Anyone in Ohio want to get a team together for the 24 hours of lemons race?

[kestrel74]

THis sounds really COOL !! how about an old Cadillac with a rebuilt engine....it'll go forever.

[Bgwilly31]

Is the race track an oval?

How many drivers are aloud?

[tesprit]

Originally Posted by JWA

Add my name: Josh Armantrout - Racine, WI

If I put a team together Dan (tesprit) would be my go-to guy to be chief engineer, so if he's in we're doing good.

Well, seeing as Josh is in, how can I resist! BTW: Josh is a Rallycross driver extraordinaire!

Add Dan Curcio - Racine, WI

As far as the selection of a car, after reviewing videos of this race, the car needs to be durable to take the contact that will eventually happen, but it also has to be nimble as well. If I remember correctly, the organizers are not going to allow "demo derby" type driving in the future where guys in land boats intentionally crash other cars off the track. There will still be a lot of contact, but no deliberate contact will be allowed. It also seems that the cars that survive are the ones that have strong suspension components that can withstand the eventual hit to the front wheels which excludes all the FWD cars and they need to have strong radiator protection added to protect the cooling system. Outright power for speed is not as critical as to have engine durability and the '80s BMWs have fairly strong engines if they don't overheat. I still vote for an '80s BMW and as I mentioned before, the E28's were the toughest of the bunch and can be made to handle very well with cheap parts. I know the car has to cost $500 or less (excluding safety items and tires) but what kind of budget are we allowed? Do they allow sponsors?

[cory1000]

1. Cory Harpell - Shaker Heights, OH
2. Paul Parkanzky - Middleville, MI
3. Josh Armantrout - Racine, WI
4. Dan Curcio - Racine, WI

If we could find someone in the Indy area that could "host" that seems to be middle for all of us...I say we use the following as our guide:

Team Commitment by May 15th
Meeting by phone/in person May 31st (Everyone get there "jobs", figure out costs of everything and make sure that everyone is financially committed)
Deadline to Register is July 5th
June-Oct Get car and prep done by Sept 1st (I would say 2-3 weekend meeting and we can get everything done)
Race September 13-14, 2008




Everyone who has any questions, please read:
http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/rules/

[JWA]

Depending on where the car is being built out of, if we wanted to get some practice in we could bring the car out to one of the RallyCross events in either the Western Ohio or Ohio Valley regions. WOR has a two-day event August 16th & 17th. They're obviously on dirt, but it would be cheap seat time to get a feel for the car.

From looking through the videos and past results, I'd think that we'd want something that is reliable and can take a hit, but favoring fast and nimble over big and tough. I'd prefer RWD and manual, and would think that would be the best layout from a durability standpoint as well.

Maybe we could find a $500 MR2? That would seem to suit an EliseTalk group. Might not be super tough, but could probably take some rubin'. I'm sure that we could find a $500 X1/9, but it wouldn't be a fast one.

[JWA]

I gotta say that the rules are quite comical. Not lame trying to be funny, they're genuinely funny. Sounds like these guys would put on a good event.

[tesprit]

After reading the rules and the $ limit, we really can't buy a $500 car. We actually need a donated (as in free) car because any parts we buy will count toward the $500 price and it won't take long to use up $500 on making a beater run and drive decently. Anyone have an "in" with a junkyard?

[JWA]

If we started with a free car we'd have to be careful not to overstep the bounds of believability and incur a BSF penalty. It sounds to me like they intend for you to buy the car legitimately for under that price - and bring documentation.

[evilfij]

I was "given" an 1988 528e, lots of people give me cars all the time.

It seems like basically you have to have a POS, the details are not really as big an issue. Someone was given an e BMW last year as well. Plus, you can part it out and use that money. The $600 164 afla I listed could bring at least $1000 back in parts.

Ron

[tesprit]

Like you said, selling off parts is a great way to get more $ to spend, however most parts on a sub $500 car aren't worth much so it could be hard to sell parts off a $500 car in order to buy the parts we need. I have found that $500 running cars are not that hard to find, however once they drop below that price they might as well be in a junkyard. Sometimes the free cars are actually better than trying to purchase one. About a year ago I was offered a Volvo 240 DL wagon for free and it still ran....an incredibly tough and durable car that would have been a perfect candidate for this race.

[JWA]

The Thunderhill event in December was won by a 914. That would suit the LT simplify and add lightness concept. Don't know where we'd find one for $500 though.

[cory1000]

I dont think we have to be strict about the 500.00....Plus, lots of the stuff that we are going to put on the car are under the "safety" category and dont count towards the 500.

[twaszak1]

you guys should call fox valley motorcars. we got in an old 944 with a blown engine. i dont know how much they want, but they might hook you up. i will look into it tomorrow if you like. i will find out the extent of the breakage to. and i will try to get some pics

[JWA]

That might be cool - thanks for looking into it for us. We could paint it up in full FVMC livery.

[RacyTracy]

There are a few at AutoTrader.com.......'99 Taurus, $350.....'91 Chrysler LeBaron, $350.......'93 Mercury Sable $450.......'90 Accord, $495.....'90 Sentra, $495....Those are ones I checked within 100 miles of me.

[twaszak1]

cant make any promises...i have no idea what they have into it. but i will check.

<<<<< i like this new little guy

[tesprit]

Originally Posted by JWA

We could paint it up in full FVMC livery.

With a bristle brush and left over house paint, right?

[NMRJock]

Originally Posted by NMRJock

You can add my name:

Paul Parkanzky - Middleville, MI

But I can't commit until I at least mention it to my wife...

All the wife asked was "Will there be another project in the garage?" She gave her blessing so long as I promised not to bring a car home...

[NMRJock]

It looks like with a bit of luck a Fiero GT could be had for ~$500.

[cory1000]

I really dont think finding the car is going to be the issue, its everything else...