What exactly defines a “Track Car”? It’s a question that sparks debate among automotive enthusiasts, and the answer is far from straightforward. To delve into this subjective topic, we consulted with a diverse group of automotive experts, from NASCAR legends to SCCA program managers, to get their insights on what truly makes the ideal track car.
“When I think about a ‘track car,’ I think about what I want to drive and what I want my experience to be like,” explains Ray Evernham, a name synonymous with NASCAR success. Evernham, a vintage racer, Pikes Peak class winner, founder of the SRX race series, and former NASCAR team owner and crew chief for three of Jeff Gordon’s championships, brings a wealth of experience to the track car discussion.
For Evernham, the personal touch is paramount. “The most satisfying part is when you don’t have to worry about rules and can just build something that makes you feel a certain way, aside from performance alone,” he continues. This sentiment is perfectly embodied in his own creation, “Ghost,” a modern track car that impressively laps Daytona within striking distance of GT3 machines, all while sporting the aesthetic of a classic 1936 Chevy.
Evernham’s approach begins with introspection: “Asking someone what makes the perfect track car is so subjective, like asking them what color you want to paint your house or what music is best. There’s no correct answer, just how you want to feel driving it and being around it.” His vision for the Ghost was rooted in nostalgia and a desire to capture a specific era of racing: “I wanted a car that looked like the stuff I grew up watching, which was the old Modified cars. So we took that as an overall theme but applied modern technology.”
Tires, according to Evernham, are a foundational element in any track car build. “Whenever we start a new project, we practically build it around a certain tire. With the Ghost, we used the 16-inch Goodyear GT1/Trans-Am tire since we knew what it was capable of on a car with similar weight and power levels.” He stresses the importance of tire selection even for casual builders. “But even someone who is building something at a casual level has to look at their tire choice and ask if they’re appropriate for the venue, for the application, and what the availability is like,” he advises. “It’s no good building a car around a tire you can’t get anymore.”
Evernham advocates for a progressive approach to track car development. “If you start with a platform that can easily be progressively upgraded in terms of power, tire size and downforce, that to me is the ideal platform–something that can grow as your skills and desires grow with it.” He also encourages drivers to explore different types of vehicles to broaden their understanding of car dynamics. “Go drive an open-wheel car or some purpose-built race car, and go drive a big sedan,” he suggests. “One will teach you about what a car can do when everything is ideal, and the other will show you what happens when the driver has to manage more of the car and the tire. Some people really end up preferring one type over the other.”
Ray Evernham’s custom-built “Ghost” track car, inspired by classic modified racers, showcases a blend of vintage aesthetics and modern track performance.
John Hunter: SCCA Time Trials Program Manager on Practical Track Car Choices
John Hunter, the SCCA Time Trials program manager, brings a practical perspective grounded in accessibility and usability. “I think there’s a combination of factors in play for me,” Hunter states. “Balance is key. It has to drive in a way I enjoy on track, first of all.”
Beyond driving dynamics, Hunter emphasizes practicality and cost-effectiveness. “It also helps if it’s something common and affordable. It may not be sexy, but having a car that’s easy and cheap to fix and upgrade is a big plus.” For those entering the track car world, Hunter offers concrete examples. “I’m a rear-wheel-drive guy,” he continues, “so I think the E36 BMW 3 Series is a pretty ideal compromise. There’s lots of engine options, they’re plentiful, and it’s also a car that can grow and be modified as your skills and desire for speed increase.”
The BMW E36’s popularity in SCCA events underscores its viability as a track platform. Hunter also highlights the E36’s everyday usability. “It’s a four-door, or a two-door sedan, so you have some room for stuff if it’s your only car,” he explains, contrasting it with less practical options. “I’m a Miata guy at the moment, and I realize it’s always ‘the answer,’ but it’s not a great answer to carry anything more than a small bit of luggage.”
Safety and space are other advantages of a sedan format. “The other thing a large, square car gives you is room for safety gear without compromising too much interior space. In an E36, you can add a roll bar and there’s still room to put stuff in the back seat–and you hardly notice from the front seat.” For front-wheel-drive enthusiasts, Hunter offers an alternative: “I guess a Honda Civic would be the front-wheel-drive equivalent if you were into that, but every time I think of Civics, I keep thinking how much fun a K-series-powered E36 would be instead.”
A BMW E36 3 Series, recommended by SCCA’s John Hunter as an accessible and upgradable track car option for beginners.
Johnny Cichowski: Nine Lives Racing Founder on Project Cars and the Edge of Control
For Johnny Cichowski, founder of Nine Lives Racing, a track car is more than just a vehicle; it’s a continuous journey of improvement and experimentation. “So I like cars that are 1) a project and 2) terrifying,” Cichowski explains. His own creation, a V8-powered, Miata-shaped machine that doubles as a test platform for Nine Lives Racing’s aerodynamic innovations, perfectly embodies this philosophy.
Cichowski thrives on cars that demand constant attention and offer a challenge to master. “And then I like a car that you need to pay attention to all the time,” he continues, “that’s just such a handful that getting the most of it is almost impossible.” Despite the pursuit of extreme performance, budget consciousness remains a key factor. “Thirdly, the budget is always kept in mind. We dumpster dive, but we know where all the good dumpsters are.”
Building outside the constraints of strict regulations allows for boundless creativity. “Whenever I got a crazy idea, it’s there for me to mess with it,” Cichowski notes, highlighting the freedom and flexibility that comes with a project-oriented track car.
Johnny Cichowski’s V8 swapped Miata track car, a testament to pushing boundaries in both car building and on-track performance, serving as a testbed for Nine Lives Racing’s aero development.
