The Spec E30 Series is a competitive, fun, safe, affordable racing series, focused on road racing with limited modifications and specified required components. The series showcases the driver’s skills and the specified required components manufacturers, distributors, and dealers. Only modifications specifically authorized are allowed, and competitive adjustments are not allowed. Other than the modifications specifically allowed in these rules, every part of the car must remain as it came from the factory.

Only 1984-1991 BMW manufactured non-M E30 chassis automobiles, as made available by BMW in the United States through its authorized dealer network are eligible, with the following restrictions listed in rule 7.3.2. Vehicles with automatic transmissions or four-wheel drive are not eligible. Eligible vehicles include E30 cars originally built as a 318i, 318is, 325, 325E, 325i or 325C provided they contain the Spec E30 eligible drive train from a car originally built as a 325i or 325is.

Taking into account the allowable 0.020 overbore and balancing, the maximum allowable horsepower value for the class is set at 160.9 horsepower and 160.9 pound-feet of torque. An engine that deviates from the 6,300 rpm rev limiter shall be deemed illegal.

Permitted fuel is unleaded pump gasoline, with a maximum octane of 93. Fuel must be from a mass-marketed supplier, e.g. BP, Sunoco, Exxon, or other independent mass marketer, e.g. track supplier or local independent gas station. Fuel additives, other than those supplied in the fuels listed above, are prohibited.” Dyno testing has shown that using a lower octane rated fuel actually makes more power in these low-compression engines, saving even more money at the track!

• Fresh spec Bilstein shocks and suspension.
• New bushings and reinforced front and rear subframes.
• The required spec parts are a must if you want to go fast.
• As fresh an engine as possible, or at the very least a fresh cylinder head.
• You need to have power close to the maximum allowed to be competitive.
• The key is to get the car set up to your preferences using corner weighting, alignment and ballast.

Average cost to run a weekend — $1,000, but it can be done for less.

Toyo Bucks and a smart tire program keep costs in check.

Tires, size, brand and prices (from Phil’s Tire Service, Cragsmoor, N.Y.)

• Toyo Proxes RR 205-50-15 $188
• Toyo Proxes RA1 205-50-15 (rain) $184

Brakes, brands and prices

• Hawk DTC-60 $158
• Hawk DTC-70 $230

Maxxis Tires, Hawk Performance

• Genuinely the most affordable and fun series to race in.
• Close competition no matter where you are on track.
• Cool cars you remember from your youth.
• Large fields in many regions. Large Championships fields, too.
• Despite their advancing age, donors and parts are still reasonably easy to find.
• Your experience off the track can be just as much fun with the community of Spec E30 racers.

• Donors without sunroofs are nearly impossible to find.
• Virtually all donors have high mileage.
• Four doors often require swapping automatics for five-speeds
• Prices for donors in good to excellent condition are on the upswing.

• Ducting air to the brakes is permitted, and two openings in the front valance to allow the passage of up to a three-inch-diameter duct hose leading to each front brake are permitted for this purpose. Installation of ducts in the front air dam or valance for the brake cooling hoses is permitted.
• Each car is required to have at least one operational forward facing video camera mounted in or on the car. It must record all races.
• A remote oil filter and its associated plumbing may be added. An Accusump or similar oil accumulator may be used.
• The stock unmodified intake airbox assembly shall be retained, and in its original mounting. The stock airbox front rubber hose shall be removed.
• Any stock OEM E30 fuel tank or equivalent is permitted. The fuel fill neck may be modified to remove restrictions for faster refueling. No other modifications to the tank are allowed unless permitted elsewhere in these rules.
• Any commercially available fuel pumps, hoses, and fuel tank baffles are allowed. A surge tank to prevent fuel starvation, with no other function, is allowed. All other fuel system components must remain stock.
• Compression ratio may be changed only within the tolerances affected by resurfacing for trueness and within factory tolerances or as allowed by these regulations.
• Oil coolers may be added or replaced, and their location within the bodywork is unrestricted so long as they are not mounted within the driver/passenger compartment.
• Front camber is unrestricted within the limitation and adjustability of bolt-in camber plates, and an eccentric bushing at the rear mount of the lower control arm. No modifications to the body and/or interior tub panels are allowed.
• The three front strut mounting holes may be slotted laterally, only to enable more range of camber adjustment.