bpu699

I see eBay has some cool open wheeled cars for sale. Formula Mazda, formula ford, and even used Indy cars for less than 30k$

Seems like a helluva lotta bang for the buck... Yet I never see them at track days.

Can you run an Indy type car at hpde?

Are they more dangerous than say, a 996 with a roll cage? Safer?

Just day dreaming here, would love to get a full on roll cage car next year for fun. See lots of caged boxsters and 996s for a reasonable amount...

But no one mentions open wheelers much...

Why?

Sweeper

I'll tell you why! Any of those you mention will dust most Porsches, not all, but most..

I caught the DE bug, then progressed quickly to FF, at the time there were big scca groups running and racing was fantastic.

It's all about whether you need to compete. Do you have any aspirations to drive professionally? My advice, take a Skip Barber 3-day coarse.. It'll tell you everything you need to know.

bpu699

No aspirations to compete right now...still a novice...

Those cars just seem like a cool experience... Didn't realize you could get a used Indy car for so cheap...

Could they be driven at a pca event? Can they be used without a team of 15 mechanics?

Cost to fix damages?

It's gotta be cheaper to fix/run than a gt3...

Or, are these cars limited to certain events, and simply not a hpde car?

I have heard folks mention that you don't want to be in a 1500lb car, among 3000lb cars... Is that the primary issue?

Green_Hornet

You can check with some DE vendors. I was told NO single seaters.

Matt Romanowski

For a PCA event, it has to have fenders attached to the chassis, so no open wheel cars.

David993S

DE eligibility aside, I'd suggest you go to one of the professional schools that use formula cars so you can get a taste of what it's like. Driving a formula car is a whole different world than driving a car with fenders and doors. You'll either love it or say "this isn't for me".

You asked if a formula car was more dangerous than a 996 with a cage?.......ummm, YES.

Cheers.

Green_Hornet

Agree with David. I took a few Jim Russell courses and all I can say is WOW. I just love driving those things.

dizzy8085

I'm pretty sure chin let's open wheel cars in.

Formula enterprise looks like a fun class.

Circuit Motorsports

You're in a good place in Racine. Lots of good people who race open wheel.

Go to SCCA races local to you to see what you want.

One of my favorite open wheel prep shops is in Delavan. Lindstrand Motorsports. they have lots of cars in the shop to learn about and a number of them could be for sale.

ProCoach

While Indy and Indy Lights cars from many different generations look alluring, I can assure you there is no free lunch. From the Champ cars of the 2.65 liter turbo formula to the Olds Aurora (well, not really, but the engine is based on a stock block) to the G-Force to the current Dallara, these cars are insanely expensive to run and very difficult to drive. Sure, there are a few people that run them, some even would call "economically," but for someone jumping into the deep end of Formula car track days and racing, I can't recommend those cars at all.

The progression might be, from slow to quick and from cheap to expensive (to buy and run):

Formula Vee (VW air cooled motors, spec suspension)
Formula Ford historic (Ford Kent 1600cc, treaded tires)
Formula Ford current (Honda Fit, slicks)
Star Mazda (original tube frame 2-rotor Mazda)
Formula Ford 2000 or Formula Continental (SOHC 2000cc German Ford or DOHC Ford Zetec)
Formula Enterprise (Mazda 2.0 liter MZR)
Formula B (1000cc motorcycle engines in FF/FC chassis)
Then, it's a good sized step up from here to:
Historic Formula Atlantic (March, Ralt, 1600cc Ford Cosworth BDA DOHC 16-valve carbs)
Current or recent Formula Atlantic (Ralt RT-40/41 or Swift 008, 014, 016, Toyota 4-AGE 1600cc race prepared)
Pro Mazda (composite chassis, Renesis engine)
Older Indy Lights (Lola spec chassis T-93/20 or more often T-97/20 with 4.2 liter Buick normally aspirated)
Newer Indy Lights (Firestone Infinity Pro, 3.5-liter normally aspirated DOHC V8) 2002-2014
Newest Indy Lights (IL-15-AER)
Older Champ Car (Indy Cars, turbocharged or stock block turbo, 1984-1989, March, Lola, Eagle)
Newer Champ Car (Indy Cars, turbocharged, 1990-1996, Lola Reynard, Swift)
IRL Indy Cars early (1997-2011, Dallara, G-Force, Riley & Scott, 4-liter, 3.5-liter, 3-liter)
IRL Indy Cars current (2012 on, Dallara, 2.2 liter V-6 turbo)

Like the other folks say, DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Like CM says, go visit Brian Lindstrand in Racine.

Yes, there are some track day operators that allow open wheel cars, but the drivers are vetted well.

I would stick with the formula cars listed above, up to Formula Enterprise, including Star Mazda, to start.

I would also take a Lucas Oil School, SBRS, Allen Berg or SimRaceway school before you decide you want one of these. Just my .02

ProCoach

Here are some good laps from a twenty year old, Buick V-6 powered Lola T-97/20 Indy Lights car in the hands of a VERY good driver. A car like this could be had for the price of a good, low hour 997.1 GT3 Cup.

bpu699

Thanks for the info... Not really looking to go faster, race, or set records...

Probably will never own one of these, but sounds enticing...

I assume the greater danger is simply due to the higher speeds these things are capable of?

It would be neat to have one in the garage to look at, and occasionally drive...

How many guys get to say they have an Indy car in their garage? Kind of the same as a vintage Ferrari. You ogle it, polish it, and drive every once in a while...

Just a dream...

jlanka

Nothin wrong with that dream.

bpu699

Never thought being in Racine is a plus. But as it turns out, it is within 90 minutes of three cool race track: RA, Blackhawk, and Milwaukee mile. Who knew!

bpu699

Yep. I still can't get over the fact my wife is ok with hpde and going on a track. Never in a million years would I think she would be ok with this... She is the one pushing me to buy a trailer, so I can take the boys...

Now, if my kids just showed any interest... Hope springs eternal...

Will probably get a miata for them to autocross... They get licenses this summer....


I don't know about you guys, but being in midlife things were getting pretty monotonous. Life is good, but repetitious. This is a nice mental break that focuses you to be in the moment for at least 20 minutes at a time...