R U faster than a Redneck???

[xxxturbo6]

Bill Howell always told me that a Turbo is no good on an autocross but I wonder how he feels now when he see's them on the road course? LOL

[d15b7]

Hey guys!

It's great to find this forum! First I'd like to say that I have a lot of respect for V8 muscle cars (the Year One and Detroit Speed cars were all awesome!).

I was the driver of last week's Honda Civic (the 1995 white/blue/green EG hatchback); I had a blast and enjoyed myself bigtime. I just wish the damn motor would have lasted another 5 mins!!!!!

The story on my car is this -- I've owned it since 1997 (bought it bone stock). started modifying it lightly and was doing track events with it and driving it everyday to work, too. eventually converted it to a NASA H1 Honda Challenge roadrace car (at first it had a B18B non vtec Integra motor in it); then in 2004 I put in a stock K20A2 motor and 6 speed transmission out of a wrecked RSX-S. I raced it that way til 2007, when I retired it from Honda Challenge, and put a Greddy street turbo on it and started Time Attacking it shortly thereafter. when you guys saw it at the TV show, it was the same motor still in the car since 2004; engine was all stock internally and had never been rebuilt or even had the pan off of it ever. probably had over 10k track miles on it. Those engines are 11:1 compression from the factory, and have cast pistons (not really the best for boost I guess haha). When I had it at the show, it was tuned on E85 at 10 psi and was making 330 whp. and was running PERFECTLY (as usual).

We shot the first day (practice and then the first race against the #3 67 Camaro). I put him away easily, and then we loaded the car on the trailer, and made directly for Road Atlanta -- it's the biggest Time Attack of the year for us, and it just so happened to fall on the same weekend as the damn TV show! I had talked to the people in charge, and they reluctantly let me leave and go race at Road Atlanta and then come back to finish shooting the next two races (they were worried that I'd crash and not be able to return). any of you guys ever been to RA? I never had! HUUUUUUGE back straightaway!!!!! my car isn't geared properly for that really (I have a 5.06:1 final drive). for two days straight I was redlining the car in 6th gear at 8500 rpm (161 mph) at full boost. by the end of the 2nd day, it was showing signs of saying 'uncle' -- started filling up the oil catch can in 10 mins (and had never ever previously put anything into the catch tank). we finished the Time Attack (I finished 3rd), and we took off the R comps, and put back on the Dunlop Direzzas (I HATED driving the car on the 200 treadwear street tires; the suspension isn't set up for those tires; way too stiff; made the car push like a dump truck; tons of tire spin and very touchy on the brakes too). loaded up the car and drove back to CMP. I kept thinking 'it'll be ok; it's still running well; just pushing some oil. she'll hold up for another 10 mins, for sure).

well, as you saw, she didn't! I picked the #3 67 Camaro again (I think that was a mistake; I think that probably was the fastest of the three cars) but this time Cliff was driving it. we played chicken coming into the first turn, and I won, and put even more distance on him during the actual race. then KABOOOOOM at the finish line :( No warning; it was running perfect right up til the last microsecond. (we think that the ringlands cracked at RA and that it was close to expiring when we left RA to come back to CMP).

I was really bummed, because I'd have liked to have run against that 70-1/2 Camaro or the 77 Bandit TransAm. I was getting better/faster every time I went out on the street tires; learning how to deal with the handling issues. I'd have given it a GOOD shot in the final race for the $10k.

On the ride home, I was upset, but after thinking about it -- that stock used motor gave me a lot of service; and was way overdue for a failure I guess! New motor is in the car now; this time it's a fully built K24, with forged rods and pistons, 9.5:1 compression and built for boost. making 420 whp at 15 psi. I tell you, I'd like another shot at you Rednecks!

[Kenova]

Good of you to drop in Todd. It's too bad about your engine but hey, if you are going to loose it's best to do it in a spectacular fashion. LOL. Nobody can accuse you of not getting your money's worth out of the old engine.

Ken

[RadLS67]

How does one get to be on Team Redneck?

I am quite curious about this as well. If need be i can grow a mullet and drive one of my cars up...

[GrabberGT]

Hey guys!

It's great to find this forum! First I'd like to say that I have a lot of respect for V8 muscle cars (the Year One and Detroit Speed cars were all awesome!).

Great story and welcome. Ever wonder what that little car of yours would do with a RWD conversion and a V8. I may have seized this as an opportunity to find out. LOL

[Project69]

When is the next episode? Is it every monday?

[d15b7]

yes; it's every monday at 9pm for a new episode (EST). and they replay it throughout the week then at various times.

[csouth]

Welcome aboard Todd. Those turbo cars are hard for the heavier muscle cars to handle. Hope you stope in from time to time.

