MM Chump car

[D_Eclipse9916]

I will contact you the next time we work on it. We already grabbed the chassis, the donor car, got the donor engine running and then pulled it out to get installed in the chassis. I guess we should post a project thread on it soon. It is really when we get a day to get stuff done. We are going for lightweight + medium power. Means it should be easy on consumables/reliable and quick in the corners but fast enough not to get blown by on the straight.

[ispoonwithmugen]

Yeah DJ is right, it isn't going to be cheap. I wouldn't mind putting it aa an MM car. There are a lot of costs. That's why I was saying, I/ we would need some help. Cage being built would be a chunk, I'm sure we can find an MM member that wouldn't mind dishing out a seat. I also believe I have some Sparco 4 point harnesses downstairs that I could use (I have to look around). What sponsors would we look at (VBD?)? I would need some reasonable interest before committing to it. I also have the whole interior to part out (cardinal red) so I could get a little out of that, the radio, etc.

[JPolen01]

We would really need to sit down and plan out possible ways to get this done if people are definitely interested. I think we have a good array of connections to get sponsors if we went down that road. NASA MA, Mid Atlantic Motorwerkes, OG Racing, VBD, maybe even JMU.

Before any of that were to even begin we would need to figure out logistics. Where to keep the car, where to wrench on the car, how to transport the car (truck/trailer). We would also need someone experienced in chump car building or race car building to steer us in the right direction. This would be a massive undertaking that I feel we could definitely do if everyone involved is willing to put in time/effort. I was brainstorming ideas all day, but until we have a group ready to commit time and energy to get the plan off the ground, we have nothing but a busted e30.

[ispoonwithmugen]

We would really need to sit down and plan out possible ways to get this done if people are definitely interested. I think we have a good array of connections to get sponsors if we went down that road. NASA MA, Mid Atlantic Motorwerkes, OG Racing, VBD, maybe even JMU.

Before any of that were to even begin we would need to figure out logistics. Where to keep the car, where to wrench on the car, how to transport the car (truck/trailer). We would also need someone experienced in chump car building or race car building to steer us in the right direction. This would be a massive undertaking that I feel we could definitely do if everyone involved is willing to put in time/effort. I was brainstorming ideas all day, but until we have a group ready to commit time and energy to get the plan off the ground, we have nothing but a busted e30.

I agree, I'm down to sit down and try and coordinate something. My aunt lives about 20 minutes away and I could probably store it at her house. As for truck/trailer I'm unsure about that one. DJ (I'm throwing you out there) could help us with steering in the right direction. I'm definitely down for putting in the time/effort also and I'm sure some other members/alumni would be too. And it isn't too busted I ghetto-rigged the brake lights in.

[D_Eclipse9916]

I can absolutely help with advice, occasional towing, and getting things together. Honestly though, I would budget not to have me at all aside from advice. Between my GTS2 Race car, my SCCA nationals and Pro Solo co-drive , The Chump car that Paul and I are building, and my house; I am shit out of time/money/effort.

First advice: Read the rulebook. I would take your current car and NOT mod it at all. Strip it, bash all the glass out aside from the front windshield, install a cage, fire supression, seatbelts (legal 5/6points), seat, window nets, kill switch, rotors, pads, tires, moar headlights for night, and go racing. That doesnt include the suit/shoes/helmet/gloves that each person has to buy, the legal 5-gallon jugs for fuel, jacks, jack stands, tools, spares, radios (real ones for racing), places to sleep, eat, chairs, canopies, fuel for the race, fuel for the tow rig, truck, trailer, days off of work (gotta get there friday).

DEFINITELY do this, just do not get frustrated at costs you might not know about till halfway through. Heck Pual and I are most likely bringing a complete spare motor/trans down with us for races.

Expect to spend 3-5k in the car total, 1-2k in personal safety equipment each person, and about $500 a person in consumables/entry fees. This goes dramatically down if you already have stuff, or can source cheap. But that is about retail price for everything.

