

I'll never forget changing to rain tires in the mud, and dirt, rushing to get in my suit, and while strapping in, my competition walks out of his RV freshly showered, with his crew helping him belt in...

thats when it seemed like work, for me.



ps: Are 3 way adjustable shocks allowed in spec 944?

M758

Right now I am prepping for NASA Nationals. That is a unique event and in no way a typical race.

For a normal race weekend prep is often an oil change every 2-3 events. There are time my car never left the trailer between events. Earlier this year I did change a rod bearing, but that was part of chasing down a oil leak I had for the prior 2-3 events. I had some time so did the work. I could have still raced. I also and an alternator issues. Which I think I fixed, but agian I ran an event with the problem. I broght a battery charger and kept the battery topped off. I also had DME harness problem which caused minor issues on track. Again I ran 6-7 races like that no issues, but just fixed that this weekend.

So alot small stuff that is just maintence work. Little of which needed to be done before a race. I do alignments maybe 1 a year, but I do them myself.


My crew is me and my 74 year old father. He is a retired technican and is quite smart about cars. We built the car togehter. These days he comes out to the track for the fun of it and helps with timming laps. I do alot of grunt work. He is there for technial support for me and in fact for much of the rest of the 944 spec class.

None of us have crews.

Nope. Only thing we allow are Koni Yellow street shocks. They have a limted adjustment range on rebound only. Unless you are testing we just set them. We can adjust sway bars to tweak the balance and that works.

docwyte

NASA Natl's aren't for another almost 3 months? You're prepping now?

Mikelly

We hope to find out how expensive it is in the coming year... I plan to get my provisional race license in the fall and then race the Spec Miata next season in Endurance Racing. We'll see. So far the miata has been easy on cash and zero issues to track. Trying to get the oldest son up to speed now so the two of us, along with another driver will be able to campaign it next year...

I expect it to be more of a hit on my time, but right now my DE prep work is a Day to get my 996TT ready:

Swap to track pads/bleed brakes/swap to track wheels/tires
Inspect all monoball suspension components before every event
Align the car to track suspension settings (Camber and toe changes to rear and caster/camber/toes changes to the front)
Install racing seats/harnesses
Instal tow hooks
remove tool kit/spare tire
Change oil in drysump every other event
Change oil in transaxle every other event

I'm fortunate that we have a drive on lift and a twin post lift in my shop to aid in doing this work, or I'd pay someone to do it, and do fewer events.

Mike

CWhaley

As Van already knows about me... I have been racing in some form or fashion sense I was around 10 y/o... My father was a drag racer during the 60's early 70's and passed his passion along too all his children. While I haved moved from motorcycles into cars... my older brother still carries the motocross torch for the family.

I remember my father telling us, "you can never afford to race... You race because you love it! If you love it... You will find a way to afford it!"

When I joined the PCA... all around me knew that I would go racing. Working thru the DE ranks provided the chance too meet great people, learn a new track car while developing skills in a Porsche.

Is racing cheaper... never! Are all BLACK/RED drivers racers... NO. BUT, many of them have more then what it takes to be very successful CR's.

We all make the choices that seem right for each of our individual circumstances.

Myself, I would rather die then not race!

M758

Because we don't run in the summer in Arizona. Next event is Aug and mini morning event (6am 10am). That will be used as a final shakdown and is the only track event before Nationals in my area.

Remaining prep is the following.
1) Paint car. I had some minor body dings I want to straighten out to look good of for the big show. I do my own body work.

2) Trailer prep. I want to wire my enclose trailer for 120V. I have and RV spot nationals so I have 120V power, but had been using extention cords. I rather have it nicer.

3) Oil change - need fresh oil for my motor

4) Last weekend I did my aligment. I adjusted rear toe and camber abit and recored all the settings. I may change it at nationals on the test day. I will be making up my own version of smart string since I am sick and tired of doing with jack stands.

5)Umm... not sure. - Oh yeah. Order a spare set of front brake pads. I replaced them last year at Nationals and might be due again.

Potomac-Greg

I bought a set of fresh front brake pads last year figuring I'd need them eventually and might as well have them around. Now I'm starting to think I'll never need them! I've got about 15 hard track days on my current pads (Hawk HT10) and they're still at about 50%.

FredC

V-tach, where are you when we need you? Dare posting that pic you sent sms to me by accident. Come on Rocco!

race911

Jumping straight to the end here, but in glancing I see some talk of increased cost. Uh, yeah. Want cheap, go for a bike ride with your sweetie.

Anyway, did my first wheel-to-wheel races in FIVE years today. practice/qual/race 1/race 2. Put under 100 miles on the Spec Miata. I'm tired like I can't believe tonight. $120 entry, about $50 of 100 octane. Ran 5 year old RA1s. Only 16 racers, half were SM. Pole by 2.5 sec, 10+ sec win in race 1, 5 sec win in race 2 after starting P8 so I had something to do.....and led before the end of lap 1. Admittedly a novice/underprepared field as I SUCK driving the SM. (I was easily 3 sec/lap off what a proper winner in NASA or SCCA would be doing.)

Point is, doesn't have to break the bank.

Oh, and the uncountable number of GT3s and RSs? Yeah, they had an open passing group. It was crowded. They drove the same track. But unless you're uh......racing.......a friend or something out there, you're kinda just lapping. Right? (One thing the Golden Gate time trial series did make you do was tinker and strive for an end-of-weekend goal. And I am appreciative for that to keep my head in the competitive frame of mind when was getting back in to track events in the mid-'90's.)

Reflecting, I'm kicking myself for letting the 5 years go by with all the health/business/financial crap. I may hate the SM, but if it's what I've got prepped to race now then I'll make the most of it.

DanR

I wanna see this

BostonDMD

I am guessing those pics would make VR blush, but what do I know?

Anyway, I think we have concluded that this sport is expensive no matter if you DE or Race......... so to each his own.........

mdrums

You all should try offshore boat racing...that is expensive!

Gary R.

Vito is the MAN with the pics!

mooty

since you hate SM so much,
take the yellow zonker out. get tony the kid to put a full cage in there and just do PRC racing.

Mikelly

Ya know, I've found I have a love-hate relationship with our SM as well... It's kinda like a moped. Fun as hell when you're in it driving, but something you never want your friends to see you in...

I giggle like a school girl driving it on small tracks though!

Mike