ARR $2012 Challenge Build Thread

My Dad and I formed a team and are preparing to enter the Challenge (as well as other events). Our team Also Ran Racing, or ARR for short.

We've both been long time readers and big fans of GRM and the Challenge. We've spent many, many, many hours talking about what we would do... now it is time for us to put our money (all $2012 of it) where our mouth is!

Follow along as we go through the build...

Also Ran Racing

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Brad's GRM ID = BradLTL Hal's GRM ID = Argo1

Argo1 wrote: “Take simplicity and add lightness.” That is the credo of Lotus. We have decide to add, “Take lightness and add cheapness.” For the first time, Lotus will be represented at the Challenge. We have always been fans of Lotus and wanted to do something different for the $2012 Challenge. As with most Challenge projects, a purchase of opportunity presented itself and we were off on a building adventure. Sage advice for those considering British cars of the 70’s was: “Never buy a British car heavier than you can push out of an intersection by yourself.” We hope to have one of the lightest curb weight cars ever to run the event. Nimbleness and power to weight ratio shouldn’t be a problem. All the same, we have decided give it excess horsepower just to make sure. There will be a few organ transplants from different species as well as some cosmetic surgery. You can follow our build at: www.alsoranracing.com The first installment is posted now!

The reveal!

Now THAT is a car I look forward to seeing in Challenge trim. Sounds awesome!

I like it!

In reply to BradLTL:

Hey Brad, that's really cool. Good luck to you guys. Maybe you can say, "Also Ran 1st." I think it's particularly special because you're getting to do that with your dad. My dad was great but could never begin to understand my passion for racing.

VERY EXCITE!

Sweet. Another challenge car from Alabama. If you need a hand with your car at some point, I might be able to help.

awesome'sauce

I like this line in the description of the car: "Its overall height, width, wheelbase, and track are almost identical to the C4 Corvette." Could that be a hint to the planned powertrain? :)

Holy piggly wiggly that's awesome!

Pretty awesome find for a back corner of a junkyard. Must've been an old school one where they don't just crush and scrap the entire yard every few months.

your reveal has one small mis-statement.

The Reveal said: and considered attacking the “Porsche Challenge Jinx” – no Porsche has ever managed to finish in the top 20 since the event started.

I finished 16th (or was it 18th?) with my V8 944 in 2008.

BradLTL wrote: We hope to have one of the lightest curb weight cars ever to run the event. Nimbleness and power to weight ratio shouldn’t be a problem. All the same, we have decided give it excess horsepower just to make sure.

That's a heck of a challenge for a Lotus that you think started at about 2450 pounds! For reference, my $2011 N600 was around 1350 pounds, and I'm pretty sure there have been a couple other cars that were lighter like the Isetta and the Berzerkeley, if you count those as cars. (zing!)

I'm interested to see where this one goes, seems like a fun idea but definitely a challenging build. Good luck!

Bryce

Great response! We're pretty excited by this car as well! Nashco, I doubt we will be quite as light as your cool N600 but we will be close. We are trying to be as anal about weight as Chapman was. He always lightened everything up until it broke and then lightened just a little bit more... Follow along as we get the build worked out. It won't be what you expect! V8? Nah, that's been done. Actually we received a briefcase size nuclear reactor from the Iranians. Fit right in the budget as we didn't have to pay actual money for it - just nod a lot as they shouted and waved guns. Here are a couple more "as found" shots of the car in the tow yard:

It was great to meet you guys at the Challenge. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Matt

That thing needs a sprint car wing and and a Bosozuko splitter. Twin Holset boosted 4.8L Bowtie would impress the judges as well... and would be oh so cheap to build.

9 months to go.....

Gearheadotaku wrote: 9 months to go.....

Don't remind me... every day I work on the car I feel like I'm not accomplishing enough!

It's been a few weeks since we spilled the beans on our Lotus $2012 Challenge car. You can now read what the alleged minds at Also Ran Racing have decided to build with it. Read part 2 of our build - The Plan after the jump.

Part 2: http://www.alsoranracing.com

I like where this build is going.

I have a street ported 12a and matching 5 speed 'fer cheap if it helps you out. I don't think it'll make your 250hp goal without boost's or nawz's though.

I am following this build with interest. Certainly will be the only one at the event.

In reply to hrdlydangerous:

A cheap 12A you say? I know someone looking for one.

Argo1 wrote: It's been a few weeks since we spilled the beans on our Lotus $2012 Challenge car. You can now read what the alleged minds at Also Ran Racing have decided to build with it. Read part 2 of our build - The Plan after the jump. Part 2: http://www.alsoranracing.com

For what it's worth, that car came with a 907, which has an aluminum block.

I would love to know more about the simulations y'all are using.

93EXCivic wrote: I would love to know more about the simulations y'all are using.

• Desktop Drag5
• Desktop Dyno5
• DskTop FstLap5
• X Motor Racing
• Caedium

We'll do some write ups on application of those tools. Email any specific questions you might have.