Robb Holland: Pro Racer on Finding the Sweet Spot of Challenge and Capability
Robb Holland, a seasoned professional racer in series like the SRO World Challenge, offers a perspective shaped by high-level competition, yet surprisingly accessible. “The perfect track car to me is one that’s challenging enough that it makes you work a bit to get pace out of it,” Holland says, “but not so challenging that you’re worried it’s going to bite you on every corner.”
Holland points to Porsche 911s as exemplifying this balance. “That pretty much describes any Porsche 911 made in the last decade and a half.” However, he also acknowledges the immense capability of modern sports cars. “Modern sports cars are so fast and so capable that going anywhere near the limit where you start to challenge them means you’re moving at insane speeds. So there’s a lot to be said for cars like the Toyota 86 and Porsche Cayman, where you can drive them at or near 100%, but their 100% isn’t warp speed.”
For drivers seeking challenging yet approachable performance, Holland suggests alternatives to top-tier supercars. Cars like the Toyota 86 (also known as Subaru BRZ or Scion FR-S) and Porsche Cayman offer a rewarding driving experience without the extreme speeds and risks associated with more powerful machines. Interestingly, Holland’s personal track weapon is a Porsche Cayman GT4 RS in the Pirelli GT4 America series, demonstrating his appreciation for high performance when appropriate.
A Subaru BRZ, highlighted by pro racer Robb Holland as an example of a track car that offers a challenging and engaging driving experience without excessive speed, making it ideal for skill development.
Gino Manley: Track Day Enthusiast and IMSA Racer on Accessibility Above All Else
Gino Manley, a dedicated track day participant and occasional IMSA racer, brings a pragmatic view shaped by extensive track time in a wide range of vehicles, from ex-police cars to Audi TCR race cars. “Over the years, I’ve gone back and forth on that answer,” Manley replies when asked about the ideal track car, reflecting on his evolving perspective. “Once it was about being fun to drive, then what would be the fastest. Then, as I got more experienced, maybe lowest cost to run could be the definition of perfect.”
After years of experience, Manley has arrived at a surprisingly simple conclusion. “Having driven just about everything over the past couple of years, my answer has matured to this: The perfect track car is whatever you have access to right now.” He emphasizes the importance of participation and enjoyment over the pursuit of the “perfect” machine. “There will forever be a better machine than the one you have now, whether it’s a $1500 Craigslist special or a $250,000 factory GT4 car. But some of the greatest ‘track’ cars ever made will never see more than the cars and coffee parking lot, while some idiot will take his old police car out onto the track–which, by definition, would make it a track car.”
An ex-police car participating in a track day event, illustrating Gino Manley’s point that the best track car is often simply the one that is accessible and ready to be driven.
Brock Yates: One Lap of America Coordinator on Embracing Slower Cars for Faster Driver Development
Brock Yates, coordinator of the Tire Rack One Lap of America, champions a counterintuitive approach: slower cars can be superior tools for driver development. “I am a firm believer that slower is better than faster,” Yates states emphatically. “because everyone goes out and buys a track car and gets a GT350, and then some poor bastard sits right-seat while you learn how to drive it. And you never drive it 10/10ths,” he reasons. “You can have a lot more fun at 10/10ths in a shitty car than less than 10/10ths in a fast car.”
Yates practices what he preaches. His personal track machine is a “somewhat modified” 1985 Shelby Charger. He recounts another memorable track experience in a Bugeye Subaru with suboptimal brakes and old tires. “And know something?” he continues. “I had a shitload of fun. You couldn’t go fast enough to hurt the car. I slogged that car at 9/10ths or 11/10ths without guilt, without fear.”
Yates underscores the learning process as the primary objective. “You’re there to learn how to be a better driver,” he stresses. “A car you can learn in and afford to lose–and you can drive at the limit–is the best car for you.” This philosophy prioritizes driver skill development and enjoyment over raw speed and performance.
A 1985 Shelby Charger, Brock Yates’ track car of choice, exemplifying the “slower is better” philosophy for learning car control at the limit.
Ryan Cheek: SCCA Time Trials Admin Assistant on Budgeting for the Full Track Experience
Ryan Cheek, SCCA Time Trials admin assistant, brings a crucial, often overlooked aspect to the track car conversation: affordability beyond the initial vehicle purchase. “The ideal track car has to be affordable for the driver,” Cheek states, emphasizing the pragmatic realities of track-based car enthusiasm. “You need to not only be able to own the car,” she explains, “but to afford the cost of maintenance, whether you’re turning your own wrenches or having the work performed by someone else.”
Cheek, who tracks her SN95 Mustang in hillclimb and time trial events, expands on the financial considerations. “There should be enough funds after actual car expenses for track day entries, fuel expenditures to/from/track driving and also money for lodging and food.” She highlights the importance of comprehensive budgeting to avoid burnout and ensure long-term participation in the hobby.
Beyond the financial realities, Cheek emphasizes the fundamental element of enjoyment. “The car has to put a smile on the driver’s face when they are behind the wheel,” she says simply. “It’s very simple. If the driver is not having fun behind the wheel, that is not the ideal track car.” Ultimately, the perfect track car, regardless of budget or performance, should deliver driving pleasure.
Ryan Cheek’s SN95 Mustang at a track event, highlighting the importance of considering the overall budget for track days, including maintenance, entry fees, and travel expenses.
Conclusion:
Defining the perfect track car is a deeply personal endeavor. As these experts demonstrate, the ideal choice varies widely based on individual priorities, from personal expression and project engagement to budget constraints and driver skill development. Whether it’s a meticulously crafted custom build, an affordable and reliable sedan, or even an old police car, the true essence of a great track car lies in its ability to provide an engaging and enjoyable driving experience that aligns with the driver’s unique needs and aspirations. Ultimately, the best track car is the one that gets you on track and keeps you coming back for more.
