I've just been fantasizing about modding an Insight for endurance racing.
Rundown of thoughts:
tear the whole car down and remove all sound deadening and etc, lower weight even more if possible.
Lower the car and add flat paneling undernieth along with a under flow passage for downforce.
Using some CNC machined adapter plates replace the IMA motor with 2 new civic hybrid IMA motors. (~40hp instead of ~15hp) This would require altering the motor mounts but I think there is room.
Replace the NiMH pack with a Li-Ion pack in series with a couple Ultra-caps to better utilize the regen from previous mod.
Setup hydraulic "cam" to depress exhaust valves during brake+regen
Set rear suspension in so that wider performance tires will fit behind fender covers... alternately fabricate fender covers that bulge out a little for the tires.
Install MIMA with control buttons on steering wheel.
Put on helmet
Hope to god I didn't just spend $50,000 to build a car that the SCCA won't allow into any class
