Tire Rack One Lap of America: What Would You Enter?

In reply to NickD:

Didn't Sonic do One Lap last year in a CLS AMG? I've had silly thoughts about something like that since. Maybe a SL AMG.

When NB Miatas are eligible for emissions exempt registration, a FM V8 conversion sounds like a fun One Lap car.

Absolute cost-no-object dream car? Ferrari 550 Maranello.

In reply to NOHOME:

My retirement dream for my 1800ES is to drive to all 49 continental states (plus Canada and Mexico).

I want to do a vintage one lap.

I'd be really interested in running say an MGB vs anything else pre 1980 or so.

If it's about the transits, let's do this thing in style.

Robbie wrote: I want to do a vintage one lap. I'd be really interested in running say an MGB vs anything else pre 1980 or so. If it's about the transits, let's do this thing in style.

Vintage foreign and vintage American are both classes. It's a thing. Just sayin'.

mazdeuce wrote:

Robbie wrote: I want to do a vintage one lap. I'd be really interested in running say an MGB vs anything else pre 1980 or so. If it's about the transits, let's do this thing in style.

Vintage foreign and vintage American are both classes. It's a thing. Just sayin'.

It has to be a car though, right? A WWII era side car rig wouldn't be allowed perchance would it?

We found a stock ish e46 m3 to be a pretty nice One Lap car, it cruises on the highway's at any thing sub triple digits quite nicely, does admirably on track and knocks down decent enough economy to not require too many fuel stops.

Although encouraged by our success we are now scheming bringing an e46 m3 with double the power.....which is a surefire way of making sure we don't have a stress free OLOA experience.

I'd like to do OLOA in a v10 R8 however they are still a far ways outside of my budget.

When the Tire Rack One Lap of America guys rolled on through, I was out there, checking out the cars, and talking to the competitors. There was a very nice couple riding in a new C7-- Z06. I said to the driver---- "Ah-- you're doing it right, A/C and all"

He said

"A/C? Oh yeah......even my SEATS are air conditioned!"

I think that's the way I'd like to do one lap. Take an extraordinarily fast car (like a Z06) that is also super comfortable. I applaud the crazy guys who ran the Atom......but I'd rather be in leather-lined, supreme comfort during the transit stages. It's not like the Z06 would be boring at the track either!

Either that......or something old and cool---- like the 81 Z28 that has competed in 27 One Lap events!

Huckleberry wrote:

mazdeuce wrote:

Robbie wrote: I want to do a vintage one lap. I'd be really interested in running say an MGB vs anything else pre 1980 or so. If it's about the transits, let's do this thing in style.

Vintage foreign and vintage American are both classes. It's a thing. Just sayin'.

It has to be a car though, right? A WWII era side car rig wouldn't be allowed perchance would it?

We had a verbal Ok to run a Morgan three wheeler. Not sure that still stands, but you can ask Brock.

I'd use my 70 Firebird in the vintage class. I tracked it for several years and have done 4500 miles in a week in it. I'd consider one lap if someone else paid all the expenses. Caged, fire systems, big brakes, etc. and the Kirkey #63's were designed for the NASCAR guys running 500 miles so they're bearable. Have to be a fairly small co-driver though as I have a 14" drivers seat, passengers is bigger.

I watched the guys interviews at GRM and was surprised to see the white Camaro. I remember talking to him at a cruise night in New England like 20+ years ago. Didn't realize he was still competing.

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Either an S550 Mustang or some weird SRT-4 Neon powered mopar A-body. (I've never read the rule book, that last one might not get allowed in)

Ian F wrote: When NB Miatas are eligible for emissions exempt registration, a FM V8 conversion sounds like a fun One Lap car.

We can do emissions today if you want

While it may not be manly to be comfortable during 700 mile transits, a rested driver is a fast driver. If you show up at the track all jittery with your ears ringing, you're not going to do as well as the Z06 driver with cruise and AC seats. Even 500 mile NASCAR races take a lot less time than 700 miles of interstate

Robbie wrote: I want to do a vintage one lap. I'd be really interested in running say an MGB vs anything else pre 1980 or so. If it's about the transits, let's do this thing in style.

