944 suitable for Targa Tasmania

[sydneyboy]

I have a motor sport novice , a few track days but am interested in doing the 2011/2012 Targa series in Victoria and Tasmania.

After attempting to source a suitable mid 80's 944 turbo it would seem easier and certainly cheaper to look to the UK ( for duty purposes car must be pre 1990). Ideally I would be seeking a car already converted to track day use with roll cage and probably only lightly modified as must pass our equivalentof MOT (reliability more important than outright speed. ) Bodywork and interior trim quality not too important but no rust , preferably with A/c. (would delete for targa )

If any one has something suitable please email me .

Would consider doing joint entry sharing costs with right, ie compatible person (am 60 year old solicitor , not boy racer)

No hurry prepared to wait for right car

 

[DavidL]

Plenty of suitable cars around, it depends how prepared you want it I suppose.
I'm amazed at the prices currently - sadly not how high they are!
Pistonheads has a track day car section in the classifieds and there is often a 944.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2289091.htm

 

[andrew_churcher]

Mate - check the rules again - pretty sure its date of manufacture pre Jan 1 1989 - not pre 1990.

(I should know as I am submitting a form to import a 1988 944 Turbo S as we speak)

Rgds,

 

[sydneyboy]

Andrew.

Thanks I knew it was pre 1989 just brain not connected to fingers at time.Just as a matter of advice where are your sourcing your car from

Regards

 

[333pg333]

Personally for TTas I would go for an S2. I have a friend who has competed a number of times in his S2 and from what he tells me this is a good choice. Some of the regulars reading this might find it surprising coming from me as a staunch Turbo owner and track user, but Targa Tas is not for the feint hearted and if it's your first foray into it I think a n/a car vs a turbo car would be a wiser choice. All in my humble opinion of course. I plan to race my turbo in Production Sports next season, but racing on the track and racing on the open road that can be unexpectedly slippery are quite different pursuits. Do you have to run a totally stock motor?

 

[sydneyboy]

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for the advice . My main reason for a turbo was I was intending to import from the UK and as understand it S2's came out in 1989 and could not be legally imported. My plans are to leave drive train as standard as possible and spend any money on suspension, brakes if needed. Having spoken to someone is in process of importing should be able to get suitable car for about $10K and land for another $10K leaving some play money. This available http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2289074.htm currently on Pistonheads (if pre 1989 yet to be clarified) but probably too much for my ability. Could you put me in touch with your friend who has done the TT

Regards
Terry

 

[333pg333]

Terry it's a nice looking car. I am not sure of all the ins and outs of importing a car but they don't make it easy. If you haven't already, make sure you thoroughly check out all the regs on doing it. You will also need to contact DOTARS. I think if you go to the Pelican forums there will be some thread/s covering this. Join up and do a search or start a thread. I'm sure you will find some useful info before you pull the trigger and buy a car that turns into a headache before you get it here. Nothing like buying it, shipping it, and they reject it at this end.
I've just done a search using 'Import' as the tag. Have a browse through these or fine tune your search.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/search.php?searchid=6110896

Also I would bet a week's wages that you would have to remove that cage and put in a proper CAMS approved welded product. Allow $3500-$10k+ for this.

Not trying to dissuade you. I think you can find a way of doing it and making it work. Just pointing out the possible pitfalls. I also love the turbo but in terms of running a car in an event like that, you will find that an n/a car is less likely to break down. Probably a LOT less. Again, I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but if you haven't done Targa Tas yet I would work my way up to an event like this. Do you have any track or Rally experience? If yes to some or all of these, then I'd still contemplate buying a ready made car that is in Australia. You will save a $$$ on someone else's loss.
Try looking around places like this:

http://my105.com/

Where in Sydney are you located? It's always worth a few hours on a Saturday morning to drop by my mechanic's workshop. If Bruce is there you will get a great education on our Front engined Porsches. You will probably see Nick's 944 S2 that he competes in Targa and Porsche club sprint events, plus Production Sports (which I'm going to do next season) http://www.prodsports.com.au/index.html You will probably see my track car and Bruce's son Sean's modified 944t as well.

Even joining the Porsche Club NSW and doing their track events will give you a kick for next year. The more front engined water pumpers the better! The format is a great intro to pushing a car well past the limits of our nanny state roads.

http://www.pcnsw.com.au/PorscheClubs/pc_nsw/pc_main.nsf/web/C125728F00369CD9C12571ED0053EA99

Here's the results of our 2010 season. Check out how well the front engined cars do.

http://www.pcnsw.com.au/PorscheClubs/pc_nsw/files/2010_SprintChampionship_OutrightPlacings.pdf

http://www.pcnsw.com.au/PorscheClubs/pc_nsw/files/2010_DriversChampionship_OutrightPlacings.pdf


Here's a short bit of video to whet your appetite...with some light comedy thrown in...seat.
Both times behind a very warm purpose built EVO.

Eastern Creek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNHjD3Da5RU

Wakefield Park

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xSnau43PiE




BUCHANAN AUTOMOTIVE
UNIT 2 / 2 PATON PLACE BALGOWLAH

 

[sydneyboy]

[FONT=arial"]Patrick ,

Thanks for your words of wisdom. On reflection was probably a little ambitious. Will try and visit your workshop early next year . Still keen to get a turbo and join the owners club, didn't realise they had so many events and do some sprints as well.

Still keen to source car from UK as seems so many available just on Piston Heads alone without going to other sites , would prefer 87-88 turbo in relatively standard condition. and perhaps leave TT ambitions to later date. One of reasons for importing is that have the opportunity of loading a container with other non - automotive goods which will substantially offset car costs.

Am aware of dotars particularly in regard to age as some cars and will retain someone in UK to check and purchase car ( any names)

 

[333pg333]

I think the main problem will be rust. I'm sure we could find a few people willing to check out a car or two on your behalf though.

As for TT, my purpose wasn't to come over all heavy handed, more to give you my general impression of some details. From what I've heard, TT is a great experience, but one that I'd do a lot of background checking on first. Even with a bit of track experience and in a fairly modified 951, I'd still do my first TT in something pretty innocuous. By all means get a turbo and do some track days and join the club. It's great fun and you really do look forward to the next outing.

This thread has probably done it's dash. If you want to continue or discuss other related matters feel free to email me. pgarvan@bigpond.net.au

 

[944 man]

Terry, the 944S2 is a 1989 model year car: but Porsche starts to build the following years models when they come back from their Summer holiday in September.

Simon

 

[sydneyboy]

Maybe a dumb question but as relatively few pre 1988 944's have a/c is it possible or practical to retro fit a/c from a scrapped later model