Race car options - Boxster, S2 or 968

[benspeeder]

The SCCA has classed the 97-99 Boxster, 944 S2 and 968 in ITR.

Weights are:

Boxster 2830

S2 2810

968 3055

I'm curious what folks think would be the best performing car, easiest/toughest to develop and the most costly to race.

Thanks for the feedback in advance.

Ben

[gandrade1]

Anyone???

Sounds like an interesting topic....Sorry not to be able to contribute other than as a spectator.

All the best,

Gus

[benspeeder]

Wow - surprised no replies on this one. Must be a bunch of garage queens on this board.....poke poke

[Loren]

S2 seems to be the most popular. Fairly inexpensive.

In SCCA you can usually tell the best cars to race by looking at the previous years results.

[Rixter]

all 3 would make nice track cars...

weight can be changed very easy, just strip stuff off

as for performance, everything being equal I would take the 968 as it has more hp (though parts are more scarce if you wreck it)

the S2 is the same as most any other 944, lots of off the shelf mods available make sure it has the M030 option if you're going to be serious about tracking

boxster - not a big fan of the boxster, they handle pretty well, have decent hp, not that many off the shelf mods to increase hp significantly... has a tendency to act like a top if you spin out since a large portion of the weight is in the center of the car

if you're going to track a street car make sure you have track insurance

[benspeeder]

Thanks guys - I'm leaning towards a 968. Trying to hunt one down :-)

[savowood]

I tend to lean toward the Boxster in that list. It really depends on the course. I like the balance of all three, but the motor and relative newness of the Boxster makes it a better option for me. Also, with the SpecBoxster series taking off so well, performance parts and even donor cars are getting cheaper.

Having spun both a 944 and a Boxster, I don't find the experience to be that much different. I think I was able to get back rolling faster with the Boxster based on the fact that it didn't travel much in the spin. However, my first recommendation is to not spin. :P

I'd say you should look at the lap times at the tracks you wan to compete on. If the Boxster is pulling faster times, go for that. If the 944 is the king, go for that. Personally, at Summit Point, the Boxster tends to seriously outrun the 944/968 (both in stock trim). I haven't seen a race trim Boxster out there, but I think it could turn times a little faster than the SuperCup cars. It also depends on the driver.

-Michael

Edited November 19, 2008 by savowood

[flash968]

yeah - a lot of this one is subjective

there is more stuff out there for the boxster, but, well, it's a boxster - out of the box though it's probably the best driver, though the most expensive - it's going to be pricey to set up as a race car, due to the cage requirements

the 968 is a very well balanced car, and very easy to drive fast - i'm partial to that one, and now don't feel like i'm giving anything up to the boxster, even in cab form

the S2 is the budget buggy - pretty much the same limits as the 968 for aftermarket stuff, but easier to drive than the boxster, a lot more forgiving, and can be VERY light if you work at it, giving you the option for adding a lot of cage that would cost you in weight in the boxster

[benspeeder]

OK - I located and purchased a 1992 968 that is in excellent condition besides some roadblast on the nose. Owned for 12 years and well cared for by the seller. Car has the M030 brake upgrade, MO3O suspension, koni yellows, chip, strut bar, custom ram air intake, LSD, ac delete, cruise delete, carbon fiber sunroof. Custom exhaust with no cats. Needs a header. So its got some nice stuff on it to start with.

So now I two potential cars for ITR in the garage - the Boxster and 968. I may bring them to LRP for a shootout running them on the same wheels and tires to see which car suits me best. But I'm leaning towards the 968. I'm going to put the collector plates on it so it won't need to pass inspection in NJ and drive it a little.

I'll keep folks posted.

Anybody with some 968 race experience - please give a holler.

Ben