Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

The plus side is that DSMs are in the proper price range. From what I understand labor and money put into anything safety-related is excluded (brakes, tires, roll cage). So you buy a reasonably priced car...gut the interior and sell everything that doesn't need to be there...have someone on your team that is a mechanic, someone that can paint, someone that can weld, and maybe a person or two that can contribute mostly $ for the safety stuff and you end up with a nice car. I think the successful team will be one that can find the right mix of drivers with proper skillsets/resources.

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

I think a 1g dsm could last. We all know the engines are stout, and a lot of people here know how to make a reliable, sound DSM even with little $.

If i can make a turbo honda with toothpick rods last 18 hours on a track... a dsm can do it :D

And yes, DSMs are totally in the right price range. mlomker, I think you have it nailed, its good to have a variety of skills on a team. You shouldn't all be just good mechanics, or just good drivers. It even helps to have 1 person who is just anal and super detail oriented to take care of all the logistical stuff and recording times, etc. Everyone should have a specific job/set of responsibilities.

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

Also, we need another driver for Iowa, April30-May1, If you have a fire suit, $500, you don't need sleep, and you're a good driver, PM me! ;)

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

I'm going to look for a team next year. I'm not comfortable with what I could contribute at this point.

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

I ran against a DSM at Nelson-Ledges. It was pretty quick but ended up toasting the headgasket. I don't remember if it was awd or fwd but the smart move would to just run fwd.

Also, we've built two different cars and both were very close to a $3500 budget after they were completed. We scored a lot of parts used and for free on both builds too. I would guess a DSM build wouldn't be any different.

I'm excited to run our first race of the year at Iowa though. We just completed our first test last week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjmX37KNabA

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

Your AIV must be $0 or less with the Chevette as a starting point.

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

Yeah. If we nuke the two engines we have I have a couple interesting ideas for swaps. The motor in my Galant is just sitting there waiting to be put to use too.

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

Did you rent out raceway park? You totally shoulda posted something about that on the regional chumpcar forum. We've been thinking about doing such a thing and would totally go in on something like that with other teams.

Anyway, awesome, i think we'll have 3 cars representing mitsustyle at iowa!

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

No, our team captain knows the owners so we got in there a little early. Regular practice is only $20 during the week though, give them a call for more information.

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

Playing around with T25 actuators, chumpcar style:

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/273/img0073mn.jpg

bottom is just stock

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

So much work to run less boost.

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

You could always not use a turbo. :)

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

The car is so slow out of boost that I don't think we can go back. :)

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

of course it is, with that big restriction in the exhaust!

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

Our car on the dyno:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnZmJHFkSfg

our facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Slugwo...98893106800849

Also, we are looking for another crew member for this weekend. Must be willing to stay up at crazy hours of the night to help us do pit stops (24 hr race), as our other 2 crew members are our old guy fathers. All you'll need to pay for is your own food, we have a couple hotel rooms and will provide transportation down to Iowa Speedway in Newton. Leaving friday morning at 11am, coming back sunday evening.

Let me know if you are interested in helping out! Should be a lot of fun. Maybe a bit rainy.

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

The look on Shane's face is priceless, like he's just waiting to catch a connecting rod with his head. :lol:

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

oh, but how would that happen with our stroked darton sleeved wiseco/manley engine with unobtanium bearings? ;)

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

LOL! And that it's barely making enough power to get out of its own way.

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

Ouch. Thats not what people were saying when we flew by them on the straights at RA :)

Re: My ChumpCar experience
 

Haha, true. I was impressed with how many cars we were able to hang with at RA. That was not the case last year at BIR or Iowa.