Good query. One take a look at any grid reveals that the solutions are as diversified because the folks doing the driving.
The perfect observe automotive may very well be a turnkey providing, a homebuilt particular or simply an unassuming sedan. It may very well be box-stock or extremely sophisticated.
Ray Evernham: NASCAR legend
“Once I take into consideration a ‘observe automotive,’ I take into consideration what I need to drive and what I need my expertise to be like,” explains Ray Evernham, classic racer, Pikes Peak class winner, founding father of the SRX race sequence, former NASCAR staff proprietor and crew chief for 3 of Jeff Gordon’s NASCAR championships.
“Probably the most satisfying half is if you don’t have to fret about guidelines and may simply construct one thing that makes you’re feeling a sure means, other than efficiency alone,” he continues.
When Ray set about constructing his Ghost, a totally trendy observe automotive that may lap Daytona inside a number of seconds of a GT3 machine but resembles a 1936 Chevy, he began with that mindset: “Asking somebody what makes the right observe automotive is so subjective, like asking them what coloration you need to paint your own home or what music is finest. There’s no appropriate reply, simply the way you need to really feel driving it and being round it.
“I wished a automotive that appeared just like the stuff I grew up watching, which was the previous Modified vehicles. So we took that as an general theme however utilized trendy expertise.”
After a star-studded motorsports profession, Ray Evernham got down to construct the Ghost, his final observe automotive. Pictures Credit: Chuck Andersen, Dave Inexperienced (headshot)
Tires are additionally an enormous issue when constructing a automotive, he continues. “Every time we begin a brand new challenge, we virtually construct it round a sure tire. With the Ghost, we used the 16-inch Goodyear GT1/Trans-Am tire since we knew what it was able to on a automotive with comparable weight and energy ranges.
“However even somebody who’s constructing one thing at an off-the-cuff degree has to have a look at their tire alternative and ask in the event that they’re acceptable for the venue, for the applying, and what the supply is like,” he continues. “It’s no good constructing a automotive round a tire you possibly can’t get anymore.”
Ray additionally preaches the ladder technique: “In case you begin with a platform that may simply be progressively upgraded by way of energy, tire dimension and downforce, that to me is the perfect platform–one thing that may develop as your abilities and wishes develop with it.”
He additionally recommends sampling some completely different flavors earlier than committing to anyone method. “Go drive an open-wheel automotive or some purpose-built race automotive, and go drive an enormous sedan,” he says. “One will educate you about what a automotive can do when every thing is good, and the opposite will present you what occurs when the driving force has to handle extra of the automotive and the tire. Some folks actually find yourself preferring one sort over the opposite.”
John Hunter: SCCA Time Trials program supervisor
“I feel there’s a mix of things in play for me,” John Hunter says. “Stability is vital. It has to dive in a means I get pleasure from on observe, to begin with.”
And he provides some extra attributes: “It additionally helps if it’s one thing widespread and inexpensive. It is probably not horny, however having a automotive that’s straightforward and low cost to repair and improve is an enormous plus.”
John even provided a few real-world examples for these buying as we speak. “I’m a rear-wheel-drive man,” he continues, “so I feel the E36 BMW 3 Collection is a reasonably superb compromise. There’s a number of engine choices, they’re plentiful, and it’s additionally a automotive that may develop and be modified as your abilities and want for velocity enhance.”
For these venturing into their first observe days, the SCCA’s John Hunter recommends one thing widespread, like a BMW 3 Collection. Pictures Credit: Perry Bennett
Certainly, if you happen to take a look at the outcomes from a number of SCCA Nationwide Time Trials occasions, you’ll see E36s of varied prep ranges competing on even footing in divisions starting from near-stock to full-race.
John additionally likes the utility of the mannequin’s kind issue. “It’s a four-door, or a two-door sedan, so you’ve some room for stuff if it’s your solely automotive,” he explains. “I’m a Miata man in the meanwhile, and I notice it’s at all times ‘the reply,’ but it surely’s not an awesome reply to hold something greater than a small bit of baggage.
“The opposite factor a big, sq. automotive offers you is room for security gear with out compromising an excessive amount of inside area. In an E36, you possibly can add a roll bar and there’s nonetheless room to place stuff within the again seat–and also you hardly discover from the entrance seat.”
Yet one more automotive for his quick checklist: “I suppose a Honda Civic could be the front-wheel-drive equal if you happen to have been into that, however each time I consider Civics, I maintain considering how a lot enjoyable a Ok-series-powered E36 could be as an alternative.”
Johnny Cichowski: 9 Lives Racing founder
For some, a observe automotive is a chance to push the restrict–each on and off the observe. It’s a automobile for enhancing as a driver, a builder and an issue solver.
“So I like vehicles which can be 1) a challenge and a couple of) terrifying,” explains Johnny Cichowski, builder of what can finest be referred to as a V8-powered, Miata-shaped object that additionally serves as a take a look at mattress for 9 Lives Racing’s aero gadgets.
Pictures Credit: Kevin Adolf, Chris Tropea (headshot)
[Shop Visit: Nine Lives Racing]
“After which I like a automotive that you might want to take note of on a regular basis,” he continues, “that’s simply such a handful that getting essentially the most of it’s nearly inconceivable.”
However there’s a continuing constraint: “Thirdly, the price range is at all times stored in thoughts. We dumpster dive, however we all know the place all the great dumpsters are.”
One other benefit of a construct not restricted by the rule ebook: “Every time I acquired a loopy thought, it’s there for me to mess with it.”
