Class 5 car, Getting into racing

[gregrachelle]

Well. racing has been in the family blood for a few generations now. My grandpa who died before i was even born, died at the baja 1000 in his trailer in his sleep. He used to make baja bug way back in the 60s and 70s for fun in his spare time. some how it skipped a generation and my dad ended up a private pilot and that is his love. All my brother and my self are into dirt bikes and racing, but for some reason none of us races desert......But..... I have always wanted to!

So with that said. I am trying to figure out what the best car would be to start with. Prior to this i wanted to build one.... but i now think it would be better for me to buy one already built so we can learn how they are all put together and become familiar with the car and the race scene.
Also what races would be a good starter race for us being new at this type of racing. (i just want it to be the best experience possible)

Would appreciate anybody's input on what they feel the best start would be if they were to do it over again, or from your experience. My wife and kids love the desert, and we like to go fast! (to keep my wife more interested, the plusher the suspension the better)

1. What car
2. What races (snore,score,more,mdr, etc etc)
3. What class
4. What groups to join up with?

Look forward to your comments.

[Tut]

1. What car
2. What races (snore,score,more,mdr, etc etc)
3. What class
4. What groups to join up with?

Here is my input. Car is up to what you want to do? Do you want to compete very heavily and race to win and win money? Then go pro and do something like you said a class 5.
But take a look at my price sheet for costs of each class before you jump right into this. Cars get expensive fast in pro classes because if you don't spend the top dollar and get the top parts you will get beat and you will brake down.

Here look at this topic on how much you will be looking to spend on the car and for prep each race on average.
http://z11.invisionfree.com/Tut_Tech_Racin...hp?showtopic=33

Ok now that you have seen that and you say you want something the family can get into you may want to look at the sportsman class. 1300
You can build what is a decent either class 12 Score Lite buggy for about 35K or less depending on how sportsman you go. Then later add to it and build it up even more if you really get the bug and want to go pro. You can race sportsman at a lower entry fee etc. and lower prep but still get to race and have a good deal of suspension.
So race in class 1300 for now and move into a pro class depending on how well you do, how well the car holds up and how much the family actually enjoys the dirt and hard pack stuff over the sand and fun type of driving etc.

The same idea can also be done with the Desert Lite class and you can set up a smaller car for about the same cost but you have to run an ecotec motor.
Which are nice so that is cool. Little more cost etc. than just buying a stand alone VW motor and no radiater etc. Then later you could upgrade to this class.
But same thing you can build it run it in sportsman and if all goes well step up to the actual class 3000 and race pro.


Same thing goes with cost of a car. How much do you want to spend.
Depending on class you can spend as much as 3,500 dollars for total fees and costs out of pocket to go race a Score event... especially in baja.

You can go race at MORE or SNORE for 500 dollars. This is entry fee (total insurance, land use fees, etc. included and fuel too.)

Ok does that sound a lot more fun?
Then I would suggest one of those two. Depending on where you live I would pick one of those. MORE is really fun and we have made some great friends and love the more family type people that race there. Can almost always find someone willing to lend a hand etc.
Snore is in vegas and the blm and other things kind of take away a little from the racing. Especially being a new team you can not chase and go out on course to fix your car or find your people. Snore officials will get to you and tow you in when it is your turn. This is tough and sometimes takes hours. Why your family and friends wait.
So that is why we don't race there.. and it is in vegas mostly so tough drive for us to do on a budget.

So those are my two choiced though as you can see MORE is my first choice.
Can chase, pit, fix your stuff etc. and family gets to be a big part of the racing.
MORE is a family ran racing organization so that is nice too.


As far as class goes from what it sounds like you may want to build a car you like and can afford.. both to race and to prep and rebuild.
Then run it in sportsman class until you get the hang of it and see if you enjoy it.
Then if all is going well and you build a good team after the first season is done go for a pro class like 12, 5 or 3000
Thats my thoughts... You get cars with good suspension, great power and tons of fun in those classes. Class 5 is a little heavy and you do have to pay for a big motor which costs a ton and if you don't the other guys will go by you easily.
So that is a bummer. 12 is a set vw motor so you don't have to go to crazy and you get a fast car as it is a light buggy class with max vw wheel travel so that is awesome.
3000 everyone has the same motor and you get any suspension just as long as your not longer than 103 inches long your in. Oh and a 2 seater.

As far as groups I think that will come about when you decide where your racing.
Then you will see who is there and who you want to join up with.
Thats pretty much how that one will work out.

Well great info and sorry about your loss of your grandfather but wow how awesome is that, that he passed away doing what he loved. Very cool.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you do.
Anymore questions please ask.
Thanks,
Tut.