2005 Mazda3.
There's an old saying in motorsports: "To make a small fortune in racing, start with a large fortune". Yep, it's expensive. But for some, the bug might be too much to ignore, yet how do you get on the grid without losing your shirt?
Look to the grassroots level. The Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC) starts its 14-race calendar this year on the Victoria Day weekend at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park; the organization estimates that, for its entry level Touring Class, a driver will spend almost $20,000 minimum for the year. Not exactly cheap, but in the realm of racing, it's a relative bargain, especially if you're the kind that enjoys turning your own wrenches.
Of course, that price also includes the car; to keep costs low, you'll get a low-priced, used set of wheels, then you and your buddies will strip it down and build it up. But which one will get you the checkered flag without going in the red? There's no one better to ask than CTCC founder John Bondar, who's been in the sport for more than 30 years. Don't forget: a manual transmission is mandatory, but because you should be rebuilding your mechanicals, mileage and recalls aren't really a factor in your decision. If you hurry, you just might make it to the starting row this year.
SENSIBLE
2001 and up Mini Cooper S, from $4,000
"The Mini is kind of rare on race tracks here in North America, but there are still a number of performance parts available, primarily coming from Europe. They're not hard to get; the car is popular for racing over there. Ordering and getting them shipped here is no big deal.
"But because of that, the parts are a bit more expensive; it's an entry level car, but you will need a little more budget. There are a variety of engines available, but you'll want to stick with the turbocharged or supercharged engines if you want to be competitive."
Mazda3, any year, from $1,800
"The Mazda3 is another good model. The Mazda products are very popular in North America, and the key reason is that Mazda has gotten behind racing their cars with Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development. They have developed a program of performance parts and even a number of race series in the States, and it's made for some great racing. It's also made it relatively affordable, with the knowledge that Mazda is backing their cars. Mazda makes available a whole list of performance parts, so you don't have to go to the local performance shop, you just go online and order everything you need and bolt them on. It's a really effective program.
"It's also a great handling car, very reliable, and it's got good power."
INDISPENSABLE
2006 and up Honda Civic, from $3,000
"I'm a Honda guy; I've raced a number of them and I've built them. I've found it very easy to put one together, primarily just because of the parts availability. There are so many aftermarket parts available for the Honda Civic that you really have your pick: for example, with a racing shock, you can go economical or go crazy.
"And it's used a lot in the amateur ranks around the world, so it's easy to get information on setting it up and tuning your motor over the internet. The Civic is a popular car in our Touring Class and even in the Super Touring, the next level up, so it's even easy to get advice right at the track.
"It's at the top of my list for an entry level car."
QUESTIONABLE
"The Toyota Corolla has not been a good product for the race track. We've had people try, but it just doesn't work out. It doesn't have a rich history of motorsport, so parts availability is limited and the motors haven't been stress tested for the track so they tend not to be reliable; it's just not a strong car for motorsport."
For more information on getting started in motorsports, visit the CTCC's website at touringcar.ca or other local motorsport organizations in your area.
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