Where to start?
 

For many years I've been trying to get myself to get it together and build a race car. There's a relatively new race track out here that looks exciting also. Not interested in drifting or autocross.

So I have 2 cars that are possible candidates. I'm assuming my '85 GSL-SE would be an easier and cheaper start than running my FC. Also I have zero race experience. So if I plan on running a FB in a beginner class, where do I begin to find info on road racing, classes. and requirements?

Go to scca.org and get your info there. They have info on getting started in racing and you can find your nearest SCCA Region.

when you're starting, you start in a school class, NASA calls it HPDE. you arent racing you're there to at first learn the track, and drive with traffic.

so just to be quick, at first the car can just be stock, so pick the one that's in best condition mechanically and drive. since it takes about a year at best to even get your racing license try BOTH cars.

You can search these forums for a lot of good discussions over the years about racing and building/driving both FBs and FCs. But the best single piece of advice is to go and buy Dave Gran's book:

http://www.goaheadtakethewheel.com/

and read it cover to cover. It was written to answer the exact question you just asked.

Good luck,

-bill

+1 on a great book!

Good info. I was told to run the car the way it is at first and all the flaws will come out on the track. Then just work on the flaws. My FB is bone stock so I think it might be the best candidate. I just don't want to hack it up too much on account that its a GSL-SE. Anyhow thanks a bunch!

+2

In the SCCA, the gsl-se is not classed as a regular fb in the rules. Only the 12a cars are in the fb classes (ITA, spec 7, IT7) . The gsl-se is classed as an ITS car like the fc due to the 13b and fuel injection.

The fc would be cheaper since many more parts are available and a there are a lot of fc race cars around . It would be far cheaper to buy a used car that is well built vs building your own.

I think that the cost of modifications would be cheaper with the fb. Not sure what suspension parts are going for when it comes to the fc, but for an fb it's pretty darned cheap.

Here's where I get all my suspension stuff: www.re-speed.com Great people to deal with. :)



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I'd rather build my own cars honestly. I'd like to know more than just driving. IF a GSL-SE is going to run the same class as a FC, would it even be competitive? And FB parts are way cheaper. But they are harder to find. I feel more comfortable in a FB but I'd like to be competitive at the same time. Would a carb'd 13B make any difference?

You need to pick a class and build a car to the rules of the class. You could not use a carb on the gsl-se in SCCA ITS but you can in production class ( a class that allows many more modifications) . Mazda made a lot more fc cars than gsl-se models.

I've never had an issue finding parts for my fb. The fb will also be lighter than the fc. Since you've already got a 13b and fuel injection, the fc won't have a power advantage over you, but you will have a weight advantage over them. Besides, FBs are just plain cooler than FCs. :)

I've been trying to get into Spec7... Lately, it's been the choice of buying or building a car.

If you want to race the gsl-se, you need to buy Jim Susko's book about the first gen suspension. gforceengineering.net is his site. His tri link and panhard bar work out many of the fb problems. The book will save you time and money.

Billy at respeed is a great person to buy parts from.

Every FB I've seen raced is a hairs edge from spinning out from oversteer in order to be fast. I've never seen a -SE raced in ITS(or PS-1 back when I was doing it), so I can't say how competitive they were, but I will say that I would choose the FC hands down.

Parts are easy to find for FCs, but not so many FBs in the local pick n pulls nowadays.

PaulC