Now that some draft rules are posted, who is considering building for late '08 and 2009?

Jon, it's gonna take a while to build the series. Why not build a GTS2 or GTS3 car? Tona of competition already.

One symbol and one symbol only: $$$

I'll admit that I am interested in something new and different, but I gravitate to series where I know that the dollars will be kept in check. I think that Spec E30 has (for the most part) done a good job at it and I think that Spec3 has a recipe to build upon that mentality while providing a slightly faster car

Jon, it's gonna take a while to build the series. Why not build a GTS2 or GTS3 car? Tona of competition already.

A spec3 maximized for GTS2 (weight, chipped, used diff w/lower gearing to sell off later, etc) would be a competitive car while waiting around for more spec3 competition. Would think power to weight of (low) 15 would be achievable with easily and cheaply being able to switch back to spec3 rules.

We still having beers tonight Jon?? :)

A spec3 maximized for GTS2 (weight, chipped, used diff w/lower gearing to sell off later, etc) would be a competitive car while waiting around for more spec3 competition. Would think power to weight of (low) 15 would be achievable with easily and cheaply being able to switch back to spec3 rules.

We still having beers tonight Jon?? :)

Beers tomorrow!!! I am dropping my car off motorless :) Need something to kill time until rush hour ends!

Beers tomorrow!!! I am dropping my car off motorless :) Need something to kill time until rush hour ends!

Oh, this makes my week! Beers tonight in Arlington with JonMacs then beers with Wonger at the shop Wed night. Don't have to worry too much about beers affecting my work as the acetone fumes from scrubbing out sound deadening residue likely kills a whole separate set of brain cells than beer. Then on to some spray paint fumes and it's :eyecrazy time

Use mineral spirit smells better and cleans better

All I know is that we have a 94 325i that would be a great candidate for Spec3 :)

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=810738

We are building a car here in Northern California. It is at our cage builder right now being stripped awaiting the official rules release. We have been hoping NASA would put together a spec series for the E36 for quite some time now. Way to go Chris Cobetto!

depending on how hard the racing bug takes hold of me this year, I could see myself getting into a spec e36 car at some point. probably not next year though

How does NASA Spec3 compare to BMW CR SpecE36?

How does NASA Spec3 compare to BMW CR SpecE36?

Unfortunately it doesn't! :(

CCA is lighter with some suspension adjustability and Yoko tires on 17" rims. CCA allows several modifications that NASA doesn't, and specs certain parts that NASA leaves free. BMW CCA has a year and a half head start with about a dozen active racers in Spec E36, mostly in the east from Massachusetts to Atlanta and out to Ohio.

NASA is heavier with no adjustibility and Toyo tires on 15" rims. NASA allows several modifications that CCA doesn't, and specs certain parts that CCA leaves free.

So much for crossover opportunity... :( Not even if you really wanted to and were willing to make changes....

NASA allows several modifications that CCA doesn't, and specs certain parts that CCA leaves free.

So much for crossover opportunity... :( Not even if you really wanted to and were willing to make changes....

Keep in mind that no official rules have been released for Spec3...only some initial information to get some folks started. Weights for Spec3 may change, etc as more people build cars and more is learned. What mods does NASA allow that CCA doesn't?

We've known the cars wouldn't crossover ever since the BMW CCA rules were released. Everyone knew Spec3 would look more like Spec E30 from the beginning. IMO, BMW CCA didn't really want to build a car that they knew would have potential for adoption into NASA for a good crossever Spec class...if they had, they wouldn't have trademarked the SpecE36 name and they would have used Spec E30 as a good starting point for building a SpecE36. You really can't blaim Chris for going with the "proven" formula from Spec E30 rather than going with the increased costs and unproven formula for Spec E36 in BMW CCA.

I think both cars will be great and offer a different experience.

I'm really excited about the Spec3 series, and its great that Chris C placed cost as a primary factor when determining the rules/parts etc.

I've began the long, but fun process of turning a 93 325i into a Spec3 car ... hopefully all done by 2008 :) Till then, I'll be running the car in HPDE's and working on getting that comp license.

Good times!

I'm considering this class. When SpecE36 came out, I wasn't totally in love with it so I decided to wait to see these rules. Given the 'draft' info I'm leaning more towards Spec3 right now, but I'll wait for a real release before buying any parts. I would honestly prefer GTS or JP, but I don't think I am willing to commit the money needed to be competitive and if I am going to race I want to be competitive. I'd rather race than just build a track car and play at DE's so a spec class looks like the way to go. Spec3 and Spec E36 are the two front runners for me, but neither one has totally won me over yet.

- Bret

I'm considering this class. When SpecE36 came out, I wasn't totally in love with it so I decided to wait to see these rules. Given the 'draft' info I'm leaning more towards Spec3 right now, but I'll wait for a real release before buying any parts. I would honestly prefer GTS or JP, but I don't think I am willing to commit the money needed to be competitive and if I am going to race I want to be competitive. I'd rather race than just build a track car and play at DE's so a spec class looks like the way to go. Spec3 and Spec E36 are the two front runners for me, but neither one has totally won me over yet.

