Open wheeled cars - good deal?
02-13-2017, 10:53 AM
#46
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Many of these cars have relatively cheap parts. FM parts are pretty reasonable. I even replaced the sealed engine for about 7k. If you don't want a sealed motor it would be about half that cost. I love rotary engines which is part of why I am on this platform. The FM is fantastic but if you want to go racing, it has very little participation in the NE. I believe in more Southern and Western regions it is still strong.
02-13-2017, 11:20 AM
#47
Drifting
I know you're a racer, but that statement leads me to believe you've (hopefully) never had a heavy accident in a formula car. While speed does indeed dissipate more rapidly with a formula car spin, which is an advantage in a flat spin, there is simply no doubt they provide significantly less protection than an enclosed/caged car.
02-13-2017, 11:31 AM
#48
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I've been on fire in these cars, and been glad to get out relatively easily...
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"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
02-13-2017, 03:30 PM
#49
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I know you're a racer, but that statement leads me to believe you've (hopefully) never had a heavy accident in a formula car. While speed does indeed dissipate more rapidly with a formula car spin, which is an advantage in a flat spin, there is simply no doubt they provide significantly less protection than an enclosed/caged car.
I've been around a lot of destroyed cars both formula and tin top. While the head is out in the air (moreso in older cars like the DB1 and Reynard in your signature), newer ones have much better setups. Head surrounds, etc. The lack of seat belt length, a poured bead seat supported by the frame and pan, etc. are all things that are better in a formula car.
02-13-2017, 03:39 PM
#50
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Drove a "Formula Skip" car during a Skip Barber class at Lime Rock. Cold fall day and it was raining.
That being said, it was probably one of my most memorable experiences on track. The feeling of being outside, and to see the open wheels, is unmatched in my opinion.
However, we are doing a long term medical study on Coochas and so far the evidence has shown that long term exposure to open cockpit race cars has a negative affect on the mind. To put it politely, he is a little "touched in the head" at this point. Beware of open cockpit syndrome!
That being said, it was probably one of my most memorable experiences on track. The feeling of being outside, and to see the open wheels, is unmatched in my opinion.
However, we are doing a long term medical study on Coochas and so far the evidence has shown that long term exposure to open cockpit race cars has a negative affect on the mind. To put it politely, he is a little "touched in the head" at this point. Beware of open cockpit syndrome!
02-13-2017, 03:45 PM
#51
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Drove a "Formula Skip" car during a Skip Barber class at Lime Rock. Cold fall day and it was raining.
That being said, it was probably one of my most memorable experiences on track. The feeling of being outside, and to see the open wheels, is unmatched in my opinion.
However, we are doing a long term medical study on Coochas and so far the evidence has shown that long term exposure to open cockpit race cars has a negative affect on the mind. To put it politely, he is a little "touched in the head" at this point. Beware of open cockpit syndrome!
That being said, it was probably one of my most memorable experiences on track. The feeling of being outside, and to see the open wheels, is unmatched in my opinion.
However, we are doing a long term medical study on Coochas and so far the evidence has shown that long term exposure to open cockpit race cars has a negative affect on the mind. To put it politely, he is a little "touched in the head" at this point. Beware of open cockpit syndrome!
Now, Peter Krause has been driving open cockpit three times longer than I have (AT LEAST). Oh wait, yeah he's a little touched too,...but in a really nice way. And this is starting to sound very wrong. I guess I am pretty far along in the syndrome.
02-13-2017, 07:14 PM
#52
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Hahaha! Purpose built cars attract the best kind of "touched" folks... 
Coochas Dave, your latest FB posts (weatherman, gummi "shapes") clearly show cabin fever. Time to head out and"plow."
Coochas Dave, your latest FB posts (weatherman, gummi "shapes") clearly show cabin fever. Time to head out and"plow."
02-13-2017, 07:20 PM
#53
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02-15-2017, 01:46 AM
#54
Three Wheelin'
My son raced FE for a couple years in the midwest- we had our CSR very active with promoting so we always had a decent grid size. He'd done shifter karts for several years and a few PCA DE's over the years, and then Spec Miata before that so he wasn't exactly a novice, but open wheel is a completely different ball game. He had a blast and did pretty well (getting a podium at the June Sprints) .
I would NOT jump into it with a formula car right from the beginning- as mentioned, do a couple racing schools with formula cars and see what you think...
(BTW, crewing for him was a blast!!! Proud dad...)
I would NOT jump into it with a formula car right from the beginning- as mentioned, do a couple racing schools with formula cars and see what you think...
(BTW, crewing for him was a blast!!! Proud dad...)
Check the field sizes in your area if you're going to go racing. Pick the class with the best turnout and consistent entries. The formula car choices seem to be quite regional at the moment.
02-15-2017, 03:11 AM
#55
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Wise- your friend got a good car! My son hated to sell it after we did that McLaren livery!
Steve at One Formula is great to work with.
As he said look at grid sizes in your area- lot more fun to race someone!
Steve at One Formula is great to work with.
As he said look at grid sizes in your area- lot more fun to race someone!
03-31-2018, 11:10 AM
#56
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sorry to bring up an old topic but it was a great read. I almost bought another SRF but I am going to do a race with Bertil Roos in June at NJMP. I did a skippy school as well. The SRF was a blast. After reading this thread the brain is turning, I love racing but also love driving. May be a DE car and then rent a race car a few times a year with some occasional karting as well!!
04-01-2018, 08:33 PM
#57
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I have a formula enterprise car and I really like how easy it is to work on. Alignments, ride heights and scaling the car can be tedious and take a long time but most other things are very easy. Because it’s an Automotive based engine, the rebuilds are 3-7+ years. The old gearbox was a maintenance headache for some/most but the new Sadev seems to be a huge improvement.
I know some people prefer FC because you have more setup options, but for me - I prefer the FE because there are fewer setup options.
If you don’t mind wrenching on your car some, FE can be maintained by the driver.
I know some people prefer FC because you have more setup options, but for me - I prefer the FE because there are fewer setup options.
If you don’t mind wrenching on your car some, FE can be maintained by the driver.
04-01-2018, 09:17 PM
#58
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I have a formula enterprise car and I really like how easy it is to work on. Alignments, ride heights and scaling the car can be tedious and take a long time but most other things are very easy. Because it’s an Automotive based engine, the rebuilds are 3-7+ years. The old gearbox was a maintenance headache for some/most but the new Sadev seems to be a huge improvement.
I know some people prefer FC because you have more setup options, but for me - I prefer the FE because there are fewer setup options.
If you don’t mind wrenching on your car some, FE can be maintained by the driver.
I know some people prefer FC because you have more setup options, but for me - I prefer the FE because there are fewer setup options.
If you don’t mind wrenching on your car some, FE can be maintained by the driver.
04-01-2018, 10:09 PM
#59
Rennlist Member
I have a formula enterprise car and I really like how easy it is to work on. Alignments, ride heights and scaling the car can be tedious and take a long time but most other things are very easy. Because it’s an Automotive based engine, the rebuilds are 3-7+ years. The old gearbox was a maintenance headache for some/most but the new Sadev seems to be a huge improvement.
I know some people prefer FC because you have more setup options, but for me - I prefer the FE because there are fewer setup options.
If you don’t mind wrenching on your car some, FE can be maintained by the driver.
I know some people prefer FC because you have more setup options, but for me - I prefer the FE because there are fewer setup options.
If you don’t mind wrenching on your car some, FE can be maintained by the driver.
04-01-2018, 11:11 PM
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