Anyone have track car importing experience? | FerrariChat
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Anyone have track car importing experience?

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by Mr.Anthony337, Jan 9, 2008.

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  1. Mr.Anthony337

    Mr.Anthony337 Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2007
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    Russell
    #1 Mr.Anthony337, Jan 9, 2008
    ** I realize this may not be the best place for this post. If not, please move it to wherever the mods feel is more appropriate. **
    ** I am asking about TRACK car specific experience and help, hence placing it here originally **

    I am looking at 2 cars that I am going to select between in the near future to purchase and bring to the US. They are both Volkswagen Racing track cars. One is located in the UK, the other in Germany. I will only be getting one of them (unless tonights lotto ticket is really lucky!).

    I am looking for anyone who might have experience importing a car from the UK or Germany, or specifically importing a track car from *anywhere* outside the USA, and ideally someone who's done a combination (track car from UK or Germany) to give me some experience derived wisdom, warnings, and ramblings.

    Once the car is in the USA I will sort out what needs to happen for it to get onto tracks here, or whatever else it ends up doing (a few ideas for it other than racing as well). Right now I just need to get it to the USA in the easiest, worry free, and safest (to the car) way possible. I am not in a rush other than to get the deal made. Waiting for the car to get here is nothing I'm stressing over, as long as it's on the way.

    Please PM me, or I'll email direct with you if thats easier, if you think you can lend some thoughts to my situation.
    Also of course, post in this thread, because who knows who might come along later and need something similar as well...

    Thank you.
     
  2. PDX Tifosi

    PDX Tifosi Karting

    Jun 19, 2007
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    #2 PDX Tifosi, Jan 9, 2008
    If you don't have much luck on here, you might try getting a hold of Matt Crandall at Gran Prix Imports in Portland, OR. 800 763-4016

    He was involved with Radical when they first came over here, and I believe he's helped bring over other cars for various use.
     
  3. Cavallino Motors

    Cavallino Motors F1 World Champ
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    #3 Cavallino Motors, Jan 9, 2008
    If the car is a dedicated track/race car it is pretty easy. You have to write the EPA and DOT (resources online) and apply for an exemption under the "race car import rules". You have to show them pictures of the car, VIN and best some history of the car and where it has raced before. Get in touch with Dick Merritt at DOT. He can send you the application. Once you have the application approved (takes a few days) you can import the car and give the exemption to your shipping company they will then be able to release the car from the port.

    Martin
     
  4. Cavallino Motors

    Cavallino Motors F1 World Champ
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    #4 Cavallino Motors, Jan 9, 2008
    If you do not want to deal with any of that contact Sylvia and Ramez at ASI in Miami. 305-893-1950. Hire them to do all of that for you. I hired them to bring in my BMW Z1. They will deal with the shipper in Europe and can even arrange pickup etc of your car at whereever it is in Europe. Especially in Germany.
     
  5. Mr.Anthony337

    Mr.Anthony337 Formula Junior

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    #5 Mr.Anthony337, Jan 10, 2008
    Ideally I'd like to bring the car over and turn it loose on the street. It's made up of production VW parts, and as far as I can tell from California car code, it's only missing forward facing turn signals, which is a part I just have to buy from a UK VW dealer and install on it... wiring and body area is already there, but on the race versions it's just empty for the tow hook to stick through on one side.

    Other than that, the only issue I can see if the possibility of the car not having a VIN number. Do factory made track cars have VINs?
     
  6. PDX Tifosi

    PDX Tifosi Karting

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    #6 PDX Tifosi, Jan 10, 2008
    i would think you could bring it over as a kit car. no?
     
  7. Mr.Anthony337

    Mr.Anthony337 Formula Junior

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    #7 Mr.Anthony337, Jan 11, 2008
    Would I have to seperate the engine and chassis to bring it in as a kit? Is that legal?
     
  8. Mr.Anthony337

    Mr.Anthony337 Formula Junior

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    #8 Mr.Anthony337, Jan 11, 2008
    I've gotten a few messages about needing to "federalize" the car when it comes in before I can get any kind of VIN attached to it.
    I'm assuming this means, make it meet USA safety and emissions standards? Correct me if I'm off in my definition of the term.

    Since the car I want is pretty much the same as a dealer sold US Volkwagen Mk4 R32 (power train) in a different body, that has everything the street version of this car does (except propper exhaust which I can bolt on, and front facing turn signals which I have and can install in the body work in about 2 minutes)... is that really going to be a HUGE process?

    The only other difference is that this chassis has a roll cage inside of it... which I don't know how that could LOWER it's safety rating at all...
     
  9. kens

    kens Formula 3
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    #9 kens, Jan 13, 2008
    The rollcage does not matter. Also, it does not matter if the car is safer than all other cars on the planet. For street usage, US Customs only care that the vehicle has passed DOT and EPA requirements. Once a vehicle has passed into the USA with a racing exemption, it is not exactly over.

    The USA has a unique VIN requirement, all other countries have a different VIN format without all the details. The non-conforming VIN is a red-flag for registration purposes. You cannot federalize the vehicle yourself. Federalization must be performed by an approved company and the cost is likely to be higher than the cost of the vehicle.

    Registration requirements are different in each state. Most states require proof of EPA and DOT approval. If you opt to drive on the street without a registration, that is another issue. So, an attempt to get a title could create a problem for your exemption.

    Ken
     
  10. PDX Tifosi

    PDX Tifosi Karting

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    #10 PDX Tifosi, Jan 14, 2008
    I personally know of a few people who have brought over non-US cars. They are plated and driven on the street with some regularity. Ford Escort Cossies (non Sun Intl cars), Lotus Elises/Exieges, 340Rs, all long before they were officially imported, Renault Spyders, Audi RS4 from several years ago, I could go on. The point is, it can be done. You just need to find the right people. And I'm implying nothing illegal. The people that own some of these cars have collections that would make the majority of F-Chat envious.
     
  11. Artherd

    Artherd F1 Veteran

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    #11 Artherd, Jan 14, 2008
    BMW Z1 is on the show and display list. It is a street car, not a track car. If it was brought in under any other classification besides Show and Display, then someone screwed up. Cars that are on this list, if brought in under a different category, need to be grandfathered in under Show and Display. Martin, look into this if you need to.

    Mr. Anthony, please send me a PM with your phone number.
     

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