Getting Hoosiers to the track!!!! - LotusTalk

Surferjer · 07-16-2005, 01:20 PM

My trailer's electrical shorted out on the way toDevens last week in the hurricane rains, and I didn't get it fixed yet. Last night I decided I wasn't burned out on racing, just on the whole trailer front. Which got me thinking-how else can get the tires to the track?

I remember Stan telling me about the European racers using the top of the car, and I got to measuring. Two tires WILL fit inside (205s). hmmm. I got my dusty hardtop out of the closet. My surfboard rack WILL fit the hardtop!! hmmmmmm yep, we have a solution. Here is proof.

RacyTracy · 07-16-2005, 01:25 PM

Looks great.....now try to come up with a way for those of us without hardtops......

Surferjer · 07-16-2005, 01:26 PM

Pardon the pouring rain. The skies opened the minute we finished the 2nd heat (SS

). I hit speeds of up to 80 MPH there and back with no buffetting issues, the top is unharmed, and the solution worked liked a charm. I had a ton of funny looks form commuters, but the other racers thought it was great. One rocket scientist at a rest stop says "You must be worried about a lot of flats." I simply replied "You can't be too careful."

The inside tires did not move around; they wedge in there pretty good, and only getting into 6th was a pain as the shifter knob touches the tire. I tied the top rope to the tow hoop in the front for more stability.

I like this solution so much I might just sell the friggin trailer (once I fix the electrical). EVL was still skeptical, but I'm sold! BTW-congrats to Chris (EVL) who nicked me by a few tenths today with some last run heroics. Bastard!

Surferjer · 07-16-2005, 01:28 PM

Without a hardtop you're SOL. Or you could buy my trailer!

The tires/wheels must weight 50 pounds or so. I wouldn't want to put more on there than I did, and I still worry a bit about the hardtop, but it seemed to do great!! Taking the hardtop off/on is still a ten minute job, but it beats rigging up the trailer. Or you could race with it on, but I prefer open air racing.

Stan · 07-16-2005, 02:49 PM

Well I was sure glad your trailer was there to help me get my fatigue-failed shifter welded!

Maybe you should get some of these? Tire bags from Blackwatch Racing...to protect your interior and keep gravel from the roof-mounted tires from landing on your paint job...

Robert Puertas · 07-17-2005, 05:28 AM

Thanks Stan!

BTW - the new version, which I should have by the end of the month, has a grommet in the center to allow mounting on a tire rack. Or for running a rope through the wheel...

eliseowner2b · 07-17-2005, 05:59 AM

Jer,

Now that's dedication! Too funny! My friend fit 1 15" wheel in the trunk of his Miata and 3 in the passenger seat. I thought that was going too far but you've outdone him.

malc · 07-17-2005, 05:12 PM

Damn Jer,

Pity you could not have thought of this a few weeks ago. It would have saved me $6K on a trailer.

But on second thoughts where would I put Judith ??

Malcolm

z06fun · 07-17-2005, 05:59 PM

You can put large black garbage bags over the tires to protect your seat, and you can use the seat belt to hold the tires in place. If you pull it all the way out it will lock, and you can then pull it snug around the tires. Just be careful going around the corners with all that weight up high, could put some stress on the roof on the on ramps

Nate · 07-18-2005, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eliseowner2b

Jer,

Now that's dedication! Too funny! My friend fit 1 15" wheel in the trunk of his Miata and 3 in the passenger seat. I thought that was going too far but you've outdone him.

I used to do this in my miata but it was really bad with 4 17'' wheels the wheel on top was a little over the windsheild header and it drew some silly looks for sure.

Jer, your idea is great and eliminates the trailer to make driving to events a joy rather than a chore. Too bad you didn't make to sunday the course was much more fun running in reverse with few minor alterations plus you could have driven my car for fun since I owe you lots of fun runs by now.

Nate

cgomez · 07-18-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surferjer

My trailer's electrical shorted out on the way toDevens last week in the hurricane rains, and I didn't get it fixed yet. Last night I decided I wasn't burned out on racing, just on the whole trailer front. Which got me thinking-how else can get the tires to the track?

I remember Stan telling me about the European racers using the top of the car, and I got to measuring. Two tires WILL fit inside (205s). hmmm. I got my dusty hardtop out of the closet. My surfboard rack WILL fit the hardtop!! hmmmmmm yep, we have a solution. Here is proof.

Great idea an execution

Can you provide a little bit more detail (maybe pic without tires on roof?) as to how did you attach the surfboard rack to the hardtop and then tires to the rack?

