Note: These FAQ's are for general information and are not specifically endorsed nor are they guaranteed to be accurate.
Q: What is RS Motorsport?
A: RS Motorsport (RSM) is a legally formed LLC engaged in motorsports marketing. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina and currently competing in SCCA sanctioned regional events, RSM provides marketing exposure for corporate client sponsors, provides amateur level racers vinyl signage services and other marketing services.
Q: What are RS Motorsport's long term plans?
A: RSM expects to continue to campaigning two Formula SCCA race cars in Regional Events. Early 2005 RSM anticipates initiating regular participation at Nationally sanctioned events to broaden the exposure for team sponsors and participate in at least one Pro level event.
Q: How much investment is needed to sponsor RS
Motorsport?
A: RSM has three levels of sponsorship ranging from 'Full Sponsor', 'Sponsor', and 'Associate Sponsor'. Each sponsorship level is available on a per race, multi-race package or season basis ranging in cost from $500 to $15,000 per season per vehicle sponsored.
Q: What benefits does sponsorship provide?
A: RSM understands that Motorsports Marketing is only a part of a sponsors go to market strategy. To this end, RSM is flexible and creative in insuring that sponsor goals are met on and off the track. From simple race car and tow vehicle lettering to customized trackside hospitality events and personal appearances the sponsor is afforded every opportunity to maximize the benefits of their Motorsports marketing investment.
Q: How competitive is the FSCCA class?
A: FSCCA is a class of vehicle designed and supported by SCCA Enterprises and sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). As such, it is strictly regulated to insure fairness and cost containment. All engines are sealed, body panels and structural components are marked to insure like aerodynamics and weight, and allowable modifications are limited.
Q: How many have been sold? How many have
been delivered?
A: At last count [January 2005] approximately 107 cars have been delivered and approximately 115 have been ordered.
Q: Where do you get one of these cars?
A: New Chassis are available only directly from SCCA Enterprises. More information is available at
www.scca-enterprises.com. You may also find built and used cars in SCCA's magazine 'SportsCar', in 'Autoweek' magazine, and 'Formula Car' Magazine published in Canada. Another source of chassis for sale is
www.apexspeed.com classifieds.
Q: Does anyone rent them?
A: Yes, there are a number of companies that professionally build, maintain and rent their own chassis. One located in the South East is Comprent
Motorsports, www.comprent.net.
Q: How much do they cost?
A: he cars cost $34,995 FOB U.K.. This cost is for all the parts - not a rolling, much less track ready car as it sits in England. Expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,000 more for shipping depending on how you select to have it shipped and $3,000 to $6,000 to have the car professionally built and upgraded with some of the most common options.
Q: What are those options?
A: Most common are exhaust, alternator, and oil
cooler.
Q: How much does it cost to run?
A: Consumables (fuel, tires, ect) have cost our team approximately $500 per race per vehicle. You will also incur expenses with travel, food, insurance, entry fees, and maintenance between events. All told a regional double event (which is two races) costs approximately $2500 per car. As we collect additional data we have updated this response.
Q: How long does it take to get?
A: If you buy a car landed in the US you can probably have delivery within several weeks. Currently, there are more cars sold than can be built and delivered. There has also been a shipping freeze as the transmission issues are resolved. Expect at least 2-3 months on a new car order if placed now.
Q: What is the real deal on the tranmissions?
A: The first cars delivered had multiple transmission issues. These were caused by several factors such as metal hardness, machining, design, and in some instances how they were assembled (or reassembled). SCCA Enterprises has worked with the manufacturer Elite/Beagle and recommended a number of updates and replacements (see knowledge base updates link). At this point in time transmissions with all of the recommended updates appear to be reliable under full race conditions. Neither of our cars have had any problems related to the transmission.
You will want to be 100% positive of the status of any transmission you are purchasing as the updates seem to all be beneficial. Many owners have also purchased spare gear sets as these were one of the initial concerns and are naturally a wear item requiring replacement at some point due to normal wear.
Q: Why wouldn't someone buy one of these cars?
A: There are many reasons not to buy a racecar! If you want to retire comfortably, you probably shouldn't start racing. If you want to win 'father' or 'mother' of the year, you probably shouldn't start racing. Seriously though, Formula and Spec Racer racing differs significantly from sedan racing. Formula cars generally require more suspension and alignment knowledge and time. The cars are dramatically lower and getting 'high sided' (stuck on a bump) can end your race where as in a sedan you could probably continue. Formula cars are generally slower on the straights and faster through the corners. Probably the biggest concern among open wheel racers is wheel to wheel contact. Under such conditions it is not uncommon for one, or both, cars to flip.
On the budget side, even if open wheel type racing is for you, this model may not be due to it's cost. There are many other open wheel classes that offer more 'bang for the buck (such as SCCA FM - Formula Mazda). One of the benefits of FSCCA and SRFSCCA is the level competition among new car owners and drivers, cost containment in allowable changes, and relatively inexpensive operating costs.
