i wanna race...im new what do i do?

[Wanna_b_rcr]

ok this isnt a new thing for me...forums..the flaming, the moronic questions all of it. Neways im new at this whole car thing. First of fall I dont know basically nething bout cars. well somethings but not alot. I wanna make my ride look good with a decent system but i would rather put the money into my performace,engine, basically the tuning and parts category. Im not sure what does what on a car. Well i dont know where to get 'certain parts.' Ive seen all of the parts that you can put on the inside/outside to make it look good. seats, shift knobs, etc. But I wanna some of the 'under the hood' parts that would really boost performance. I wanna manually change my gear ratio. Fix my own suspension and that kind of stuff or really to make it easier get it done. I would like a honda prelude vtec to start with. I always wanted one. I figure that i would get a used one for about 5k and work on that to start so just in case it 'blows' or what not its ok ( well not really but i wont have a heart attack if i bought a brand new one and then it 'blew') neways if you have ne suggestions where i can learn about those 'certain parts' that arent ur everyday parts then post. Or if you know where i can look up these car parts and learn more about them then ne suggestions would be appreciated, later.

 

[1X83Z]

You're in Virginia? Race Talentless. He drives his parents' Accord.

 

[advanR]

what type of racing? i can help you if you wish to do real racing. ala gt3. i also suggest you do so. it is very fun to develop the skills it takes to race a car.

however you race, think hard about the car you purchase and make sure you get a good example. definately get it looked at first so you dont buy someone elses problem.

 

[quicksilver1122]

Didn't someone post a similiar request like this in the past?

Anyway, my advice: take a class and don't try to do something you don't know. You'll just mess everything up. Some of the things you want to do, would take a lot of know how, so you're going to need to get that stuff done by a proper mechanic. Or you can just become one after years of training via classes. :-p

You also... want too much (bad choice of words, but oh well)... If, like you said, you don't know anything about cars, start small. ..Pleas don't go in trying to replace your transmission or something before you know what you are doing.. Unless you're like that guy, forget his name, who just memorized where everything was and how something looked like it should be fitted on..

 

[NightKid]

My advice is to take an automechanics course at some local technical college. Shouldn't be too expensive, and will give you a good handle on automechanics and modding.

Also, "Autorepair for Dummies" is a good guidebook for the beginner.

If you're looking to do large scale overhauling of your entire engine by yourself....wait a few years, until you're sure of your knowledge. Engines are expensive to fix if you break them.

As for racing....look for local autocross events. I'm sure you'll find racers there who'd be willing to help out a newbie.

 

[Duke]

I was just going to say that.

Don't start by modifying the car at all, particularly if you don't know what you're doing. Buy a good handling, basic car - a clean Prelude like you mention would be fine, but look at and drive a loy of cars.

Go to the SCCA website at www.scca.org and look into autocross, which is a solo driving competition, typically run at speeds under 60 mph, on courses marked out with safety cones on an empty parking lot or airfield. It's a fantastic way to learn about cars and competition driving in a safe environment with minimal risk to the car or you.

However, the enthusiasts take it very seriously, and it will be a great place to learn about how a car works and how to tune it for maximum performance within a set of rules and (usually) a reasonable budget.

 

[Joey D]

Or if your in to street racing I'm the guy to talk to here. But let me just say if your going to start off with not a lot of money buy something that is made for racing. Or something with more power. A old camaro would do the trick or a mustang. You can get them cheap and there are a ton of mods for em.

The best way to learn about stuff is just ask around. Someone will give you a hand. Just ask questions...its the only way you learn.

 

[Nightmage82]

Originally posted by neon_duke
However, the enthusiasts take it very seriously

thats one thing that i dislike about serious car clubs. i mean yeah don't piss around but those guys are completely obsessed by everything and a lot of them consider their ride to be the best in the world. clearly there are some good people around but that has been my experience.

though i too would recommend you go and learn how to drive on a track (racing lines, proper shifting etc) before you start modifying anything. that way once you have your car you will know exactly what to modify to make it drive the way you want it to.

i wouldn't recommend street racing though, one of my mum's colleagues from work was killed a few days ago by a street racer on a parking lot, it isn't without risks to yourselves or others.

 

[NightKid]

Street racing is illegal. If you really really must do it, then do it on totally deserted roads....or better yet, abandoned airstrips.

And don't even think of street racing until you are VERY sure of your skills. It's extremely dangerous and you WILL get hurt or killed unless you are at the peak of your driving talent.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by NightKid
Street racing is illegal.

In most states, it is illegal to have your license plate less than 12 inches off the ground. By this "logic," all drivers of current-model Subaru Imprezas should be ticketed as soon as they buy their car, as should (I think) stock Camaro drivers with front plates.

 

[Joey D]

street racing is illegal yes but still fun

 

[NightKid]

I'm not against street racing; I plan to take part in it some day myself. I'm just saying it's illegal.

