I’ve been lurking on apexspeed for about a year, learning what I can, saving money and trying to decide where to jump into a dedicated track car.
I’ve spent two decades in street cars turned weekend warrior at HPDE’s in a mix of corvettes (prepped w/slicks even), spec miatas, chump car, and even a few days in exotics (friends lambroghini and ford GT)..*
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I digress.. I’ve considered DSR, CSR, FM and FE.* I think I'm*sold on FE without having even sit in a car yet because it seems to be the car that will be around for awhile and they’ve made it simpler for a guy like me to focus on the driving aspect rather than spending a lot on performance upgrades just to keep pace.* The camaraderie seems great as well. I've already met a couple of great folks.
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I’m over in Tampa, FL area and run several HPDE’s a year in this region.* My intent is to pickup an FE and practice practice practice for at least the first year of ownership.* Then hopefully join a few races in the following year.
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I’m trying to arrange for a seat in one locally just to be sure before I buy, but other than that I’m not a tire kicker and will not waste anyone’s time.* My own time is too valuable!
I’m not in a rush, given FL won’t cool down for a couple months either!* My plan thus far had been to step up the search for an FE at the end of the racing season – SEP/OCT, but if a good value, well cared for car becomes available, I’m able to move on it relatively quickly.
Appreciate anything else you can add that I should know as I begin this venture!* I’m also in need of a trailer.
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The right car will hopefully be within 1200 miles of Tampa, FL, be well maintained, and not be on the verge of needing rebuilt!* Please let me know if you or*anyone you know has a car available now or coming up at the end of the season.
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Please include information about run time on the chassis/engine/trans, who maintains the car, which updates are done, what spares are available, etc.
I haven't rented one yet, but I may.. I'm not inclined to spend $1500 renting when I'm already fairly certain this is the route I want to go. Robinson is about 3 hours away and near PBIR so it could work out for maybe a single session if they have a car at the track. Not sure if they would do that, vice full day rentals, but I will give them a call. Chris at Speed Syndicate near me is who I've been working with, but he doesn't have any FE's in the shop right now.
Don't let distances be a factor. It doesn't take much to move a car. My FE came from Canada to Ohio and my last car sold went from Ohio to Alabama. There are a couple of nice cars listed for sale right now.
These cars are pretty easy to maintain and they end up all the same with updates.
I'll throw another out recommending Robinson Motor Sports. They really know the car, can get a really good setup on it, and Mark can give some great coaching too. Heck, I live in Ohio now, and I still leave my car with them / run with them in the SEDiv.
I looked up Johns mail about the car:
[FONT=Calibri]Richard,[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]What I have is chassis #19. It has most of the updates other than apex joints on steering, floating rotors, adj sway bar and the new muffler (did not know about this).[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri]The car has a new fuel cell, 1 new radiator and has all the fasteners replaced with AN bolts. Before it leaves here, it will go to Mick Robinson for a complete once over and alignment. There are 3 sets of rims (2 dry sets and 1 rain – all old), a CDS commander data system with a co-pilot dash. Not much in the way of spares, other than a couple of bent wings.[/FONT]
You can get a lot of info in these cars from SCCA if you know chassis number such as how old the motor is. If you have not heard these cars are probably the lowest cost racing around when you consider the inexpensive tires and motors that go years without rebuilds and the fact that you buy any thing to go faster than the next guy.
I think that car sold, but I'll shoot him an email - thanks.
I did hear about the economics of FE, which is a driving factor for me of course.. tire sizes are common to several other cars, so I hope to be able to pickup used sets for practice on the cheap. I just might break down and finally buy a used tire changing machine too.
I missed out on a CSR bodied FE a few months ago because I was not ready to buy.. cash in hand now, will not miss out on another great deal!
WTB: FE ready to run!
out recommending Robinson Motor Sports. They really know the car, can get a really good setup on it, and Mark can give some great coaching too. Heck, I live in Ohio now, and I still leave my car with them / run with them in the SEDiv. 
