Budget Rallycross Challenge?

I had a thought the other day about setting up a budget challenge for a rallycross event.

I am an organizer for the OVR region SCCA Rallycross in central Ohio so the challenge would take place at one of our events next season. The idea could be used in other regions if there is interest from the competitors and organizers.

The idea would be like the GRM challenge but would only be scored by finishing position at a rallycross. Some preliminary thoughts:

• Total budget to purchase and prepare car - $1000? $2016?
• Car must conform to current modified class rules for SCCA Rallycross.
• All driveline configurations would be grouped together in a "challenge class" for scoring.

Anyone have some interest in building a car for it? If there is enough interest I was thinking about setting aside an event next year for this and working out the rules more.

In.

I vote for $1000 budget but only because that fits the car I'm currently building.

Easy to at least add concours to the event as well. Part of the reason I love the challenge is that you have to build with multiple goals and tradeoffs.

And finally make the first portion of the course a straight shot for 1/8 mile (or less) and you can grab dirt 'drag' times too with a creative use of two sets of timing lights.

The current site we have wouldn't allow for the 1/8 mile straight but if we can get the owner's other (larger) field in usable shape that would be a good idea.

Instead of a straight drag, use an out, pivot cone, and back. It's fun and you don't have to set up lights. 1/8 mile apart.
I'm not quite sure I could justify the tow to get up there, but it sounds fun.

This was what I wanted to see happen upon getting my diagnosis. I had a few ways that I envisioned it. First budget follows the $201X format, than there can be a $1000 sub class, lastly if anyone were to decide in the future that they wanted to take their budget rallycross car to compete in stage rally, there would be a class that is $201X with the exception of spill kit, seats, harnesses, cage and other required safety equipment. (That class would not likely see any entries for a few years). Other than that, all driveline configurations all go into the same class. Eventually I'd love to see awards for the further driven, further tow, the craziest concept, best engineering and the spirit of the event. I'd be more than willing to lend my expertise in promotion of the event and in working to procure sponsors to provide awards. I'd do my damn best to get there, as this concept was the idea behind the BG 323 project car.

The other entity would be entry, I would like to see an additional $40-50 per an entry over the standard sanctioning body entry to be donated in full to the American Cancer Society. This donation could be done in the name of the hosting sanctioning body or in GRM's name. Maybe there could be a shakedown day on Friday afternoon with a donation required for each run or for a window of time to run the surface (but not the exact course).

I desperately want to see a contest such as this occur. I honestly hope that the rallysprint programs start to take hold in the lower 48 so that the formula could expand to those as well. I'd LOVE to see the contest take place one year at Team O'Neil with the overall winner receiving a welder to cage and stage their creation, or a 3 or 4 day class at the school. Or at the Firm with a similar package. The beauty of the rallycross format is the event can travel, I have no issues with it being at a static location the first few years while it continues to develop and organizers continue to improve it and allow it to evolve, but ideally the formula should allow those organizing parties to be able to arrive at the location at the beginning of the weekend, where ever it is, and to run the challenge portion of the event without issue.

Also Evan, this of course means if there's anything I can do to assist in getting this off the ground and going from an organizational standpoint, or otherwise, don't hesitate to let me know. I also own the domain rallybucket.com that was going to be a site for my project, that could be used as a landing spot for this. I also have an (empty) group on facebook by the same name that could be populated and used as a landing spot for the competition.

This interest me. Being a neighbor to your north it wouldn't be too far of a trip and would be willing to help with anything I could, being new to this type of thing that is.

I may be interested. I'm currently building a 05 WRX wagon that I am at $0 budget (although probably not by the rules of the Challenge). I'm in Canada so the drive maybe worth it vs. going to Florida.

yep, as others have mentioned, I would not only love to attend, I would love to help organize/setup in any way I can. Just let me know.

I'm glad there is some interest. For the initial event I was planning just an add-on to one of our normal events to see what kind of participation we get. The best way to do it would be a 2-day format so we have more time for everything.

There has been talk between some of the Ohio rallycross organizers about setting up a program separate from the SCCA to do more rallysprint/wheel to wheel type events which would be fun for a budget series.

Give me a rally spring/wheel to wheel and now I'm interested in firing up the RX7.

Might have interest but need to see if my current rallyx cars fit within the rules since I don't think I want to buy another rallyx car right now.

What date and location?

I'm assuming somewhere in Ohio?

If its during summer vacation I could probably do it with a $2016 car. The actual GRM challenge being during the school year is big obstacle for me to overcome.

I do have that Saturn that I promised would eventually show up in a challenge. Hrmmm....

I'm too broke to participate, and too far away to lend a physical hand, but I'd still like to help get this off the ground (It's been in my head ever since the Capt's diagnosis thread).

If you wanted help with any administrative duties, or anything else I could do while "distance based" please don't hesitate to let me know.

HappyAndy wrote: What date and location? I'm assuming somewhere in Ohio?

Date is TBD, sometime in the summer would be preferable for weather conditions. It would most likely be held at our main site in Greenfield, OH.

Ooooh, I like this. Plus Ohio isn't that far from NY. Count me as interested.

I haven't been to Greenfield in several years. I'd show up with , or without a car though.

In reply to moxnix:

If the Mazda is up and running you, and whoever else is in need of a car to run, will have a car to run.

Would anyone else be up for a smoked meat and or BBQ contest to take place during the weekend of the event as well? It'd be something for those without cars to take part in, or at least enjoy, and helps plan evening activities, and though it's been awhile for me, I recall that such items pair well with beer (home brew competition as well?)

captdownshift wrote: Would anyone else be up for a smoked meat and or BBQ contest to take place during the weekend of the event as well? It'd be something for those without cars to take part in, or at least enjoy, and helps plan evening activities, and though it's been awhile for me, I recall that such items pair well with beer (home brew competition as well?)

I'm not calling you dumb, but that is a dumb question.

Answer: YES.

Sold my $500 challenge Ti to Elliot who has been campaigning it at Ohio RC events. Wasn't able to make the last one a couple weeks back. Gonna rent some seat time next year!