[MB]

Ok this might get interesting.

I've decided to do a race series in the S.

To say I’m excited / mildly worried would probably describe it

Now there is a chance this won't come off, there are a few hurdles which might crop up, but it's currently my intention. Even if I don’t enter the series, I was planning on caging and stripping the car, as I can now tow it with the Warrior.

Big decision on a few levels (not to mention cost) but the biggest one is tearing the interior out of a low mileage 06 car and welding a cage into it and effectively making unsellable. Trackdays have been great for the last few years, but racing has been nagging at me since I did an open session at the Ring GP in the Exige, and it was pretty much racing. The buzz was huge and has stuck with me.

My expectations are fairly low, I just want to have some fun. I'm not the fastest out there, there are some very capable FWD machines and drivers in the series. I've never raced before, not driven any of the tracks in the series, and i'm not so sure the S2000 will be that competitive. But I can, so I will (only live once apparently) I've been given advice from a couple of people competent in racing (ie not on here ) that I will do ok. If nothing else, I hope it will attract others to turn their S2000 to the track. I think the timing is right for the age and price of the early cars now. Also, i'm not sure anyone in the UK has raced and S2000 yet, only sprints / time attacks? So that would be a nice first. May also help spark off the series which Dixon is looking into.

I plan to fully document the costs involved, assuming I don't bin the car in the first race

Watch this space...

PS – if anyone can think of something I’ve missed, and that this is a bad idea, please don’t tell me

PPS - if anyone wants to get their name squeezed on the car (series may be televised) then you may wish to see if I finish the first race

---------------

Mods List

ENGINE STUFF...
AEM V2 intake
Spoon V2 throttle body
J's Racing exhaust manifold
Berk 65mm decat
J's Racing 65mm single exhaust
Airpump removed
J's Racing baffled sump
Mocal oil cooler
J's Racing oil filter stopper
AEM EMS mapped by Romain @ Eurospec2000
NGK 7746 plugs
Castrol FS 5w40 Engine oil and fluids

CHASSIS STUFF...
Rays CE28N forged alloys & Yokohama A048 tyres
NITRON Custom 2 way coilovers
Hardrace rear toe arms
Mugen front comp bushes
Hardrace Spherical Bushes
Polybushes all round
Dixcel racing brakes all round
HEL brake lines
T1R driveshaft spacers
Motorklasse 4.44 diff gears
Cusco braces
Geo by Dixon @ DMS
J's Racing open wheel nuts

AERO STUFF...
Top Secret CF bonnet with Aerocatches
Ings CF rear wing
Downforce Carbon front lip and skirts
PWJDM Full underbody carbon diffuser

DRIVER STUFF...
BuddyClub P1 seats and rails
Mugen wheel
Works Bell quick release system

SAFETY STUFF...
Custom Cages full roll cage
MSA 2.25 plumbed in extinguisher with internal and external activation
Plastics 4 Performance Lexan side and rear windows
Schroth 6 point harness
MSA LED rain light

OTHER...
AMB Race transponder
Racelogic Vbox Lite datalogger
Varley lightweight battery with internal and external cut off
Chargespeed CF centre console cover

[martin j]

Could you use a bolt in cage and keep the interior to refit later?

[Monkeybone]

Honda VTEC Challenge?

[F3 ANG]

Go for it as you say you only live once what race series, and which tracks

[carlip8]

Good luck with it all MB, will be subscribing the thread/blog

What race series is it?

[unclefester]

Good luck MB - i reckon this is what you've really been wanting to do all along

[Chris Harris]

Nice one. You only live once and all that.

If you ever need a hand with spanner work I'm only round the corner!

[s2konroids]

Have you ever thought about turbo'ing, supercharging it?

Go for it, it will be fun, as you say you only live once mein herr

[MB]

Thanks all.

Couple of series' i'm looking at but will confirm later on.

[MB]

A potted summary of my car…

Bought the car 16 months ago, with a rather large turbo on it. 450 bhp at the wheels was interesting, but not my cup of tea really. NA FTMFW! (I must get a sticker for that)







I always planned to take the off, but before I could, I ended up at Rockingham on a trackday, where it burst an oil line and cause a little BBQ

So I stripped all the parts off, and sold them…



Then put some choice NA parts on, as per list below…


ENGINE STUFF...
AEM V2 intake
Spoon V2 throttle body
J's Racing exhaust manifold
Berk 65mm decat
J's Racing 65mm single exhaust
Airpump removed
J's Racing baffled sump
Mocal oil cooler
J's Racing oil filter stopper
AEM EMS mapped by Romain @ Eurospec2000
NGK 7746 plugs
Castrol FS 5w40 Engine oil and fluids

CHASSIS STUFF...
Rays CE28N forged alloys & Yokohama A048 tyres
NITRON Custom 2 way coilovers
Hardrace rear toe arms
Mugen front comp bushes
Hardrace Spherical Bushes
Polybushes all round
Dixcel racing brakes all round
HEL brake lines
T1R driveshaft spacers
Motorklasse 4.44 diff gears
Cusco braces
Geo by Dixon @ DMS
J's Racing open wheel nuts

