New Member...

#1

Hey Everyone,
I m a new member here. I own an 1988 325 with a super eta. I would love to build a spec e30, probably going to start this summer, as college is taking my time right now. I have some very general newbie type questions. Should I ditch my current car to be competitve, and find one with the "i" motor? Since suspension will be completely redone, getting an "is" is pointless, correct? What is needed to get on the track, and get semi-competitve? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Peace.

#2

Use the car you have to do as many HPDE’s as you can afford. Buy good tires, get the spec shocks and springs. Don’t worry about the eta motor until way later. Improve the driver because in all likelyhood the car can out perform you by a lot right now.

#3

Welcome to Spec E30.

Yes, I would highly recommend selling your eta and buying a 325i. This is by-far the most popular car and you’ll have many more cars to race with.

I originally thought we would have many eta cars racing but that hasn’t been the case.

I also recommend you print the Spec E30 Rules and read through them very carefully, prior to turning the first wrench on your car. Like many pre-racers, you’ll have some questions and you might not agree with all the Rules. However, after building your car and coming to the track, you’ll be very happy with your car and with our program.

Regrading your questions…my car is a base 325i and it’s been a very good car. Also, if you build the car to the Rules, your car will be competitive right out of the box. If you haven’t raced before, you won’t be competitive until you have some experience but no one will have a faster car than yours.

Where are you located?

Carter Hunt
Spec E30 Series Administrator

#4

Thanks for the advice. I will start my search for an "i" car. I guess I will keep my eta for a daily driver. As for my location, I am out in CA. So I guess I won’t be racing you guys. Does anyone know how many cars there are in Ca? My plan is to build the car, drive it in track days until I’m good at driving the car. Anyways, suggestions are always welcome. Peace.

#5

grydemon wrote:

At least one, and he’s darn fast… :side:

Check the California Racing thread in this forum for more info. There are quite a few people building cars, but few done & running.

http://spece30.com/index.php?option=com_mamboboard&Itemid=65&func=view&id=10&catid=3

If you can make it, try to come up to Buttonwillow on April 8-9 for the NASA event. If you’re not familiar with NASA (nasaproracing.com), they offer driving schools, lapping days, and full wheel-to-wheel racing. Spec e30 is a NASA race class. I’ll be racing my spec car in KP in the BMW Club race that weekend, as well as instructing a girl friend of mine who will be drivng my car in HPDE 1 :ohmy: . I’d be happy to sneak out with the advanced group Sunday afternoon & give you a ride (normally isn’t a problem after people start leaving), which would give you an idea of what the spec cars are like.

#6

Absolutely…don’t waist your time building an eta car. The class designations say it all:

SO = Stock output
SU = Super Underpowered

:ohmy:

Find a good 325i or 325is. The advantage of an "IS" car is that it should come with a limited slip differential. Most "i" cars don’t and It’ll cost you about $250 plus installation to get one in. Makes better sense to start with a good rust free donor car with all the parts that you’ll need

Good luck with you build
brain

Post edited by: brain, at: 2006/03/16 07:37

#7

Thanks for the help. I will probably come out to Buttonwillow that Sunday. I just joined NASA and wanted to see what HPDE is all about. I am going to bimmerfest with my dad and his m6 on Saturday in Santa Barbara. I live in San Luis Obispo, so Buttonwillow isnt too far. I would love to see a spec e30 run, and if I could get a ride that would be excellent. Hope to see you out there. Peace.
Brenden

#8

One thing always to remember…always bring your helmet to the track…
No helmet=no ride

#9

Thanks for the reminder. I have a snell rated motocross helmet, Would that be enough? Steve, could you e-mail me directly at bselvig@calpoly.edu. Thanks for the help.

Post edited by: grydemon, at: 2006/03/17 11:57