jeff spahn

Hi.
I am beginning to explore the idea of racing a 928 in Lemons or in Chump Car racing. Any know of a $500 928 out there that runs? My 90 S4 is way too nice to subject to Lemons

BC

I have been informed that many times it doesn't matter if the car is actually 500 or not - if its not "normally" 500 then you can be in major trouble and not have as much fun because of so many penalty laps. Also they can and may indeed crush your car.

Bill Ball

In theory you buy a more expensive car and sell off the interior and other useless parts to bring the net cost down under $500, but the real criteria is the car has to look like it's not worth $500. It needs to be cosmetically trashed with no more than primer, preferably in 5 or 6 different blotchy colors, on the body. And it needs some more or less hilarious theme with some wacky appendages (a tree would do) attached to the car. If your car looks at all decent, you will get penalized 1000s of laps, like we did with a mid 90's E36 bimmer that was by far the best looking car at the event. Regardless, I had a blast. If you don't care about winning, and you really shouldn't in Lemons, then none of this matters. Put together a competent car and just go out and have a load of fun careening around the track with up to 165 other crackpots. Getting to drive Infineon Raceway inside of a seething pack of lunatics, going 3 wide into most turns, just trying to avoid a catastrophe was a complete gas. Based on appearance alone, we were the leading candidate for getting crushed, but it was clear enough according to the other drivers who came up to our pit spot that we were just having fun, driving rather politely and doing a good job of avoiding wrecks (I did come off the track with some paint on the side), that we got no grief from anyone other than the 3500 [CORRECTION: 4500] lap penalty handed out at the beginning.

hacker-pschorr

That's LeMons which I would skip unless there are absolutely no Chump Car events in your area.

Chump Car is based on Average Internet Value. Basically you find 3 cars of the same make / model / similar year selling for the set dollar amount or less and submit that with your entry. The examples can be burnt down & sitting in a field, condition of those cars does not matter, just same make / model etc...

That is how so many 3-series BMW's are in Chump Car.

Jim Morton

As $0.02...

If you are thinking Lemons, you should seek completely non-mainstream cars or work to have a preposturous theme. As Bill mentioned, we entered a mid 90's BMW that "per the spirit of the rules" was under $500. Had documentation, etc.... all did not matter as soon as we unloaded the car in the paddock. Clean, BMW, noob... 4500 penalty laps. Did it matter ??? NO ! Still had a blast.

My only problem with Lemons is event costs. Given the "Halloween at the Race Track" mindset, the entry is way too high. There are other ways to extort the $$$ from those in attendance.

If I were to do Lemons again, I would get as weird and thematic as possible. Current thoughts are re-engined, Chevy Vega, Maverick "grabber"... something old, American with RUSY, real or simulated. I would only do Lemons again as a fun spoof, and also as a 24 hour race, only done a few times out of all their events.

On the other hand to Lemons, if you want to race a "cheap" (???) 928, I would look to Chump Car over Lemons as they do not push the "Halloween" thing. Penalties are easy to calculate ahead of time... no BS factors by weird, odd looking staff (no offense to Judge Phil, and company).

Do work to stay safe and with this in mind have the cage built by a pro ! (Please avoid the weird and cheap Lemons centric suppliers of safety...)

Enjoy

bradartigue

I have one that looks like a $500 car; problem is it has $3k of parts into it. It has key marks, spray paint, shrunk leather, yellowed carpet, etc.

Bill Ball

Perfect.

Fabio421

Doesn't Brian have an already prepared Lemons car that he's selling for $500 + extra$$ for the safety equipment? That would be the way to go IMO.

17prospective buyer

What about a Chevette diesel? Useless post, sorry guys.

Speedtoys

Brian's wagon has been sold.


Jay (Lemons) LOVES the 928, you can enter it and not worry bout penalties..just go off the scale in theme.


FWIW, For what you spend in a 24hr Lemons race, you only have to spend 2x as much for a _real_ 25 hr race, that lasts a full 25hrs...and do it in a real race car.


Costs are just out of control..

Bill Ball

Actually, that's inline with the beginnings of some of the faster cars. There was a Honda 600 with a Hyabusa motor - damn fast. The fastest was a Model T pickup with a small block Chevy.

jeff spahn

We do have some Chump Car races here. That could be fun. I was just thinking 928 cause I like my 928 and it would be a comfy car for a long race. If it finished that is.

jeff spahn

so I could buy say a $4000 928 on ebay that has some problems and use that?

bradartigue

I'll let you know when the new WUR installed, then you can bring cash and come get it! Some days are like that, like today when it got too hot outside to work. I need an air conditioned outside.

jeff spahn

It is air conditioned outside at our house up in Northern Wisconsin.