Newbie here with one important question

#1

Hello everyone, my name is Tim and I call home Reno Nevada but I’m currently living in Germany. I’ve got a question for everyone that I haven’t seen in the past few days of lurking: Is a spec E30 a good beginner race car? Price wise I would think yes as well as power/performance. As far as actual spec racing goes I know W2W isn’t a newbie playground but please hear me out on my situation.

I’m a young guy (just turned 22) that started out drag racing when I was 16. We all know how that goes :wink: My parents (Dad races Corvettes) didn’t like what I was doing so for my 17th birthday they signed me up for a HPDE at Thunder Hill and gave me a helmet. I’ve since done a few more HPDEs and open track days as well as three seasons of autox. Now I want to move up car wise, get more seat time and prepare myself for competitive racing.

I won’t be back stateside for another two years but time wise it may work out perfectly. I figure if I start building the car this winter I’ll have it done, shaken down and have some track time in the car by the time I come back to the states.

That’s basically my current situation. What do you guys think?

#2

Spec E30 is a great venue for beginners and advanced drivers a like. I’ve been racing for 5 years and instructing for longer but I wanted better competition in cheaper and equal cars. It is also an ideal environment to start racing with a car that is cheap, reliable and easy to drive fast. By the time you get back there should be large fields racing at many different venues, we will look forward to racing against you.

#3

"Is the E30 a good beginner race car?"
I would say absolutely. Keeping in mind I haven’t actually raced yet. :huh:
I’ve driven mine pretty hard already, and it’s a very stable, forgiving package. Good power band and enough speed to thrill you without getting in over your head. Donors are affordable, replacement parts are cheap and easy to get. I’d budget $8000 to put one together if you do most of the work yourself.

The only other choice is a Miata, but it’s a tiny car and a more expensive level of prep to be competitive.

#4

A great race car period…

Reliable, fun, fast, capable, cheap…

Start off as a fun daily driver, autocross, then track car, get comfy, transition to race car easily.

Rewards good drivers and doesn’t try to kill hacks like me.

When situation changes (ie. no family obligations) the only place I will go race again is SpecE30.

#5

Thanks for the replies so far. I’ve got a lot of questions but more research to do before I ask them. Please, keep the replies coming.

#6

Tim,

I’m much older, but in about the same situation as you. I’ve been thinking about this same thing for about 2 years and I think this would be a wonderful choice for you. If you can, get the book "Go Ahead Take the Wheel". It’s been metioned here before and I have no interested in the book other than I’ve read it and think it’s a great book for beginners. Good luck.

#7

Joe, thanks for the link. It sounds like a great book and I plan on ordering it next week.

I’ve had a great breakthrough in this possible project. I know a guy that planned on building up his US-spec 325i that he has here in Germany but he has gotten side tracked and wants to get rid of it. I went to check it out and the body is straight aside from two minor dents, paint is not so hot due to the clear coat peeling off but its rust free. It runs pretty good from what I’ve seen too. The best part of all is that he owes me some money and a few favors so I can get it for the clearing of his debts. I’m seriously considering it but I need to find an auto hobby shop that has a spray booth and I need to find a cage builder.

I’m really excited about this possibly coming together but I don’t want to jump in over my head.

#8

Don’t worry about the paint or any minor dings. They make absolutely no difference in how fast the car can get around the track. For now concentrate on bringing the car up to Spec configuration and maiking it relaible. You can always get a cheap paint job done later.

#9

jlevie wrote:

I’m not worried about it right now but the concern is finding a place to paint it. Paying an actual shop to paint a car is very expensive here in Germany from what I hear. I’d prefer to just repaint the body the same color so I don’t have to deal with the interior and engine bay matching. I know someone who has his own gun but I’ve yet to talk to him about spraying my car. I’ll see him around Christmas time.

I’d like some input on what 30SpecE30 recommended; Going from a road car/track car then take the plunge in to a dedicated race car once I get back to the states. I’d really like to do this so I can not only get to really know the car but so I can drive the car to the tracks around here. My main concern is the cage. I know it’s been discussed many times about the safety hazards of a fully caged car on the street but what are your thoughts on only having the rear section done along with the harness bar? Of course it would be properly paded and positioned so I won’t hit it (I’m a small guy) but can such a design be used later when completing the front section of the cage?

#10

Absolutely.

Our cage builder built our cage like that, completed the rear portion first and then moved up front.

JP

#11

155MPH wrote:

[quote]Absolutely.

Our cage builder built our cage like that, completed the rear portion first and then moved up front.

JP[/quote]

Would such a thing be a good idea (and safe) in a street car?

#12

While not being ideal in a street car, I used a four point roll bar for the last two years in dual purpose cars.

You simply lose the access to the back seat. Make sure that you use lots of HD padding around any areas you might come in contact with.

JP

#13

Anyone else’s input?

#14

That’s the way I did my car – Chris Schimmel built the rear hoop first, then the rest of the cage about 6 months later.

The only advice I can give, other than lots of HD cage padding (not pool noodles) is to tear out the interior (especially the headliner) in the rear, before you have the hoop built.