I'm starting a rally car team!!!

[12sec. Civic]

I have wanted to be a race car driver since I was a little kid.

I dont have any rally car, or racing experience, so I knew I was going to have a hell of a time getting a sponsor.

Well, my brother works at a small computer programming company. I had a meeting with the owner about him sponsoring a rally car team. He said he'd love to support something like that. (He drives a 2001 Porsche Carrera).

Its all a big tax write off for him I guess, so he just bills it as advertisement or something.


The only part I dont like so far is that he asked me to buy the car this weekend. With my own money and then he would reimberse me. I dont like the sounds of that! But I'm doing it anyways. I cant spend more than $2,000 on the car, or he wont reimberse me.


So, far I have quite a few cars in mind.

I was thinking about a 1st gen RX-7, a 2nd gen Supra, RWD Celica, 1st gen MR2 (My favourite choice).


If anyone can think of any others please suggest them ASAP. It has to be simple. I dont want 4WD, because I want to enter the RWD/2WD class. I think I have the most chance for success in 2WD.


Remember it has to have RWD, be simple and I want a fairly sophisticated engine. Like a DOHC or SOHC 6 or 4 cyl. I dont want a V8 and I dont want any OHV engines.

I am going to try and get more little sponsors here and there. But I think I might be able to put a couple GTPlanet.net stickers on it somewhere.

Tell me what you think, and I will try and update you guys on the progress.

 

[Magic069]

What about a older Ford Escort GT? Might be easier and cheaper to find parts.

Edit: I oringally said "Focus"

 

[Joey]

that's quite possibly the coolest thing i've heard all...my life. i so wish i could do that .

i'd go with the MR, all the way; they're just so darn chuckable.

 

[Magic069]

I am curious, have you chosen a navigator yet? Thats got to be a pretty hard task in its self.

 

[12sec. Civic]

I am so underprepared it isnt even funny. But dont tell that to the guy sponsoring me. I have alot of friends who are knowledgable in cars (Including me) and they are all eager to join my team. Most of them will work for free, and we will mainly be just doing repairs to the engine and perhaps banging out some sheetmetal thats been bent in (cross fingers).

I am sure I can find a navigator without too much trouble. I know an older couple that rally's locally with a '85 VW GTI. They told me all about this, and I decided to do it. I dont care if I win or lose, but some of the local competitions have prize money in excess of $5,000.

I REALLY want to get the MR2, because I cant think of anything that would be better.

However, a friend is offering me his parents 1980 BMW 320i for free. I cant really pass it up, but it isnt my money so why should I care?

Do you guys think a BMW 320i would be a good car. I dont know if its 2 or 4 door because its on my friends farm in storage.


It's going to be hard to find an MR2 for sale in the dead of winter. Most people would wait to sell theirs in the summer.


Anyways, things are snowballing. I have alot of friends that are interested.

There is a little mechanics garage nearby here. A friend works there. It looks like I might be able to use all of their tools and lift etc if I sponsor them on my car! I cant believe how quickly this is all happening.

 

[halfracedrift]

hey 12 sec tell us how it goes eh? i wanna know.
this sounds so exciting!

 

[Josh]

Get that BMW for free, and tell your sponsor you bought it for $1500 or so.

 

[Joey]

buy the MR2, get reimbursed, and then go take your friend's Bimmer so you'll have something to drive aside from the Civic.

well, there's the Jag.

 

[12sec. Civic]

Originally posted by Josh
Get that BMW for free, and tell your sponsor you bought it for $1500 or so.

Thats not a good way to start a hopefully long relationship.

 

[Magic069]

Originally posted by 12sec. Civic
Thats not a good way to start a hopefully long relationship.

Who needs honesty anyways? Maybe you could use the 2000 to help fix up the BMW!

 

[12sec. Civic]

I'm not a punk.

I wouldnt rip off someone, that clearly judged me as someone he could trust and is giving me a shot at fulfilling something I have dreamt of since the day I was a child.


If I would rip this guy off, who I now consider a friend. What would stop me from going around doing fake plumbing jobs for senior citizens under a fake name, and charging them their retirement fund and steal their credit cards.


Anyways, I got off the phone with my sponsor. He doesnt think I should get the BMW. He said its too old, and could cost too much to repair. He wants me to get the MR2, and its his companies name going on the car. So, I can understand why he doesnt want it to be a junker that breakes down in front of the spectators.

The MR2 is simple and looks cool. It also has potential to win races, and thats exactly what my sponsor wants.

I now feel some pressure from this guy. Because he's planning on being very competitive. This is good and bad. Bad because I have no experience and it will take me some time to start beating everyone. But Good because it means he will probably drop loads of cash on this car to upgrade it to enable a win.


