What is everyone using for side mirrors on a road race car?

I have the s5 aero mirrors right now and can't see much of anything. I looked into getting some custom convex mirrors cut to silicone over the factory mirror but am not sold on that idea. I bought some longacre spot mirrors that mount to the cage and even after modifying the brackets I still didn't like the result - those are on ebay now. I just want to see! My 5 panel wink mirror is not that efficient either, considering going to a convex rear view mirror.

edit: 2nd gen car

Anyone do any of those post mount racing style mirrors?


How about this type mirror?

 

will they allow you to run formula mirrors, or any aftermarket mirror housings for that matter in IT-s?

wouldnt mind going with some APR carbon convex mirrors just for the look myself

 

GCR 9.1.3.D.9.D "Any interior or exterior mirrors may be used"

I'm sure some rule fanatic would say this does not include the housing however I am going with the above and interpreting this to mean the above includes the mirror housing. Protest me if someone disagrees.

Look is important, however more important is function. Obviously needs convex glass. I have OEM european convex mirror glass on my daily driver street car and they are awesome, unfortunately it's not an RX7 so that solution won't work.

I would like mirror purchase #3 to be the right solution. #1 s5 Aero - no good, #2 - two Longacre spot mirrors- no good on my car, #3 ______________ ?

 

I always used the stock side mirrors and the Longacre convex mirror inside. I liked the Longacre mirror a bunch more than the Wink deals. Never really felt like I needed more mirror than that.

 

Look at the wink mirrors. racerwholesale and the like have them. Some use just one large center mirror (convex or a wink) and side wide angle mirrors, those round ones, others just keep the stock mirrors and add a wide angle. I found a large blind spot with the head restraints and the wide angle in combo with the wink works great for that. I'm going with that on my current build.
Just play with some different combinations and see what you like best, the nice thing is that mirrors are cheap and easy to install.

 

I'm going to get the 17" Longacre convex mirror, I have a 5 panel wink mirror now and that is not working. I played around with the Longacre spot mirrors (two of them) and couldn't get them to do much, even with modified mounting studs... maybe it's my cage design. I'm just trying to cut down on purchases, it seems like I have to buy things 3 times before I end up getting the right thing. I thought about adding those inexpensive stick on blind spot mirrors that PepBoys sells but there's got be a better solution.

Anyone try something like this? It's a SPA GT mirror. Mount to the body or where factory mirror goes? Cover factory spot with piece of aluminum?

From pegasusautoracing.com

 

I have pretty much the same set up as C Ludwig on my car right now. The Longacre mirror is about 14" wide, convex. I set it up to show the passenger rear corner a little more than just straight back.
Remember, whats behind you doesn't matter! (old joke, I know) I just like to keep an eye out for somebody diving inside on a turn. Some people don't know if they aren't in my peripheral vision, ITS MY LINE THROUGH THE TURN. Even though they may be wrong I want to have a chance to avoid damage to my car. For distance back to another car I use the radio.

 

I just happen to have a pair of tcs carbon mirrors that I am not using, give me a little bit, I'll post up some pics. pm me if you are interested.

 

Exactly. I think aiming the mirrors is very important. They're certainly not aimed like I would aim them on a street car. I also aimed the rear view mirror at the passenger quarter. The right side mirror was then aimed out at a wider angles. Really didn't even have the quarter panel in the view. Between the rear view and right side you get a pretty good sweep. The left side mirror also aimed out a bit to get a wider angle.

If you are a newer racer checking the mirrors is something you should get better at with time. Only time I'm really, really concerned with them is if we're running in a group with something MUCH faster than I am that can overtake very quickly. Say GT1 or some of the SPO cars. Otherwise you check your mirrors when you have time and make mental notes of who is where and whether they are gaining or not. There are roundy-round sanctioning bodies that DON'T allow mirrors. You have to drive knowing where people are using the force and a bit of hearing. Guess what I'm saying is that if someone is going to dive bomb you, at that point your focus really should be on the corner anyway. If you're driving in your mirrors you're doing your laptimes a big injustice.

 

I like to tell new drivers in groups with faster cars that they should look so far back that they catch glimpses of the front of their own car.

I remember when some regions would group all GT cars together GT1-GT5. A group like that got a woman killed at Road America(in a GT5 Mini) about 12 years ago. I think that is what changed that habit.

 

appreciate all the responses guys, and yes I'm a new driver. I'm looking to limit body damage... just wanting to make sure I'm not cutting into anyone and the guy next to me doesn't try something dumb. I know it's my line and the passing driver has the obligation to make a safe pass... but I'm also new and playing a little safe. I remember a buddy's first race ever, turn 1 in his CSR he cut in and took out an FA pretty good putting it out of the race. Fortunately I have yet to have any collissions. There are some good suggestions here, I think a convex mirror over a wink mirror will be a good start.... oh, and getting the car and driver faster so no one can even think about a pass!

 

I have a spot mirror on the driver side with a 5panel wink with a spot mirror in its passenger corner and haven't had any problem seeing cars, including practice sessions with Vees.

EDIT: spot mirror = $1.99 walmart convex dot.