New Challenge Class?

I'm thinking about adding a new class to the Challenge for our shops. The rules would be the same, but they'd be sponsored by shops (to help them promote their business) and the cars could be built at the shop during shop time. However, materials/parts and everything else would be still subject to all other rules....

What does the Forum think?

Per

Would this be an entirely voluntary classing?

E.g. would you have to be in this class if you wanted to advertise you shop on the car? If you had a home shop that had all the equipment of a professional shop, would you be pushed into this class? Is there any reason why a shop could not participate currently? (with volunteered time obviously)

Might be an interesting way to get some really extreme projects if you can get the shops to go for it.

The shops that wanted to do it would be interested in it for the promotion...and it could get some cool cars.

I essentially want to invite our advertisers to participate without messing up the regular routine.

I would like to see what kind of shops would go for this. I would also like to see something like this for tech schools. UTI vs. Wyo Tech plus several community college programs. That could get interesting.

I think it is a terrific idea, the more pub and $$ the Challenge (and GRM) gets the better for everyone. I think it is going to be difficult drawing the line between a current 10 person team and a "Shop Team". Obviously if you have a ton of people working on a car you'll have more resources than 2,3,4 people working on a car regardless of where and when you work on the car.

If you're going to add a new class maybe you just say teams greater than "X" people are a class. They can chose to advertise all they want. I'd love to see a "Kumho Car" or a "Superchips Car". Make it happen!

I like the idea. But instead of a new "class" honor the highest finished "SPONSOR" car with a no charge full page glossy and a trophy.

Make them run against the average joe and make them feel the heat of running againt a Crabill or Nelson. (I still owe Crabill my life from $2002, his tent kept us from getting soaked.

Privateers still get the big trophy.

Would love the competition.

Do any of your advertisers want to sponsor a project? Say $2009 or so..

yeah, any sponsors are welcome. I have the ultimate in cheapo automotive advertising. We are running the same car in the Challenge this year that we are running in the BABE, and LeMons New Orleans!

please, sponsors, donations, beer, work, parts, etc. welcome!

I'm not seeing a down side to this! Do it Do It!

Group them in with the team builds. Shops can compete with the likes of the Hongs or other semi-pros.

I don't want to muddy this up with team builds. Teams are different than shops/commercial groups.

I can see allowing shops to compete on materials cost. Heck, I'm sure that there are shops out there with extra time available, and enthusiasts working there that would love to enter. Of course, some shops may have fewer tools available than some of the home shops out there.

What if i build AT a shop... but using my own skills?

Woody wrote: Privateers still get the big trophy.

Oh they will. Summarizing the immortal words of 16VCorrey, I don't care how many engineers you've got or what kind of shop, you are still gonna get schooled by a bunch of drunk guys from Georgia/Florida and a family guy from PA who makes art from junk in his garage.

It really does seem like a great idea. More inspiration for us "also-ran" types. I think from a purely coverage piont of view ot has worked well in the UTCC. As you know there will be controversy no matter where you draw the line, but more particpiation in one of my favorite events in the world sounds fun.

Go for it.

It seems the available tools somewhat determine the engineering that goes into a particular car. Shops usually have tubing benders, CNC mills/lathes, paint booths, etc. Part of the challenge of the Challenge is getting access to these tools--some can do it easily, some will never get access to a tubing bender to fabricate a tube frame from the free steel they came across. That doesn't make them any less resourceful or talented, just less fortunate.

I think a scoring system that rewards ingenuity over machine accessibility may level the field more than a Pro/Amateur class. A set of headers built from exhaust scrap is neater to me than a set of headers built on my employers' tubing bender after hours.

I'd like to see regional preliminaries, maybe West Coast, Mid West and North East.

I'd love to build a $200X car and see what it'll do, but the odds of me trailering it to Florida from Connecticut (with work and family commitments) are slim to none.

Woody wrote: I'd like to see regional preliminaries, maybe West Coast, Mid West and North East. I'd love to build a $200X car and see what it'll do, but the odds of me trailering it to Florida from Connecticut (with work and family commitments) are slim to none.

That's why you drive it instead of trailer!

Mental wrote:

Woody wrote: Privateers still get the big trophy.

Oh they will. Summarizing the immortal words of 16VCorrey, I don't care how many engineers you've got or what kind of shop, you are still gonna get schooled by a bunch of drunk guys from Georgia/Florida and a family guy from PA who makes art from junk in his garage. It really does seem like a great idea. More inspiration for us "also-ran" types. I think from a purely coverage piont of view ot has worked well in the UTCC. As you know there will be controversy no matter where you draw the line, but more particpiation in one of my favorite events in the world sounds fun. Go for it.

exactly. i wouldn't want to be the shop that gets embarassed by the regular challengers!

being for the most part a team of one for my challenge efforts, I support some recognition of that for those of us going up against the likes of the Hong Norr's. However, I don't think a separate class is the answer. Maybe just a gold star for "highest placing non-team" or something. I think it should be voluntary though. You know if the effort was mostly of your own doing or with significant help and you should classify yourself accordingly. I wouldn't want to force a car one way or the other, kinda rubs the wrong way of the spirit of the challenge.

Exactly. I don't want to penalize groups/teams/whatever simply because the entrant has friends. I'm essentially just interested in making a place where commercial places can have a class to play in against each other.

All the more motivation to get a van and camp in it for the challenge

Woody said: I'd love to build a $200X car and see what it'll do, but the odds of me trailering it to Florida from Connecticut (with work and family commitments) are slim to none

I've got a two car enclosed trailer, wanna split the fuel and ride down with me ? I took a car down from NJ for Josh in Fl last year.

Supercoupe wrote:

Woody said: I'd love to build a $200X car and see what it'll do, but the odds of me trailering it to Florida from Connecticut (with work and family commitments) are slim to none

I've got a two car enclosed trailer, wanna split the fuel and ride down with me ? I took a car down from NJ for Josh in Fl last year.

I appreciate the offer, but that doesn't help with the whole work / family part of the deal. Plus, I already drive to St. Pete twice a year as it is. I'm not sure I could handle a third trip.

sounds cool, but they all are going to get thier but kicked by denny or even the clown.....speaking of what is it going to take to get the clown to bring something thsi year?

I support some recognition of that for those of us going up against the likes of the Hong Norr's.

You know that we (speaking for Wayne, Kevin & me,) don't have a shop, or a lot of experience, and that the s00p3rturd was built almost exclusively outdoors, right? I'm not sayin. I'm just sayin.