Coolest thing you learned at the Challenge?

Bigben was showing me on his Opel how he used a battery cable from a BMW to relocate his battery to the rear. Something like 20 feet of very thick power wire. NordicSaab said that mid 90s Cadillacs has similar wire. Best part is the yard just charges the normal battery cable price. Now to find a factory battery box.

The biggest thing I learned is that I hate all of you with pick n pulls in your area. They don't exist in central MO and all the yards around us are manned by morons.

Also, reaffirmed that tires are the most important thing on any car and race fuel is expensive as hell!

Also, also. There are a lot of really cool people that are extremely helpful at the challenge. I had 3 sets of people offer to lend me tires (Stampie included) to use at the drags and auto-x. If my car would have held together for more than 3 minutes at a time, I would have had a lot better showing just from borrowing.

That GRM and GRMers are as much a family in real life as online.

In reply to singleslammer:

I have bought parts cars, traded parts, bought parts from the challenge flea market, etc - mostly from forum members. I have not needed a single pick-n-pull trip on either of my challenge cars to date. That might change of course, but I find I get the best deals other places.

Original intent of thread:

I learned that (pre-event) testing is paramount. Of course I also learned that last year, and promptly forgot. Let's see if it sticks this time.

That Andrew Nelson can notch cage tubing faster and with more accuracy than a CNC laser, using nothing but a grinder and a sharpie.

I always look for ideas from other competitors. This year I was taking photos of the Circuit Motorsports rear wing.

Tercels can be cool and fast.

I learned that Busch Signature Copper Select can be purchased in Gainesville and that bringing the best cheap beer makes everything better.

Quasi Mofo has a face.

In reply to Robbie:

Good point.

Also, I echo the pre-event testing. Hopefully we both remember that next year.

SVreX wrote: Quasi Mofo has a face.

That may have been the funniest moment of the weekend Paul.

I think a lot of the Challengers miss out when they aren't at the pool/hot tub/breakfast table conventions.

I enjoyed talking to you and will see you soon!

I met lots of people but I can't put faces with user names

Competitors will pull on oily clothes to help with the slightest provocation. Some don't even bother with the oily clothes.

Xceler8x wrote: Competitors will pull on oily clothes to help with the slightest provocation. Some don't even bother with the oily clothes.

They worked on your car naked?

DeadSkunk wrote:

Xceler8x wrote: Competitors will pull on oily clothes to help with the slightest provocation. Some don't even bother with the oily clothes.

They worked on your car naked?

Just makes it easier to get some on your hootus.

singleslammer wrote: I met lots of people but I can't put faces with user names

Mine's in my avatar, though I was a bit shaggier last weekend.

singleslammer wrote: I would have had a lot better showing just from borrowing.

Since you brought it up... can anyone shed some light on how that would work for budget considerations?

n8 wrote:

singleslammer wrote: I would have had a lot better showing just from borrowing.

Since you brought it up... can anyone shed some light on how that would work for budget considerations?

yeah, um, I do believe that if whatever you borrowed is helping you perform during the Challenge, it should be included in your budget. It seems a team or two side-stepped that issue.

In reply to n8:

Tom Suddard recently clarified...

Borrowing is fine, but BOTH budgets need to account for the item.

Example:

Car A has 4 autoX tires and $100 wheels, the tires are free, but Car A should have $100 in the budget for the wheels. If Car B borrows them, but has already used their "free tire" allowance for their 4 drag tires, Car B should have $100 in the budget for the borrowed wheels PLUS the value of the tires.

Make sense?

John Brown wrote:

SVreX wrote: Quasi Mofo has a face.

That may have been the funniest moment of the weekend Paul.

A little extra play-acting always helps!

SVreX wrote: In reply to n8: Tom Suddard recently clarified... Borrowing is fine, but BOTH budgets need to account for the item. Example: Car A has 4 autoX tires and $100 wheels, the tires are free, but Car A should have $100 in the budget for the wheels. If Car B borrows them, but has already used their "free tire" allowance for their 4 drag tires, Car B should have $100 in the budget for the borrowed wheels PLUS the value of the tires. Make sense?

Makes perfect sense and that's how I'd assume it should work.

In reply to n8:

I hear you.

In reply to n8:

Yep, that is how I would have accounted for it if I borrowed anything. I had over $400 left in the budget so there wouldn't have been any issues with me. Not sure if that is true for others though.

1.Drag tires are very important even for slow cars.
2.Most competitors aren't really focused on the drag racing portion of the event.
3. If you need help don't be afraid to ask for it. I didn't learn this I just wanted to point it out.
4. Make sure your nitrous bottle is full before you leave home.
5. Don't get sick the week of the event.

I'm kinda taken aback that mr nelson notches tubes the same way i do