Surferjer · 07-18-2005, 05:35 PM

I will post more stuff later. I'm in Manhattan with the family and access is slow and limited. More pics to come!

Solo2Elise · 08-26-2005, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surferjer

I will post more stuff later. I'm in Manhattan with the family and access is slow and limited. More pics to come!

Hi Jer,

Do you have any photo showing the rack? What brand and type of rack do you use?

Thanks,
Solo2Elise

Eye Candy · 08-26-2005, 05:12 PM

That rope going over the front edge of the clam is giving me chafing chills. Do you find it worth all that trouble and expense to change out the tires for autocross or HPDE? The stock ones are pretty darn good on the track. The tires can only go through just so many heat cycles on the track before they aren't any good anyway. mg

Evl · 08-27-2005, 05:20 PM

Stock == good
Hoosier == great

I'm wating to find out if Jer cracks his hardtop, then I'll be doing the same. But at this point I've been putting so many street miles on the hoosiers, I'll probably just use this technique to get rain tires to the autox.

Surferjer · 08-27-2005, 06:21 PM

Yeah, when Chris and Scott and I are racing, it's usually a few tenths between us, and Hoosiers are worth a lot more than a few tenths over any other tires including the M Compound 48s.

I'm trailering my car tomorrow (all electrical is fixed!), but I'll try to snap a pic of my racks for you. Along with Chris, I am concerned about damaging the hard top. The racks pinch tight (have to) and the tires have to put pressure on the top at highway speeds. Although the experiment seemed to succeed, it does make me a bit nervous. If it's the only way I can get Hoosiers to the track, I'll do it. But now I have a trailer again, and my occasional co-driver Nate has carried my tires the last couple of events. So it may be a while before I do the hard top bit again.

Surferjer · 08-27-2005, 06:26 PM

I'm still debating keeping the trailer, but for now I'm keeping it. If I need those funds for LSD, it's a goner. I'm just not sure about any of it right now. The electrical on the trailer turned out to be a corroded plug, which got wet and then shorted out. Now that the electrical issues are solved, I have a lot to think about.

TedDBere · 08-28-2005, 02:04 PM

Jerry, that looks like a good solution, but that fourth picture down reminds me of Mickey Mouse with the big ears on top! Now we have the Orange Pumpkin and Mickey Mouse...

elise190 · 08-29-2005, 05:43 PM

jer, I applaud your ingenuity. I was wondering what type of rims did you mount your hoosiers on? I am looking to get some since my ad07's are not quite enough for autox.

Surferjer · 08-29-2005, 06:13 PM

The are SSR comps, very common racing wheels currently out of production but should be back in a few months. I really like the SSRs and no one has shown me a lighter wheel yet. They weigh a lot less than the base suspension wheel, but I don't know exactly how much.

07-16-2005, 01:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,885	Getting Hoosiers to the track!!!! My trailer's electrical shorted out on the way toDevens last week in the hurricane rains, and I didn't get it fixed yet. Last night I decided I wasn't burned out on racing, just on the whole trailer front. Which got me thinking-how else can get the tires to the track? I remember Stan telling me about the European racers using the top of the car, and I got to measuring. Two tires WILL fit inside (205s). hmmm. I got my dusty hardtop out of the closet. My surfboard rack WILL fit the hardtop!! hmmmmmm yep, we have a solution. Here is proof. Attached Images __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)

07-16-2005, 01:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,885	Pardon the pouring rain. The skies opened the minute we finished the 2nd heat (SS ). I hit speeds of up to 80 MPH there and back with no buffetting issues, the top is unharmed, and the solution worked liked a charm. I had a ton of funny looks form commuters, but the other racers thought it was great. One rocket scientist at a rest stop says "You must be worried about a lot of flats." I simply replied "You can't be too careful." The inside tires did not move around; they wedge in there pretty good, and only getting into 6th was a pain as the shifter knob touches the tire. I tied the top rope to the tow hoop in the front for more stability. I like this solution so much I might just sell the friggin trailer (once I fix the electrical). EVL was still skeptical, but I'm sold! BTW-congrats to Chris (EVL) who nicked me by a few tenths today with some last run heroics. Bastard! __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)

07-16-2005, 01:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,885	Without a hardtop you're SOL. Or you could buy my trailer! The tires/wheels must weight 50 pounds or so. I wouldn't want to put more on there than I did, and I still worry a bit about the hardtop, but it seemed to do great!! Taking the hardtop off/on is still a ten minute job, but it beats rigging up the trailer. Or you could race with it on, but I prefer open air racing. __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)

07-16-2005, 02:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Stan - Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,927	Well I was sure glad your trailer was there to help me get my fatigue-failed shifter welded! Maybe you should get some of these? Tire bags from Blackwatch Racing...to protect your interior and keep gravel from the roof-mounted tires from landing on your paint job... Last edited by Stan : 07-16-2005 at 05:15 PM.

