The best mod you can do is the "Driver improvement" mod. I havn't known a person yet that has been to a school and not come out a better driver. Go to Skip Barber or any of the like, try the "Evolution" school SCCA has and do HPDE with NASA, being a good driver will get you further than anything else.
Pick a cheap car like the civic that has lots of aftermarket and is competitive, just do the neccessary safety stuff and have fun. You can be competitive with a near stock car like a civic even.

 

I just need to get educated. The options are endless.

 

Entry Level - Affordable - Competition @ Every Level - Easy to Work On - Easy to Fix Bodywork ...... Look no further ...... SCCA Spec Racer Ford ..... It's not the cheapest initial cost , but I've owned 3 ( SR & SRF ) and I've never sold a car for less money than I paid for it ..... Try that with any other class ..... The cars are tough ( did 24 hrs @ moroso twice and spent 10 minutes in the pits ( excluding fuel stops ) in 48 hrs.... A Decent wrench can do all his/her prep work .... You CAN win without cheating ..... You're not chasing the tweak of the week ...... OK , the downside ..... They are not that fast .

5 Yrs ago , my budget to run up front with good tires / hotels / travel fuel / minor damage / ect was $ 1,000 per weekend ...... Try that with an IT car that depreciates like a rock ( If you can sell it at all )

Buy the best car you can ( avoid the low buck cars / avoid the high buck cars ) and go race...... If you want to go faster , just get out your checkbook.

 

http://www.ncrscca.com/classified.htm




1990 Spec Miata For Sale -- $11,800 - 1990 SM for Sale. Competition Cages custom cage, Koyo radiator, Mazda Comp LSD (installed and set up by Carl Cason), more. See link at http://www.gt40s.com/forum/gt40-cars-sale/...racing-now.html for lengthy write up and pictures. Jeff Young 919-395-2319 Dec 4, 2006

This is in NC and it's READY. I agree with everyone else don't build.....BUY!!!!

1) Buy this car.
2) Start going to track days and get educated in a car that's not your DD.

Now you can start looking at a budget that you will be spending.


$11k car
$5k truck
$2k trailer
$1k tires
$? fuel
$? hotel

 

The S2000 isn't my daily driver any more. That's what I got a 4runner for, and to tow. I'm afraid that I'm not educated enoough at this point to buy a race car. What major things would I look for?

 

I highly advise you to NOT buy a race car ... right now.

Go to the races. Wander around the pits. Ask questions. Volunteer to help. Tell people you are trying to learn.

Most amateur racers would love to help get somebody else spooled up -- although you also have to recognize that sometimes they are very busy and can't chat or answer questions.

 

That's what I figured. I'll be ready to buy a racecar when I know more about what I'm looking for. I just don't think that's something I want to jump into. It's not like buying a street car.

Thanks

 

Don't forget the cost of safety equipment....

Helmet - $300-1500
Suit - $300-1500
Gloves - $50-200
Shoes - $50 - 200
Hans - $800-1000
Underwear - $100-300

 

If you want to race (I mean wheel-to-wheel racing, not track days) a "street" car then spec miata like Sweeper said. From everything I'e heard, it's the best bang for the buck, and possibly the best bang period for hard racing. I'm tempted to get one everytime I watch a SM race, and will probably do some rent and race SM next year. I'm sure there are spec miata racers that could afford much more, but choose it for the racing. If you prefer a purpose-built racecar the Spec Racer Ford as tstiles said is probably best bang for the buck.

 

Ooops. Sorry, I thought you were farther along than that.....

I didn't realize, I thought you had done some racing already.

In any case, I wouldn't try to transform your s2k into a race car yet....

I agree with mikegarrison, go to events talk to people. Try to get some seat time.
I would still calculate a business plan and figure out what it would cost in time and money to follow what could be just a "whim".

What's cheaper than spec miatas are shifter carts.
http://www.bondurantsuperkarts.com/kartsale.php

Bondurant has a few 2005 Tony Karts for sale.

So think of this...you can go to bondurant talk to people in racing.
Take classes from people in racing and buy the karts that they train you in!!!!!
ITS A PACKAGE DEAL!!!! With the cart you don't have to buy a trailer just throw the cart in back of the 4runner.
The tires are cheaper and the fuel is cheaper.

And get this....the 2005 Tony Karts are faster than spec miatas and S2k cup cars!!!!

See Kart vs. Z06

Just some more things to think about.