Chump Car - John Allen Special USFail1 Race Team Build

[Roysneon]

Awesome stuff, guys! I feel like I'm becoming less of a 'car guy/car modifier' and more of a race fan lately, even after not making it to a single track day this year :(

Anyway, I have to ask, how do the Neons do? The DOHC ones can make some decent power with a few tweaks here and there, let alone if you sneak in a 2.4 bottom end. Seems to be a lot of them running.

[Nygdup]

The Neons can be fast. There aren't a whole lot of them running right now, but I suspect that the new 2014-2016 rules adjustments will make them a bit more popular. E30s and E36s got hit pretty hard with the rules changes and Neons got a favorable ruleset.

m20b25 E30s now are assessed a starting value of $475
Neon's top out at $350

[jhaurimn]

Just read through this entire thread. Needless to say...i want to get into chumpcar racing!

awesome stories.

[Roysneon]

Right on. Sucks for you guys, though. I still have a bit of a soft spot for those shitboxes when not riced out. They do make great race cars, so simple, so cheap and can be pretty competitive.

[Dj Buttchug]

If I end up in sd for school next year lets do it... :D

in.

you me and freeride can build a m42 demon car. lol

this thread inspires me

[Nygdup]

in.

you me and freeride can build a m42 demon car. lol

this thread inspires me

M42 cars start with a $400 starting value. Adding $100 worth of go-fast, if done right, can make that car very competitive in Chump.

[Nygdup]

Oh.. don't forget we have a Facebook page. That really is the best place to keep up with us. Clicky below my sig.

[JCarp90]

Liked. :p

[Nygdup]

So, I haven't had time to sit down and do my regular post-race update for everyone yet. But no fear, I'm doing it now!

The week started a bit rough for the team. On Sunday before the race we found out that one of our drivers, Chris Nelson, was not going to be able to attend the race with us. This reduced our team to 3 of our regulars, Blake, Thomas and I, and Greg Higgins whom was replacing Halston for this event.

Anyways, we make it to Sebring with little to no fanfare and the race begins Saturday morning. Car rolls onto track with no issues and Blake takes our first stint. We started around 40th position and made it as far as 12th before setting into the low twenties during those first two hours. Next up Greg got in the car. While a bit slower Greg was doing a good job of holding positions during his stint until he was forced off track. Normally this would not have been a big issue if it weren't for the oil pan smacking the curbing when he did so. Greg limped the car to pit road where the pan crack was discovered and we immediately jumped into heroic repairs hoping to save the day. While repairing the pan we also discovered that the shift linkage had been damaged in the impact. Greg asked every E30 team on pit road until he found a replacement. It took some time and effort, but we were back on track about three hours later (please note, we had to run into town to buy oil, oil filters, JB Weld, etc. and also wait for the JB Weld to set).

After the repairs I got back into the car and took a short stint. I also had a short off and brought the car in to check the oil pan. While idling on pit road I noticed the low oil pressure light begin to flicker. We could build pressure by keeping our revs up, but it was apparent then the car was a ticking time bomb. About 2 hours of track time later the car finally let go, after Thomas got his stint and Greg got in the car a second time. Poor Greg was the one that had to bring the car to pit road after spinning the bearing. We ended up finishing 76th out of 94 starters.

Of course, some pictures... I don't have many, but here are a few:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKlqOAYFL4o

[silence]

A guy came by our pit asking if we had a shift linkage. Now i know who that was. :) Sorry to hear about your troubles. ...You don't finish at Sebring, you survive it.

[Nygdup]

Glad you are paying attention.. got something for ya!


ChumpCar Sebring 09/28/13 by RichE30, on Flickr


ChumpCar Sebring 09/28/13 by RichE30, on Flickr

[silence]

nice pics. :)
Are you thinking of adding a front air damn like ours?

[Nygdup]

nice pics. :)
Are you thinking of adding a front air damn like ours?

No. Just like shooting "chumpy" builds.

Besides, the value add for that thing has got to push you over $500 after today's rules updates!

[kingston]

Hope to see you guys out there next year! It sounds like our Chump team (Team Bavarian Alcoholics Anonymous/Team BAA) is going to be hitting several rounds more than the last couple of years. I'll miss Road America in 2 weeks due to other commitments, but I hope to see you guys at Sebring & Daytona next year!

Thanks for providing a great read :)

[dinanm3atl]

We'll be at AMP. And hopefully 4-5 races again in 2014 :)