Rent a drive

#1

I have a partially stripped and modified E30 I intended to install an S52 motor in but have been made aware of the SpecE30 series and it has grabbed my interest.

However, before I change tac and decide to build the car to SpecE30 regs I would like to go to a few events and watch for myself.

I would be interested to know if there is a possibility to "rent a drive" in a car already set up for this class. I want to make sure that if I build my car for this class that I won’t end up later wishing I gone the S52 route instead.

So, does anyone offer a rent a drive?

Thanks for any replies.

#2

Tell the group where you’re located. Someone might be more likely to reply.

Carter

#3

I could offer a ride in mine in HPDE 3. Not sure I’d want a total stranger driving it, but I’m sure you’d get a good idea what it’s capable of from the other seat. I should be at Summit in Oct.

#4

Where are you located? What is your goal? Racing? What is your track experience? How important are things like cost, competition, on track speed to you? Give us a little more back ground on yourself so we can give you some sound advice.

#5

Sorry guys I guess I should’ve added some more background info about me. Ive been in the USA now for 4 years, I am actually an expat Brit. As for track experience I’ve done about 20 to 30 UK track days at circuits such as brands Hatch, Silverstone, Snetterton and Castle Donnington. Nothing too competitive just track days in my E46 M3. I crewed for a friend running a 7 second doorslammer in a UK drag racing series for 3 years, so I have a somewhat limited experience of prepping a race car (albeit for a different discipline of motorsport). I work in a well eqipped garage everyday which will help with the prepaeration of my own vehicle. As for my possible aim in Spec E30 I would like to be as competitive as possible and although the cost is an important factor its not my sole priority…but close to the top of the list. Im a mature 41 year old but with a very competative nature…I wouldnt settle for just making up the numbers once I am settled and comfortable in the series I’d want to be making my way up to the front of the pack.
My location is in Upstate new York.

Thanks for your replies.

#6

Well since I’m also an ex Brit you are in the right place B). Well I think if cost is one of your main priorites you can’t go wrong with Spec E30. There is plenty of information on build costs on this site just do a search. The cars are very fun to drive, but won’t have near the grunt your E46 M3 had (I’ve driven one on the track). The key here is racing in similiar cars that don’t break the bank. I’ve always had the most fun in a race car when I’m racing close to another competitor, with large spec fields you can be almost guaranteed an exciting race. I think you should find a car and slowly start adding spec E30 parts and attending driving schools in the north east (watkins glen, lime rock, pocono, new hampshire, mont tramblant etc). You will have a fun car that you can eventually turn into a race car and have some real fun. Spec E30 is not very big in the north east yet but there are a couple of guys running and a number of cars being built. I’m sure by the time your car is ready there will be plenty of people to race and of course you can also find huge fields in the Mid Atlantic area.

#7

Elephant4 wrote:

For me the actual cost of preparing a car for Spec E30 isn’t a problem, however, coupled with also getting a trailer and a suitable tow vehicle then I have to be sure I want to go in the racing direction instead of just building another street screamer and doing the occasional track day. Thats why I intend to go to a few races and if possible, rent a drive for a race or two. That way I’ll be sure I wont be wasting my time or money on something my heart isn’t into.

Also I will have a better idea how far apart the front runners are from the rest of the field and whether or not I have a chance of being somewhat competitive after a period of time. Like I said…I don’t want to be an "also ran".

From what I have seen so far from magazines and internet surfing it seems to me that the series looks like good cheap fun.

#8

I suggest you do a NASA Competition School. With that, you get a mornng race, right off the bat. Then, you get a few sessions of exercises that will show your skills to yourself and the other students and instructors. At the end of the day, you get another race.

Plus, you’ll need your provisional license to do a race weekend and this is a great way to get it.

Save your money over the winter and rent a Spec E30 car for the VIR Comp School in February. You’ll be tired of the northeast snow by then and 50 degrees will feel good.

Carter

#9

Carter wrote:

[quote]I suggest you do a NASA Competition School. With that, you get a mornng race, right off the bat. Then, you get a few sessions of exercises that will show your skills to yourself and the other students and instructors. At the end of the day, you get another race.

Plus, you’ll need your provisional license to do a race weekend and this is a great way to get it.

Save your money over the winter and rent a Spec E30 car for the VIR Comp School in February. You’ll be tired of the northeast snow by then and 50 degrees will feel good.

Carter[/quote]That sounds like logical advice to me. I take it that this NASA Competition School will have to be taken in my owm car, which might represent a problem…the car is basically a shell at the moment and I wasn’t going to finish the build until I knew what route I wanted to take as I have a low mileage S52 motor/ trans/Wiring sitting under my bench. The car itself was an ETA so I don’t really like the idea of putting that motor back in and trying to race at a competition school with a motor putting out the same kind of power as an aquarium pump.

That aside, from what I can gather from your post this NASA competition weekend will get me my provisional licence and thats all I will need to race is Spec E30. Is that correct.

Can you give me a link or any more info on this Competition weekend such as location, datesand cost etc?

Thanks for the reply.

#10

My car, or some other, might be available for rent at the VIR Comp School in Feb. And VIR has an onsite rent-a-racecar program. Contact the track for the details.

The NASA Regions can give you info on the licensing procedures, rules, etc, and for the times, dates, and costs of the schools.

Carter

#11

Carter wrote:

[quote]My car, or some other, might be available for rent at the VIR Comp School in Feb. And VIR has an onsite rent-a-racecar program. Contact the track for the details.

The NASA Regions can give you info on the licensing procedures, rules, etc, and for the times, dates, and costs of the schools.

Carter[/quote]Forgive my ignorance but what track are you referring to? Also I thought I had read somewhere on this site that there was a VIR Comp school in late August. I’d rather do that than wait until Feb.

By the way, I appreciate your patience.

#12

Virginia International Raceway

http://www.virclub.com/vir/

#13

Elephant4 wrote:

[quote]Virginia International Raceway

http://www.virclub.com/vir/[/quote]Thanks Simon but is that really the closest track to upstate NY that I can get this NASA provisional licence from?

Mind you…a good excuse for a jolly up :wink:

#14

the main nasa site is www.nasaproracing.com
and the Northeast region site is:
http://www.nasanortheast.org/

Each region is a business and they run their own events, comp schools, etc. under the national rule set.
cheers,
bruce

#15

Rushman wrote:

:laugh: definitely. There are other tracks closer to you. Start reading the material on the nasa site pointed out and go from there.