How to Buy a Used Race Car
Competition Cars do not Last Forever
There are many different cars and classes in which to race them. Before starting the process of buying a car, it is imperative that the would-be owner has: done his/her home work (research), and prepared a very detailed budget. The budget will not be just for the purchase price of the car (that comes last) but to cover all the associated costs that will have to be met during a seasons racing.
Cheaper to Pay for an Inspection
Having worked out a budget and decided on a car to view, the potential purchaser must decide if he is qualified to examine the car. If not, most race prep shops will inspect a car for a set fee plus expenses. Although the prep shop may recommend not purchasing a certain car, it will still be money well spent. Race cars are not cheap to buy or maintain and choosing the right car and class will make all the difference to how much enjoyment the new owner will get.
For those who feel confident enough to inspect their own car, there are some basic does and don'ts that must be considered before purchasing a car. Having conducted extensive research the potential new owner will know the full history of the car, the total mileage (or hours used), the previous owners (call some to check the car is as advertised), and its entire maintenance record. If any of this information is missing or ambiguous, the car should be treated as suspect.
$35,000 Engine Rebuild
The power train (engine/gearbox/differential) must be inspected carefully. It is not enough to just start the engine and rev. it a few times - a number of race engines cost of $35,000 just to refresh! Checking for oil leaks is obvious, and easy to do, there should not be any. Without disassembling the engine, it is difficult to know what the internal condition is, however, a compression test and leak-down test will at least give an indication of the cylinders and valves.
Most national level competitors have their engines prepared by a specialist race engine shop. These shops will build an engine, run it on a dynamometer and give the owner a reasonable expectation of the mileage the engine will achieve before requiring a rebuild (often referred to as freshening).
The chassis of a race car, irrespective of the class, will have been subject to heavy cornering and braking loads, therefore all the pick-up points and suspension mounts must be inspected.
Safety First
Safety is a major concern when buying a race car. The car will, after all, be used in racing where it will be pushed to the limits. Before buying a car, it must be checked over for any signs of damage. During the inspection the potential new owner must check to see if the car has been in a major accident - twisted chassis, fire damage, welded repairs etc.
The fire retardation systems must be in perfect condition, however, new cylinders and lines are an indication the systems had been replaced (due to a fire around the old one?). The cylinder must be of the appropriate type for the car and fuel it will carry, and must be dated - last inspection, or date of manufacture on it.
Check Chassis Mountings
Race cars with carbon fiber tubs should be inspected by an experienced carbon composite technician. As a rough guide, tapping the chassis (particularly around suspension and engine mounting points) with a blunt metallic object (a metal pen, for instance) will reveal a consistent sound. If any area emits a dull sound, there is a strong possibility that the area has been damaged and is delaminating (the resins and mats are separating inside the chassis).
In conclusion, any part or history of a race car that cannot be verified must be considered to be in need of replacement, that way, a new owner will ensure he has sufficient budget to repair or replace any item he finds not to be serviceable.
It looks good, but...
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Even the fire bottle should be checked
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Carbon tubs must be inspected by an expert
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