What class to run competitively? Options

[RFoulds]

Preparing a new race car build. Would like to run. Fairly stock 2.0 and don’t want to get into a class where the 914 won’t be competitive. If I have a fully caged and braced tub, modified suspension, modest weight reduction and a stock but carbed 2.0, what class would you suggest would be competitive to build toward? For VARA, POC, SVRA most likely.
Looking through all their GCR’s and classifications, there seems to be a few different ways to go.
Suggestions from those that have been there would be appreciated.

[GregAmy]

914 2L goes to EP where it has to compete with some big-buck cars like Matt Reynold's Miata. Chris believes a 2L can be competitive in EP but it would take development.

914 1.7L and 1.8L are in FP against...Eric Prill's Miatas. Or Joe Huffaker's Midget. And Hondas.

No car will be "competitive" (read: able to win a championship) in Production without major investment and development. They may look straightforward and simple but there'$ $ome $erious dollar$ in development in that category.

Doesn't mean you can't go there and have some fun. I'm actually giving half-ass thought to selling the Super Touring Under car and just "playing" in EP with the 914; depends on how some support contracts work out. The Runoffs this year is at VIR and it will be one WHALE of an event, possibly with participation approaching what we saw at Indy in 2017. We'll see.

Up here in the Northeast I play in ITEZ, a catch-all SCCA Regional class that only requires Improved Touring-level safety equipment and DOT tires. But since it's a catch-all and there's no prep limits/regs/enforcement then it's just another place to play 'cause some guy will show up with a Turbo Porsche or another one with a Mustang.

Vintage/historics is the same. Anyone that thinks those guys are keeping the prep level of their cars to 'historic' levels is fooling themselves. I run with some groups up here (VRG, HRG, SVRA) and there's some $seriou$ development, just to go faster. But it's a nice place to play (in front of crowds sometimes like at the Lime Rock Labor Day Weekend Festival).

With "a stock but carbed 2.0" I'd suggest focusing attention on dependability and where and with whom you'd like to play, and less on how "competitive" you might be. Because no matter how much money you spend, there's always someone else out there willing to spend more. You need to find your water level.

And in the end you'll enjoy the fun more, right?