I'm giving some serious thought to buying PJL's (RIP) car and taking it racing in the Time Attack series this year. Whilst the entry has closed Peter had organised sponsorship and some of those sponsors are potentially interested in sponsoring me should I do this. No details though.

Currently I park my S on the street. Going racing would involve finding somewhere to garage the car, buying a beater as PJL's car is most definitely NOT a daily driver lacking aircon, stereo and soundproofing amongst other things. I'd also need to buy Toyo T1-R's and R888's too as it's now a one make tyre championship. The schedule of dates is ok (6 dates) and the entrance fee isn't prohibitive.

but I want people with more experience than me to properly point out the flaws in this plan. Costs etc. Thoughts?

 

unless it's a novice series, you'll get beat?

 

Chilled, sorry I don't have the experience you are after but it sound like a cracking idea FWIW

 

Hi Chilled.

Not from you want to hear from me ( as I'm as green as Kermit compared to you ).

But unfortunately when PJL's car came up for sale - the natural buyer in my mind was yourself.

Although we only had a few laps together - it seemed to me that your talent was edging beyond what a stock S could do.

I kind of suspected that you weren't up for bastardising your daily drive to be a track day demon.

PJL's car takes you there.


OK - Now you need to hear from those far more learned than I. But if I had your talent, and if it fitted my wallet - I would do it in a heartbeat.

Best
Gaspode.

btw - I still remember those laps.

 

Sort of agree with Pete. I don't know how much experience you have vs other current entrants so can't comment but you would have to be sure you could comptete.

I don't think you will rest until you have done it though!

Could you rent a garage for

 

Not sure whether its my place to give my opinion given my short time on the site, but what would happen if in the worst case you crashed the car on track? How would you (or others) feel about that?

I don't want to see a great car go to waste though, his driving videos were/are amazing - what a driver, what a car.

 

Ok I'll play devils advocate as I have been thinking and discussing something in a similar vein. So I'll add some thoughts/comments/questions:

* How much does a year in the time attack championship cost ? For this money could you not race in a 'real' racing series.
* Would Time Attack really be much different to hill climbs or other timed over set distance events which are really quite cheap.
* Whilst an excellent car there are some good reasons why the s2k isn't not popular for racing. Look at the parts costs, upgradeability etc. Fixing any prangs could cost a fortune and even a 2nd hand engine adds up.
* Once you have done time attack and lets say been successful what do you do with it next ? Any racing series you could enter it in would cost a fortune....
* I've looked into renting a garage as I too park on the street. Expensive and they are usually in ghettos which does pose a security issue.

 

thanks for the comments so far:

Gaspode, Mark thank you. I've actually sorted the garage issue, a mate has one spare. So it wouldn't cost too much.

Lee,
your comments are exactly the sort of comments I want to hear.

Pete,
I'm very confident in winning the N/A series. Or at least being competitive, going on last years times. Ironically I'd be competitive in a stock S based on last years times, but that's not what racing is about. It's about going for the win.

apkent,
I track my car regularly and have done so with the frame of mind that if I stack it, it's my own stupid fault. it's not like it's on finance and at the end of the day it's just a piece of metal. An advantage of the Time Attack series is that you're on the track on your own.

I'm really hoping to hear from MarkB

 

Oh, and Pete, one other comment: if I get beat I get beat. I boast that I'm quick on the board. I'd love to prove myself right and believe that I am. Similarly I wouldn't be too gutted to be proved wrong, however unlikely. At least then I'd know either way. My ego can take it.

 

I am sure you'd do well Mark and it would be great fun.

But it's still a *lot* of money for a car that you won't actually be racing.

IMO the time attack series is nothing more than an expensive track day with competitive timing. Not real racing.

I am sure the same amount of money could get you racing for real quite quickly, in something like a caterham series.

Even the LOT boys have an Elise race series now.

I suspect racing the PJLmobile would prove to be an expensive exercise.

I say all of this with regret, as Peter put alot of effort into that car and I'd love to see it take part in the time attack series.