Separate TrackDay/AutoX toy vs modding Mustang

[strengthrehab]

Autocross is boring?

That statement is usually uttered by someone who tried it and didn't do too well.

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[Grintch]

That is exactly my issue more or less lol

s2000 probably not, initial cost is still too high. A lot of the kits i've seen use the miata or a MK1 focus as the base. If I spend the full mod amount, I'd want it to be a complete toy, not a clean slate.

AutoX classing isn't a concern really. I only do it for fun and not often enough to care about class. Only reason I would want to stay in stock class is to get an accurate gauge on how I'm performing.

I sort of went this route. Things to consider:

You either need to insure a 2nd vehicle or now you need a truck and trailer to tow it to the track (now 3 1/2 vehicles vs 1). If it's a drive it to the track, track car, are you going to compromise it for track use or suffer uncomfortable (often long) drives in a semi-race car getting to the track? And now how much time does that 2nd car just sit around, with the battery & gas going flat.

While a lightweight car can match the lap time of a more powerful heavyweight, and enjoy lower consumables cost. In a typical track day environment (not full on road racing), the higher power car makes for easier/better passing because you are generally only allowed to pass on the straights.

The mechanical/build standards for kit cars often are not great. They don't have warranties. And the typical mechanic won't know how to work on it. Plus, not much in the way of off the shelf mods.

Given the choice between a semi-unique kit car or engine swapped special, or a modified production car. Something like a C5 or C6 Corvette would be my first choice. While a bit heavier, it will probably cost less in the long term, be easier to maintain, and have a wealth of aftermarket support and tuning expertise.

My relevant car history:
Lotus 7 replica
LS swapped RX-8
Spec Racer Ford

For a typical Track Day, my Mustang is the easier, more fun choice.

 

[Brian@BMVK]

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[Grintch]

Autocross is boring?

That statement is usually uttered by someone who tried it and didn't do too well.

Well, you have to admit, it IS 6 hours of standing around, for only 10 minutes of driving.

Though compared to other forms of motorsport, it is closer, cheaper, and more accessible.

 

[D K]

Autocross is so different to track driving that I think track driving is just better.

Best intermediate step is getting into shifter karts.
Want to talk about competition? Try having 40 karts qualify within 1.5 sec..

Autox can be fun I guess, but to me, driving a sports car, you really need the speed.
It's an entirely different experience correcting a slide at 30mph than 110mph.

That's my opinion anyway. I've done both.

I guess if you measure interest by the amount of seat time, I suppose it would be. It's the element of competition that really makes it all worth it. Being better than the other driver. Sometimes being better than the other driver when he's driving a car with more potential than yours.

All that aside, autocross is probably the best intermediate step there is between true street driving and track driving. Car control is car control whether the pace of control inputs is frantic (as autocross tends to get) or is more deliberate because the corners are spaced out a good bit further (and the speeds are apt to be much higher).



More power should be the last thing on the mod plan for anybody who is just getting started in HPDE. Or who is only at the stage of considering it. You still have to slow down to the same speeds for the corners, so it's at least arguable that you should start developing your braking zone skills from lower peak speeds down the straights.


Yes, I realize this thread has been asleep for a while . . .


Norm

 

[D K]

Nothing against autocrossers, btw.

It's just a discipline, that *I* am not interested in.

Kind of like trials riding vs. enduro or motocross.

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