OT - Does anyone have any experience with Formula Vee? Options

[East coaster]

Thinking about getting into a Formula Vee car, any insights/advice?

[Montreal914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[Superhawk996]

Racing at anything approaching a competitive level is incredibly expensive regardless of what some may call “affordable”.

Generally speaking open wheel racing is even more expensive.

If you’ve been racing long enough, soon every expenditure in your life will be measured against how many sets of tires that money could have purchased.

Been there done that

[Ninja]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

My dad and a friend campaigned an ITA prepared RX3 in the late 80s/early 90s.

This is the CHEAPEST form of W to W racing in SCCA.

At that time each race weekend cost them $800-$1000 and they were not competitive as they didn't cheat.

The cheaters got to division level and then their cars got slower as protests were far more common.

One group sold an ITA prepared RX2 to a lady and then protested what they had done to the car to strip her of a win.

Competition has become "what you can get away with" more than "How good a builder/driver you are".

The game is no fun this way IMO! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)

[Superhawk996]

Did some fabrication, build, and crew on this one. Formula Continental (wings not in this photo)



I can assure you motorcycles are no cheaper than race than cars.

[Ninja]

I built a NICE MSM Miata for a buddy.

He's a lifetime member at MSR (nice track near me).

I asked "When are you going to take the MSM out?"

He said "Never".

Me "WTF-why?"

His reply "It's not fast until your knee is touching, sometimes the elbow touches too."

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/new_shocked.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/new_shocked.gif)

Yep, I'm NOT that guy!

The motorcycle crowd is CRAZY!

[Ninja]

Got me again!
I only posted once!

[East coaster]

I should’ve added that I’m not looking to win races, just have some fun and be on the track. I understand that to be competitive is different than running in the pack, but I’m ok with not trying to win anything (he says now…lol).

[Superhawk996]

I should’ve added that I’m not looking to win races, just have some fun and be on the track. I understand that to be competitive is different than running in the pack, but I’m ok with not trying to win anything (he says now…lol).

Still expensive to be non-competitive.

Here’s what I’ve learned over the years.

Doing track days (car or motorcycles) is about 1/2 the cost and 80% of the fun. Sure you don’t get the red fog of competition but it’s still almost as much fun.

There is also a whole lot less likelihood of having some wanker that arrived in a $2M diesel pusher motor home total your car due to a boneheaded pass attempt. While you’re in the pits trying to assess your damage that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) head simply pulls the second car from his trailer and goes about his weekend.

YMMV. Was around this game a long time and have seen a lot of (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bootyshake.gif) clowns as Ninja stated. It eventually got real old for me.

[wonkipop]

hill climbing is a fun way to do track time. without bumping wheels.

i notice a lot of vintage formula vee cars have lived on down here as hill climb cars.
i think it would be fun to run a f v car wherever.
i imagine its the same in USA as here. as a historic series specs are strictly controlled. engines are very "stock" - restricted to single carb i believe from what i have seen.

[johnhora]

Agree with the guys above...W to W racing is expensive $$$...BTDT
even the entry fees are crazy now...

Try doing some PCA HPDE....you can get plenty of track time and see if you really want to go to the next step.

"The Porsche Club of America (PCA) offers high-performance driver education (DE) events in the NJ region primarily through the Northern New Jersey Region (NNJR) and Schattenbaum Region, with events frequently held at New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP). These events cater to all skill levels, featuring in-car coaching for novices on both Thunderbolt and Lightning circuits"

[GregAmy]

New England Region SCCA has an annual "Open Wheel Experience" where someone who does not have racing experience can try it out in a Formula Vee. And the FV group up here is REALLY strong and a good group of people.

If you're interested in learning more, send a note to Jeff Adams.

https://ner.org/region-contacts/

[Chris914n6]

Does not getting FTD because of a lady running one count (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[brant]

Thinking about getting into a Formula Vee car, any insights/advice?

formula Vee is a great vintage class
I don’t run in it but considered it
Tires last most of a season and in vintage they are good to run mid pack

Not too many cheaters. As not any trophy’s.

I decided to go club ford.
With a 76

Similar reasons. Slightly more suspension and power

[Alain V.]

pretty much what everyone has already said is right on the money......between rich guys tearing up your stuff, cheating, and the week end costs, I'm glad I quit club racing years ago. Did it for about a decade and it was fun but I think a bad drug habit would have been cheaper. I also got tired of the little "clickish politics" and the rich guys beating up my equipment with zero reprecussions. One time, I had an asshat t-bone me one at a track AFTER we had gotten the checker flag & the race was over. This guy was a back marker who never even ran within 10 seconds of me there. He never noticed the checker flag and drove right in to me as I was waving at the wrokers in turn 3. Did thousands of damage to my car as he hit me full on in the right rear wheel/quarter. scca=spoiled children crashing automobiles

[East coaster]

Great feedback, Thanks! I live about 4 miles from the NJMP track and track days would be fine for a while. I’ve done gocarts there and it’s making me want more (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[dhuckabay]

Steal a mans wallet he is broke for a week.

Give him a race car he is broke for a lifetime.

I have proved this true.

[SKL1]

I crewed for one of my best friends back in the early to mid '70's with a Vee. Had a great time but I'm sure it has changed considerably since then!
I raced SRF and spec Miata for many years with my two boys at various tracks through out the midwest in SCCA. Had a blast, though must admit racing shifterkarts was really fun, but VERY hard on the body!! Realized after a while it was cheaper to race the spec Miata but some of the thrills weren't the same.
My older son raced a Formula Enterprise in SCCA for a few years and that was a serious racecar. Must admit I was glad when he'd get done with a race in one piece, especially at Road America. He sold it when his first kid was born...

You could have a lot of fun in a vintage FV.

[worn]

Thinking about getting into a Formula Vee car, any insights/advice?

Have fun before all else besides be safe. Oh, I hope you have a good time as I have always admired these cars.

[bkrantz]

I should’ve added that I’m not looking to win races, just have some fun and be on the track. I understand that to be competitive is different than running in the pack, but I’m ok with not trying to win anything (he says now…lol).

Still expensive to be non-competitive.

Here’s what I’ve learned over the years.

Doing track days (car or motorcycles) is about 1/2 the cost and 80% of the fun. Sure you don’t get the red fog of competition but it’s still almost as much fun.

There is also a whole lot less likelihood of having some wanker that arrived in a $2M diesel pusher motor home total your car due to a boneheaded pass attempt. While you’re in the pits trying to assess your damage that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) head simply pulls the second car from his trailer and goes about his weekend.

YMMV. Was around this game a long time and have seen a lot of (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bootyshake.gif) clowns as Ninja stated. It eventually got real old for me.

Yes, but the red (or even pink) fog is something else.

Even at an advanced level, track days and competitive time trials are about you, your car, and the perfect lap. That is certainly a challenge, and fun, and can be less risky--especially if you don't push for limits.

But contesting for track position is another motor sport. Many of the same skills apply, but also much more, including strategy and even psychology. Yes, plenty of wankers, especially in less strictly enforced clubs.

As for Formula Vee, I never did it but the guys involved seemed more laid back and cooperative than other classes--at least back in the 1990s and 2000s. Also slow, by nature of car design rules.