I know this guy who has a restored 1967 MGB GT with 4 link rear suspension, Alloy knock off rims that allow for real tires and OD gearbox, just using up space in his garage.

Ian said: In reply to NOHOME: My retirement dream for my 1800ES is to drive to all 49 continental states (plus Canada and Mexico).

Does having the shell restored in London count as the Canada portion of the trip?

Muscle Truck. Ram 1500, std cab/6.5' bed, 2wd, Hemi. Slammed and boosted.

The real jerk in me says vw vanagon.

New Ford GT. It's a pure race car and would dominate the track, but it has just enough essentials inside to make it bearable for the transit stages. Radio, A/C and a power outlet. The issue would be living in one set of clothes for a week because there simply is no storage space. Gas might also get costly. :)

I ran it back in the day, and my biggest desire was a place to catch a few Zs waiting outside a track in the middle of the night for my target time to arrive. (not sure if that's still a thing) Back then, my dream was a modified Volvo Wagon, two seats with a foam mattress in the back. I still think a V70R AWD would be an ideal platform to start with.

icaneat50eggs wrote: The real jerk in me says vw vanagon.

Race-Taxi!

possibly something with <15#s/hp, cruise control, some usb charging, good brakes, and a trunk larger than 7 cubic.feet (epa) and costing less than $2017. It probably needs some kind of eye-popping theme, and rolling on either 4x100's or 5x114.3's.

or, as backup, an 05 Acura TL with some minor suspension tweaks, some brake ducting, and a fresh set of Conti's.

I really think the Forte would have been good at this. Good stereo, good seats, good AC, good brakes.

How about a tesla? If you could get super chargers often enough.....

Let auto pilot handle the transits

icaneat50eggs wrote: How about a tesla? If you could get super chargers often enough..... Let auto pilot handle the transits

Ooo, I like this one. I'll bet you could wrangle a press car if you were the right person.

sleepyhead wrote: possibly something with <15#s/hp, cruise control, some usb charging, good brakes, and a trunk larger than 7 cubic.feet (epa) and costing less than $2017. It probably needs some kind of eye-popping theme, and rolling on either 4x100's or 5x114.3's. or, as backup, an 05 Acura TL with some minor suspension tweaks, some brake ducting, and a fresh set of Conti's.

While I'm not sure on the lb per hp, it almost sounds like you're describing a P71.

Really as long as you don't mind doing pads and bleeding after every track, it might not be a bad choice. Comfortable for the transit, with good rubber its pretty alright, not terrible mileage, lots of storage and happy to tow more...

Provably a good thing I can't afford the safety gear and the entry fee now that I'm thinking about it.

One of our guys at work has an early '70's ('71?)Hemi Challenger drag car. His brother has a Tesla. Up to a point the Tesla is faster. If you could keep it charged, I would think a Tesla would be a great choice.

Brian wrote: Muscle Truck. Ram 1500, std cab/6.5' bed, 2wd, Hemi. Slammed and boosted.

If you're going Dodge muscle truck, why not the SRT-10 viper powered truck? Available in either regular cab or crew cab...

racerdave600 wrote: One of our guys at work has an early '70's ('71?)Hemi Challenger drag car. His brother has a Tesla. Up to a point the Tesla is faster. If you could keep it charged, I would think a Tesla would be a great choice.

Maybe you could tow a Powerwall unit with you as an auxiliary. Ooo, or mount it on the roof like a Thule box.

Out of my current fleet, I'd go with the E36 and swap a v-8 into it with requisite suspension, braking, and suspension updates along with a bunch of track days to test durability.

I keep thinking about the Cannonball Run movies and a modern day version of the ambulance. I think a 2007+ Tahoe pursuit vehicle (cop version) with a ZL-1 drivetrain might be the way to imitate the ambulance. Won't win overall, but comfy for the transits...

Keith Tanner wrote:

icaneat50eggs wrote: How about a tesla? If you could get super chargers often enough..... Let auto pilot handle the transits

Ooo, I like this one. I'll bet you could wrangle a press car if you were the right person.

I seem to recall that one of the other magazines tried to run some laps around a road course somewhere and found that the car went into some sort of fail safe overheat mode in less than a lap. If my recollection is correct (and it may not be) that could be an issue.