I haven't talked about what we would do with any prize money. But what do you guys think is the normal thing. If I win the race with His car. Who gets the money?

 

[sn00pie]

Prize money must go directly into the racing budget. Don't ever think you could actually make money off racing!

Good luck with the team, and keep us posted! -- What are your racing credentials? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[halfracedrift]

Yeah.... IMO the race prize money goes either:
a) into a new bank account for the racing TEAM or
b) into your mr2 for new mods and tuneups, etc

edit: if he's willing to split the money, take a third of it
afterall, without you, the car wouldn't move, right??

 

[Tercel_driver]

Excuse, I think I didnt read well, but you said 2000 bucks?
And you are asking for a rx-7 first gen, mr2? , I think you forgot to add anothe zero.


Anyways, the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word rally is subaru.

 

[12sec. Civic]

I have no racing credentials. I am a complete rookie.

I can drive a car very well. I know how to race.

I hate to say it. But I've learned alot of basics from GT3.

I took my Civic autocrossing about 1 year ago and I came in 3rd place.


A 1985 Toyota MR2 is not a $20,000 car! A 1979 RX-7 is barely a $2,000 car.


Heres the car I have in mind.

 

[-Fred-]

You'd have a much easier time with a FWD car. Easier for beginners, and much easier to control on gravel. Like a 88-91 Civic/CRX hatchback, or a VW Golf of the same years...


Remember, you want a cheap car that can take a beating and that's easy to fix. Don't even think about rallying a Bimmer, even if it's a 20 year old one.

2nd Gen Supra is too heavy, too bulky. Check the SCCA's website, i think you can't compete with a 1st gen RX7 anymore because it's too old.

 

[Duke]

My vote has to be a 2-gen Rabbit/Golf (GTI if you can find one). In rally, particularly amateur rally, dependability and ease of repair are FAR more important than ultimate speed. Remember, even last place beats a DNF.

Rabbits are light, cheap, plentiful, sturdy, and easy to work on. Plus they have massive aftermarket support in all types of amateur racing, including rally. That's what I would buy if I was getting into it.

Go to www.grmotorsports.com, sign up for a free account, and start pumping the experts for information.

 

[sinbad]

Has your sponsor told you how much he give you to prepare the car you buy for the first event?
I would have thought that he would have given you a budget to get totally set up with, not just to buy the car.
Also, is the first event next week or something?
Why the rush to buy the car this weekend? Take time to consider how much it will cost in total, not just for the car, but the preparation of the car too, let your sponsor know too.

By the way, do they use pace-notes in Canada?

 

[12sec. Civic]

I dont know half of the questions you guys are asking me.

I dont know when the next event is. I dont even know when we're planning on racing by.


The guy says to buy the car and he will reimberse me. He wants it to be a good car. So basically he will be buying the car from me if its good.

So, far, you guys have described my car (1990 Civic hatchback w/ AWD and 160hp). But using my car is out of the question. It belongs partially to my dad and its worth is unknown. I know I couldn't sell it for this. But I consider it to be worth well over $10,000.

Plus I dont want to enter AWD class.

I can use a car atleast as old as 1973. I know of a car that rally's around here in Western Canada that is a 1973 Corrolla.


I am sure Canadians use pace notes. All of the other teams have co-drivers. I have been to countless rally events held around Alberta and BC. And I have been talking to people for about 2 years.

 

[Joey]

a DSM Turbo Civic with only 160hp? sounds a tad weak.
go get the MR2 - don't they come factory turbo'd?

 

[halfracedrift]

civic, how the hell do you find the time to do all these things? ur still in law school arne't u?

 

[Josh]

Originally posted by j2s
a DSM Turbo Civic with only 160hp? sounds a tad weak. go get the MR2 - don't they come factory turbo'd?

I don't think it's turbo'd anymore. I think I remember seeing him say he took it off, or something.

I thought the old square MR2's like that had S/C's(not turbos), no?

12sec. I was just joking about buying the BMW, and lying to the guy. Even I wouldn't do that.

Good luck with the whole rally thing. Be safe, don't get hurt, don't lose, etc. Keep us constantly updated on how everything works out if you wouldn't mind.

 

[under18carbon]

Good luck 12sec.

 

[12sec. Civic]

An MR2 came with a 1.6L NA (112hp) and a 1.6L Supercharged (142hp).


Its a 2,000lb car with a MR traction. They should be quite fast. I have never driven or even been in one!~

I am still in "school" but I dont work at a job. I have surprisingly little to do. I say "school" because right now I am basically wasting daddy's money and my time on school right now. I am taking a slack semester/year after a nervous breakdown I had in the fall.


