Chump Car / Lemons?

[jamesurq]

Anyone in this club run a chump or lemons race?

I've been wanting to do it for years, but never really had the $...

Would love to join an existing team - or if there isn't one anyone wanna start one?

Spent the last 10 minutes on craigslist looking at beaters - and there are a lot of them right now...

Any interest?

 

[jfz80]

Man. Looks like you picked the wrong week to quit searching

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/onsc-track-car.826918/

 

[jamesurq]

Jesus, I'm on a roll...

 

[tgadd]

Paging @Izzyandsue ; he doesn't do Chump or LeMons but actually tracks a car I believe.

 

[izzyandsue]

Done LeMons 3 times, best car was the Kia, worse was the 944. Next one I think is in the Spring at Kershaw, SC. Cost can add up, car is $500 max, but safety stuff and brakes are unlimited. Its not racing, more like I-77 at rush hour, but with less crazy people.

 

[onemanarmy]

looks like fun

 

[tgadd]

Best name - FU-HAUL
Best concept - turbo-diesel 911

 

[tgadd]

I know nothing about racing or mechanics. But I can fund a portion as long as I can learn both.

 

[CharlestonG8R]

This looks like a blast! I wish I didn't live so far away...

 

[onemanarmy]

I've been doing a good bit of research on this over the past year...

24 Hours of LeMons - Prices & Rules

Gotta have a team anyway, it would be impossible to do alone. They want you to have 6 drivers, to keep everyone fresh.

Everyone has to pay and have safety gear, but the cost of the car and work can be split up pretty good.

BUt yes, costs and time would add up quick. And they have races all over the country.

 

[Burt88]

I built and raced 2 cars for my former employer. The car chosen needs a street value of approximately $500 before any modifications. Like a stock 1996 Mazda Miata. You cant do anything to the motor but you have an unlimited allowance for "safety" equipment. The car also needs to be built to a minimum race spec requirement. No glass, full harness racing seat, full roll cage, emergency shut off, etc. Those costs add way up. You'll easily be between 3-5 grand to build a car and have 2 sets of tires with wheels. Also need full racing suits for each driver, no sharing. Entry fees, I think, are about 1 grand per car and you can split that among however many drivers. Add the fuel for the race and you've gotten into a bit of money. LeMons race is two days and raced during daylight and is a lot more fun than Chump. Chump is a long single day race into the night that requires additional lights and some of the participants are pit crews from professional race teams. I also prefer LeMons because you camp and drink while repairing a days worth of carnage. Old BMW 3 series are really awesome for this event.

 

[Burt88]

Oh and another thing. At Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw at least, the day prior to the race you can test the car during designated sessions. Also, for additional cost, you can take any car of your own out onto the track with a trainer during staggered sessions.

 

[jamesurq]

Best name - FU-HAUL
Best concept - turbo-diesel 911

You think those are good. Google speedycop. That dude has built some crazy stuff.

 

[izzyandsue]

Like I mentioned,mine it 3 times. It is not hard racing, you don't even need a license. Imagine 117 cars in a 3/4 mile track, lots of turns and chicanes to keep speeds slow. Done it with 4 members, easy to do but you share more of cost. Will be hard to break 45mph at times, as opposed to 145 mph during full track race.

Budget $1000 per. I have all my gear for other stuff. I would suggest buying a ready made car, a lot less work. You can't have any glass in car, total strip down.

If there is enough interest, let me know and we can get together. I can share my experience and look into the Kershaw event. I am a founding member of that club down there, may have leads to cars too.

 

[RedHeadedStepChild]

I've gotta get off the coast and closer to the action

 

[tgadd]

Anyone good with a bodywork? I bet we could turn a Geo Metro to look like a FJ40ish.

 

[izzyandsue]

could be a good time to find some totaled hurricane damaged flooded car too.

 

[jamesurq]

How about a rusted out old 40. Is that still worth more than $500?

 

[Burt88]

There was a guy in the race a while back that had a Jurassic Park painted GEO Metro with a V8 bolted down behind the front seats. Mid-engine. That thing was screamin around the track till the engine blew. But it qualified to race. And yes you could modify a 40 to race. There's essentially three classes out on the track. Two classes are based on engine size. Like a 4cyl miata isnt in the same class as a V8 mustang. And the third is more for show. At one of the races a guy had a Cessna mated to a Toyota space van chassis. He's made some crazy stuff.

 

[jamesurq]

89 Honda Accord race car U car
94 honda civic u car

Both in greensboro

Slightly more work, since it doesn't run - but only $500 WITH the rollcage....
Saab Race Car

I have a tow dolly (for transportation) but clearly an actual trailer would be better.

What i don't have - is a place that we can keep the car and work on it. Anyone have one of those?