[ispoonwithmugen]

It already has Koni Shocks/struts, vogtland (spelling) springs, and solid motor mounts. Should I strip those off? As for the last buyer, he is officialy scared away so I literally have nothing to do with the car at all. As for storing, I've been debating renting one of the garages at north 38. That way it's near by and we could store it there also. As for the cage, do we have any alumni that could help with that part (since that's most likely the most expensive)? I figure if we part out the interior and other misc stuff I could maybe get around 500 (conservative I think) and that would cover maybe a seat and a harness. We would need rotors and pads, but that wouldn't be more than 500 or so. How much do safety nets and kill switches go for? I'm sure we have someone who is good with wiring (not me). No one uses slicks do they? I have three extra wheels with good tires but they are all different sizes, haha. Would we need to do the stud conversion thing or is that not very useful for Chump? I'm 110% down for this, we just need to find out funding, and possible sponsorship.

[Jake]

It already has Koni Shocks/struts, vogtland (spelling) springs, and solid motor mounts. Should I strip those off? As for the last buyer, he is officialy scared away so I literally have nothing to do with the car at all. As for storing, I've been debating renting one of the garages at north 38. That way it's near by and we could store it there also. As for the cage, do we have any alumni that could help with that part (since that's most likely the most expensive)? I figure if we part out the interior and other misc stuff I could maybe get around 500 (conservative I think) and that would cover maybe a seat and a harness. We would need rotors and pads, but that wouldn't be more than 500 or so. How much do safety nets and kill switches go for? I'm sure we have someone who is good with wiring (not me). No one uses slicks do they? I have three extra wheels with good tires but they are all different sizes, haha. Would we need to do the stud conversion thing or is that not very useful for Chump? I'm 110% down for this, we just need to find out funding, and possible sponsorship.

Talk to RRT Racing about a cage. rrtracing.com. Mention JMU and Madison Motorsports and talk to Wayne.

The rest of this sounds like you need to spend a little time on The Googles.

[FlaakCM]

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[JPolen01]

Looks like we should get a prospective group of interested people together, brainstorm, and figure out if this is possible. It isn't going to be cheap or quick. I have lots of ideas in my head, but it's going to take a group of at least 5 dedicated people to pull this off. Lots of logistics to take care of. Lots of talking with possible sponsors and pitching ideas. Before anyone reaches out to possible companies for sponsorship opportunities we need to meet and plan the build, event we want to go to and all other small details. As Dj stated before we need to get a list of parts we would need, services we cannot do (cage work, etc). We have lots of connections and I honestly think we could pull this off with minimal dollars on our part. Between Goodspeed's connections at OG, our relationship here with Mid Atlantic, VBD, and connections to RRT (Jake, Dj, myself know Matt over there), and possibly bimmerworld (someone here worked there before?) I think we have a nice field of companies to pitch our idea to. These people love racing and are always willing to help beginners out and I think this would be a perfect way to get the club into some racing on the current student level. Dr. Thomas races chump car and I'm sure would be more than willing to lend a hand in the build or at least helping us get rolling. Having someone experienced in chump car racing will only better us. If we can bring on someone willing to lead us in the right direction, I see little reason for this not to work.

We might even be able to get JMU on board with some money if they see we are doing a sanctioned safe race event. I know it's unlikely but it's worth a shot.

[ispoonwithmugen]

I'm down to plan. I just did an excel spreadsheet with costs for everything and read/skimmed through the entire rule book. It's not going to be cheap. I also have connections with RRT (former boss) and he may sponsor us too. Keep in mind these prices are based on the averages of NEW parts (the cheaper name brands, but still name brands).


Here is the doc:
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[JPolen01]

Open your gdoc to the public. I had to request permission. I'm swamped this week, so next week we can get together and see where to start. Keep reading the rules and listing all parts we might need for the car. The rest of the stuff (chairs, tents, etc) can wait and be figured out later.

