Lemons/Chump/SCCA Project

[Lucky]

There are a couple of us on here that are working on a Lemons/Chump car to race next year.

Our car is a 1981 Diesel VW Rabbit. Our goal is to be reliable throughout the events and avoid the pitfalls of overheating, blown gaskets, etc that typically plague vehicles in these events. That and be completely obnoxious with tons of black smoke.

We recently picked up a pre-formed cage and are looking for someone to help with the welding. I'm got a guy who owes me some favors and will do it for a bottle of Jack, but he doesn't have a lot of experienced with cages despite his extensive welding background. I would love to find somebody on this site that can help that knows more about cages since Stick is involved....which pretty much ensures it's going to crash at some point in time. Especially if we put Michelin's on it....

Is there anybody on the site interested in getting involved with the project with us?

What skills can you bring to the team!?

[thirdgen60]

If i had more time i would love to help but between school, work, the girlfriend and my own project, im cashed out on spare time.

Is the cage required for the race or just something that is recommended? If you have an experienced welder, it really isnt bad to put in a cage. I put the one in my car and im by no means an experienced welder, you just followed the rule book for bar placement and what not.

Where is the nearest race at?

Edit: POST UP SOME PICS!!!

[notchbackfox]

i believe closest race would be the autobahn up by chicago, another local crew took a geo metro up there last year

[gre8one7]

iowa speedway had one last year

[stick]

Chumpcar at Newton and Lemons at Autobahn are the closest races. They have them in WI, MN, and some other places not too far from here as well.

Roll cage is required (and not ONLY because I will be one of the drivers!). Cage and safety standards are basically the same as you'd find in any road racing series. Full cage to SCCA/NASA specs, window nets, kill switch, tow hooks, fire extinghisher, nomex race suit/gloves/socks/shoes, helmet, the works. A lot more to them than the cages you typically see for drag racing or circle track. Just because the cars are crapcans worth $500 bucks doesn't mean the risks aren't still there, they are being pushed to (and frequently beyond) their limits on the track.

This is the beast as we got her:


And during some surgery...


Testing some alloys!


After replacing the clutch, cleaning some stuff up, the car now runs and drives. Removed 282lbs of crap gutting the interior. Next big step is adding in the cage.