IT 2009 Build Project

S

spyvsspy303

New member
Thanks in advance for your advice. If you were building a new project for IT today what would be your choice and why?

ITS 2nd Gen RX-7
ITA Miata
ITS E30
ITS (ITR?) E36
ITB? Honda CRX
Acura Integra

I am planning a switch to racing with SCCA in New England after my relo from CA where I race with NASA. My current car is not legal in IT and not competitive to build up for EP. Used to run a first gen RX-7, so leaning Mazda because of the Comp program. Will try to buy a built car, but if I don't find the right thing I'll build one.

Appreciate advices.
 
ITA Miata:

- It's very competative
- Easy to find a car (Spec Miata)
- Lots of parts/after market support
- Large knowledge base
- Reliable/Low maintenance
- Retain value
- You can run it in Spec Miata trim and still do well (run it as is until you get a feel for it then start putting money into it)
- Easy to drive
 
If you decide to go the ITS RX-7 route, I'm selling mine after the season. It's in Massachusetts, it has been prepped by Flatout Motorsports ever since I bought it, and it's fast (still holds track record at NHMS - 1:14.2 - and ran easy 1:00.7s at Lime Rock last year). At Flatout, we like to think we know a little something about RX-7s. :D

Shoot me an email if you want to know more: [email protected]

-------
Steve Ulfelder
Flatout Motorsports
05 ITS
 
Miata (from your list).

Why? Great support on parts and not super expensive. Overall, just a good car.

The others have age/ scarcity/ expense issues.
 
Probably the Miata for the same reasons, BUT an important consideration should be which classes are most active where you plan to race. IIRC, ITA / ITS are the busier classes in NER, ITB not so much. For comparison, SM/SSM is bigger in the WDC region than it is in NER. I'd put off any purchase until you get there and see where you want to run.
 
ITS - BMW 325
ITA - Honda CRX
ITB - Volkswagen GTI
ITC - Honda CRX

Sorry I had to break the Miata ITA vote....
This is just my observation up here in NEOHIO region and surrounding regions/areas....
 
i'd be hesitant of anything miata right now. there's an angry mob wandering around determined to get more weight on the car.

otherwise, i'm with Rob (wreckerboy), research what class is popular in the area you're moving to, what types of tracks you'll be running at, and decide accordingly.
 
.

Ed Tisdale has a very nice ITR E36 for sale, or Steve Ulfelder's ITS RX7 for next year.

We look forward to having you join us!

.
 
I like the E36 325/328 in ITR

I like the RX-7, BMW 323 and 1999+ Miata in ITS

I like the Miata, CRX, Integra and 240SX in ITA

I like the Volvo and soon to be listed Corolla GTS in ITB

I like the 510 in ITC
 
I'm with those who say find out which classes are most popular where you'll be racing; in our region (DC) ITA and ITB are the top classes. From your list you can't go wrong with an ITA Miata, but the Integra also does very well in that class. The CRX is a great car for either ITA or ITB. If I were racing ITS I would probably go with the RX7, but the Miata and Integra both can compete well there. Or, if I liked to wrench on cars I might even try to find an old 240Z to play with.

Now, with that said, if I were going to start an IT project today I would look at ITR; no, there isn't a huge amount of competition right now, but I think few years from now this class will have some of the best racing in IT.
 
I think the ITS E30 is an overlooked gem honestly. It may not be the cheapest buy/build, but it is a great reliable platform, good brakes, good torque, good power, good handling. A fair amount of them are around with cages now due to Spec E30.

And, they were overlooked for years due to the presence of the E36 in ITS. They can be fast (Matt Reppert and Harold Corbin in the SEDiv do very well with theirs).

I've driven a lot of SMs and an ITA Miata, and I have to say you have to like that kind of driving experience to really enjoy the car. It's a momentum car, and very different from running a higher hp/torque S car like mine (TR8) or a Z car. If you like that kind of experience, then by all means an ITA or 99 ITS Miata are great choices.

You can't go wrong with a 2nd Gen RX7 either. Just way too many of them out there, fast, reliable and sorted.
 
There's absolutely no question in my mind what I'd do.

If AJ's ITA CRX is still for sale and you have the money to buy that now, I'd be all over that bad boy. It'll take you years and an assload of money to just get close to that car. I think the car is located in Ohio, but I'd finalize the deal even if that meant it sat at his place or somewhere else till you make your move. It's an amazing car at a fantastic price.

Heck, I rummaged through my house to see what I could sell (without invoking a divorce), looked at borrowing against my 401K, anything to get it. Reality set in and I'll have to stick with my Prelude.

http://www.improvedtouring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25603
 
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tnord said:
i'd be hesitant of anything miata right now. there's an angry mob wandering around determined to get more weight on the car.

otherwise, i'm with Rob (wreckerboy), research what class is popular in the area you're moving to, what types of tracks you'll be running at, and decide accordingly.
Click to expand...

Jeez Travis, "angry mob"? Do they have pitchforks too? Or are they running around with old double hung window weights?

If you'll be racing up here in the NE, at Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, NJMP, NHMS, etc, you'll have some top notch competition (pretty respectable if you were to rank them nationally) in ITB, ITA and ITS. ITR is growing, and the cars are getting more developed by the race.
 
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lateapex911 said:
Jeez Travis, "angry mob"? Do they have pitchforks too? Or are they running around with old double hung window weights?
Click to expand...

I dunno. Somehow "Add weight, it's a Miata!" doesn't have the same ring as "Burn her, she's a witch!"
Though unlike ducks, Miatas and stones do not float. Even very small ones.

Now, if we want to discuss the ITAC's ongoing persecution of Borgward owners.... :)
 
Wreckerboy said:
Now, if we want to discuss the ITAC's ongoing persecution of Borgward owners.... :)
Click to expand...
Here's your VTS...


HR_6639.jpg

HR_6638.jpg
 
I love "opinion" threads! Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one and most of them stink!

My opinion, for the northeast, AWD with dirtstockers!:026:
 
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