Also we need to figure out what to do with the car. I assume it's still a registered street car in your name? We would probably want to drop the registration/insurance and figure out how to title it? Stay in your name? Become property of MM? Not sure if that is even possible, but we can have JMU help us with that if need be.

[NTIman]

I'll offer my wrenching abilities as long as I have time open in my schedule to come down from Winchester to work on it.

[ispoonwithmugen]

Open your gdoc to the public. I had to request permission. I'm swamped this week, so next week we can get together and see where to start. Keep reading the rules and listing all parts we might need for the car. The rest of the stuff (chairs, tents, etc) can wait and be figured out later.

Also we need to figure out what to do with the car. I assume it's still a registered street car in your name? We would probably want to drop the registration/insurance and figure out how to title it? Stay in your name? Become property of MM? Not sure if that is even possible, but we can have JMU help us with that if need be.

No insurance or registration with it. The title is in my name, but I don't know what we would do otherwise. I'm down to meet sometime to talk about it, just let me know when. As for storage I talked to Dan and it appeared that North 38 apartments would be a solid place. 40 bucks a month. And I made the doc public, sorry about that.

[professor]

Hey guys,

I think it's a great idea to get a Chumpcar together for MM. From what I've seen here, DJ's posts are along the same lines I would suggest: begin by taking everything unnecessary out of the car. Everything. Weight is the enemy.

You're right that it's not cheap, but for getting major seat time and racing experience, it is much less expensive than anything else I know of, in cars.

You will need a welder or fabricator qualified to build a strong, effective cage inside (not a first-timer).

As for hauling, you might just rent or borrow a truck/SUV and a flatbed for the occasion. Follow-up on your potential sponsorships, and maybe you can enlist various kinds of help--monetary, physical, or logistical.

[ispoonwithmugen]

Hey guys,

I think it's a great idea to get a Chumpcar together for MM. From what I've seen here, DJ's posts are along the same lines I would suggest: begin by taking everything unnecessary out of the car. Everything. Weight is the enemy.

You're right that it's not cheap, but for getting major seat time and racing experience, it is much less expensive than anything else I know of, in cars.

You will need a welder or fabricator qualified to build a strong, effective cage inside (not a first-timer).

As for hauling, you might just rent or borrow a truck/SUV and a flatbed for the occasion. Follow-up on your potential sponsorships, and maybe you can enlist various kinds of help--monetary, physical, or logistical.

Also doesn't Matt have that big F150? Can that tow anything? As for a trailer, I may invest in one, if need be. I also believe Uhaul has some cheap ones to rent.

[Jake]

I have friends with trucks and trailers - doubtful that we'd have a problem borrowing/renting one.

Figure out logistics of storage and building, and the trucks and trailers will come out of the woodwork.

[ispoonwithmugen]

I have friends with trucks and trailers - doubtful that we'd have a problem borrowing/renting one.

Figure out logistics of storage and building, and the trucks and trailers will come out of the woodwork.

I think North 38 would be perfect, 40 bucks a month and it's a garage we can do whatever (sort of) in. The main concern is funding and building this. If this is also happening then we will need to get the car up here as soon as possible to start ripping everything out as a start.

[HAULN-SS]

Dont have much to offer, but it might also be worth digging up the field full of e30s thread. Could be some lessons learned in there.

[D_Eclipse9916]

E30s have AIV value of $499. Basically you have to have stock shocks/springs everything.

Storing a chump car for money would be useless. Find someone that can park it behind their house with a cover.

[ispoonwithmugen]

E30s have AIV value of $499. Basically you have to have stock shocks/springs everything.

Storing a chump car for money would be useless. Find someone that can park it behind their house with a cover.

Or just take the penalty laps. I guess we could sell those and pick up stock ones and throw that into more things we need. The thought with the garage was we would also have somewhere nearby to wrench on it, and we wouldn't have to trailer it back and forth to that.