Ok so im building up a 240sx, (dont own it yet so info on a good car maybe not a 240sx maybe something else, like a integra or rsx or idk prelude, honda with engine swap *b18 turbo or N/A*) ive got my friend who has gotten me into road racing. and now im gonna try to become what he was. so any help on what kind of car and anything i need to know about like track meets (been to one) let me know. i know ill be the "new guy" or whatever so yes, not getting rid of my E-420 either. So yes any info appreciated.

Amd also i would like to know who has been to track meets and sponsered road races. I need Recognition so any help on that also.


Hmmmm how good of a track car would my 1994 e-420 be? make it liter add more HP, some suspension work. let me know

And also is it a stupid idea, not smart, good bad let me know.... ive got lots of time for practice so yeah.

1) What kind of road racing? IE, what series, etc.?
2) What is your current experience?


The answer to #1 will lead you to a narrower range of cars.
I think a Honda is a great platform to learn and have fun racing with (except the Prelude).

For track days/HPDEs (High Perfomance Driving Events) try nasaracing.net and scca.org.

Sponsorship can be acheived with success on course, and a detailed plan for your racing season. You will get sponsorship after or as you do the work on the car. I don't know what your expectations are, but you'll be spending mostly your own money.

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1984 300TD

Uhhhh i have no clue what class. my experience is ver very little so thats why siad i have plenty of time to build and practice with my car, as of im only 16. So idk what the age limits are but yes. uhm.... i thought a 1994 honda civic (with an engine swap b or k series.) or 1989 crx. like my dream would be to race at NOPI BUT im only taking it one step at a time. my experience is 3hours at a track, in a manual trans 350z (my friends) So idk lets just say ice never been on a track (even though i have).

K motors are garbage if you wanna mod them and make them more peppy...



My friends got an 03 RSX Type S with a B motor in it... HEs a Honda guy, and says the only real goof VTec motor is the B motor. Hes got some stuff done to it like ITBs, Cams, and such.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I would prefer the 240SX because it's RWD. Though I suppose FWD cars are easier to race since they're more forgiving.

Though after I put a larger Acura rear sway bar on my Accord i am easily capable of low speed oversteer. Of course that happened after I got understeer and lifted off the throttle.

Rather unexpected!

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

You need two things to race: the skill and the car. The skill can be gotten with any car that works. If your e420 is in good shape, you can learn in it.
I suggest learning the skills you can on the car you have first. You will learn fast how much you really have to learn. I highly recommend leaving the car as it is. No offense, but without any performance driving under your belt, you can't drive your stock car to its limits - yet. My first autocross was an eye opener. If you start to modify before you learn to thrash it around stock, you are going to make it harder on yourself as margins will be thinner, and may cover up some of your mistakes because the modifications hide them.

You can go autocross, a low speed time trial in which you learn car control and spend relatively little to do it. In addition/instead, you can do the HPDEs I mentioned. Either can be done in any car. In either case, don't be shy when you are there. People tend to be pretty friendly to new guys trying to learn.



When you get some experience, then you'll probably have an idea of what/where you want to race. This BTW is another reason not to modify. It would suck if you want to run in a class but one of your expensive mods won't let you in. The Honda Civic platforms (Civic/Integra/RSX/CRX) are great platforms to race because they are well supported by aftermarket parts, and are easy to work on. The downside is the FWD. If you choose a Honda, check out honda-tech.com.
The 240 is a great car, and RWD. I'm not a Nissan guy so I don't know how well they are supported by the aftermarket industry. I can say they handle well and make decent power. There's SpecMiata, a race series just for Miatas. Those are great handling quick cars with lots of support. The SCCA has a couple of other series, check out their website.
Try to get a car that is not too heavy. Racing is a constant battle w/power and weight, handling and weight, braking and weight, etc.. You'll also want a car with alignment settings, camber/caster/and toe, that are adjustable.

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1984 300TD

Around here, a few cars seem to always do well for newer racers:

-1st Gen Neons (cheap, easy to build)
-Older RX-7's
-1st gen DSM's (4g63 PWR!)


if you want to spend money, scoobys, evos (mr2) and srt-4 neons are worth looking at.

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-1983 VW Rabbit LS Diesel (5speed, VNT/Giles build)

Whichever sanctioning body you choose to join and race under will have most of the say in what you can do to your car. The SCCA has very stringent rules for modifications within each given class.

There are a few open classes within SCCA, but they are regional only and god knows what you'll be running against.

When I first started racing in SCCA, the sage wisdom people kept repeating to me, and to which I absolutely agree, is that it's cheaper to buy a competitive car than it is to build one.


Good luck and keep the rubber side down!

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

If you have a limited budget I recommend autocrossing over tracking. I spend around a grand autocrossing for the whole season. You may approach that in one track day by the time you wear out a set of tires.

My first year of autocrossing I used my 84 500 sec. the only mod was hoosier slicks. I won never but always enjoyed myself. I was fast enough to hear guys complaining that I should have been put in a different class though.

Good luck.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Better be slick when you are selling yourself to potential sponsors.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

hmmm so buy a good car rather then building a crappy one? sounds better to me.lol i need some $$$ first. The only thing about my E-420 is its an auto trans i would almost have to need stick. Uhm for the DSM the older the better. nothing more then 1994.

There was some chat going on in the performance paddock, about modifying a manual to fit MB V8's.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

I have to check that out. a stick E-420 is my dream

The slushbox worked fine at the autocross for me.

Beleive me, you will be plenty busy without having to worry about shifting!

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.