HDPE/Road Race First Car

[5-PT-OH]

Looking into starting HPDE/Road Racing as a hobby, and bought the PP1 for this reason. After having the car for about 3K miles now, I realize I’m not gonna to be able to drive the car even close to it’s limits (yet).

I’m looking for some suggestions as to what you’d suggest that I can get into cheap and start learning how to drive. I always wanted to track a Honda CRX, but does front drive low power translate well to big heavy powerful rear drive well? Yes I know that I can drive the 5.0 to learn, but the old adage of “its more fun to drive a slow car fast vs. a fast car slow” has always resonated with me. Should’ve kept my old GTI...

Let me know your thoughts.

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[sigintel]

Looking into starting HPDE/Road Racing as a hobby, and bought the PP1 for this reason. After having the car for about 3K miles now, I realize I’m not gonna to be able to drive the car even close to it’s limits (yet).

I’m looking for some suggestions as to what you’d suggest that I can get into cheap and start learning how to drive. I always wanted to track a Honda CRX, but does front drive low power translate well to big heavy powerful rear drive well? Yes I know that I can drive the 5.0 to learn, but the old adage of “its more fun to drive a slow car fast vs. a fast car slow” has always resonated with me. Should’ve kept my old GTI...

Let me know your thoughts.

Miata = max track time per dollar.
There is nothing even remotely close.
This will get you into WRL, Lemons, Champcar, autocross, TT, HPDE, NASA, etc at levels from entry to professional.

Wish Ford would make a light weight budget two seater in same specs.

 

[5-PT-OH]

Miata = max track time per dollar.
There is nothing even remotely close.
This will get you into WRL, Lemons, Champcar, autocross, TT, HPDE, NASA, etc at levels from entry to professional.

Wish Ford would make a light weight budget two seater in same specs.

I was thinking the same thing about the Miata , my only apprehension is my wife hates them. She helps/enables/fuels/funds this car addiction soon to be hobby and wants to race too.

My daughter just picked an NA and honestly I am a little jealous as I know what you can turn an NA/NB into for the track. Her plans for the car isn’t to track it, more like big turbo sideways at 100+ smoke machine.

Yeah I agree with you thinking that ford should do something like a compact chassis coupe/roadster. That’d be fun, high revving I-4 or do a modern cobra with the voodoo. The latter would end up a big car as these motors are huge! Wait thinking about it, it would end up a mustang roadster...

 

[BmacIL]

What about FRS/BRZ or S2000? Those or miata are good to start with. You could also get a slightly older BMW 3 or Z, but they'll be far more expensive to keep going.

FWIW, it took me about 2 full years to rid myself of my going-fast-in-FWD habits/style and learn big power RWD. That said, I wouldn't be scared of learning on the Mustang. It's an incredibly capable chassis right out of the box and only gets better with some light mods. Biggest problem with it is the price of consumables.

 

[TDC]

For the dollar and low cost of consumables a lightly used FRS/BRZ. Trick with that car is you don't want to put too sticky of a tire on it so that it'll dance around a bit under you and teach advance car control skills; trial braking, throttle oversteer, trailing throttle oversteer, etc.

It's fold down rear seats allow for decent storage of track equipment.

 

[rebellovw]

Just autocross the mustang taking it slow and ease into it. That is my plan.

Also attend classes.

 

[XPystchrisX]

I'll second the above. I just got back from my second test and tune with my 15 GT. I thought it would be a monster. It isn't. Granted I've autocrossed a few FWD/AWD cars before this, but I figured it would be all over the place and scary. So long as you're not being an idiot with the throttle you're fine. TC and Advance-Trac off, stay away from the amplified throttle repsonse that is sport mode, and I still only spun twice.



Which, to be honest, if you don't spin you're not trying hard enough.

 

[sonicc]

I picked up a cheap RSX for this purpose. A little easier to drive, consumables are cheap, and if I damage it I don't care much. I still take the Mustang out on track 2-3 times a year.

 

[5-PT-OH]

I picked up a cheap RSX for this purpose. A little easier to drive, consumables are cheap, and if I damage it I don't care much. I still take the Mustang out on track 2-3 times a year.

