Thinking about buying a rocco 16v for a track car

[docwyte at comcast.net (DocWyte)]

I'd be using it as an HPDE and NASA Time trials car.  If I go wheel to 
wheel, I'll probably build a Spec E30.  However, I don't have a truck or 
a trailer, so the car has to remain street legal.  Some of the tracks 
are a good distance away, so that means working AC and a radio are a 
must.  I'm not driving from Denver to Salt Lake City in the summer 
without AC! 

I'm not a novice driver, I instruct for several of the car clubs 
already.  While I'd love to have a porsche or M3 as a track car, it 
comes down to what I'm willing to lose if I auger the car into a wall.  
I'd rather write off a cheaper rocco than a $10k M3 or $15-20k Porsche.

The other car I'm considering is an E30 325is and E30 318is.  Obvious 
advantages are rwd and a limited slip rear diff...

Brad Sterling wrote:
> Define track car.  Are we talking an otherwise street legal car that you'll
> use for the occasional HPDE/autocross or a trailered car that's been
> maximized within the guidelines for a class of a race series (e.g. SCCA, 1/4
> mile, etc.)?   If it's the first, it could be good fun, although you'll have
> to come to terms with being out powered at an HPDE.  If it's the second, I'm
> speculating, but would guess that a Scirocco could be a poor choice.
> Depending on class guidelines, you could be going up against newer 16v four
> bangers which will have a tech advantage (e.g. newer chassis, better FI,
> LSD, etc.).  Also, just thinking about the mantra of "speed costs money, how
> fast do you want to go?", go fast parts are harder to come by and more
> expensive for a Scirocco compared to something like an A1 Rabbit or A2 Golf
> (keeping it in the VW family).  Neither are as exciting to look at or own,
> but would be cheaper to buy and maintain.  Overall, if you're just getting
> started, I think a Scirocco would work well, because the weakest part of any
> car will be the part that connects the seat and the steering wheel (at
> least, that's the weakest part in my car).  But if you're experienced and
> are looking to compete at top levels, I'm not convinced it's the right tool.
>
> -Brad
> '86 Scirocco 16v
>
>