Hi from the new guy!

#1

Hi everyone!

Name: Rick
Location: Memphis TN area
Car: '87 325iS Bone Stock, 133K mi.

I’ve been Autocrossing with the local SCCA region and division for two years. I have been looking for a way to get into sportscar racing and found SpecE30 through some articles in GRM. I looked for about a month for the proper and affordable car to get started with and one came on to craigslist a few days ago so I jumped on it (six hour drive each way with my daughter driving the second vehicle, nothing like quality time with the kids!)

It has a few minor warts that need removing, brake lining sensors, rack and pinion, window motor, nothing too bad. My plans are to autocross/rallycross/PDX/Driver’s school the car while preping it NASA Spec E30/SCCA ITS/BMWCCA.

If anyone is from the area let me know and we can get together for a beer and tell lies about our driving skills!

Rick

Pic of the car

#2

That is low mileage and nice looking for an 87. You might be wise to fix it up and sell it as a street car then use the proceeds to buy a complete (or partially complete) car. Converting a street car to Spec e30 car is a bigger and more expensive job than you might think. Having said that, I did what you plan to do simply becuse I did not have the cash to write one big check.

Regardless, There is a great deal of information on this site and a great bunch of guys to guide you through the conversion to auto-X to race car.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Don

#3

NASA,SCCA,BMWCCA: you’ll have to make a choice up front because to build it for one series will preclude the car being competitive in the others. Exception: if the BMWCCA guys do get around to recognizing the class rules for Spec e30.

Good luck.

Robert Patton

#4

Great looking car, because it looks identical to mine. I also started out with a piece of wood holding up the hood till I got a new shock ordered, haha. I am also building my SpecE30 car up. Good luck. I have lost some motivation over the past weeks, but I hope this holiday weekend will get me inspired to replace all the braking components and fix the oil pan leak.

#5

damn good looking car…

#6

Patton wrote:

[quote]NASA,SCCA,BMWCCA: you’ll have to make a choice up front because to build it for one series will preclude the car being competitive in the others. Exception: if the BMWCCA guys do get around to recognizing the class rules for Spec e30.

Good luck.

Robert Patton[/quote]

As of 2009, BMW CCA recognizes out-of-series classes for its events. But you have to build your car to one series’ ruleset or the other - no picking and choosing between the two. Our car is built to SpecE30 rules and we’ll be competing as a SpecE30 at the O’fest Club Races this year, as opposed to last year where we were classed as KP (and woefully uncompetitive).

Good luck with your build!

#7

Sounds like a solid idea Rick. I picked up my E30 with the same idea, build it for the series and run HPDEs while I build it. My recommendation is to build it for one particular series, rather than try to compromise between them. Does look like a nice car, but since you’ve already got it I would go ahead and build it, rather than sell it and buy a beater. 130k miles isn’t a whole lot compared to what a lot of guys have on their cars around here. Welcome to SpecE30 and enjoy the build - it’s addictive.

#8

Natalie, not to take away from Rick’s build, but is BMWCCA recognizing Spec e30 as a points class for their Champoinship series? I’ll stick with NASA, been there done that with BMWCCA and they’re good folks. But if the do have us as a class it could matter to some that would race there.

And, I’m sure Carter and the rules group would like to know (already know?).

Regards, Robert Patton

#9

BMW CCA Club Racing Rules Clarification 09-0001, Jan 3, 2009

What do I need to do to run my non-BMW CCA CR prepared car in BMW CCA Club Racing?

[ol]
[li]1. You need to be a member of the BMW Car Club of America.[/li]
[li]2. You need to have a BMW CCA Club Racing license.[/li] [ol]
[li]a. Licensing information and application are available on the BMW CCA Club Racing web site (General Information, For the Racer and New Racers)[/li][/ol]
[li]3. Your personal safety equipment must comply with BMW CCA Club Racing requirements defined in the BMW CCA Club Racing Rules.[/li]
[li]a. Most notably this includes the requirement for an approved SFI 38.1 device.[/li]
[li]4. Your car must be a BMW chassis/engine combination that is prepared to the rules of a non-vintage regional or national sanctioning body.[/li]
[li]a. A logbook issued by that sanctioning body with a current annual inspection must be presented.[/li]
[li]b. Alternatively, for sanctioning bodies that do not issue logbooks and annuals, proof of recent participation must be presented.[/li]
[li]5. Examples of regional or national sanctioning bodies are:[/li]
[li]a. Sports Car Club of America[/li]
[li]1. Club Racing[/li]
[li]2. Pro Racing[/li]
[li]b. National Auto Sport Association[/li]
[li]c. International Conference of Sports Car Clubs[/li]
[li]d. Midwest Council of Sports Car Clubs[/li]
[li]e. Eastern Motor Racing Association[/li]
[li]f. Porsche BMW Owners Club[/li]
[li]g. Grand American Road Racing Association[/li]
[li]h. International Motor Sport Association[/li]
[li]6. No modifications to your car are required if it meets the requirements of 4 above.[/li]
[li]a. BMW CCA Club Racing does encourage the use of an inside net, but if you car meets the preparation requirements of your declared class, including safety equipment, that is all that is required.[/li]
[li]7. Your will need to have a copy of the rules for the class in which the car is prepared available.[/li]
[li]8. You will need to add the BMW CCA Club Racing decals and that of our sponsors to the exterior of the car as is required of all our participants.[/li]
[li]a. Currently sponsor decals include 5 sets of two decals (left and right side) and a windshield banner.[/li]
[li]9. You will be eligible for the regional championship in your non-BMW CCA Club Racing class within BMW CCA Club Racing.[/li]
[li]a. National Championships are limited to BMW CCA Club Racing classes.[/li]
[li]10. Summary:[/li]
[li]a. Get a BMW CCA membership, if you do not have one.[/li]
[li]b. Get a BMW CCA Club Racing license, if you do not have one.[/li]
[li]c. Update your personal safety equipment, if necessary.[/li]
[li]d. Make sure your car has a logbook and annual from your sanctioning body.[/li]
[li]e. Add BMW CCA Club Racing sponsor decals to your car.[/li]
[li]f. Register for an upcoming event, you will be in your class in an all BMW field.[/li]
[/ol]

#10

Mike, thank you for the BMWCCA rules/crossover summary.I read a few weeks ago your memo about the “life is too short” shenanigans with the CCA and I thank you for your service to the club.
Specifically, number 9a answered my question.

Now, back to welcoming the new racer.

Regards, Robert Patton

#11

Welcome

#12

Patton wrote:

[quote]Mike, thank you for the BMWCCA rules/crossover summary.I read a few weeks ago your memo about the “life is too short” shenanigans with the CCA and I thank you for your service to the club.
Specifically, number 9a answered my question.

Now, back to welcoming the new racer.

Regards, Robert Patton[/quote]

Sounds like Mike beat me to your question… Good answer!
My short version was regional championship points yes, national points no. I guess if one cares enough to try to really compete for a national championship you’re going to have a car prepped for that series anyway. I’m just happy to have the chance to compete against cars where I should (theoretically) have a chance at being competitive, instead of being stuck in a class where I’m bound to be a backmarker :slight_smile:

Hijack over… we now return you to the welcome thread.