Robb Holland: Professional racer
Robb Holland spends his weekends competing in skilled highway racing sequence just like the SRO World Problem, so we figured he would have some robust opinions about what constitutes an excellent observe automotive. And we weren’t unsuitable. However we have been additionally impressed by how accessible a few of his picks have been.
[Robb Holland Helps You Tackle the World’s Greatest Race Tracks—Both Virtual and Real]
“The proper observe automotive to me is one which’s difficult sufficient that it makes you’re employed a bit to get tempo out of it,” Robb says, “however not so difficult that you just’re nervous it’s going to chew you on each nook.”
He even offers a typical instance: “That just about describes any Porsche 911 made within the final decade and a half.”
However Robb additionally qualifies this choose a bit: “Trendy sports activities vehicles are so quick and so succesful that going anyplace close to the restrict the place you begin to problem them means you’re shifting at insane speeds. So there’s so much to be mentioned for vehicles just like the Toyota 86 and Porsche Cayman, the place you possibly can drive them at or close to 100%, however their 100% isn’t warp velocity.”
Not up for monitoring the newest supercar? Professional racer Robb Holland suggests a machine that’s nonetheless difficult, like a Subaru BRZ. Pictures Credit: Perry Bennett, Rupert Berrington (headshot)
[Could the 86 Coupes Replace the Miata as the Answer?]
It’s in all probability no thriller, then, that Robb’s present observe weapon of alternative is a Porsche Cayman GT4 RS within the Pirelli GT4 America sequence. He does pilot it at or close to warp velocity.
Gino Manley: Observe day addict, someday IMSA racer
Gino Manley spends loads of time on observe. He not too long ago ran 53 consecutive weekends, from club-level occasions in a decommissioned police automotive–full with lights and siren–to NASA’s 25 Hours of Thunderhill to fielding an Audi TCR racer at IMSA’s Daytona weekend.
[Running in an IMSA race on a grassroots budget]
“Over time, I’ve gone forwards and backwards on that reply,” he replies when requested to explain the perfect observe automotive. “As soon as it was about being enjoyable to drive, then what could be the quickest. Then, as I acquired extra skilled, possibly lowest price to run may very well be the definition of good.”
However, he says, he lastly has it discovered. “Having pushed nearly every thing over the previous couple of years, my reply has matured to this: The proper observe automotive is no matter you’ve entry to proper now.
Pictures Credit: Jonathan Hargrave, Courtesy Gino Manley (headshot)
“There’ll without end be a greater machine than the one you’ve now, whether or not it’s a $1500 Craigslist particular or a $250,000 manufacturing unit GT4 automotive. However a few of the biggest ‘observe’ vehicles ever made won’t ever see greater than the vehicles and low parking zone, whereas some fool will take his previous police automotive out onto the observe–which, by definition, would make it a observe automotive.”
Brock Yates: One Lap of America coordinator
“I am a agency believer that slower is best than quicker,” says Brock Yates, “as a result of everybody goes out and buys a observe automotive and will get a GT350, after which some poor bastard sits right-seat when you discover ways to drive it.
[An exclusive look inside the Tire Rack One Lap of America Presented by Grassroots Motorsports Magazine]
“And also you by no means drive it 10/10ths,” he causes. “You possibly can have much more enjoyable at 10/10ths in a shitty automotive than lower than 10/10ths in a quick automotive.”
Whereas One Lap attracts the newest supercars, occasion organizer Brock Yates sees the enchantment of wailing on one thing sluggish and easy. Pictures Credit: Highland Design Studio
His private observe machine falls into that slower-but-better class: a 1985 Shelby Charger. The front-drive Dodge is, he says, “considerably modified.”
The subsequent most enjoyable automotive Brock has tracked, he continues, was a Bugeye Subaru that, he admits, was on suboptimal brakes and previous, all-season tires. “And know one thing?” he continues. “I had a shitload of enjoyable. You couldn’t go quick sufficient to harm the automotive. I slogged that automotive at 9/10ths or 11/10ths with out guilt, with out concern.
“You’re there to discover ways to be a greater driver,” he stresses. “A automotive you possibly can be taught in and afford to lose–and you may drive on the restrict–is the perfect automotive for you.”
Ryan Cheek: SCCA Time Trials admin assistant
“The perfect observe automotive must be inexpensive for the driving force,” says Ryan Cheek, leaning instantly into the pragmatic realities of track-based automotive enthusiasm. Certainly, being part of observe tradition extends properly past the precise observe driving expertise, and receipts can pile up rapidly.
“You should not solely have the ability to personal the automotive,” she explains, “however to afford the price of upkeep, whether or not you’re turning your personal wrenches or having the work carried out by another person.”
Pictures Credit: Perry Bennett
Not content material with bumming us out with that harsh dose of actuality, Ryan, who runs her SN95 Mustang at hillclimb and time trial occasions, provides, “There needs to be sufficient funds after precise automotive bills for observe day entries, gasoline expenditures to/from/observe driving and likewise cash for lodging and meals.”
And whereas this all appears a bit like a Dave Ramsey dressing down, she’s totally proper. Many of us have gotten burned out of observe life as a result of they didn’t correctly price range or didn’t enter the game with their eyes totally open to the logistical and financial realities of the passion. So whereas the monetary components are definitely not a part of the romantic superb of dwelling life between the apexes, you need to face them to barter the passion efficiently.
However Ryan additionally has some ideas in regards to the driving expertise. “The automotive has to place a smile on the driving force’s face when they’re behind the wheel,” she says. “It’s quite simple. If the driving force just isn’t having enjoyable behind the wheel, that isn’t the perfect observe automotive.”