Reply With QuoteThe goal at a Lemons race is to complete the MOST laps! A modestly fast car with penalty free driving can accomplish this. A Yugo can sit there and watch.
I found a pinto wagon for $400............if I weren't moving, I'd build it! Speaking of cheap cars..... I still have two Miatas fo cheap.
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The goal at a Lemons race is to complete the MOST laps! A modestly fast car with penalty free driving can accomplish this. A Yugo can sit there and watch.
Anything that looks modestly fast, or anything near looking fast will get a 200 lap penalty from the judges. Anything that actually is fast will get crushed.
EXACTLY... We had a SE-R! While on track, we were usually passing people like crazy. However, numerous penalties (rookie team mistake) really killed us. For me, the winning formula looks like:Originally Posted by Nails
Fairly reliable + moderately quick + 3 * "don't drive like an idiot" = win.
Moderately quick meaning that it does need decent acceleration (ahem, no Yugo) as it's necessary to brake often to avoid people who don't know what they're doing.
The holidays are crazy busy, but is anyone interested in meeting next week to see if we can make this a reality?
Say at ECR next weekend during the toy tun?????
I'll be at toys for tots at ECR on Sunday in a gray NC. Look me up if you're there Texasstig.
I'm not a member... it wasn't clear on the site if the 'fun run' is open to the general public. In any case, I did email Maggie to see if I can run as a guest. I've only done one HPDE, so that may be another obstacle.
Now I have my hopes up; track days rock! It was a blast passing the Vette guys in the corners. The flip side was the aggravation as they all flew past me back on the straight.
If I receive the OK from ECR, I'll plan on being there Sunday. Stay tuned...
From going to one event and reading the Lemons board, it looks like you get extra points for bringing weird cars and using creative themes. One of the Judges keeps saying you will be a hero for bringing something like a Nash Metro or an old Hillman, even if you aren't the fastest car at the race. Building a car in your backyard while facing the elements using tools you bought from Harbor Freight is a good thing. Being affiliated with an actual race shop is suspect.
Bringing a Yugo or Pinto Station Wagon would be more in the spirit of the race. The guy who is bringing the Wartburg is the King. Just bringing something fast and reliable that can beat everybody else seems rather boring to me. You might as well do an SCCA enduro where they actually care who finishes first.
If anybody knows where I can find an old Hillman Husky that still runs, let me know. I have a dogsled I could strap to the top of it.
I wouldn't give a nickel to put a cage in a Yugo. Spirit or not I want a car that has better than a 50% chance of driving to the end of the second day.
Personally, I'm hoping to find an early eighties Dodge Omni with turbo or VW Sirrocco.
Wow, this sounds like fun. I would like to get in on this if it is possible. I should be back in Texas and done with all my rehab by the end of April. If all goes well I should be back at 100% by then. Well 100% for a broken down 41 year old. LOL
I have wrenching skills and I can think out side the box. I agree with nails though, the car needs to be something that can at least get to the starting line. I remember the Yugo's, they were a one way car. They went away from the house and got towed back for repairs.
2006 Limited Edition, Ohlin's DFV, Cosworth, Full RS exhaust w/ Q muffler, RP-F1 w/ Direzza Z1 Star Spec 255/40ZR17, Goodwin double hoop roll bar w/ removable rear brace, Mazdaspeed Front bumper cover, AEM AFR, AEM water/methanol injection, (Cosworth built 2.0L w/ all forged internals and head and cams on its way). Permagrin fully intact.
Good luck with the build!
Keep in mind that entries for the Feb. race in Houston are due on 12/12. You've got a bit more time if you're shooting to make the Dallas event later this year.
Oh...once you have established a realistic time and money budget, go ahead and add 50% to both. That will put you in the ballpark.
Speed
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Don't look...there's nothing down here for you!
This is the guy I was talking about. Second one down. He lives in Tyler and borrows my trailer from time to time. He built a megasquirted turbo Yugo for the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge a few years ago that blew everybody away. He is offering a car and his pile of parts for LeMons if anybody is interested. All he needs is a cage.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/art...e-challengers/
Curiosity got me so what sort ofOh...once you have established a realistic time and money budget, go ahead and add 50% to both. That will put you in the ballpark.range would one be looking at to play?
I thought the whole idea was a $500 cap.Curiosity got me so what sort of
On the track, I am fearless.
If you were as slow as me, you wouldn't be afraid either.
1994 M Edition
CSP 67
Go LAC Go! LinkCuriosity got me so what sort of
$500 for the basic car. Then add the "safety" items needed that don't count against the cost like roll cage, seat, steering wheel, wheels, tires, brake pads, etc. Then add in the entry fees... $500 per car + $100 per driver + $75 for non-drivers. (Each team must have 4-6 drivers.) . Then you need someone with a truck and trailer to get the car to the race. Then figure in gas/food/lodging for the whole team and car to get there and back. Gas for the race. All the drivers have driving suits, shoes, and helmets already? If not, better buy them. It ads up.I thought the whole idea was a $500 cap.
Without too many specifics, our total outlay for our first race was just a little under $1000 each for six of us. That included the car, upgraded performance and safety parts, race entry, licenses, fuel, hotel, food, other travel and miscellaneous costs, etc.
Your bill goes up if you need to buy a new track suit, shoes, helmet, etc. that meet FIA regs.
So...definitely not cheap. However, the costs drop considerably for any subsequent races. The Lemons thing really only makes sense if you plan for multiple races.
Speed
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Don't look...there's nothing down here for you!
I'll be driving the dark silver Mini Cooper convertible this Sunday at Eagle's Canyon. Hope to meet some of y'all there!
Titus is correct; This 'budget' race can get expensive if you don't already have driving gear. But hey, the investment in gear NOW makes SCCA club racing cheaper in the future. Yea, I feel comfortable justifying it that way.
As far as the car/theme: The point of this IS to have fun with it. I have a couple of cool ideas, but don't want to just to post them. Some shots from the Ohio event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31305147@N06/
Yes, that's us with the SE-R missing the front tire, yet having two drilled to the roof (penalties).
The pinto would be an excellent choice IMHO. Especially if we paint it orange & go as "Illinois Nazi's". That wasn't one of my ideas, but hey, it has potential if someone on the team looks like Henry Gibson.
I HATE Illinois Nazis.
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