Best Track Car

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Three Peaks

Another suggestion if you want speed at moderate cost. I've been watching the Mazda open wheel racers for several years at the SCCA races around here and they are having more fun than anyone on the track. Running sealed Mazda 4 cylinder engines in an open wheel and very light car is a recipe for fun and very tight competition within the class. And if you check their lap times, most Cobras except for possibly Morris's super prepared and expensive Cobra will come close to competing with them. And the best part, you can get into a used one in good condition with many spare parts for around $15-20K to start. Same as the Spec racer Cobras, the parts are off the shelf Mazda parts mostly, calipers, rotors, pads, wheels, engine parts, etc... and are cheap and easy to find and change. This is all information I gleaned in a couple quick afternoons BS'ing with these guys at a couple races.

Are you referring to the Formula Mazda? They are an open wheel with the rotary engine. If so I would give a nod to one of those too. They are a hoot to drive and quite a handful but much more predictable than a Cobra.

Bondurant still teaches using them. I've been to two classes where we had them and I've never had so much fun.

By the way, that also reminds me. You (the OP) should take a racing school course, and I would recommend the Bondurant 4-day class (3 days in Dodges now (used to be Corvettes I mentioned) and the 4th day in the Formula Mazdas).

[Three Peaks]

Tony,
The ones I saw had the 4 cylinder Mazda engines in them, but that was a couple years ago. May have changed or maybe there is another Mazda formula class for these cars. I was pleasantly surprised how affordable they were to get into. Almost took the dive but had too many irons in the fire at the moment and had to hold off. Maybe one of these days I'll have time for another expensive hobby...

Bob

[TButtrick]

Originally Posted by fastd

I know that this is super subjective, but from those that have driven all types, how much better/worse is the track performance, say at a road course like VIR or similar, is a Cobra vs. a Daytona vs. a GT40...

Just curious...have long lusted after a GT40 and have thoughts of adding a Daytona or GT40...

Are you new to racing? If you're comfortable wrenching on your ERA FIA, I've seen some vintage groups allow these to run. VRG (Vintage Racing Group) had a member running one at the Glen last October.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Are you new to racing? If you're comfortable wrenching on your ERA FIA, I've seen some vintage groups allow these to run. VRG (Vintage Racing Group) had a member running one at the Glen last October.

That was member 1795's red Superformance FIA. Most vintage groups require the car/chassis be of original style.

This is at the VRG event at Watkins last October.

[1795]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Are you new to racing? If you're comfortable wrenching on your ERA FIA, I've seen some vintage groups allow these to run. VRG (Vintage Racing Group) had a member running one at the Glen last October.

That was me at the Glen last October. Vintage groups are just starting to warm up to allowing replicas. SVRA has allowed the car to run with all of the modifications that I made as described in my build thread (Superformance/Riverside Racer 289 FIA) which included having to have an original style frame, suspension, vintage 289 block, top loader and Girling brakes. VRG is starting to warm up to the idea and I will be running with them again in May at Summit Point in West Virginia. They said that they will accept my SVRA logbook and will leave it up to each individual race steward to decide. They went over the car thoroughly at the Glen and there was some discussion there concerning whether it could run in future races. The manner in which this build stayed as true as possible to the originals (with the exception of fiberglass as opposed to aluminum) is why they allowed it to run.

Jim

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

That was member 1795's red Superformance FIA. Most vintage groups require the car/chassis be of original style.

This is at the VRG event at Watkins last October.

Is RED a mandatory color? Even the Lotus 7 (clone?) looks like it has some red on it.

[1795]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

Is RED a mandatory color? Even the Lotus 7 (clone?) looks like it has some red on it.

You also have to know the secret handshake.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

That was member 1795's red Superformance FIA. Most vintage groups require the car/chassis be of original style.

This is at the VRG event at Watkins last October.

I like your mirrors, what kind are they?

[Buzz]

Definitely one of my favorite 289-style Cobras on CC (growing list). The mirrors look like the Radyot-type spun aluminum mirrors typically used on comp cars and replicas thereof. Commonly misspelt as "Raydot", they're available from most Cobra accessory retailers.

[1795]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I like your mirrors, what kind are they?

Got them from Finishline.

[cscott672]

The gt40 will generally be a LOT higher initial purchase price, and you need to be VERY careful which chassis/manufacturer you buy. Some of them have teething issues you will need to work through and sort out before serious track time. The other consideration is parts. If you wack a wall or get agricultural with a 40, the body parts/suspension aint cheap!

So, cost-wise the daytona from FFR is probably the best way to go. Parts are easy to get, and the chassis is fully adjustable at a reasonable cost. As others have mentioned, the c5/c6 corvette is a pretty solid/quick track toy with available parts. Happy hunting!! Scott