Racing
#106
... I guess that's really what an F "Street" (or more practically and "all letter Street") class would be good for; making racing suitably equipped street serviceable cars competitive enough to have fun with. I was thinking maybe it might bring more folks to racing.
#107
You're getting started 25 years too late. When PCA started club racing in 1992, that's exactly what the stock classes were. Street/DE cars. I drove my car to and from the track on r-comps for my first couple races in the late 90's. Over the years, the stock classes have morphed dramatically from the original intent and rules (some for safety, much for pushing performance). To get started in the stock classes now requires a significant investment and the cars are not streetable with permanent alterations.
A stock S2 weighs in at just shy of 3000lbs dry, the F Stock minimum (with driver) is 2900, SP3 is 2700. Not sure what a 6 point cage weighs, but let's say it's about 150lbs? So a stock S2 with driver (me at 170lbs + gear) and cage runs about 3300lbs and I'm looking at an F Stock minimum weight of 2900, so I can pull out 400lbs of hardware before I have to consider ballast. That's a whole lot of carpet, heater core, A/C & etc.
Somehow I doubt I can build a competitive car that has a street level interior under today's rules.
Last edited by Otto Mechanic; 12-21-2018 at 12:36 PM. Reason: spelling
#108
I think it would take a considerable amount of effort on the sanctioning bodies part to police a "Street stock" class. Spring rates, Struts ect. I volunteer for the club races as a Tech, and I was helping Walt last year check gears... Out of the handful of cars we had in tech we found two non-compliant. All this takes time.
I understand the appeal of having a stock class for a street car, the main thing that comes to mind would be affordability.... That's the Rub... Racing and affordability are like OIL and WATER... They just don't go together.. Just to Buy a Good high end suspension.. It costs as much as a used car... When I built my car all I wanted was "Good bones" Every system in the car needs to be gone through regardless. Engine, Trans , Suspension. This is not only for performance sake but for safety's sake. The cars we have are 30 years old and if anyone is out on the track with 30 year old hoses, factory rubber brake lines to the calipers ect they are asking for trouble... To give an example, I was in a DE and was having issues with the brakes not "Grabbing" properly.... I had neglected to rebuild the calipers and the pistons were getting hung up when heated. I was very meticulous and detailed when I re-built them and they worked flawlessly at the next event.
Anyhow, my point is that if you want to race, just buy another car, make it yours, the build is almost as enjoyable for me as the driving, and have fun. The price of a used car is peanuts compared the big picture of racing. Entry fee, Tires, Gas, Hotel, Food, Oil, I see SP2 cars around that are complete ready to race cars with logbook for 6k. That's the cost of 3 race weekends...
I understand the appeal of having a stock class for a street car, the main thing that comes to mind would be affordability.... That's the Rub... Racing and affordability are like OIL and WATER... They just don't go together.. Just to Buy a Good high end suspension.. It costs as much as a used car... When I built my car all I wanted was "Good bones" Every system in the car needs to be gone through regardless. Engine, Trans , Suspension. This is not only for performance sake but for safety's sake. The cars we have are 30 years old and if anyone is out on the track with 30 year old hoses, factory rubber brake lines to the calipers ect they are asking for trouble... To give an example, I was in a DE and was having issues with the brakes not "Grabbing" properly.... I had neglected to rebuild the calipers and the pistons were getting hung up when heated. I was very meticulous and detailed when I re-built them and they worked flawlessly at the next event.
Anyhow, my point is that if you want to race, just buy another car, make it yours, the build is almost as enjoyable for me as the driving, and have fun. The price of a used car is peanuts compared the big picture of racing. Entry fee, Tires, Gas, Hotel, Food, Oil, I see SP2 cars around that are complete ready to race cars with logbook for 6k. That's the cost of 3 race weekends...
#109
I think it would take a considerable amount of effort on the sanctioning bodies part to police a "Street stock" class. Spring rates, Struts etc. I volunteer for the club races as a Tech, and I was helping Walt last year check gears... Out of the handful of cars we had in tech we found two non-compliant. All this takes time.
I understand the appeal of having a stock class for a street car, the main thing that comes to mind would be affordability.... That's the Rub... Racing and affordability are like OIL and WATER... They just don't go together.. Just to Buy a Good high end suspension.. It costs as much as a used car... When I built my car all I wanted was "Good bones" Every system in the car needs to be gone through regardless. Engine, Trans , Suspension. This is not only for performance sake but for safety's sake. The cars we have are 30 years old and if anyone is out on the track with 30 year old hoses, factory rubber brake lines to the calipers ect they are asking for trouble... To give an example, I was in a DE and was having issues with the brakes not "Grabbing" properly.... I had neglected to rebuild the calipers and the pistons were getting hung up when heated. I was very meticulous and detailed when I re-built them and they worked flawlessly at the next event.
Anyhow, my point is that if you want to race, just buy another car, make it yours, the build is almost as enjoyable for me as the driving, and have fun. The price of a used car is peanuts compared the big picture of racing. Entry fee, Tires, Gas, Hotel, Food, Oil, I see SP2 cars around that are complete ready to race cars with logbook for 6k. That's the cost of 3 race weekends...
Last edited by Otto Mechanic; 12-21-2018 at 04:26 PM. Reason: spelling
#110
Turbo Cup specs
I've got plenty of documentation on the specs of the Rothmans and the Playboy/Escort cars, and it was reviewed/approved by PCA CR about 12 years ago. What do you need?
