Autocross

[2g72]

Wow I just lost a good hour of typing to the bulletin board message gods.....that angers me, I will now abbreviate my posting:

First: Nice Nova man! Those are sweet looking cars.

Second: Here is a video of my Camaro running.....(no engine / braking / steering work has been done to the car, just suspension, differential, transmission (T56).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu5KRBqrOyY


That was only the second time I had been out and Im absolutely addicted....I have disease. The other thing I'm addicted to is COMPETITION. Which now that Im trying to join the two has brought up quite a pickle.....


Third: Question for the seasoned autocrossers / club racers out there:

What does it take to competitive in C Prepared on the national level?

Judging by what I have seen, no road going car is going to be able to compete on that level in C Prepared?

I absolutely refuse to have a car dedicated solely to racing at this point in my life....Which leads me to the unevitable requirement of selling my car (which I have already tried and isn't going so well) and buying something that can compete in Stock for awhile and been driven daily....then move along to other classes later / turn it into a club racer.....


Thanks In Advance,

Chuck Mamich

[mpozzi]

Third: Question for the seasoned autocrossers / club racers out there:

What does it take to competitive in C Prepared on the national level?

Judging by what I have seen, no road going car is going to be able to compete on that level in C Prepared?

I absolutely refuse to have a car dedicated solely to racing at this point in my life....Which leads me to the unevitable requirement of selling my car (which I have already tried and isn't going so well) and buying something that can compete in Stock for awhile and been driven daily....then move along to other classes later / turn it into a club racer.....


Thanks In Advance,

Chuck Mamich

Hi Chuck,

It all depends on what level of competition you're going to be satisfied with. For C Prepared, it will take a specialty-build car to be competitive at the National level. The Ankeny Camaro (V6, 2600 lbs, built to the limit of the rules) was advertised for $40K in Sports Car (SCCA periodical) and I think it sold on eBay (not sure how much). And this car finished only in the TOP FIVE at Nationals.

At a Regional or local level, you can take a street car and do okay. You won't be in contention for TTOD or possibly even a Top Ten time of day but will have fun and get some good competition. Again, your expectation is what's essential to doing well and feeling comfortable about C Prepared.

CP is all about power-to-weight. The majority of these cars are tube-frame, have lightweight engines (V6 or V8), adjustable coil-over suspension, racing slicks, and have been put on a strict diet. They're not street cars. As you're not willing (nor should you be as you have a nice car) to strip your current Camaro to National CP trim, step down and run it Regionally or locally. As you're still a relative novice with Solo II, give yourself a season to become familiar with the events and different types of track surfaces. All of this becomes very important the higher up you are with level of competition. To run a nationally-competitive CP car for a season (unsponsored and all on you), you're looking at at least $3-5K a year. This includes entry fees, tires, fuel, maintenance, and trip expenses (Nationals in Topeka, KS). It doesn't include a tow vehicle nor trailer.

Now, your other question also sounds very interesting and for Stock Category competition, there's F Stock. Both the Camaro and Mustang offer each other good competition but so far the Mustang Shelby GT500 is the car to beat. The Camaro SS/Firebird WS6 aren't classed in F Stock but do well in E Street Prepared with the allowed modifications. You have some options here and all will offer a fun street car as well. Again, tires are going to be the biggest expense to keep you competitive.

Good luck and there may be another thread with more autocross/Solo II information elsewhere in the forums. I've competed my '73 RS locally and done pretty well; there are threads that give the build and fun with this car.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[2g72]

Mary:

Thanks for all of the insight, its nice to at least have a clue as to what annual costs would run -- that's not really too terrible...

I am very goal orientated person...as such if I make competing in the SCCA my goal --- I must shoot for the top, even if I do only do local events for a few seasons. However, sinking time and money into a car that I know ultimately can't help achieve my ultimate goal isn't something I'm interested in.

Assuming I can sell my car for decent cash, I can buy an '08 C6 Z51 and run that in Super Stock...it seems that a lot of C5 Z06's are competitive and the new Z51 should be very close to comparable right? Looking through the rules, allowed modifications are pretty minimal which is good as I could compete right off the showroom floor, plus drive it daily as well - which is highly appealing to me.

Assuming that I am correct in my assuption that it would be competitive, I would just need to find a buyer for the Camaro....

Just out of curiousity what kind of HP numbers are those V6's putting out?

[mpozzi]

Mary:

Thanks for all of the insight, its nice to at least have a clue as to what annual costs would run -- that's not really too terrible...

I am very goal orientated person...as such if I make competing in the SCCA my goal --- I must shoot for the top, even if I do only do local events for a few seasons. However, sinking time and money into a car that I know ultimately can't help achieve my ultimate goal isn't something I'm interested in.

Assuming I can sell my car for decent cash, I can buy an '08 C6 Z51 and run that in Super Stock...it seems that a lot of C5 Z06's are competitive and the new Z51 should be very close to comparable right? Looking through the rules, allowed modifications are pretty minimal which is good as I could compete right off the showroom floor, plus drive it daily as well - which is highly appealing to me.

Assuming that I am correct in my assuption that it would be competitive, I would just need to find a buyer for the Camaro....

Just out of curiousity what kind of HP numbers are those V6's putting out?

I've heard over 400 RWHP. The Z06 is very competitive in SS and as there's minimal mods required, sounds like a good possibility. You'll need another set of wheels and plan on at least two, more like three, sets of tires per year. The $3-5K yearly allowance also doesn't cover anything that might go wrong with the car. Many competitors tow a small utility trailer to haul extra wheels/tires, fuel, air tank, etc. in and that will also help as you won't need a truck or trailer.

The current issue of Sports Car has the Solo Nationals/Pro Solo results and class rundown. You also want to read Fast Track as it talks about which new cars will be classified where and any reclassifications for existing cars. SS can be a catch pond for anything new that's exciting and if you are spending serious coin to be competitive, you want to get the right car. There are also the Solo Forums that can provide tons of additional information.

Good luck,
Mary Pozzi

[TonyBolton]

My pile:







http://videos.streetfire.net/video/f...0001617887.htm

[blown71]

My 2001 Camaro SLP SS - AutoCrossing