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June 9, 2010 9:08 a.m. alex Dork

I'm a frequent poster (ie: Dork) over on the GRM boards, but I haven't been spending much time over here. That's about to change.

My father recently bought a '60 Catalina that has been used most recently for some form of circle track racing. It's gutted, caged (with a pretty serious-looking modern cage) and has a tubular front subframe/engine cradle that allows it to run a-arm suspension. Drivline consists of a Pontiac 400 backed with a 2 speed Powerglide, though we we intend to eventually replace that combination with a more period-appropriate 421/M-22.

Long story short, we'd like to make this season into sort of a shake-down/prep season, both for the car and ourselves. Neither of us have any significant track experience beyond a handful of motorcycle track days I've done. We're thinking of just basic HPDEs and such this season, then getting 'serious' next year.

So, I suppose I'm asking the CM braintrust to hold my hand and wade with me into the shallow end of the racing pool, with the eventual plans of tossing me into the deep end head first.

Care to help?
June 9, 2010 9:11 a.m. alex Dork

Oh right, this thread is useless without pics.

More here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexcarlson/sets/72157624237913920/
June 10, 2010 12:47 p.m. OFracing Reader

Welcome Alex. I do vintage road racing and I'm sure none of the groups I run with would allow your car in a race with out some mods, like different seat belts (5 point or better) and brake lights for a start. The cage, while impressive might need some mods too, depending on which group you run with.

Here's a link to the SCCA website relating to Licensing http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=43

And here's a link to the rule book http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=43

Here's a link to the St. Louis SCCA club and their Performance Driving events http://www.stlpdx.com/

Vintage Stock car racing http://www.vintagestockcar.com/

Have Fun

mike
June 10, 2010 10:32 p.m. rl48mini New Reader

Is the chassis set-up for right and left turns or just left? That might dictate the first step in getting the car ready. I think HSR has a group for old NASCAR type cars to run. That might be a place to start or give you some guidelines for your car's modifications/eligibility.
June 13, 2010 7:10 p.m. alex Dork

Thanks for the pointers, gents. We're certainly not opposed to making some mods to fit into a class/body. This old boy's a track rat, and he's gonna stay that way; might as well use him and have some fun.

To the best of my knowledge, the chassis isn't biased for left-turn-only, so that's a plus. Not that I'm opposed to a little roundy-round action from time to time, but we'd sure prefer to run roadcourses for the most part.

Keep the suggestions coming!