downingracing

For autocross or roadrace? I bought mine on ebay. Got a name brand helmet with a sticker blemish for 1/2 price. Not a bad option.

Depends on what you're using it for. As an investment - only if it is an ultra rare vehicle that title condition won't impact value. As a daily driver that you will run into the ground - yup and get it as cheap as possible with the branded title. As a car that you want to buy and sell down the road - only if you get it dirt cheap and plan to well it for very little. Title condition is just that... A clean title does NOT mean the car is straight and clean. With any used car, do a detailed inspection prior to purchase. I've trashed a few cars that I owned and repaired myself. Title never changed from 'clean'. Good luck either way!

SSB is no more. Car will run in Touring 4. Car has just been used for a few track days the past 2 years and still has the SSB stickers on it. I'm getting pricing on wrapping the car so the graphics will be way different soon!

I picked the solstice because I have one for the street and I really enjoy it. On paper, it should be a great car. It is down on power compared to the mustang, but it should out handle and out break just about everything. That and I think it is one of the best looking cars out there! Showroom stock classes are no more and all cars were folded into the touring category. A few more mods allowed and many more cars in the class. The car is basically stock with some small mods allowed by touring rules. Someday when it falls out of the touring category, I'll convert it to improved touring or production class. More mods allowed in those classes.

Cincy region is hosting a track day (PDX - Performance Driving eXperience) at the Mid-Ohio sports car course in Lexington, Ohio on August 8th. Details are at the link below. Feel free to message me with questions. This is a GREAT event! If you have wanted to drive your street car on a race track - this is the event for you!!! And you can hang out for the weekend and watch the races Sat and Sun. http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/i-t-spec-tacular-race-pdx-clubtrial-drivers-mid-ohio-sports-car-course-581364#.U4oxUtq9KSM

I've been race car shopping for the past few months and finally landed on this. 06 Pontiac Solstice that has been a race car since new. Race ready with only 3500 miles and came with a ton of spare parts. Also picked up a 28' Pace enclosed trailer with the deal. Taking delivery next weekend and can't wait to get it! Will be shaking it down at Mid-Ohio in a month or so at the SCCA tack day (PDX) then running the double regional race that weekend. (I'll be posting details for the track day in the "at the track' section soon.) Now to the pics: http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=897&pictureid=7740 http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=897&pictureid=7741 http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=897&pictureid=7742 http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=898&pictureid=7743 http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=898&pictureid=7745

I've used safelite and guardian over the years and always been happy. Call whoever you choose and they will negotiate the price. Good luck!

Glad you got a better deal. It is really easy to setup the dish. I used to do it at the track (motorhome for the weekend). I did it enough I could get it close by memory and fine tune from there. Shouldn't take more than 15 minutes for a good installer to doit. Hardest part is tying into the existing home wiring.

I believe the state of Ohio actually requires a permit for all home improvements. Some places done enforce it, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't. (I don't agree with it...)

I use turnberry travel. Crappy websit but great service. http://www.turnberrytravel.com. Kim always helps me out and gets me whatever I need at the best price available. Give her a try and see what she can do for you.

Yea - Not having to have those things can make it easier to get into. We try to factor in the 'expense' of using the motorhome and trailer into our budget. So the guy with the motorhome doesn't pay more than the rest of us. I do rent cars. I've got an ITA Spec Miata that I rent. But the 'write off' cost is more than the asking price for my Civic (that is for sale with all the spares)... Renting can be a way to get into racing, but sometimes buying is a cheaper option in the long run. If the rental doesn't get a scratch, it can be the way to go. But often you can buy a car and use it for drivers school and sell it after for about what you paid for it. And if you write it off, you already spent the money and don't owe more for a wrecked car. I rent the Miata including one set of tires and one set of brakes for $2000/weekend. You pick it up and return it at that price (plus deposit). Crash damage is the renters problem and is capped at $12k (I deduct the rental charge and deposit from that total amount if the car is a write-off to come to the actual amount owed). I've never rented the Miata. I usually talk people into buying a used race car and saving the money over the rental... Bad for my business, but I'm OK with it. I'd rather help people get into the sport than make a buck.

I went to an intimate wedding at the bluestone. They did the ceremony, social time and then dinner/dancing all at the same venue. Very well done and a great time was had by all. Congrats!!!

What will the tune do for me? If you say gas mileage... I'm in! (As long as I can put it back to stock for trips to the dealership).

Once you have the safety equipment and the car is track ready, the cost to do track day vs. road race can be very close. The risk to the car is greater running w2w, but it is still there anytime you take your car on the track. It's good to know there are others on here who do track days/race! I'd like to see more action in this section of the site.