My Civic has been converted back to normal aspiration. I removed the turbo quite a while ago. the car caught fire etc etc. I am sure many people have heard the story.

It does have a B16A VTEC engine. And 160hp is more than enough for a Civic.

The AWD system is pretty basic. In fact I believe it has about 85/15 torque split F/R. Its been kind of stripped. I think I've taken a good 150lbs off of it.

 

[Duke]

12sec, one thing I heartily recommend is Rally School. There are a number of different outfits in North America offering 1-day to 1-week courses. It's money that will be well spent, something to put on your driving resume, and a great foundation. You get to learn the right way from the start, and without the pressure and nervousness of being in an event. The extra preparation would be invaluable I think.

 

[Wastegate]

I have never done anything like this myself, so I don't know how useful this is but here's some ideas.

Try to decide what rallies/ types of rallies you will be entering. This may help decide on your choice of car

Find out about or join a local car club. There will be people there who know what they're talking about and...

...there might be someone who has a cheap used rally car for sale. A proper rally car will have things like a rollcage, a racing seat and fire extinquishers in it already.

It may well be cheaper to buy an old rally car than an old road car and modifying it.

 

[12sec. Civic]

I went to BMW driving school last year for my B-day. It was basically on a track, but they did wet a large skid area for one portion of it.

I think that buying a used rally car is a bloody good idea. But I think its kind of a shortcut. I would like to do this all myself. And right now the budget seems to have no end.

I have talked to alot of people here at rally events. Basically I asked them pretty basic questions. I've never been in a deep conversation with one of them. They mostly said they just decided to do it one time.

I am going to the next one (event) and I am going to see if I can find someone that will answer a **** load of questions. The next event around here is on April 17.

 

[-Fred-]

I wouldn't buy an used race car. You don't know how the owner built it, what's wrong with it, etc... There are always some hidden problems in a car, and buying a car that deserved the kind of beating a rally brings isn't a good idea, IMO. You'll spend more money making it straight than you'd spend to maintain it.

 

[Frustrated Palm]

I saw a site with a bunch of rally cars for sale, some under $2000, and they had addresses and phone numbers to the owners as well. I too, am going to do the same thing. I might run my SRT-4 (because my dad is buying me that Durango R/T after selling his Subaru Project car) in about 2 years (I can save up for parts and stuff). You can use a Neon maybe, I heard they are allowed to run again. The Neon I saw was in first place through the whole rally (in its class) untill he hit the side of a curve and fliped on his side. If you can find an old FF car that would be great. Even if it is RWD thats good. My dad had found this Subaru in the junkyard (looked like it was in a wreck, he wanted to do a project car) and had bought it and repaired alot of it. But he got rid of it, if he didnt I would have tried to convince him to sell the car to you cheap and ship it as well (for free maybe ). If you every get more money and get better there is a Rallying school in Florida. They can also build you a Rally car to either SCCA or FIA spec. You can even supply the car. Here is their site: www.gorally.com .

Find some more sponseres if you can so you can have more than $2000 to spend on a car and parts. You need more than a car, you will need tires, gas, oil, lights, spare parts, plus a roll cage and some other things. The good thing is when you are stripping the car down (to the allowed rules) you can sell the parts on E-Bay and use the money to get different parts. Plus if you want to run the full season you have to be able to haul the car to each event, which means you will need a truck, trailer (to pull the car), a van/s (to carry your crew, unless they would rather drive, the vans and trucks can be rented), the the gas for all of those, not to mention the food for everyone (unless they buy it themselves) during the trip and the event. You might also need a comper/trailer or a hotel for everyone to stay in for multiple day rallies though you can always bring tents, then if you wreck the car, it is horrible. Repairs for damage, replacing parts, etc. Rallying can get expensive so sponseres are a must. But as you get better and start progressing through your career and getting more money you wont have to worry so much about expensies (but you will still worry about them as everyone does). Rallying is fun, thats what I want to do as well, I might see you in two years. Maybe we join and we can be a team then ...

 

[Frustrated Palm]

Originally posted by 12sec. Civic
I went to BMW driving school last year for my B-day. It was basically on a track, but they did wet a large skid area for one portion of it.

I think that buying a used rally car is a bloody good idea. But I think its kind of a shortcut. I would like to do this all myself. And right now the budget seems to have no end.

I have talked to alot of people here at rally events. Basically I asked them pretty basic questions. I've never been in a deep conversation with one of them. They mostly said they just decided to do it one time.

I am going to the next one (event) and I am going to see if I can find someone that will answer a **** load of questions. The next event around here is on April 17.

Ask them here, there are a bunch of guys at our car club that rally, they might know the answers. I will ask them for you, I might even know some of the answers as I have asked alot of questions myself...