944Cup

The Miata does have alot of cars to race in Florida, but the cost to maintain the 944 is reasonable as used and aftermarket parts are not hard to come by. The 944 is noticeably quicker.

IcemanG17

after reading all the posts.....given you budget I also think Spec Miata is the way to go......always a strong field of people to race with and you will learn SO MUCH by driving one.....

I learned SO MUCH driving one years ago when my 300whp 928 was broken...it really ended up being a blessing.... As much as I DON'T like Miati they really are excellent track cars...

RCC GT3

Thank you all for the input and info. I will be going the N/A route due to the want to really work on my driving skill and not worry about being a bit faster. Also the smaller cost of consumables is directly related to my budget.

mrbill_fl

Are you planning on racing or just doing HPDE's?

-its important since the cars at HPDE are generally higher HP, and a miata or na 944 will be a tail marker. (BTDT). (its not much fun pointing everyone by, constantly).

OTOH, if you are racing, it will not matter a bit, since everyone will have the same hp, and run similar times.

so, IMHO, a miata would be better for racing in SE. (also easyier to sell when time).
suggest you run with NASA and PBOC since they have 13/13 (less contact) than SCCA.

the 944 will be more limited, and I think you'll tire of it in a few years.
a 944s2 or 968 will be better at HPDE and run with the boxters, boxter S and old 911s (me).


What about autox? there is where a 944 can dominate in class...

944Cup

duplicate

944Cup

And, 944's also dominate the 944 Cup, where the NA is a good choice.

944Cup

Keep an eye on the Cup classifieds if you decide to look for a front engine Porsche: http://forum.44cup.com/viewforum.php?f=14

Here's an example of a well prepared track car recently sold on Fla. Great value: http://forum.44cup.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2021

mrbill_fl

I'm just not sure how many 944 cups run down here.. (pca runs only 1x/yr (48hrs) )

I think they get classed with other cars by wt/hp in nasa and PBOC.

and SCCA is not where I'd start out... just too much contact.

so the resale might take a hit, down the road...

but w/ a miata, you'd have people to run against at the back, then the middle, then the front of the pack... (but it also wouldn't be as much fun at HPDE's -IMHO...) thus the HPDE or race Q

txhokie4life

Not necessarily if your willing to drive the snot out of the 944.

I was in a post session class and the instructor was talking
about having to possibly brake into a high speed sweeper.

I commented to the guy next to me that I can't brake into that corner
I'd never keep up with you (he was driving a 996 Turbo) because
I'm giving away 100-200 HP -- I've only got a 150HP on a good day.
He sheepishly looked at me and said he had 550HP.

There is a lot to be said for driving a cheaper car to its limits. A lot of folks
bring high $ cars to HPDEs but don't truly drive them.

You do have to teach them that when THEY give a point by, they have to be nice and lift a little in the straights :-)

As you progress up the run groups and the drivers are pushing their cars harder the 944 NA will struggle to keep up --

But I had an immense pleasure thinking I was holding my own with cars 50-100 times more expensive than what I paid for mine.

Mike
Porsche 924S Chump Race Car

speedy944

With your budget, get a NA 944 or 944S. I've been driving mine for 4 years and had a ton of fun and learned to really drive. You get much more bang for the buck and have a lot less at risk while you're developing as a driver. It's a lot more fun passing cars that cost 4+ times what yours did.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...track-car.html

allen_skillicorn

I'd argue that your local PCA DE instruction will be on par with any Skippy school. PCA is a great resource, don't hesitate using it.

My vote would be for a well sorted and prepared used NA 944. Whatever you do, don't buy a cheap street car. You'll blow your budget on deferred maintenance and upgrades that are worth pennies on the dollar.

A used 944Spec racer or DE prepared NA 944 will provide great bang for the buck.

Allen

944Cup

944 Cup started running with PBOC this year with 944 Cup classes for two Sebring events with more planned for next year, including Daytona for the 944 Cup Nationals.



On the issue of too much contact, Spec Miata is a class that has carried with it a reputation for contact above the average. Not saying contact is good or bad, nor judging the series or its drivers. In fact, SM has some great fields and close competition with some super drivers. How much contact your willing to accept depends on your preference and budget. If you're a driver adverse to contact, Spec Miata may not be your first choice.

mrbill_fl

SM in NASA and PBOC is much less contact with the 13/13 in effect. SCCA is a whole different story.

Do you know where PBOC posts results? http://pbocflorida.com/calendar-2/
dont see it in the member area or the public....


nasa fla is on my laps:
http://www.mylaps.com/results/showev...st=3&org=38886
ex:
http://www.mylaps.com/results/showrun.jsp?id=2281432

but they are not showing car class...

my point is as a casual observer, I don't see a lot of 944's racing... maybe 2 or 3 per weekend show up. (I thought about buying a spec 944 a few yrs back)....

944Cup

944 Cup does not run with NASA any longer so the classes would not show.

We raced with NASA for 10 years and that sanctioning body did not actively employ a 13/13 contact rule. To my last reading, not in the NASA CCRs.

speedy944

+1 for PCA. In San Diego, CA we run 8-12 AX events and 6-8 DE/TT events each year. That can be as much as 27 event days and that doesn't count the O/C, GPX and GGR regions or POC. You can track with Porsches as much as your budget will allow. PCA San Diego is well known for the novice AX and DE training and have some really great instructors that can teach. We also use a great mix of tracks and our AX tracks at Qualcomm stadium can get up to 80+ mph.

The key is to have fun in an environment that promotes safe driving and do it at a reasonable cost. Start with AX to learn car control, progress to HPDE/TT events and then get into wheel to wheel racing with guys that you know and trust.