 

[Joey D]

its fun just be careful

 

[NightKid]

Hell yeah. At those speeds, unless you're a very good driver, you'll get splattered all over the highway.

 

[Joey D]

racing isn't as fast as people think...most races are under 100 mph.

 

[NightKid]

That's still fast enough to thrash your car if you're not careful.

 

[Joey D]

ya true but I hate it when people think your going like 150 on public streets. Damn Fast and Furious

 

[NightKid]

Hehe, welcome to the movies.

 

[Joey D]

ya they kill everyone's perception on things...oh well.

 

[Shinez]

I love, how the movies portray people actually blocking streets off to do this....That's retarded, and if people actually do that they're asking to be busted..-.-;;

 

[NightKid]

Blocking off streets would actually make it safer, I would think. Easier to get arrested maybe, but safer for other drivers.

 

[SaleenASL]

Originally posted by BlazinXtreme
racing isn't as fast as people think...most races are under 100 mph.

I know, it's not that fast. You'll have pleanty of time to react, driving at speeds near 100MPH, at night.

But I think we've beaten this horse well beyond its death...

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by SaleenASL
I know, it's not that fast. You'll have pleanty of time to react, driving at speeds near 100MPH, at night.

Definitely. That's not over-driving your headlights.

 

[Vasco]

Actually Shinez, they do that here in Australia sometimes, and don't let drivers past until the race is over or the police come...

 

[wee_man]

Originally posted by BlazinXtreme
Or if your in to street racing I'm the guy to talk to here. But let me just say if your going to start off with not a lot of money buy something that is made for racing. Or something with more power. A old camaro would do the trick or a mustang. You can get them cheap and there are a ton of mods for em.

The best way to learn about stuff is just ask around. Someone will give you a hand. Just ask questions...its the only way you learn.

He's also raised another good point. If you're willing to learn about how a car works and make all the changes on it yourself, and as you said you are in a budget, maybe something like an old Comaro and Mustang are better, because they're not very hi-tech and complicated with electronics and computers like Japanese cars (not saying the Prelude is, just a general statement). If something goes wrong on a Japanese car like the engine management then unless you know how to fix it yourself (hmmmm...) your going to have to take it to a garage and it will probably cost you a lot. Where as with something like an old Camaro, with the right know how you can work on it yourself and on quite a few occasion you could probably repair it yourself. You can also probably alter it very easily yourself.
It might help if you could get a mate who knows a bit about cars to possibly teach you and help you out. Maybe split the car with him initially, like take turns to drive. That way you'll have some incaling at what to do.
Also try and get along to a few race meetings to get an idea at how the proffesionals do it e.g. racing lines, so how they work in the pits etc. And try and get Gran Turismo if you have a Play Station or PS2, because you could fiddle around with set-ups on there and with that you can learn what each part does and what effect it has on the car.
Hope any of that helps.

 

[Joey D]

Ya street racing has been beat to death

 

[Nightmage82]

Originally posted by wee_man
He's also raised another good point. If you're willing to learn about how a car works and make all the changes on it yourself, and as you said you are in a budget, maybe something like an old Comaro and Mustang are better, because they're not very hi-tech and complicated with electronics and computers like Japanese cars (not saying the Prelude is, just a general statement). If something goes wrong on a Japanese car like the engine management then unless you know how to fix it yourself (hmmmm...) your going to have to take it to a garage and it will probably cost you a lot. Where as with something like an old Camaro, with the right know how you can work on it yourself and on quite a few occasion you could probably repair it yourself. You can also probably alter it very easily yourself.
It might help if you could get a mate who knows a bit about cars to possibly teach you and help you out. Maybe split the car with him initially, like take turns to drive. That way you'll have some incaling at what to do.
Also try and get along to a few race meetings to get an idea at how the proffesionals do it e.g. racing lines, so how they work in the pits etc. And try and get Gran Turismo if you have a Play Station or PS2, because you could fiddle around with set-ups on there and with that you can learn what each part does and what effect it has on the car.
Hope any of that helps.

some good points there

 

[ShobThaBob]

Ive been to several street races here in houston where they blocked off the streets. Not that they really needed to, they were in pretty desolate parts of town.

 

[skylineGTR_guy]

I agree with most of whats been said here....just learn to control your car when it is stock first....if you throw too much crap on it you'll be overwhelmed and will probably wreck....If you can try getting like a 600 dollar junker and practice out on an abandoned roadway late at night so you can get used to driving technique, racing lines etc. afterwards you can use the junker to learn to drift.....thats the next thing I'm going to try...especailly after all those initial d episodes....and since it only cost you like 600 bucks insurance will be cheap and you dont have to worry about dents and scratches while you are learning...so by the time you get your prelude or whatever you can be more confident that your not gonna make n00b mistakes.....

 

[Joey D]

Don't go out drifting. Its so freaking dangerous. At least with street racing its going straight.