- Bret

Bret, if you're in Cincinatti you should come over to Mid-Ohio memorial day weekend to have some fun at the races. There are 8 Spec E36 cars signed up to race at Mid-Ohio so it will be a good opportunity to really look at the cars and get a feeling for what it's really about. We're gonig to have a "Spec E36 paddock" with reserved garages for the group so it should be a good atmosphere. Drop me a PM if you want any more information.

Hey Bret,

Come out a play with us Memorial Weekend.

Les Davis
SE36 #068

Thanks, I may try to show up and say hello. However, I think my wife has committed us to some other less interesting activities that weekend so I may not be allowed to come out and play (yes, I am completely whipped. I don't even bother denying it anymore.)

- Bret

So I went out to find a little more info on the R888 and ended up trying to find current prices for both it and the Yokohama SpecE36 is using. Yokohama is really proud of their tires. Even Hoosiers were cheaper ina 245/40x17! For the SpecE36 folks, is there any discount for racers? For anyone in the know about Spec3, is there any plan for tire discounts with the R888? I'm trying to work up a little cost comparison and there is about a $100/tire difference in street price unless there are some discounts or sources that I don't know about.

- Bret

Hey Bret,

Shoot me a line sometime, as I'm just south of you in Florence. There's a SE36 guy, Vivek, who's up in Cincy. We'll be up at Mid-Ohio for the Memorial Day race and I'll be staying to instruct with Chin Motorsports the following 2 days.
If you're bored this Saturday night, join us up in Dayton for a Wine Tasting at the Taj Ma Garaj! Register at www.kreuzers.com

See you soon!

There is a $25 per tire ($100 per set) rebate from TireRack on the Spec E36 tires - see http://www.bmwccaclubracing.com/static/ForTheRacer/rebate_rules.pdf

These tires were chosen and then Yokohama and TTR increased the price significantly (due to the weak dollar I'm guessing). I know that the rules committee is considering a change in tire for 2009.

The Spec E36 tires does last a long time. Not the only good thing about the tire.

It certainly seems to be on par with the Toyos for longevity.

There is a $25 per tire ($100 per set) rebate from TireRack on the Spec E36 tires - see http://www.bmwccaclubracing.com/static/ForTheRacer/rebate_rules.pdf

These tires were chosen and then Yokohama and TTR increased the price significantly (due to the weak dollar I'm guessing). I know that the rules committee is considering a change in tire for 2009.

Seriously!!!!!!:confused I guess I'll wait till the last minute to buy tires before my October debut.

K

I am sure that the tires would not be changed before 2009 Kelly...

I am sure that the tires would not be changed before 2009 Kelly...

Not going to spend $1000 on tires only to have them change after 1 event. I will run October and then again in March both at PIR. I would think that an annoucment will come out late summer or early fall and likely grandfather the Yoko's in wouldn't they? If not then I will wait until the announcement is made and if the October event comes first then I will have to run old tires in JP or make an educated guess as to which way they are going to go.

Again, it is in the difference between our race season and yours. We're done for the season, you guys are just starting.

K

Again, it is in the difference between our race season and yours. We're done for the season, you guys are just starting

Wait....Mike is in the Northeast and you're in the Southwest. It seems like things would be opposite.

Now that some draft rules are posted, who is considering building for late '08 and 2009?

I am helping with James Packer's build ( http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=973215 )

Exhaust is going on right now. Suspension & brakes go on early next week. Car will tentatively be tested 5/17-18 @ Summit-Shenandoah.

Jon

Jon,

Where are you working on the build and can I stop by to see the work?

Les

Not going to spend $1000 on tires only to have them change after 1 event. I will run October and then again in March both at PIR. I would think that an annoucment will come out late summer or early fall and likely grandfather the Yoko's in wouldn't they? If not then I will wait until the announcement is made and if the October event comes first then I will have to run old tires in JP or make an educated guess as to which way they are going to go.

Again, it is in the difference between our race season and yours. We're done for the season, you guys are just starting.

K

As they have done with all of the other rules changes, I'm sure that if there is a change in the spec tire, they will have a transition period. Nobody's out to screw anyone. I'm not on the rules committee so this is all speculation anyway, but I know that they wouldn't leave anyone in the lurch.

As they have done with all of the other rules changes, I'm sure that if there is a change in the spec tire, they will have a transition period. Nobody's out to screw anyone. I'm not on the rules committee so this is all speculation anyway, but I know that they wouldn't leave anyone in the lurch.

I concur.:)

So I went out to find a little more info on the R888 and ended up trying to find current prices for both it and the Yokohama SpecE36 is using. Yokohama is really proud of their tires. Even Hoosiers were cheaper ina 245/40x17! For the SpecE36 folks, is there any discount for racers? For anyone in the know about Spec3, is there any plan for tire discounts with the R888? I'm trying to work up a little cost comparison and there is about a $100/tire difference in street price unless there are some discounts or sources that I don't know about.

- Bret

This was something I took issue with when considering SE36. The idea is to have a cost-contained entry point into racing... and the tires, which are a recurring expense, are pretty costly. Great class, great group of guys who are running in it... but to me the tire choice just goes against the spirit of what's trying to be accomplished with the class.

I have to agree with you, which is one of the main reasons they're looking at changing for 2009. If you look at the difference in cost over 2-3 race weekends though it really isn't that much... The difference really comes from using the 17" wheels & tires. If you compare similar sizes between the Yokos and toyos they are about the same price.