DOUG @ ECS

I took a close look at that car too, looks like a lot of fun for sure! Honestly, the price doesn't seem that out of line to me, maybe out of my budget, but not out of line for what you get.

racerwannabe

speed costs money,it's just a matter of how fast ,do you wanna go!!!

Johnny

SIK02SS

Oh, I agree. I thought the 1000 motors were the basic crate engines, to get a runoff engine was upwards of 5k. The worst problem with them is if you spin and you don't get the clutch engaged in time, both the motor and trans fail, that can get expensive when you add it up. I love the Stohrs...maybe one day

Everett Ogilvie

According to the article in Grassroots Motorsports it turned a 01:44.96 to take 1st place at VIR during the 2009 Hankook Ultimate Track Car Challenge. I can't speak to the track configuration (assuming there are options?). I don't know how this time compares to track records or various classes at VIR.

Wren

We run in FB in a car that we manufacturer in my buddy's backyard(full cnc shop and everything), so we do use the stock motors, and can usually turn a profit buying wrecked bikes and selling the bits off. The DSR guys are buying built motors, but if someone bought one for a track day car, there would not be a need.

I've never heard of damaging the motor and trans from turning them backwards. If you don't get the clutch in you will destroy the starter since it is always engaged, and we have destroyed some of those, so we have definitely run the motor backwards, but a new starter was all we needed to get going again.

Wren

It's about 2 seconds faster than what a good stohr turns on the same course (they used full course for that). Not too shabby for a 400HP difference with a factory driver.

drivinhard

1:44 is hauling the mail

RAFTRACER

1:44 is STOOOOPID FAST @ VIR......actually anything under 2:00 is really,really fast......1:44 makes my 1:54 look like it was ran on a tricycle.....

SIK02SS

Nice. Ya I agree, leave the boutique motors for the serious competitors. Before I got into T1 this year I was looking at either S2 or DSR, and one of the local DSR guys was telling me about the spinning part...but maybe he has slow reaction times to put both feet in, dunno. All i know is i'd love to drive one!

Chris_B

I also saw this at PRI. Upon close inspection, it is not overpriced at all.

Wren

They are amazing cars. When I've talked to sedan drivers at the track, they seem to have this impression that formula cars and sports racers are somehow going almost 200 mph to turn the times they do. People who have spent all of their time in sedans don't have a concept of just how fast one of these cars is going to go through a corner. 3G's and 1000 #s is a recipe for success.

Consumables are often cheaper too. I have been amazed at what some guys spend on just brakes to drive in the faster sedan classes.

I should probably stop hijacking the thread.

Back to my original question- People actually buy $200k cars to just drive around the track?

Everett Ogilvie

I did.

I did not originally buy my car to drive on track. I bought it as an exotic, high performance car, with a cool factor. When I realized I could not approach the performance of the car on the streets I decided to try a track day courtesy of Katech. Now I am hooked, and though I don't get to go very often, I love it and plan on continuing to go whenever I can. I am always upgrading the car, with track performance optimization as the criteria. I would not do wheel to wheel with my car, but track days are perfect for my desire to improve my skills and to experience some of what the car is capable of.

Chris_B

Apparently enough as there are several new cars coming next year in this category. The economy isn't bad for everyone. In fact, some are thriving right now.

Racer2B

I think you might have misunderstood what the term means.

There are Formula cars, which are open wheel, and Sports racers (or DP style) which are closed wheeled, but feature very similar chassis and suspensions, as well as drivetrain layouts. They are normally open cockpit, but some are not closed cockpit, which is a bit safer in some respects.

There are GT cars that will be close to a DSR, but that's mostly on the longer tracks where they can make up a lot of room on the straights...although with the cornering speed and late braking abilities with the Sports Racers, its tough to beat.

There are a lot of solid Sports Racer alternatives out there now, but the prices have doubled and tripled in the last 5 or so years as the aero work has become fairly complex.

Wren

I understand the terms quite well. A sports racer would be a solid alternative to this car I would think. It's going to be just as fast with much lower buy in and running costs. Plus, you can go race it and see how good you actually are. I am all for the competition.

I still don't get paying $200k for a car that is just to tool around in. Everett explained why he does it, which I appreciate.

TLGunman

Keep in mind, the TDC is a full size car, that has the option for a second seat, not a scaled down single seater, like most sports racers. Plus, if someone wanted, you could tag a TDC as a kit car, and drive it to and from the track.

You can race the TDC too, that car that was on display at PRI gets raced on a regular basis.

Another market the car was designed for, is the country club race track. They can purchase a few TDC for members to drive, instead of risking their Ferrari/Lamborghini/Porsche/Mosler, etc. The second seat allows for ride-alongs with a pro-driver, or a thrill ride for your buddy or trophy wife/girlfriend/mistress...

manicheus

I am guessing the lexan windows and composite body will withstand some hard blows by a golf club...just in case.

timd38

That's why I will never go that fast!