Best kit car for autocross?

[BlueSubaruSTi]

Just about to get my factory five gtm out of the paint booth, but realize its not the ideal car for autocross. I want to build something new now but need some input. I really want to build the car myself so the actual caterham seven is out of the picture. Single or two seat, open wheeled or not. Basically what kit style car car out there has the most well thought out layout and suspension geometry.

[Fiorano]

this is a nearly impossible question to answer
if you are in the USA as the flag indicates, you should be aware of the different classes set up in SCCA autocross, or NASA autoX

are you looking for the fastest flat out time? or sdid you think in E-mod or GT1 the GTM is suited quite well to run against Vipers and Vettes in Auto cross and likely better
everything from a honda civic to a 1970 corvette and forumla racers and karts run auto cross.
there is even a more prepared class where you can put a sprint car wing on a BMW M3 and its legal- with flares and slicks
so the GTM can run and do very well
and if you have a Sti- this is a potent weapon as well
go look into the SCCA forums and see what class you like and the corresponding best car for it.

[culver]

Find a used Citation-Zink Z-16. They aren't that expensive and you will have plenty of chances to rebuild it as you work on the car. It's a very VERY capable autocross machine. No street car will keep up with a FF as an autocross toy.

http://thekentlives.com/index.htm
1980 Citation/Zink Z-16 Formula Ford Spec Sheet

[clutch-monkey]

i don't really know much about kit cars, but i've heard names like westfield, Locost etc.
or could use an MGB?

[kingofthering]

Lotus Locost? You'll literally build the car from scratch.

[LotusLocost]

Originally Posted by kingofthering

Lotus Locost? You'll literally build the car from scratch.

Is he going to build me? When i checked in the mirror this morning i looked pretty well built.

Kit Car Manufacturers UK
Take a look around there and you find a lot of interesting manufacturers.

[Q TOY]

Not sure if you can get a kit car version but a MG Metro 6R4 is just about the ultimate autocross car :¬)

[LeonOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by Q TOY

Not sure if you can get a kit car version but a MG Metro 6R4 is just about the ultimate autocross car :¬)

well, that's a Group B rally car, it's a weapon, not a car.
but I think on a track it wouldn't be as good as on the gravel

[Ferrer]

Isn't the Ultima GTR something or other one of the fastest things ever built and technically a kitcar?

[Q TOY]

Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead

well, that's a Group B rally car, it's a weapon, not a car.
but I think on a track it wouldn't be as good as on the gravel

Its for autocross though, i am sure i have seen them racing autocross before. Could be wrong though.

[LeonOfTheDead]

I personally can't see the problem of using the Factory Five GTM

[Soloracer]

I've seen strong results from the Lotus Super Seven kit, the Superformance Cobra kit, and many other in the Chicago and Milwaukee region of SCCA. If your rookie dont get a kit car, start small with an AWD or FWD car and after a couple of seasons then you should reassess your vehicle.

[clutch-monkey]

why start with AWD/FWD for autocross?
curious as i started track work with an RR car on other's recomendations (not the 'easiest' starting point but that was the idea behind their recomendations)

[Matra et Alpine]

As you said, it makes it easiest.

But removes most of the fun and makes improvement a long and possibly demotivating experience.

Go for a light front engine RWD and it's much MUCH more fun.
RR on an autocross has the horror of lift-off oversteer, which in dry is fine as it adds control, but in damp/wet is a nightmare

I'd suggest a Lotus 7 copy kit, shorten the wheelbase by a foot. Drop a bike engine in the front and let rip. The advantage is if you get it compeltely wrong and end up facing the wrong way, just slam the reverse box in and go as fast backwards

Lots of kits available here, come over for a couple of seasons !!
If you want to ber VERY serious about singer seater option then buy something like a Jedi. They own at speeds over 30mph and very agile with the bike engine. Own the hillclimbs over here along with Goulds.

[RacingManiac]

find a used Formula SAE car.....some schools do sell theirs, though I believe there will be liability waiver to sign....