07-17-2005, 05:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Robert Puertas #0518 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 2,422 Images: 14	Thanks Stan! BTW - the new version, which I should have by the end of the month, has a grommet in the center to allow mounting on a tire rack. Or for running a rope through the wheel... __________________ Robert Puertas

07-16-2005, 01:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
RacyTracy V Not my picture V Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 9,189	Looks great.....now try to come up with a way for those of us without hardtops......

07-17-2005, 05:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
eliseowner2b Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgia Mtns Posts: 2,293	Jer, Now that's dedication! Too funny! My friend fit 1 15" wheel in the trunk of his Miata and 3 in the passenger seat. I thought that was going too far but you've outdone him. __________________ Dan Parker 92 BMW 325 - JP Race Car 09 Jetta Tdi 06 Z4 M Coupe 09 Child on the way (anyone need a car?)

07-17-2005, 05:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
malc Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sunny Florida, USA Posts: 143	Damn Jer, Pity you could not have thought of this a few weeks ago. It would have saved me $6K on a trailer. But on second thoughts where would I put Judith ?? Malcolm __________________ 05 Elise SS (1)39 Action Craft Coastline 18 - Flyfishing Autocrossing wife - priceless

07-17-2005, 05:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
z06fun Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NY Posts: 403	You can put large black garbage bags over the tires to protect your seat, and you can use the seat belt to hold the tires in place. If you pull it all the way out it will lock, and you can then pull it snug around the tires. Just be careful going around the corners with all that weight up high, could put some stress on the roof on the on ramps

07-18-2005, 05:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,885	I will post more stuff later. I'm in Manhattan with the family and access is slow and limited. More pics to come! __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)

08-26-2005, 05:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
Eye Candy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Beaufort, NC Posts: 1,416	That rope going over the front edge of the clam is giving me chafing chills. Do you find it worth all that trouble and expense to change out the tires for autocross or HPDE? The stock ones are pretty darn good on the track. The tires can only go through just so many heat cycles on the track before they aren't any good anyway. mg

08-27-2005, 05:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
Evl His Impatientness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,723	Stock == good Hoosier == great I'm wating to find out if Jer cracks his hardtop, then I'll be doing the same. But at this point I've been putting so many street miles on the hoosiers, I'll probably just use this technique to get rain tires to the autox. __________________ www.agentsofentropy.com

08-27-2005, 06:21 PM	#16 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,885	Yeah, when Chris and Scott and I are racing, it's usually a few tenths between us, and Hoosiers are worth a lot more than a few tenths over any other tires including the M Compound 48s. I'm trailering my car tomorrow (all electrical is fixed!), but I'll try to snap a pic of my racks for you. Along with Chris, I am concerned about damaging the hard top. The racks pinch tight (have to) and the tires have to put pressure on the top at highway speeds. Although the experiment seemed to succeed, it does make me a bit nervous. If it's the only way I can get Hoosiers to the track, I'll do it. But now I have a trailer again, and my occasional co-driver Nate has carried my tires the last couple of events. So it may be a while before I do the hard top bit again. __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)

08-27-2005, 06:26 PM	#17 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,885	I'm still debating keeping the trailer, but for now I'm keeping it. If I need those funds for LSD, it's a goner. I'm just not sure about any of it right now. The electrical on the trailer turned out to be a corroded plug, which got wet and then shorted out. Now that the electrical issues are solved, I have a lot to think about. __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)

08-28-2005, 02:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
TedDBere Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 486	Jerry, that looks like a good solution, but that fourth picture down reminds me of Mickey Mouse with the big ears on top! Now we have the Orange Pumpkin and Mickey Mouse... __________________ TED

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-29-2005, 05:43 PM	#19 (permalink)
elise190 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 12	hoosiers jer, I applaud your ingenuity. I was wondering what type of rims did you mount your hoosiers on? I am looking to get some since my ad07's are not quite enough for autox. __________________ Bordeaux Red // HT // Touring // SS

08-29-2005, 06:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,885	The are SSR comps, very common racing wheels currently out of production but should be back in a few months. I really like the SSRs and no one has shown me a lighter wheel yet. They weigh a lot less than the base suspension wheel, but I don't know exactly how much. __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)