Yaris One-make race in Thailand

[eTiMaGo]

Gonna try and join next season (2008, too late to enter for 2007 :frown: ), but there are some pretty strict guidelines as to car modifications. Engine must be stock (headers, intake and exhaust mods allowed), rollcage and proper bucket seats required, etc...

Anyway found a few nice pics to whet your appetites:

http://www.pbase.com/hughden/image/59419896/original

http://www.pbase.com/hughden/image/59420026

This is the Bira International Circuit track where all the action happens:

http://www.afos.com/admin/event/images/bira_circuit.jpg

Official (outdated) site: http://www.biracircuit.com/

I'll have to find more info after the new year about public access, track days and so on for practice, and will be sure to post update here!

[ChinoCharles]

Do it man! You have a wonderful platform to start with already.

[eTiMaGo]

Do it man! You have a wonderful platform to start with already.

Thanks, though at the moment it would be like a Sumo wrestler trying to run a marathon... :laugh:

[the_saint]

Thanks, though at the moment it would be like a Sumo wrestler trying to run a marathon... :laugh:
^^ROFL!

You know, you're gonna have to ditch those beautiful shoes :cry:

[Russelt3hPirate]

in thailand do you need a racing liscense to race wheel to wheel?

[eTiMaGo]

well... there's a bit of a problem...

All cars need to be modified to a certain specification (as you can see in the pictures, same aero parts, same rims, etc), and have the car approved byt the company which organises the one-make race. This specification is very different from what I have... Sooo I'd need to re-modify the car to those specs, which would be a pretty expensive proposition...

What's another option, though, is to buy a pre-modified Yaris from that same company. It's roughly the same price as a basic model, but is ready to join the race. Only thing is that it's not street legal (no registration/license plate), so that would be the only extra expense, unless I get the car towed to and from the track...

Decisions decisions.... Getting an extra car would allow me to mod my current one to my heart's desire...

But I think the first step would be to get on the track and get a feel for it first :wink: Gonna be pretty busy until the end of the year, so we'll have to wait til January...

[eTiMaGo]

in thailand do you need a racing liscense to race wheel to wheel?

AFAIK for this level of racing a normal street license is enough. I'll try to go to the organising company's office next week to get as much details as possible.

[Russelt3hPirate]

AFAIK for this level of racing a normal street license is enough. I'll try to go to the organising company's office next week to get as much details as possible.

just an FYI ANY racing in the states that is "wheel to wheel" (meaning two or more people on a track actually trying to beat each other) requires a racing liscense (if it's on a road course).

and there is alot of money prepping a car exactly to the rules, buying a pre built car isn't a bad idea, but you'd also want a tow vehicle, not all race cars get to drive home on their own power after an event.

[eTiMaGo]

just an FYI ANY racing in the states that is "wheel to wheel" (meaning two or more people on a track actually trying to beat each other) requires a racing liscense (if it's on a road course).

and there is alot of money prepping a car exactly to the rules, buying a pre built car isn't a bad idea, but you'd also want a tow vehicle, not all race cars get to drive home on their own power after an event.

Aah I see... well I still only have sketchy details about the license, but I'll be sure to ask.

A street yaris towing a race yaris would be cool, and the track's only about 2 hours away on the highway, so that should not be a problem.

[johnnyfive]

A street yaris towing a race yaris would be cool


yeah, that would be SWEET!!

[spkrman]

but the Q here is, if you can buy a race car... why not just buy something that is actually fast? :)

[BMGYaris]

but the Q here is, if you can buy a race car... why not just buy something that is actually fast? :)

WELL he said in an earlier post that he is the kind of guy that you would normally see driving a bmw or a lexus or something like that. And we all saw his house:) and his mods:bow: but, he said he likes to be different, so he got himself a yaris and modded it to be expensive and sexy, but unique and fascinating. So it would only be fitting for him to race one as well, and thus completely earn any respect he might be lacking without a higher end car by completing his yaris experience and resume.

I mean, he could buy himself a regular old fast fancy car and sit around with his buddies and be the same old rich bastard as the rest. Or he can show his sexy modded yaris and say he has a racing yaris to boot. Much cooler.

