John:
I built and started racing an MG Midget in 1990 with all the same criteria
you mentioned except street drivability (my choice). I, as a driver, and
the car have evolved over the ensuing years to be faster, still reliable,
and still a fun ride. I went slow investment wise, building a street stock
motor with high reliability. I put my money in the required safety
equipment and in handling improvements rather than go fast stuff in the
beginning. The evolution I mentioned above has been mostly reasonable cost,
period speed equipment and more safety and reliability equipment. Things
like an Accusump, on board fire system, semi-roll cage, good head, rally
cam, etc. It is still very reliable, reasonably inexpensive, and still
makes me grin when I'm in it, under it, or even near it. To maximize the
ratio of fun to dollars, I don't think you can beat a Sprite or Midget.
Besides, in HSR and VDCA small bore, the drivers are the best group of
people to be around.
At 09:37 PM 01/24/2000 -0800, John Cowan wrote:
> I'm interested in learning to drive a race car well, on tracks like
>Laguna Seca and Sears Point. When I decide to learn how to race, I'll
>start with sprint karts, but lets say (perhaps hypothetically) that the
>goal for now is to run SCCA Solo I.
>
> My criteria so far are:
>
>1. Closed wheel.
>2. Rear wheel drive.
>3. Four or five speed gear box.
>4. Licencable and street driveable; e.g., bolt in longitudinal roll bar
>member.
>5. Less expensive to buy, maintain and prep than other possible choices;
>e.g., simple; relatively many examples available; relatively spacious
>engine compartment; parts in good supply; mechanics around who know the
>car; etc.
>6. Excellent handling. (This is what I'm really looking for.)
>
> At this point sheer speed and power are not important. I want a car I
>can keep up with while I build skill and confidence. Four cylinders would
>be fine and I prefer high displacement engines over those that develope
>their power through high RPMs.
>
> This is obviously a newbie question and I'm aware of the risk that my
>criteria might deem me not entirely clear on the concept. Only one way to
>find out.
> I'd appreciate any suggestions or opinions, expect there may be a
>variety of them and thank you for your help.
>
> John Cowan
>
>
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Bob Spruck
Sharpsburg, GA
' 67 Midget Vintage Racer
' '72 Midget Weekend Car
4 parts cars in the woods
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