I had some limited correspondence with Walt regarding the proposed rule changes with respect to 944Ts (allowing aftermarket boost control systems/components to replace old factory parts that are arguably becoming unreliable). I also spoke a little with Karl Poeltl at Road America about it. But I didn't pick up on anything related to the specs of Turbo Cup.
All 944 club racers are being pushed into SP3, they are all but unwelcome in the stock classes.
I had some limited correspondence with Walt regarding the proposed rule changes with respect to 944Ts (allowing aftermarket boost control systems/components to replace old factory parts that are arguably becoming unreliable). I also spoke a little with Karl Poeltl at Road America about it. But I didn't pick up on anything related to the specs of Turbo Cup.
All 944 club racers are being pushed into SP3, they are all but unwelcome in the stock classes.
#112
Bumping this thread, since....., well, Racing.
Several RL'ers will be racing at NOLA Motorsports Park this weekend,
I'll be there supporting my son in MojoGT3's 968, so attendants from here are,
ME. (duh...!)
MojoGt3 (car owner/PCA volunteer)
nine44S (my son Eon - SP3)
Max Energy (Gt 6)
gkovakas (SP3)
cajuncroc (SP3)
dizzyj (SP1)
Will update accordingly
T
Several RL'ers will be racing at NOLA Motorsports Park this weekend,
I'll be there supporting my son in MojoGT3's 968, so attendants from here are,
ME. (duh...!)
MojoGt3 (car owner/PCA volunteer)
nine44S (my son Eon - SP3)
Max Energy (Gt 6)
gkovakas (SP3)
cajuncroc (SP3)
dizzyj (SP1)
Will update accordingly
T
#114
Well, plan ahead next time....
There's sunny Florida Sebring and usually another southern race near the same time.
A few years ago, Sebring, NOLA and COTA were on nearly consecutive weekends.
Once you stay down south that long, you'll probably never go back though.....it's the food.
T
There's sunny Florida Sebring and usually another southern race near the same time.
A few years ago, Sebring, NOLA and COTA were on nearly consecutive weekends.
Once you stay down south that long, you'll probably never go back though.....it's the food.
T
#117
Well, if results are all that matters, pretty good I guess,
Saturday enduro, 1st SP3 in class, 6th overall in field with Spec Caymans a 997 Cup, SP3 and GT cars.
Started 4th.
Got to grid late myself, that's 2nd place Cayman pulling away from grid.
Son, Eon is in the yellow 968 in 4th on grid.
The start and size of enduro field -
1 st heat on Saturday, 40 minutes, Eon was in P1 with an 8-10 second lead, 944T dropped a CV right past start tower.
First lap around after that, 2 Caymans in overall lead slammed the brakes at the yellow and didn't even go back to race speed until T1 which let P2 SP3 make up 5 seconds.
A lap after that, front splitter broke and was dragging the track, PCA guy tapped me on shoulder and told me they would black flag if I didn;t radio him in.
So, DNF for that one. Steve Gambla had a strong 968 engine car, he took 1st as he coasted across S/F at checkers with a broken clutch.
2nd 40 minute sprint on Saturday, 1st place with Rennlist George Kovakas .2-300 behind in second at checkers.
So, results wise, 2/3 1st place.
Was tough though,
We tried 275 Hankooks all around but car was loose with no real adj range to speak of left.
Mounted the 245 R7s which were faster by .600 believe it or not but at 2900 bs, the car just tore them up.
T
Saturday enduro, 1st SP3 in class, 6th overall in field with Spec Caymans a 997 Cup, SP3 and GT cars.
Started 4th.
Got to grid late myself, that's 2nd place Cayman pulling away from grid.
Son, Eon is in the yellow 968 in 4th on grid.
The start and size of enduro field -
1 st heat on Saturday, 40 minutes, Eon was in P1 with an 8-10 second lead, 944T dropped a CV right past start tower.
First lap around after that, 2 Caymans in overall lead slammed the brakes at the yellow and didn't even go back to race speed until T1 which let P2 SP3 make up 5 seconds.
A lap after that, front splitter broke and was dragging the track, PCA guy tapped me on shoulder and told me they would black flag if I didn;t radio him in.
So, DNF for that one. Steve Gambla had a strong 968 engine car, he took 1st as he coasted across S/F at checkers with a broken clutch.
2nd 40 minute sprint on Saturday, 1st place with Rennlist George Kovakas .2-300 behind in second at checkers.
So, results wise, 2/3 1st place.
Was tough though,
We tried 275 Hankooks all around but car was loose with no real adj range to speak of left.
Mounted the 245 R7s which were faster by .600 believe it or not but at 2900 bs, the car just tore them up.
T
#118
Sounds Like you guys had fun! Regarding the Tires, is the track surface pourus? At Watkins Glen I don't Tear up tires hardly at all (toyo 888Rs) But I took that same set to Nelson Ledges and Tore the crap out em but the track surface was like sandpaper...
#119
Quick question: I'm going to be going down to Virginia Speedway on the 15th to do some track time, and my car needs to be tech checked beforehand. Anyone know what the checklist is and where it can be done?
Also where best place to buy a helmet? Cycle store? Is there a low profile helmet for tall people?
Also where best place to buy a helmet? Cycle store? Is there a low profile helmet for tall people?
#120
Quick question: I'm going to be going down to Virginia Speedway on the 15th to do some track time, and my car needs to be tech checked beforehand. Anyone know what the checklist is and where it can be done?
Also where best place to buy a helmet? Cycle store? Is there a low profile helmet for tall people?
Also where best place to buy a helmet? Cycle store? Is there a low profile helmet for tall people?