My dad needs a V8... - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

My dad, who is 57, started doing HPDE's about 12 years ago with me in his 97 Camaro (I had an 91 MR2 Turbo). In 05, he sold the Camaro because he bought an 05 Lotus Elise. Unfortunately, he has never really understood how to get that little car to get around a race track. I don't really understand why he has such a hard time, but his recent spin (a couple of years ago) has sucked any confidence that he had out of him. I feel like he's so intimated by the car, that even after 6 years, he's not enjoying himself.

This past weekend, we were at an open track day at VIR and he told me that he's not sure how many more of these things he's going to do. Now, let me tell you that me, my dad, my brother, and my mom have had so many memories at race tracks. Me and my brother have a serious passion for the track. I thought my dad shared the same, but yesterday I realized that he doesn't.

He asked me to go for a ride with him and I saw that he's doing really well, but he's still driving the Elise like its a Camaro, not like the mid engine, low hp car that it is. Even after 6 years, he can't break his habits. I then took him for a ride in the Camaro. Now, this was his car, with the same 396 LT1 that he had, but I did suspension work, C5 brakes, gutted the interior, and track tires. He was absolutely blown away with the performance of the car. He kept talking about how much he misses the massive torque the car has.

This got me thinking. I have felt for a while that he's not enjoying himself as much as I think he could be. He loves being out there with his sons, and we absolutely love having him with us. But I'm thinking he needs a good old American V8 again.

Learn me Corvettes. I think that a Z06 C5 would make a good car that he could drive around on the weekends along with the occasional track day. And the best part is that a fairly low mileage Z06 is only in the low $20's. A regular C5 is like $15k. I think that would still be enough car for him to enjoy.

I know C6's are amazing cars. But is it worth the extra cost? They are in the low $30's from what I've found.

I talked to my brother and we both agree that he could possibly give up track days for good. But the reason is because he's not comfortable in his car and the weekend ends up being a stressful weekend of work, instead of an enjoyable one with his kids. If we give him just a little push, he could end up in a car that he is more comfortable in, and therefore will enjoy many more track days with his family.

I thought of recommending an LS1 Camaro, but they require too much work to the suspension to be enjoyable. How are C5s? Is the C6 worth the money?

I brought up the idea of selling the Elise and getting a C6 Z06 and he was interested in what I had to say. I'd like to have more information for him and let him make the decision. Being in the right car will at least give him the chance to really be able to enjoy this hobby. If after this he still isn't into it, then fine, at least we know it wasn't because he's in the wrong car.

What do you guys think?
Steve

His is the red one.

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/Camaro/2011-12-18_13-52-38_757.jpg)

Steve91T View Member Profile	Dec 20 2011, 06:12 AM Post #1
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,038 Joined: 3-March 10 From: Huntersville, NC Member No.: 9,105	My dad, who is 57, started doing HPDE's about 12 years ago with me in his 97 Camaro (I had an 91 MR2 Turbo). In 05, he sold the Camaro because he bought an 05 Lotus Elise. Unfortunately, he has never really understood how to get that little car to get around a race track. I don't really understand why he has such a hard time, but his recent spin (a couple of years ago) has sucked any confidence that he had out of him. I feel like he's so intimated by the car, that even after 6 years, he's not enjoying himself. This past weekend, we were at an open track day at VIR and he told me that he's not sure how many more of these things he's going to do. Now, let me tell you that me, my dad, my brother, and my mom have had so many memories at race tracks. Me and my brother have a serious passion for the track. I thought my dad shared the same, but yesterday I realized that he doesn't. He asked me to go for a ride with him and I saw that he's doing really well, but he's still driving the Elise like its a Camaro, not like the mid engine, low hp car that it is. Even after 6 years, he can't break his habits. I then took him for a ride in the Camaro. Now, this was his car, with the same 396 LT1 that he had, but I did suspension work, C5 brakes, gutted the interior, and track tires. He was absolutely blown away with the performance of the car. He kept talking about how much he misses the massive torque the car has. This got me thinking. I have felt for a while that he's not enjoying himself as much as I think he could be. He loves being out there with his sons, and we absolutely love having him with us. But I'm thinking he needs a good old American V8 again. Learn me Corvettes. I think that a Z06 C5 would make a good car that he could drive around on the weekends along with the occasional track day. And the best part is that a fairly low mileage Z06 is only in the low $20's. A regular C5 is like $15k. I think that would still be enough car for him to enjoy. I know C6's are amazing cars. But is it worth the extra cost? They are in the low $30's from what I've found. I talked to my brother and we both agree that he could possibly give up track days for good. But the reason is because he's not comfortable in his car and the weekend ends up being a stressful weekend of work, instead of an enjoyable one with his kids. If we give him just a little push, he could end up in a car that he is more comfortable in, and therefore will enjoy many more track days with his family. I thought of recommending an LS1 Camaro, but they require too much work to the suspension to be enjoyable. How are C5s? Is the C6 worth the money? I brought up the idea of selling the Elise and getting a C6 Z06 and he was interested in what I had to say. I'd like to have more information for him and let him make the decision. Being in the right car will at least give him the chance to really be able to enjoy this hobby. If after this he still isn't into it, then fine, at least we know it wasn't because he's in the wrong car. What do you guys think? Steve His is the red one. (IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/Camaro/2011-12-18_13-52-38_757.jpg)

Blainefab View Member Profile	Dec 20 2011, 09:04 AM Post #2
I build race cars Group: Advanced Members Posts: 4,748 Joined: 31-August 05 From: Central coast, CA Member No.: 874	My only time in an Elise was at Cal Speedway, in the passenger seat. Boring. I could tell it went around corners well, but so does a Miata. I bought a 99 C5 FRC new, while I was leaning to RR my Camaro. I'd instruct in the Vette in the off season, and did a lot of Autox with it. Pretty steep learning curve. With only shocks, tires, brake pads, tires and an alignment the Vette was faster than the race car for several seasons. Easy to drive close to the limit, very responsive to small changes in setup. It also made a good daily driver and got over 30mpg on road trips. Sold it at 105Kmi.

cccbock View Member Profile	Dec 20 2011, 01:51 PM Post #3
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 934 Joined: 7-March 06 Member No.: 1,113	I personally have gone through this mental exercise and am about the same age as your dad (54). I have romanced the Vette idea for years but have yet to act on it. My car is similar to yours but a 383 and still street legal. No way I would be happy with a Lotus, so I see your point. Glitzy but no fun. It may be a little odd to hear this on this forum but in this scenario I think your dad might enjoy a later model Mustang if you are not solely stuck on GM. They make oodles of parts for the things and they handle as well as F-cars, often better. It can be a little cheaper than going the Vette road...and fairly easy to work on. If you don't go crazy with it, it will still carry four people and/or a bunch of groceries. Just another angle.