Intro & a few n00b (car choice) questions (Page 2 of 2)

I'll throw in my experience here:

My first year a few friends (none of which had ever been on track, and one of which who didn't know how to drive stick) invited me to help them build and drive a car (E30 325E). Since I instruct for one of the BMWCCA groups, I got them all on track for 20min or more to get them used to the track, how to behave, etc. THIS BY ITSELF gave them an advantage over about 30-45% of the rest of the field. Keep in mind - during the rookie meeting ~100-150 hands went up when they asked "who has never been on a track before?"... Having said that, if you can, get your fellow drivers through an HPDE with instructor - it helps.
We had a well maintained car, original shocks, good theme, not over the top, and focussed on safety, fun, meet ppl, and race (in that order). The only repair during the race was patching a coolant hose that broke part way through Sunday, and that was all (cut off the offending inch, reconnected, kept going)

My wife saw how much fun we were having, and easily convinced me that we should build our own car. I got a model I'm familiar with (BMW 318ti) for $200. Car had been "slow-speed" crashed on front right and required some pulling to straighten it. We did this ourselves, but with the BMW specific frame diagram in hand with the 318ti strung between a couple of BMWs, a 90's Cadillac, some ground anchors and an F-150. We did use hydraulics for most of the un-bending, but still, figure out as you go. We then spent the next 15-20 weekends replacing wear parts (control arm bushings, strut bearings, ball joints, tie rods, etc with Rockauto or BMW parts where deemed important), installing race-parts, and ended up with a $450 car that still has a few things that could be improved, but would last the entire race at BFE-GP. To your question on another thread - I use the Bentley/TIS manuals so I know I'm not prematurely damaging something, but there are many situations where you're "making it up as you go" b/c there is no manual - see DIY frame alignment, seat and harness install (b/c every licensing body has slightly different angles, etc)

We were very picky about our team and interviewed a few folks we knew would be interested before picking our partners in crime. Worked out well, but be sure you know what your team mates are in it for. If there is a big discrepancy, re-evaluate. (Fun? Win? Show everyone how  it's done? Hang out with fun ppl, eat food and, oh yeah, race?) 

We also wanted to make sure everyone had some time at the wheel, so we did 30-45min stints, or however the driver felt.  Will probably go longer next time.

All this was good for top 20 overall. No injuries, etc. We were  very happy with that result.

If you happen to be in CO, feel free to ping me to look at the car and get better insight to what we did.

Cheers!

PS: Also, check out the welcome by Jay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0qKY9byvKY  Sums it up nicely