00073

What’s not to like about the idea of a race car in a box?

Maybe someday I’ll write the definitive compendium of spec racers but for now, let’s only concern ourselves with the lowest, slowest, most modest ways to go racing. 

Manufacturers around the world launch low-cost series and performance parts catalogues all the time for various reasons, usually as a way to boost publicity for the street car. After its 3-5 model years are up, the official spec series disappears and customers either trade up or stick it out.

Bless exceptions like Australia’s Hyundai Series X3 that were founded and run outside of normal factory-to-racer channels.