Picked up a 14 Silverado 1500 LT that my wife will DD and I will uses to tow (something) for the next few years. It is the 5.3 with the 6 speed auto & 4x4. Towing package and some nice options. Had step tubes installed so my wife could climb in (she is 5' 2" but loves having a big vehicle to drive). 39 month high mileage (15k/yr) lease. Residual is very high so this one will be a use and return. I'm thinking about an enclosed trailer again but won't sell the open trailer until the Civic is gone. (May keep the open trailer either way - they are nice to have around!). http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r193/Downingracing/3d47f43c-3940-471c-b601-b57b63b17a3b_zpsf5581f3a.jpg

Have you guys done any 'club racing'? The rush I get from doing a sprint race is way more intense compared tot he enduro feeling. There is no sense of urgency in the enduro, so everyone avoids actually racing door to door. The sprint race doesn't give the time for taking it easy and has much more of a get it done now feel. I'm beat after a sprint race and was pretty OK after my almost 2 hr stints in the enduro. And I agree it is a good bit of money, but since I've been club racing (and doing these enduros), track days just don't 'do' it for me anymore.

We are doing the budget for the upcoming 14h and 7h races at Gingerman Raceway Father's Day weekend and it looks like we will be right at $850/each for this weekend. The cost includes entry, fuel (largest cost), food and spares/upgrades. (Small items that need to be 'better' than the original build). Just wants to share the cost information for anyone interested in seeing what it actually costs to do this. Our fuel cost includes a 30' motorhome, truck pulling a 24' enclosed trailer and the fuel for the Civic for both days. We joke about how people think Chump racing is cheap... It is a blast, but this costs me more than a club racing weekend. Potential for more seat time, but a different level of competition.

Gergwheel - thanks for the offer but we don't rent seats. We've got too much money in the car to have anyone else in it (other than our inner circle who can pay to replace the car if they bend it). Kentstatetsi - we were the only team with a completely stock car. Even the tech crew asked why we left is stock... We are following the rules 100% because we have too much in it to screw around with cheating. (But that is how we treat all the racing we do)

Our Civic runs and drives like new. (As it should because it has all new parts just about everywhere). We replace several items after each race and other parts after every weekend. These costs aside, we spent $6k in cash and $3k in already 'had' them parts to build the car. So right at $9k for the bone stock Civic. Crazy I know when you can buy a race-ish ready car for 1/4 that. But our car should finish every race we run. Maintenance and upkeep are key for endurance racing. That price does include the required Chump items like fuel jugs, extinguisher and other small items. The cost above doesn't include any driver safety equipment. We all already have our own. No radio setup - cool old pit board! Motorhome, trailer, easy up and other items are all things we have from our 'other' racing. Entry fees, maintenance items and travel expenses are additional. We spent a stupid amount of money to do this, but it is a blast and in a sick way - worth it.

Being honest - the cage is the easy part. We have way more money in the 'rebuild the entire freaking car' than any other items (safety or go-fast parts). It sounds like you just get a beater and cage it to go racing. The people I saw doing just that didn't turn 50 laps the entire weekend. The platform we chose was a Civic. (Not shocking to anyone who knows me). Parts are available at any corner store and they are cheap! Our car was rebuilt from the ground up and survived two 7 hour races finishing 8th and 7th. We were the only entry that wasn't cheating (even the tech guy asked why we left it stock)... The racing is fun! Nothing like a sprint race - more like a lapping day with open passing. Still a freaking blast! PM me if you want to discuss further. I'm always happy to talk racing!

Yea. Lemons didn't have any appeal to us. Chump is fun in a laid back and 'easy' way. Nothing like sprint racing, but a different type of fun. Talent pool was very shallow at the event we attended, but a lower car count made for an enjoyable weekend. We are looking forward to the 14hr race at Gingerman. The appeal of Chump to us was running a stock car and just having fun. The car is not high strung and nothing fancy/aftermarket to cause issues. Just fun. I'm hoping someone from here is active in Chump and will be at Gingerman - would be nice to see some other CR folks at the track.

I started a chumpcar endurance racing team with some friends last year. We only made it to one event but had a good time. (Ran at Michigan International and finished 8th and 7th). We are planning to do the Father's Day weekend race at Gingerman a raceway in Michigan. We have a Honda Civic (not shocking for anyone who knows me) and with a few small updates, we are hoping to finish better this year! Car is dead nuts reliable and easy to drive. Wondering if anyone else here is doing any Chump racing?

You can message me and I'd be happy to discuss the SCCA and the different programs offered. I've been an active member (club racing, race chairman and board of directors) for the past 15 years. Always happy to help!! Matt

Picked one up (actual pickup at local store). Thanks for the heads up!!!

I've used firestone at 161 & sunbury rd. for 12 years and they always do a great job. I've purchased several lifetime alignments from them and never had an issue. I know there are other (specialty) shops to use who do great - but this firestone has always done great...