[eTiMaGo]

WELL he said in an earlier post that he is the kind of guy that you would normally see driving a bmw or a lexus or something like that. And we all saw his house:) and his mods:bow: but, he said he likes to be different, so he got himself a yaris and modded it to be expensive and sexy, but unique and fascinating. So it would only be fitting for him to race one as well, and thus completely earn any respect he might be lacking without a higher end car by completing his yaris experience and resume.

I mean, he could buy himself a regular old fast fancy car and sit around with his buddies and be the same old rich bastard as the rest. Or he can show his sexy modded yaris and say he has a racing yaris to boot. Much cooler.

Hahahhaha well that's a nice explanation, and pretty close to the mark.

Yes, for about the same kind of money I could get a second hand impreza (the classic ones, before they got hit by the ugly hammer). That would be a lot of fun as well, for sure! But, what attracts me to these one-make races is that the cars are more less equal, so it's really up to the driver's skill, not a difference in power.

Additionally, even though I may have hundred of hours under my belt in Gran turismo and other racing games, it's a good idea to start with something more accessible... I can handle my own in go-karts, so Yaris is the next step up :biggrin:

Plus I'm European, and for some reason we just have some kind of yearning in the blood for "hot hatches"... I grew up watching Groub B rallying, crazy-ass cars like the Renault 5 Turbo, 205 Turbo 16, I get shivers just thinking about those...

And to clear something else up, I could probably have bought a fancier car like a Lexus or BMW, but then the monthly payments would just kill me, I'd have to eat ramen noodles everyday, and could never afford to mod anything (plus I think I'd be scared to screw around with such an expensive car) :biggrin: So yeah, for a fraction of the cost of one of those, I can have a completely unique and fun car to play with and follow my passion.

Also, that's my friend's house and cars in the pictures, I'm in a much humbler place :wink:

And... and... I just wanna be a Yaris pimp! :laugh:

[BMGYaris]

AHHHH, you should have just let me keep thinking you were filthly rich :(. Anyway i def agree with the equivalent factor, it means that everyone is starting at about equal footing, and whoever has the best balance of creative and effective modding combined with the driving skills will be the winner. Thus winning will all be a reflection of you and your ability to work with a car. beatiful thing. Though i still wanted you to be a filthy rich crazy french man......

[ChinoCharles]

Ahhhahhahaha, you kill me man. You are THE Yaris PIMP!

[eTiMaGo]

AHHHH, you should have just let me keep thinking you were filthly rich :(. Anyway i def agree with the equivalent factor, it means that everyone is starting at about equal footing, and whoever has the best balance of creative and effective modding combined with the driving skills will be the winner. Thus winning will all be a reflection of you and your ability to work with a car. beatiful thing. Though i still wanted you to be a filthy rich crazy french man......

ahahah sorry to shatter your dreams :biggrin: not quite filthy rich, but a few stains here and there... :laugh:

Plus there's a pretty decent prize money to be won at the one make races... :burnrubber:

[hasher22]

Edit : Never mind what i said

[Katana]

Nice!

Do we know the power of these Yaris?

[kwiken]

Here in Thailand you have to have a race licence to race in any motor sport but from personal experience 20 yrs ago it was not a big problem to get temporary race licences until you got a full one which in some sports is an international equivelant.They would rather have competitors on track than off as all motor sport is a business so are often more lax than other countries.But you have to have a licence.

[spkrman]

i was looking into spec neon here for a few... but realistically the costs are just way out there. Tires, fluids, towing, repairs, entry fees, travel expenses... adds up very fast... and this is with a car thats relatively cheap to obtain, prepare, and maintain. And what if I wreck it?

Make sure you look over all the costs and risks associated.

[kwiken]

If you can't come up with a few sponsors I would'nt recomend racing anything.The guys with the money are usually up front and costs just go up and up every time so its really hard to compete unless well off.You must believe that in a controlled one make race proffessional cheating does occur.Its a case really of everything is done to get a win and not get caught.People use lawers to find out how to bend rule book rules.I'm not trying to be a downer but its no fun driving at the back of the pack and if you do'nt get up near the front and be competitive most people do'nt last a season.Get some sponsors first then go for it is the only way.You could be suprised at how slow some really good drivers without the money can be compared to a medioca overweight one with a well sorted car.To be a winner you need sponsors and lots of track time even in a one make race.