[Cannon]

Why is it that 50% of the time the rednecks plow into the first turn and go off the track? Dont you give these amateur's time to do laps around the track before you do races? Oh and do you only have one track you use or do you plan on going around to different tracks?

[d15b7]

hello (I was driving the white/blue/green Honda Civic).

I'm a 'pro' (I've raced with NASA and EMRA and SCCA and IMG and VRG wheel to wheel since 1999, and I'm a pro driving coach at most of the east coast tracks too). that first turn was a BITCH! traction was poor in the brake zone; the turn was very tight, and at the end of the fastest straight. there were bumps and ripples in the transition (that is not the 'normal' track; that is the crossover when they are using the 'short' track instead of the 'full' track). It was really important (at least to me) to be first coming out of that turn after the start, and then full tilt boogie on the twisty section so I could make up distance on the ground pounders before the main straight again. It was REALLY easy to blow it coming into that turn, and the margin of 'oh ****, that was a lil too fast' factor was really small. so yeah, a lot of the rednecks messed up coming into that first turn. remember also, that most of the those redneck cars were a REAL handful. I know even driving my piddling 330 whp Honda had my eyeballs nearly popping out (especially on the narrow 205 street tires that I'm not used to running on). I'd have loved to have run the full track; I have more aero than most of the Redneck cars, and it really comes into play over 100 mph; on the full track I'd have been over 100 a good bit of the time, too.

I'd really like to get invited back for Season 2 (anybody know if there is a Season 2, and when the filming is gonna start?); the new motor is in the car, and this time it's not a tired old stock junkyard motor; it's a fully built for boost K24 which put down an easy 420 whp at only 15 psi. I'd love a rematch...

[ho428]

One thing I've noticed is common on this show, the rednecks drive in too deep and lock the brakes up. I race on that track several times a year in my Firebird, but on the long track, you cannot drive a 3300 lb muscle car in as deep as a 2500 lb import, I don't care what brakes and tires you have on it. Only once did I see a guy drive it smart, he was in the Blue Camaro, give up the first turn, maybe even the first lap, then use the "muscle" of the car to get by.

[paint2361]

One thing I've noticed is common on this show, the rednecks drive in too deep and lock the brakes up. I race on that track several times a year in my Firebird, but on the long track, you cannot drive a 3300 lb muscle car in as deep as a 2500 lb import, I don't care what brakes and tires you have on it. Only once did I see a guy drive it smart, he was in the Blue Camaro, give up the first turn, maybe even the first lap, then use the "muscle" of the car to get by.

I think they drive like this to give the Imports a chance to win. If the muscle cars always won, it wouldn't be a good show

[shortrack]

So the fastest of the imports get to run against the rednecks? Is a girl in a stock Mini Cooper S the best they could do?

I would have liked to see more of that Craftsman Truck. Is is a Craftsman Truck or is it a Pro Truck? I couldnt get a good look at it. What are the specs? did it have street legal 15" tires?

[Van B]

One thing I've noticed is common on this show, the rednecks drive in too deep and lock the brakes up. I race on that track several times a year in my Firebird, but on the long track, you cannot drive a 3300 lb muscle car in as deep as a 2500 lb import, I don't care what brakes and tires you have on it. Only once did I see a guy drive it smart, he was in the Blue Camaro, give up the first turn, maybe even the first lap, then use the "muscle" of the car to get by.

Kyle Tucker, owner of Detroit Speed and Engineering. He is a suspension engineer and one hell of a driver. His parts are on many of the redneck Chevys.

[BuzzKillian]

So the fastest of the imports get to run against the rednecks? Is a girl in a stock Mini Cooper S the best they could do?

I would have liked to see more of that Craftsman Truck. Is is a Craftsman Truck or is it a Pro Truck? I couldnt get a good look at it. What are the specs? did it have street legal 15" tires?

In the "Chat" last night, they said the "Race Truck" didn't even have an engine in it! LOL

[theman3]

ME,i can turn left and I can turn right,my buicks really light,i was born with a shifter in my hand,i want in,i love the show,how do you get in line,?no offense,but the Camaros and mustangs are getting old,i'll be ready to dance in a couple of month's,WHEN DOES SEASON 2 START?

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

I think they drive like this to give the Imports a chance to win. If the muscle cars always won, it wouldn't be a good show

Yes it would...

[HectorM52]

Thanks to Jeff for the link. Not sure where it went.

[patriot68]

it seems like the mustang brothers get their asses handed to them every time

[stage2ROUSH]

last nights show was awsome, the last race was sooooo close, as always so impressed with Kyle
s driving ability the last corner move was awsome !! THAT was the " move of the race" as they do watching Grand Am racing . love this show