My first "race car"

Hello all my name is Tony and im new to the boards, just wanted to post this up in hopes of keeping me motivated and some advice and inspiration. I have my 04 Pontiac Vibe for about 7 years bought it with 13k on the clock been great flash forward to now and the only "mechanical" things that have gone wrong i just replaced the ac compressor. So nothing but general maint. Everything else body wise has been hell, had the hood flip up on me on the highway, had someone carve some very creative words in the side of it and countless other cosmetic stuff. Anywho on to the "race car" I have decided that it is time for the Vibe to get rewarded with some time in AutoX and RallyX! Oh yeah I know its late in the season to start at least in my region, but I am going to a RallyX in WI inNov. Its been a long time coming I have wanted to get into racing for a long time. So I have been prepping the car, battery, all fluids, ect. I just picked up a set of steelies with blizzaks with decent tread for $130. That is as far as I think im going as far as this race. I think im just going to go out to throw some dirt and have fun and hopefully nothing breaks. I would appreciate any advice from some of the more experienced for a first timer thanks

I can't see your location but our region has two more rallycross events in November, here in Ohio. Welcome to the club!

Thanks, I am in the chicagoland area.

Sounds like you have it figured out. All maintenance stuff up to par and just drive. You'll figure out where you "need" to spend money on upgrades later.

I got another question. Next year I plan on running AutoX and RallyX, im just wondering if my set up has to change drastically? I was thinking of having 2 sets of struts set up for a quick change stock springs for rally and one with my 2" drop springs for autox. Good plan? Any other ideas for chamges I should use or need?

Wait, you're racing what you have and open to learning, you're not just going to quiz us for months on what is the perfect car to buy for both!?

AWESOME.

Please keep us posted. Also: Welcome.

I think it's also mandatory that all rallycrosses have pictures posted.

These guys don't know what their talking about. Want to see a REAL rallyx car? Check my garage.

Welcome, buddy. Sounds like you've got it together. Be sure to even ask the dumb questions.

fstbandit wrote: I got another question. Next year I plan on running AutoX and RallyX, im just wondering if my set up has to change drastically? I was thinking of having to sets of struts set up for a quick change stock springs for rally and one with my 2" drop springs for autox. Good plan? Any other ideas for chamges I should use or need?

Might wanna have adjustable tophats for quick camber changes, but other than that, you should be good. Maybe quick d/c sways, depending on how you want to class. I'd say run everything stock for now.

mndsm wrote: I'd say run everything stock for now.

Not a bad plan. Going between asphalt to rally, you'll break things. Keep it cheap for now. Stock cars run just fine off road.

I will put pics up when I get home(hopefully I can figure it out) Yeah right now im racking my brain on what will break first (the car now has 157k) oh and I forgot to mention its automatic , but oh well!

@N Spurlo awesome cav, I had 2 j bodies before the vibe, an 87 sunbird and 94 cav good times

All stock engine and suspension. Not nearly the weight, but its proof that stock can handle a beating.

Well small update just working on small prep and tech stuff, gotta redo the battery tie down, doing a coolant flush, and fresh front brakes, and sorry for lack of pics I cant figure out how to put them in a post

Regarding pics:

host them somewhere online(photobucket, picasa, etc), click the camera icon over the text input box here, insert picture URL, viola!

Thanks for the advice on the pics I will try that tomorrow. I bought my helmet today . Any advice on a good way to secure a battery. I think im going to screw the tray down to the mount and use the stock tie down, I just dont think it works very well(will post pic tomorrow) and I would hate to drive 3hrs only to fail tech. Any ideas on a good but cheap way would be appreciated.

http://s986.photobucket.com/user/fstbandit/media/Facebook/Project%20Race%20Car/1399348_10200394050488386_1790708121_o.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4

Hmm that didn't turn out right oh well the link should work. Pics as promised

Several years ago at SEMA, Pontiac displayed their Vibe Autocross: http://www.genvibe.com/gallery3/index.php/chicago2004/PontiacVibeChicago

fstbandit wrote: http://s986.photobucket.com/user/fstbandit/media/Facebook/Project%20Race%20Car/1399348_10200394050488386_1790708121_o.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4

Gotta use the direct link on the left of the picture and then click on the camera icon above the text box to insert pictures.

I love cars where the hood does that.. like, without breaking anything.

I had one car that wasnt supposed to do that but did it anyway. Driving home after a light fender bender the hood flew up at 45, scared me good when it showered me with flying windshield parts!

I think the best advice is to just get seat time and base your mods on things that actually bother you instead of planning based on assumptions and theoreticals. Yes, you will probably end up with a lot of the same stuff people recommend anyway, but you may end up NOT doing certain things, and that can save you time and money. So just get seat time and plan your mods based on actual driving impressions.

Getting ready to load up and head out.

Whats the plan for tonight?

Loading tools and playing tetris I gotta fit all my tools and cooler and 3 other people and spare tires in amd on this thing! Oh! I almost forgot to ask will I pass tech with a crack in the windshield a rock hit it on the way home today.

Vigo wrote: I think the best advice is to just get seat time and base your mods on things that actually bother you instead of planning based on assumptions and theoreticals. Yes, you will probably end up with a lot of the same stuff people recommend anyway, but you may end up NOT doing certain things, and that can save you time and money. So just get seat time and plan your mods based on actual driving impressions.

This. I am SO excited that you are starting to drive this thing, taking care of the important stuff (you mentioned brakes and a battery hold down) rather than asking what engine swap is the right one before you entered your first trackday. Good work. You are taking the correct path and I am sure you'll be rewarded. I don't know about the crack, but in the past, folks running that sort of show have been approachable by phone, so I'd just call them and ask straight up.

Keep it up, let us know how you're progressing.

Well I got the first RallyX under my belt. The only thing that "broke" was driver side wheel well. I did manage to take home 3rd place in my class! AND I beat some AWD times, I will put5 pics up shortly, thanks all for you support and advice.