After looking at the specs again, I very much think you need a '03-04 Focus with the 2.3 Duratec. Domestic, 151hp, 154lb ft, back seats, good handling out of the box (with excellent rear suspension for a front-driver), lightweight, common. Might be a little more expensive than a Saturn or similar, but it seems like the PERFECT car for their (heavily skewed towards domestic vehicles) rule set.
How far off the weight of a Neon is a gutted PT Cruiser? Or does all of the neon advantage disappear with a few extra pounds?
Cobalt / Ion with up-model 2.4L could be good too.
Is there a price cap, claim rule?
No dual cams, guys.
No DOHC only applies to imports.
Claim rule - after 3 races $1800 and that includes spectators can claim car.
Yup, bizarrely (unfairly?) it turns out the SOHC restriction is only for imports, unless that's an error in the rule book.
I stand by my 2.3L Focus suggestion, but that claim rule is sketchy. This class really does seem to be built around 3.1L Crapaliers.
Who'd want race in a series that handicraps imports? The reason you do that sort of race is the frugality. If I have to drive a turd American car that breaks down ALL THE TIME, out the window goes my frugality
Junkyard parts and the frugality of being able to find a replacement shell/engine before next week's race should there be major damage in this typically beginners class.
Common cars with exceptional parts availability.
I stand corrected, and that's the dumbest thing i've ever heard.
Beretta, 3.1 or 2.4 Z24, or if you can afford it, a Cobalt will probably destroy just about anything on handling alone
At some point in the distant past there was a lot of discussion on SAABRally.com about building SOHC c900 engines for circle track racing.... In short, in a class where engine modifications are permitted, those engines can be turned into monsters. In a stock class they would be a waste of effort when compared to more modern engines.
I guess none of that is helpful in this case, sorry.
I think it's silly that neons aren't permitted, do they get their own class? I guess that a focus would be the next best thing, assuming that domestics do get to run DOHC. Or, since they have a claimer rule, go claim something that wins.
Is there any sort of claimer rule here? Cars like a 10 year old Focus hatch won't work well if there is.
1988RedT2 wrote: Funny. First thing comes to mind is the Neon, and they're excluded???!!! I'd like to hear the logic behind that rule.
Same reason a lot of circle tracks ban Camaros, if they didn't it would end up a spec series. The automatic only bit is the one that I find weird.
Zx2 S/R or Focus Duratec. The other possibility would be a plymouth laser non-turbo. I would also think that a Olds Achieva with a quad 4 would work pretty well.
if you wanted to go with an import.. how about the Hyundai accent.. yes, it falls short of the 160hp mark, but it is lightweight, nimble, and small stock. Not to mention the 13inch stock wheels will be cheap to keep in rubber
BTW.. those rules read more like a demo derby than a race series
The 4g64 motor out of the '99 / early 2000's Galants was a 2.4l 16 valve SOHC 155hp w/auto trans.
I'd think a Zetec Contour could possibly be found even cheaper than a Focus or ZX2. Although it would be heavier, it might be a safer choice given the $1800 claim rule.
mad_machine wrote: BTW.. those rules read more like a demo derby than a race series
Ever seen one of these races? They look more like a Demo Derby than a race series.
My votes: 1. ZX2 2. Focus ZX3/ZTS/ZX4/ZX5 3. Escort GT 4. 4 cyl Probe (GT makes just too much power and automatic 4 cylinder probes should be dirt cheap)
Another funny option: SOHC Dodge Stealth - makes 160 hp on the dot, heavy but good suspension, and would make people flip their shirt when you showed up with it ;)
In reply to drdisque:
But the Stealth may be as wide as the track...although that could be a good thing if you're in the lead!
Humor in the idea that the Dodge Stealth would be allowed but the Mitsubishi version, not.
bmw88rider wrote: Zx2 S/R or Focus Duratec. The other possibility would be a plymouth laser non-turbo. I would also think that a Olds Achieva with a quad 4 would work pretty well.
Neither zx2 s/r or laser were available with 4 doors. S/r was not available with auto.
drdisque wrote:mad_machine wrote: BTW.. those rules read more like a demo derby than a race seriesEver seen one of these races? They look more like a Demo Derby than a race series. My votes: 1. ZX2 2. Focus ZX3/ZTS/ZX4/ZX5 3. Escort GT 4. 4 cyl Probe (GT makes just too much power and automatic 4 cylinder probes should be dirt cheap)
Almost everything you listed is ineligible due to door count.
There was also never a 4 door Dodge Stealth.
Only the imports need to have 4 doors.
4 door shadow with a 2.4 swap?
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