Set-ups, Notes & Docs
Like the title says. All the tib bits I will learn over time will be placed here.
Exhaust - Race Oil System - Race Fuel System
Custom Roll Cage - Canton Accusump Oil Accumulator - AMB TranX260
AutoPower Roll Bar - ATL SP108 Fuel Cell - Feed The Fiat
Topics for further detailing
Safety Upgrades & Required Racing Hardware
- Custom Roll Cage
- AMB TranX260 Transponder
- AutoPower Roll Bar (Project replaced by roll cage) Roll Bar Sold
- ATL SP108 Fuel Cell
- Kirkey 47 Series - Intermediate Road Race Seat
- FIA Race Harness
- Wheels & Tires
- Wheel Studs
- Race Car Electrical System
- G-Force Race Belts (Expired)
Engine
- Race Oil System
- Canton Accusump Oil Accumulator
- Carb Upgrade (10 Oct 2009 removed choke cable with new webers)
- Exhaust (Completed 12 April 2011)
- Ignition
- Fluids & Other
Other Notes
- Used Open Low Trailer, Winch & Towing Hardware
- Race Day Paddock Kit
Notes from Andrew FIAT Sedan #124
The VARAC festival weekend is one of the more expensive weekends.
The entry fee for a typical two-day weekend is $325.
The next biggest weekend expense is towing to and from the track. A big pick
up truck with a box trailer is expensive on fuel. A small car on a
open, single axle trailer, behind a family car --- not too bad. On
a race weekend, I bring a cooler, a portable BBQ, and camp at the track. Not
quite as comfortable as an RV, but the expense of maintaining an RV, and bringing
it to the track is too rich for me.
My sedan will use about 50 litres of fuel on a typical weekend. Not bad if
you can use 93 pump fuel (~$50). Build a 11, 12 or 13 compression engine and
you'll need 110 octane fuel at 3.5$/litre or ~$175 in race fuel for the weekend.
A decent street motor is the way to go - it will also last longer better rebuilds.
Heck, I had one motor that I was added a litre of oil every 20 minute session.
I can squeeze a season or even two seasons out of a set of race tires. Depending
on the car, tire wear will occur at certain spots. For my car, the worst wear
is the left front tire, on the outside shoulder. So, I keep rotating the tires
to position each outside shoulder through that spot. Mind you, my car is relatively
heavy, and if I am aggressive, I can wreck a tire pretty quickly. So I am
careful to rotate the tire away from the wear spot before it becomes critical.
Also, the lighter the car, the easier the car is on tires. Another reason
to look for a small/light car.
I own my own transponder. Rental fee is pretty steep. - Look for a used one.
Your initial outlay for safety gear is pretty steep. Full nomex suit, shoes,
gloves, helmet, 5 or 6 point harness, HANS device (although the latter isn't
mandatory yet). Helmet and harness are dated, and need to be replaced every
5 years - so buy new. I would also buy the HANS device new. Also, expect to
spend about 200$/yr in race license and club fees.
Cost-wise, being able to maintain your car is the way to go. Also, find a
car that you can source parts for relatively inexpensively. I use an awful
lot of used parts on my car. The biggest issues tend to be ignition and fuel
supply issues. I carry complete ignition and fuel supply spares. Don't forget
to factor that into your costs.