[Vettezuki]

For instance, can you completely design and build your own race car from scratch, like a Formula Ford style single seater, wannabe ariel atom, etc. ?

[BADDASSC6]

It depends rules for NASA are much different thatn Redline.

NASA: You cannot just build a race car and race unlimited. They have a list of non-production cars (Panoz, F430 scuderia, GT3, Atom.....) that are authorized. Then it comes down to power to wieght ratio. You cannot go less than 5.50 lbms per HP. HP is at the wheels measured on a"Dynojet" dyno. Cars are weight at each event. from there their are penalties for every mod you do. Nitrous is not allowed.

Redline: I think is closer to truly being "unlimited". They allow much lower power to weight ratios and they allow hte use of nitrous. I haven't reviewed their instrucitons to the level as NASA.

Nasa has TTR which allows for cars with <5.50lbm/hp.

[Vettezuki]

I guess the better question, is what, if any, opportuntiies are there for building and running completely custom road "race" vehicles?

We have the 13B from the 87. It's tiny and could be packaged in nearly anything. I was wondering about doing something vaguely like your senior project death cart, but with a rotary and Porsche transaxle (rear mid), single seater. Think Red Neck Caparo T1.