AERO STUFF...
Top Secret CF bonnet with Aerocatches
Ings CF rear wing
Downforce Carbon front lip and skirts
PWJDM Full underbody carbon diffuser

DRIVER STUFF...
BuddyClub P1 seats and rails
Mugen wheel
Works Bell quick release system

SAFETY STUFF...
Custom Cages full roll cage
MSA 2.25 plumbed in extinguisher with internal and external activation
Plastics 4 Performance Lexan side and rear windows
Schroth 6 point harness
MSA LED rain light

OTHER...
AMB Race transponder
Racelogic Vbox Lite datalogger
Varley lightweight battery with internal and external cut off
Chargespeed CF centre console cover














This resulted in a rather enjoyable track car.

Some pics on track







Next step is to strip the interior out and order parts.

I’ve ordered some bits from Go Tuning, most importantly a Work Bell RapiFix detatchable steering wheel thing. I will need this to get out of the car, as the cage is quite intrusive!

Dixon will be getting me a Custom Cage and associated parts, plus lexan windows and stuff 

Bought some HT catchers from Dave IRL, and HT from eSeM. Will start stripping it once the HT catchers have arrived and I pick up the roof from eSeM (Obviously got to drive in the S to collect it!) Once it’s stripped the cage and extinguisher can go in…

Other bits to buy:

Varley 25 lightweight battery (this might get relocated to the boot)
Battery kill switch
Plumbed in extinguisher
Fire release switch
LED rain light
Race transponder
Harness
Race suit

Some interior inspiration!



Any more ideas?

[dreamkev]

Nice, well your car is already has some track goodies on already, just needs to go on a diet! Good luck and look forward to more replies on this post

[s2konroids]

I liked the old turbo version, but as you say it was unreliable.

[unclefester]

When did you get the undertray fitted - that's THE coolest mod you've done!!!

[Dixon Motorsports]

Remember to flock the dash as well!

Aims dash with gps? Make it like a proper race car.

Pedal box with brake bias?

For the steering hub, go for the lifeline one. Bell one is not as tight as a proper fia quick release hub!

I better get mine build up quick!

Speak to you later for the cage and windows!

[MB]

Just the basics for now, Dixon

I do want the interior tidied up though - ie no bare door skins ideally!

[eSeM]

Montag, on 03 February 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:

Dude, if I was considering an S and saw your car, I'd run a mile. Don't get me wrong - you've done wonders, but I'd expect to be on the blower for a fair few hours to my insurance company trying to explain what's been done to it.

It's not that difficult, you get the brokers email address and email them a complete list of mods. They will then get back to you with a quote

[Dixon Motorsports]

MB, on 03 February 2012 - 04:44 PM, said:

Just the basics for now, Dixon

I do want the interior tidied up though - ie no bare door skins ideally!

I can make you carbon door card, easy! With a strap to open the door.

Still flocked dash is a must! Ask Tommy!

[MB]

martin j, on 03 February 2012 - 04:00 PM, said:

Could you use a bolt in cage and keep the interior to refit later?

I don't think there are any MSA approved bolt in ones for the S2000.

[Dixon Motorsports]

Yes bolt in one is fine too, most of the VW cup race car are bolt on and even FIA GT Aston Martin is also using bolt in because of the aluminium chassis.

[MB]

I've not see any whihc are custom for the S2000 though? Not that would pass MSA, anyway.

[Suits]

Montag, on 03 February 2012 - 05:17 PM, said:

Trust me, it's difficult.

33 years old
11 years protected NCB
No points
No claims
CENTRAL MANCHESTER POSTCODE

£1450

If I tell my insurance company I want to lower it, they want £50. As for any other mods... The sky's the limit.

I've spoken to your brokers (not easy peasy emailed) and they either don't want the business, or they want silly money.

True, it's easy if you live in the sticks.

You're looking in the wrong place then.

Try the specialist insurers.

Central Manchester won't help, but a specialist will certainly be more competitive.

[Suits]

Oh and MB - Great idea fella, will be really interesting to see how you get on, all the best .

What seat will you be using ??

[MB]

unclefester, on 03 February 2012 - 04:40 PM, said:

When did you get the undertray fitted - that's THE coolest mod you've done!!!

Quite a while back, myself and Mr Pitts got one from Dixon

[Dixon Motorsports]

MB, on 03 February 2012 - 05:51 PM, said:

I've not see any whihc are custom for the S2000 though? Not that would pass MSA, anyway.

I can just use bolt on all the weld in foot plate instead to make the custom cage to become a bolt in cage and that will pass MSA check.

Fitting will be exactly the same but without the front strut weld in tube which isn't nesseary anyway to pass MSA check.

[MB]

True.

Oh I need some bonnet catches too!