Thread: Can a sentra compete?

Keep in mind that the $2k on wheels and tires and/or $2k on a cage as well as the $2k on personal safety gear is going to be the same or more on ANY car

...welcome to racing!!! It ain't cheap!

We race a spec miata because parts are cheap, lots of company to w2w race with and great factory Mazda support (being able to buy parts at dealer cost).... BUT the appeal of a Sentra/sr20de is readily available cheap parts in junkyards, etc.

Our POS P10 runs Time Trials with NASA and wins and holds track records! ...The shell was $500, engine $500, transmission $350, suspension $1000, wheels and tires (several sets equal about $2k) etc.


...just go out and HAVE FUN!

don't give up on sr20 sentra IMHO..

can you be competitive? I believe YES! ..how well can you drive?

^^ You see Chris, the problem is, his car is already a turbo sr20ve.

Basically all engine at this point. And with that being the focus, in any sanctioning body he is already placed in a class with full caged, near tubular frame, completely redesigned pickup points, Aero dependent beats!!! Good luck!!

He will have a long way to go if he chooses to run his current setup in anything but open track day (HPDE).

Even the class placement he would be in in Auto-X would be ridiculous!! If he is in SM (for example, which I think his car would place), we are talking about 285 Hoosiers, Massive Aero, 3-6k triple adjustable external reservoir dampers, forged wheels, lightweight and trick suspension components, etc. Would not even be competitive on a local level.

Then if he chooses to time trial in NASA, it will be the same case there.

My advice, but a little beater, get tons of seat time and then sell it and purchase something already sorted so all you have to worry about is seat time

Or, our local Miata boys (e.g. Meathead), allow you to arrive and drive with all their technicians on hand in case for maintenance, etc. You just have to buy tires (in case you flatspot/chord a set) and any damage sustained for having a big off/or running into things, etc

But I am preaching to the choir here as Chris probably knows 1 million times more than me about classes, W2W racing and such

I just wanted to sound smart LOL!!

P.S. Do not forget expendables and safety!!

Tires (if you do not chord a set) figure 1k per year
Brakes figure 3-500 a year
Tech inspection - pay per year
Licensing - you have to run a minumum number of events to keep yo track license
Entry fee - you pay an entry/registration fee for every race
Fuel - yeah, jungle juice can get expensive quick!!
Maintenance - things break (went through something like 2-3 engines last year for stupid little things)
Damage - W2W warrants damage at some point (think towing a car home when finished as well)
Tow vehicle - think maintenance, gas, etc
Food/hotel
Racing suit - figure 5-1k here (and you still have to buy shoes, balaclava, Hans, helmet, etc)

You see what I am saying.

And please, please, have a proper cage in the car!! For a proper sanctioning body, they would not let you in or pass tech without a proper cage anywho.........

ETC. The list goes on!!

I say stick to auto-x and track days with what you have, turn the boost down and have at it!!

Good luck!!

Hey Nate, didn't SCC build a project SE-R race car for the se-r cup a while back with a 7k budget?? I think I have a few issues here in my basement with the writeup

yeah.. with a turbo VE, he has probably better chances in Time Trials than w2w IMHO with NASA (not as many crazy HP TTU or TTS cars it seems)


...but accidents DO happen so you have to accept that as part of w2w racing... I've averaged 1 crash a year so far (1 out of 14 races in my case both times in October towards the end of the season when I get a lot more aggressive and take more chances).


NASA W2W I'm not sure how many races you are required to do per year (NASA is for profit and they just want their money). and I don't race with SCCA YET... with Midwest Council, I am required to do at least 2 w2w races a year but that license only costs me $20 and races are about $250 each so it isn't too bad there (and NASA along with SCCA regional will honor my full comp Midwest Council license so I can technically get away with doing only 2 races a year given that tidbit).

Tires you can buy used like I do so I spend maybe $600 a year on tires for 16 races (pretty darn cheap!).. PLUS if you win 1st through 5th place in Spec Miata, you win money towards Toyo Tires so you have that going for you as well...

Sadly, I wasn't in the SR20 or even the car game for that matter 2 1/2 years ago. I never read SCC or any car mag until about 1 1/2 ago. I try to sound intelligent but like you said, there are others like Chris that have much more knowledge about this then I. Have to make up for lost time in the car game buy reading a lot and gleaming all the info I can from the wise old folks that know how to make a warp drive engine.

I'm not looking to be competitive on the circuit. I figured it was a good topic to bring up. I would like to participate in open track days here. And I believe the car with just a few more mods and a good alignment would do pretty decent. I would love to whoop some STI butt on the track, and I know it is capable. I would DEF need to lower the boost levels for that kind of racing. Traction>FWD

My recommendation is to not even worry about track days just yet.

At this point it is still a fair bit more expensive that any auto-x and the basic skills are not there yet (even if you have done a few auto-x). And quiet frankly, to risk life and car when your skills are not up to par is simply not worth. Do not forget, in your beginners group, there are probably a number of other drivers who get the "red mist", think they are Micheal Schu, and end up doing inept things, which sometimes entangling yourself (even with proper instructors in the passenger seat). Just not worth it in my opinion without any sort of actual experience in atleast low speed car control.

My recommendation:

Bring your car out there EXACTLY as it is setup to an auto-x, with a few simple little things

1) Make sure your maintenance is up to date (although very simple, is also very kept and can prevent loads of headaches)
2) Crank the boost down as low as possible (and I mean that)
3) Bring an extra set of wheels just incase you flat spot on the low speed sections (which auto-x is all about)
4) Read up on your regional association for the rules and classing info as well as the quick ins and outs and dos and do nots for auto-xing
5) Bring an extra set of brakes (pads and rotors) as well as a proper tool set
6) Drinks, some food, a blanket and maybe a chair
7) And a little cash for entry fee (around here it is 20 for SCCA members, so I bring like 60-100 just incase I am in need of oil brake, fluid, etc)

And just go at it from there. Its very cheap and with your first runs, you will get a baseline for what your car needs and most of all ITS TONS OF FUN!!

Also, watch the fast guys and asks loads of questions and attend the driver meetings. Ask the fast guys lots of questions including ride alongs and even (if you feel comfortable and there is free runs available), ask them to actually drive your car, show you around and before you know it, you will be up to speed!! Course walk alongs between and before sessions are also highly recommended.

SEAT TIME, SEAT TIME, SEAT TIME!!!

I agree... I think I forgot to mention that I did autocross stuff (AKA Solo I or Solo II) for many years before going the track route... (mainly because when I was younger I couldn't afford track expenses and autocrosses were only $25 to $40 a day) ....heck, even well known in the Miata crowd Jason Siani (sp?) started out in SCCA Autocross before migrating over to track and Pro-racer status!

as did randy pobst....no shame in auto-xing it teaches great car control.

Yeah.. Randy is a good guy... very approachable.. and many seem to know him (go figure).. He drove my car at Mid-Ohio back in 2005 and helped me with some driving tips!