Alzilla is going racing! Viva la Chump Car!
Jan 9, 2011 | 07:17 PM
#1
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,976
From: Minnesota
Alzilla is going racing! Viva la Chump Car!
Some of you showed interest recently when I said I'd be going racing this year. Well, there's less than 3 months left til I'm on the starting grid at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI for my racing debut in the ChumpCar World Series driving a 2001 Ford Escort ZX2 for "Dirty Ron's Escort Service"!
The basis of the ChumpCar series is to start with a car that is valued at no more than $500. Per the rulebook, the value of the car is not based on how much is actually spent on the vehicle but determined by the following test:
In addition to racing Dirty Ron's Escort ZX2, I'll be helping Three Sheets Racing build up a Ford Contour SVT with a 3.0L Duratec V6 to compete this year as well. I'll be using this thread to spread the joys of crap can racing as well as sharing my thoughts, experiences, and disasters while running a mostly horrific race team.
I'm currently trying to find some sponsors to help out with entry costs, tires, brakes, etc (hint hint, DJ...)
The basis of the ChumpCar series is to start with a car that is valued at no more than $500. Per the rulebook, the value of the car is not based on how much is actually spent on the vehicle but determined by the following test:
ChumpCar’s Acid Test for $500 Value:
Finish building your ChumpCar and, when it's 100% complete, wheel the car out in front of your home. Jack the car up and set the car on cinder-blocks, or a stack of 2x4's, just so the car is off the ground. Take the wheels off of the car (they’re exempt from the value); take off the brakes (also exempt); remove the seat & harness (exempt); and, remove the roll cage (exempt). Put a "Make Offer" sign on the car.
What would happen?
Option:
A) Someone would offer you $500 or less for the car.
B) The City would slap a ticket on the car as an abandoned vehicle.
C) Your neighbors would file a lawsuit against you for breeching the CC&R's
of the housing community in which you reside.
D) A meth dealer takes up residence in your car and starts manufacturing the
stuff using the exhaust manifold to heat up his brew.
For ChumpCar, if any one (or all four) of the above were to happen, your car
passes the $500 sniff.
If, for some unknown reason, someone were to drive by and offer you $1,200
for the car... or $600 for just the transmission... you're probably toast.
Finish building your ChumpCar and, when it's 100% complete, wheel the car out in front of your home. Jack the car up and set the car on cinder-blocks, or a stack of 2x4's, just so the car is off the ground. Take the wheels off of the car (they’re exempt from the value); take off the brakes (also exempt); remove the seat & harness (exempt); and, remove the roll cage (exempt). Put a "Make Offer" sign on the car.
What would happen?
Option:
A) Someone would offer you $500 or less for the car.
B) The City would slap a ticket on the car as an abandoned vehicle.
C) Your neighbors would file a lawsuit against you for breeching the CC&R's
of the housing community in which you reside.
D) A meth dealer takes up residence in your car and starts manufacturing the
stuff using the exhaust manifold to heat up his brew.
For ChumpCar, if any one (or all four) of the above were to happen, your car
passes the $500 sniff.
If, for some unknown reason, someone were to drive by and offer you $1,200
for the car... or $600 for just the transmission... you're probably toast.
I'm currently trying to find some sponsors to help out with entry costs, tires, brakes, etc (hint hint, DJ...)
Jan 9, 2011 | 07:26 PM
#3
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,976
From: Minnesota
The first order of business was digging the car out from a snow bank and getting it inside. The car is basically ready to go but needs new tires, brakes, and an engine rebuild. Since I don't really need to address these things initially, I decided to help some friends with the Three Sheets Racing SVT Contour. I was given the honor of chiseling out the sound deadening material that the previous owner had installed along with his "bumping" stereo. Such a pain in the ass. Meanwhile, the door panels and sunroof framing were removed from the car to reduce the weight.
Where the magic happens:
Cutting out the sunroof on the SVT Contour with a plasma cutter:
Dirty Ron's Escort Service ZX2:
Check out those ducts for the front brakes and cold air intake! The front lip is identical to the rear wing, just flipped upside down and zip-tied in place:
Interior:
On the passenger's side are the Hella lights that will be used for the 12, 14, and 24 hour endurance races:
Where the magic happens:
Cutting out the sunroof on the SVT Contour with a plasma cutter:
Dirty Ron's Escort Service ZX2:
Check out those ducts for the front brakes and cold air intake! The front lip is identical to the rear wing, just flipped upside down and zip-tied in place:
Interior:
On the passenger's side are the Hella lights that will be used for the 12, 14, and 24 hour endurance races:
Jan 9, 2011 | 09:03 PM
#7
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15,199
From: MidEast
WOW
Three TSer getting into racing in the same week... (430berlinetta and Tips) https://teamspeed.com/forums/off-top...tml#post811693
Alex you are going to have a blast my friend!!
Be safe
Three TSer getting into racing in the same week... (430berlinetta and Tips) https://teamspeed.com/forums/off-top...tml#post811693
Alex you are going to have a blast my friend!!
Be safe
