Learn me lemons/chumpcar

Well, after going through the ideas of selling my '95 mtx sho as a whole or parting it out and donating the shell to a lemons/chumpcar team........I've come up with an idea.

What would it take to get together some people to run it as a team in chumpcar?

I mainly lack the skill and knowledge to do the cage, and get it within the rules......and lack a truck to take it to events.

I figure this may perk some attention here as these cars have the reputation for being fast in these series.......although unreliable

Anyways, opinions, advice, etc?

I'd be interested, but Indiana isn't a short drive from The Lou.

In reply to N Sperlo:

No it isn't, distance is always the worst part with these.

Also, what locations do they run in the midwest?

There's a team in the NW that runs a SHO and runs a shop that caters to the SHO (forget the name) The team is G.I. SHO and the car is decorated like a GI Joe/Military vehicle.

They haven't had any issues with the engine from what I understand, just the transaxle, wheel bearings and brakes.

As for getting a team together? Well, hit up the ChumpCar and LeMons forums and see who is in your area and read the various threads on how to get started in their series, read the rules thoroughly and put a budget together for the build and start talking to people about who could help and whether anyone can "buy in" to get the car built and ready for some events.

Expect people to flake, it happens. Also expect that you'll be doing quite a bit of the work as the "owner" of the car. Treat it like a project and try to be the project manager. Set realistic timelines and tasks for the people helping and hold people to those as best as possible, otherwise you'll have to do quite a bit of the work yourself and that could lead to hurt feelings later.

Keep in mind that some teams drive their cars to the event, but U-Haul will rent trucks and tow dolly's or trailers if needed. Flat towing isn't out of the realm of possibility either. Our first ChumpCar race was with a Turbo Shadow and brought to the track via 5-speed turbo caravan on a trailer, so it is entirely possible to drive across town with a fully loaded caravan, trailer and car in rush hour traffic without issue. Perhaps one of the team members will have the ability to tow, etc.

In reply to yamaha:

They run about 15 miles from my house.

Thanks turboswede, sperlo, they run at gateway?

Gateway finally got bought, so yes I believe they do. I think they renamed it St Louis Motor Park or something like that.

I forgot to add the '92 hasn't be crushed yet........so, backup shell?

LOL backup is nice. Yes, the 2012 schedule had Gateway on it, so I am to assume the 2013 will include it.

I think I have one of my friends on board.........his first comment was "We'll be protested because the '95 shell looks too nice from the outside"

I'm at work now so can't do a good writeup, but I know we have discussed this before, if you can find it. On the lemons forums, some of the stickies at the top of the newcomers forum give lots of good information.

I would strongly suggest that you run a race with an established team, either as an arrive and drive or just as pit crew. You will learn more there, than in all the reading you can do online. There is a lemons race at autobahn in Joilet on October 13-14, that looks like your best option.

In reply to Sonic:

family bday that weekend, otherwise it'd be tempting.

Then just show up one day

N Sperlo wrote: I'd be interested, but Indiana isn't a short drive from The Lou.

Yeah it is... i've done the Indy to St. Louis drive about.... 4 times in the last two months. Only 4 hours.

I did it passing through back in march.......illinois sucks

Definitely check the LeMons forum for advice. In particular, pay attention to the roll cage and 'How To Not Fail Tech' sticky threads.

If you build the cage yourself and shop for used race suits it can be done pretty reasonably. I do promise 1) you will never regret it 2) you may develop a taste for W2W that's hard to shake 3) the party's as much fun as the race 4) if the car breaks you'll be surprised how much fun wrenching on a E36 M3box can be.

In reply to Curmudgeon:

I knew the parties were nuts and that most of the fun is getting there......I see it as a great precursor to developing my w2w skills on a decent budget......already pretty consistent and decently good at drag & autox....just want the next frontier.

Kinda why im taking up archery......for a challenge.

I'm running that LeMons race at Autobahn. If you want to crew for Team Resignation, let me know. Or just stop by and say hello, watch the ridiculousness. Look for the Ford Escort with Robo-Nixon on top.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

N Sperlo wrote: I'd be interested, but Indiana isn't a short drive from The Lou.

Yeah it is... i've done the Indy to St. Louis drive about.... 4 times in the last two months. Only 4 hours.

Should have let me know.

mguar wrote: yes they are $500 cars but no it will cost closer to $5000 to get the car track ready unless you are really skilled and lucky.. On top of that there is hauling, fuel costs, RV or Motel costs, spares, food, and beer. Don't go expecting a breakdown free event.

My team built our car for less than $2500, but I think that's uncommon. And that doesn't include race day expenses (fuel is a big one), the entry fee, and race suits. If you've never raced before, it looks like a very expensive weekend. Which is why a lot of your friends who are initially interested will flake out.

Finding an arrive and drive on the lemons board is the cheap way to run a race and get your feet wet.

When is the Autobahn race?

yamaha wrote: In reply to Sonic: family bday that weekend, otherwise it'd be tempting.

October 20 & 21 I'll be at Road America with some Chump friends and an old Fiero for a double 7 (7 hour enduros each day). Check it out.

Jeff

Alan Cesar wrote: .....it looks like a very expensive weekend. Which is why a lot of your friends who are initially interested will flake out.

been there done that....

Both series have events in Michigan too. Chump was just at MIS, and Lemons was at Gingerman last spring.

mguar wrote: yes they are $500 cars but no it will cost closer to $5000 to get the car track ready unless you are really skilled and lucky.. On top of that there is hauling, fuel costs, RV or Motel costs, spares, food, and beer. Don't go expecting a breakdown free event.

I've parted these cars out for years......so most spare driveline/body/electrical parts wouldn't be an issue......although I would never do an engine or trans swap at an event.

In reply to yamaha:

with the right tools, it could be done somewhat quickly.