I’ve enjoyed auto crossing FWD in my former cars, but looking to try the full road course. Looking for the challenge of balancing speed, gear selection and line.

Since you have a FWD track car and the mustang, how easy is it to transition from FWD habits to rear drive habits when you take the Stang out? Granted I know it’s driver specific but looking forward to gathering your thoughts.

There are also a ton of FWD Honda platforms available in SF Bay Area available for a bargain. Along with many motors and trans’ available.

I think it’s because I feel more comfortable closer to the limit when a car pushes. Maybe just a big sway at up front and some fat meat out back?

Maybe I just start with my G37s, it’s big (-ish), heavy, rear drive but it pushes like a mother...

Man I’m overthinking this...

 

[Hack]

Trying not to insult but I think you would be better off just spending money on HPDE events and consumables rather than buying another car. Even a cheap car will cost as much as 10 HPDE events. So I really don't see money being saved by buying another vehicle. Plus insurance, storage, etc. There are a lot of expenses. I bought a 944 thinking I would use it for small tracks and while I like the car, I'm probably going to sell it this spring. I finally figured out that it's not going to save me that much having a second, less expensive track car. Now - if you are going to sell the Mustang - that might save you money. But IMO the Mustang is a great car to learn in.

Whatever car you own you will want to take it easy while you learn. Learning on the Mustang means that your Mustang consumables will take longer to wear out until you gain more experience.

 

[Taylor1234]

Stick with the Mustang. I outgrew my Miata within the first year and spent over 15k including the price of the car. I was able to sell it for $7500. Granted I learned a lot, I am relearning my Mustang and lost a lot of money. Get yourself a go pro and a nice data logger, then work on 1 corner at a time pushing yourself. I wouldnt focus on lap times if I were you until Ive spent AT LEAST 4 days logging laps at whichever track. Maybe lay down a base time, but thats it.

 

[sonicc]

I’ve enjoyed auto crossing FWD in my former cars, but looking to try the full road course. Looking for the challenge of balancing speed, gear selection and line.

Since you have a FWD track car and the mustang, how easy is it to transition from FWD habits to rear drive habits when you take the Stang out? Granted I know it’s driver specific but looking forward to gathering your thoughts.

To start off, the FWD car is a lot more forgiving...mainly due to having like half the power of the Mustang

Even thought it's FWD, I can be on gas much sooner on corner exists compared to the Mustang.

 

[sigintel]

I agree with everyone above.
Skip the miata.
Just track the stock stang with shitty all season or econo tires to learn car control.
Then put your PP1 tires back on.
Then get some NT01 or cup2 or etc
Then go 305/315 on econo SVE wheels or APEX wheels
Then 305 square(more oversteer).

Thats at least 15 track weekends.
Meet instructors and track people.
Regarding wheel to wheel amateur enduro racing (so much fun), I enjoyed that more than tracking a 650+rwhp Whippled 2015.
Raced a 2000 A4 turbo modded +100hp and was freakn hella fun.

 

[lucasmelobr]

Keep the Mustang. Trust me...

Break pads(Carbotech XP10s) and NT01s square with track wheels at 285/35/19 is what I did.
I did a lot of research and validate that without spacers I could not fit anything larger in the front.

I'm not the best driver out there but I can keep up with almost anything but very fast Corvettes or ZL1s.
An extra cheap car will cost you way more and you'll grow out of it soon.

Just swap wheels and pads before events.

 

[Taylor1234]

Keep the Mustang. Trust me...

Break pads(Carbotech XP10s) and NT01s square with track wheels at 285/35/19 is what I did.
I did a lot of research and validate that without spacers I could not fit anything larger in the front.

I'm not the best driver out there but I can keep up with almost anything but very fast Corvettes or ZL1s.
An extra cheap car will cost you way more and you'll grow out of it soon.

Just swap wheels and pads before events.

Do you need spacers up front to fit a 295 without suspension rub? I figured an alignment would cure it. Im with you, I dont want spacers as Ive seen too many people with weakened studs due to the pressure applied by spacers, but I assumed these cars could fit more than a 285.

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