Looking for cars!

[86vd]

I'm looking for a number of cars to set up a formula car school and checking out just what's
Out there to choose from.
I've contacted the few manufactures in the country and now have some idea of costs for
New cars and was wondering what my chances were of finding good quality used cars?
I would want the cars to be the same such as a formula Mazda chassis or van dieman etc,
But other than finding a school that is about to go out of business or looking for a new fleet
To re-place their old I'm not sure what my chances are or finding 5 or 6 identical cars!
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[TimH]

Yikes!

Building any kind of stable of nearly-identical used cars sounds like a nightmare. Though you might be able to get close with Van Diemens or Crossles you'd wind up spending nearly as much money as if you just bite the bullet and go FE.

[Ian Lenhart]

Novak f600

[mikey]

understanding you said formula school, the spec racer fords seem to be a much better business model for a school. with the new model coming out, you should be able to get older SRF's for a pretty good deal.

[Dave SanF 50]

How about FF Swift DB1s-I think they built over 300. They can be bought relatively cheap compared to a new car ($15-$20K). They still look like a modern race car (in board suspension, pointy nose). They respond well to suspension changes but are reasonably easy to drive for a novice.
They have either a Hewland or Webster 4 speed with over 30 ratios available. They use a "H" pattern.
The suspension, engines (Fords), brakes and body parts are readily available. Most of the used cars are sold with spares also.
Put on Hoosier R60s that last and are cheap or a street tire and you are ready to teach.
If you put an ad here on Apex, you will have DB1 coming out your ears. It would be easy to get only 5 or 6 DB1s.

[dc]

It would be easy to get only 5 or 6 DB1s.

Maybe not as easy as you think, and I would guess that less than 1/3rd of people here would be able to fit comfortably in a DB1.

SRF or a fleet of new F600s seems like no-brainers to me.

[Jnovak]

Thanks for the F600 plug Ian & Doug.

It is my opinion that F600s would be too small for a school car. However we would be happy to do a larger very low cost school car that would handle great and would be low cost and low maintenance.

[racerdad2]

Now you're talkin' ! Have Jay build your stable. One off, totally unique, cheap to drive, cheap to fix, very cool way to go

[Dave SanF 50]

IMHO, the problem with F600's is they look and act like karts. If some one wants to learn how to drive a formula car, they want something that looks and acts like a formula car not a kart. But they are fast, no doubt about that.
But that's just me. I went to Jim Russell's school because they had formula cars and I wanted to learn to heel-n-toe.

[glenn cooper]

IMHO, the problem with F600's is they look and act like karts. If some one wants to learn how to drive a formula car, they want something that looks and acts like a formula car not a kart. But they are fast, no doubt about that.
But that's just me. I went to Jim Russell's school because they had formula cars and I wanted to learn to heel-n-toe.

Woulda been cheaper to get an '84 Toyota pickup!

[Stan Clayton]

understanding you said formula school, the spec racer fords seem to be a much better business model for a school. with the new model coming out, you should be able to get older SRF's for a pretty good deal.

New model? I heard about the new engine, but not a new model.

That said, older SRFs are a good value, though I question their appeal and value as a "formula racing" school car.

[formulasuper]

New model? I heard about the new engine, but not a new model.

That said, older SRFs are a good value, though I question their appeal and value as a "formula racing" school car.

Just need a sawzall.

[chrisw52]

I don't know if it's one car or many,but here is a racing school in canada that is offering something that your interested in.

maybe they have others for sale as well.

http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/re...96838874ss.htm


good luck!

[racerdad2]

My 89 CFC Reynard is a piece of cake to drive. Build a similar car, just in two sizes. Regular and Big & Tall. Tall size has a wider cockpit & a foot box for big feet. Just think of all the big guys out there that would love to have some fun in a formula car they could put on !!!

[Brian Utt]

I have 10 of the cars that you are looking for. 5 new and 5 used.
These are cars that I manufacture for one make series and drivers schools.
I can install various engine and gearbox combinations but the ones that I have in stock use a 2 liter 200 hp Ford Duratec and a Hewland FTR six speed sequential gearbox.
They are tube frame with enough room for a full size American driver.
Meet all SCCA and FIA requirements.
Carbon fiber crushable nose.
Fuel safe cells.
Willwood four piston calipers and vented rotors.
13 X 8 and 13X10 lightweight wheels.
AIM dash
25K for a used car and 39K for a turn key new one.

Brian Utt
Carbir Race Cars
brian@carbir.com

[Jnovak]

I have 10 of the cars that you are looking for. 5 new and 5 used.
These are cars that I manufacture for one make series and drivers schools.
I can install various engine and gearbox combinations but the ones that I have in stock use a 2 liter 200 hp Ford Duratec and a Hewland FTR six speed sequential gearbox.
They are tube frame with enough room for a full size American driver.
Meet all SCCA and FIA requirements.
Carbon fiber crushable nose.
Fuel safe cells.
Willwood four piston calipers and vented rotors.
13 X 8 and 13X10 lightweight wheels.
AIM dash
25K for a used car and 39K for a turn key new one.

Brian Utt
Carbir Race Cars
brian@carbir.com

You will not find a better deal than this and they are a very solid race car.

[tjcezar]

Ha HA! "full size American driver". Some of us aren't full size but most are!

[FVRacer21]

For a driving school you need cars that fit all sizes of drivers. Cars that are cheap to repair from stupid mistakes (take the wings off for pylon exercises). And bullet proof as far as reliability.

My opinion is that most schools today are going for the "experience" and not the hard core school as in the past. The cost is reflected in the former. That might be the only viable business plan today, but I wonder.

ChrisZ

[Agitator]

They may not be the sexiest cars around, but if you want a formula car that won't cost a lot to maintain, the tried and true Formula Mazda would be hard to beat. You can pick them up for $20K or so each and there is a good supply of spare parts. They fit almost anyone and don't require a heck of a lot of maintenance if you aren't trying to race it Nationally. Put a rev limiter on it and some hard tires and you're good to go.

[racerdad2]

It appears Carbir has exactly what you need That's a lot of c ar for the $$$ Now, I want one...

[provamo]

I have 10 of the cars that you are looking for. 5 new and 5 used.
These are cars that I manufacture for one make series and drivers schools.
I can install various engine and gearbox combinations but the ones that I have in stock use a 2 liter 200 hp Ford Duratec and a Hewland FTR six speed sequential gearbox.
They are tube frame with enough room for a full size American driver.
Meet all SCCA and FIA requirements.
Carbon fiber crushable nose.
Fuel safe cells.
Willwood four piston calipers and vented rotors.
13 X 8 and 13X10 lightweight wheels.
AIM dash
25K for a used car and 39K for a turn key new one.

Brian Utt
Carbir Race Cars
brian@carbir.com

are these possible candidates for FF Honda conversions?

[Brian Utt]

are these possible candidates for FF Honda conversions?

These cars are a little overbuilt to use as a FF. The chassis that we use for the FF is smaller and lighter.

[maz 993]

more pics plz

[Brian Utt]

more pics plz

More Pictures

[Rhouck]

Just saw your post, brand new to this forum, but I have a large group (6+) ex-Bondurant Crossle Formula Ford cars that we purchased as a lot with tons of spares, etc. They currently are sitting in storage, don't fit our immediate needs, and might be the winter build project you're looking for.
Were located on the track at Heartland Park, Topeka, KS. Message me if you're interested and we'll share contact info.

[Rhouck]

Forgot to mention they are crossle 35f and 50f. There are also 4 BRAND NEW 50f frames that have never been put into use.