Ultimate Track Car Challenge
#21
949 Racing is an advertiser in GRM, perhaps Emilio has an opportunity? I would think competing in the four-cylinder non-boosted class would be preferable to the open class. Emilio's track rental would probably easily finish top twenty (come on, a XIDA equipped, not hampered by spec miata engine rules Miata has to beat the Spec Miata record at VIR?).
Sure a turbo would be faster, but the 949 Racing rental car is already built and sorted.
Back to lurking now...
Sure a turbo would be faster, but the 949 Racing rental car is already built and sorted.
Back to lurking now...
#22
You do NOT need to be an advertiser or sponsor to get into this event. My brother went this year, and he's a total random goob. I know several others who are in the same situation. All you need to do is make a CarDomain page and get all your buddies to vote for you. I would think a well sorted 250-270whp Miata would run somewhere around a 2:10 with a good driver (potentially less depending on weight, tires, etc.).
One big thing to keep in mind is that the event will be in July, and it will be VERY hot. You'll need to have your cooling stuff rock solid to stay in the game. If you were really serious you'd probably retune somewhere in the area shortly before the event to compensate.
One big thing to keep in mind is that the event will be in July, and it will be VERY hot. You'll need to have your cooling stuff rock solid to stay in the game. If you were really serious you'd probably retune somewhere in the area shortly before the event to compensate.
#25
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^^^ I think thats the chump-car challenge they have... it all starts here: http://blog.cardomain.com/grm/
13.All builders shall spend no more than $2011 on their cars. The purchase price of the car must be equal to or less than $2011. Title fees, registration and insurance are not counted toward the budget. Shipping (or transportation costs) of the car and parts used in the building process must be counted toward the budget.
13.All builders shall spend no more than $2011 on their cars. The purchase price of the car must be equal to or less than $2011. Title fees, registration and insurance are not counted toward the budget. Shipping (or transportation costs) of the car and parts used in the building process must be counted toward the budget.
#26
^^^ I think thats the chump-car challenge they have... it all starts here: http://blog.cardomain.com/grm/
13.All builders shall spend no more than $2011 on their cars. The purchase price of the car must be equal to or less than $2011. Title fees, registration and insurance are not counted toward the budget. Shipping (or transportation costs) of the car and parts used in the building process must be counted toward the budget.
13.All builders shall spend no more than $2011 on their cars. The purchase price of the car must be equal to or less than $2011. Title fees, registration and insurance are not counted toward the budget. Shipping (or transportation costs) of the car and parts used in the building process must be counted toward the budget.
And Adam (Stinkycheezmonkey) how the heck did you randomly choose this thread to post up
#27
^^^^ thank you! this thread is about the "ultimate track car challenge" put on by grassroots looking for the baddest track cars, duh... regardless of price. some cars in this event are $100k + ....
it literally took me 10 seconds to find this on grm. the rules/classes:
At its core, the Pirelli Ultimate Track Car Challenge presented by Grassroots Motorsports is a NASA Time Trial event. That means that all participating cars MUST pass a NASA technical inspection. More importantly, all drivers at the event must have a NASA Time Trial or equivalent license, as well as a current NASA membership. If you’re dying to show off your car’s speed but you’re not licensed, you’re welcome to bring a qualified hotshoe to drive your car. If you have questions regarding your NASA Time Trial legality, contact Jon Felton.
Our two classes and two subcategories have worked well so far, but for 2010 we’re clarifying things a bit and adding a new top-level group called Über Varsity. We’ve also got some exciting news about Trophy Classes, but we’ll get to that in a moment.
CLASS DEFINITIONS:
All production-based cars fall into one of two classes, Junior Varsity or Varsity.
• Junior Varsity is for cars running naturally aspirated, four cylinder (or fewer) engines and DOT-legal tires. New for this year, two-rotor cars are allowed. Common examples: Honda S2000, engine-swapped Civics and Integras; Porsche 968; BMW E30 M3, Mazda RX-7 (non turbo).
• Varsity is the home to production-based cars with five or more cylinders, three or more rotors, or anything with forced induction. Cars on non-DOT racing slicks will also be in Varsity. Common Examples: Chevy Corvette Z06, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, Ford Mustang, Porsche 911, Dodge Viper, E46 and later BMW M3.
SUBCATEGORIES
Once you’ve determined if your car is Varsity or JV, it’s time to decide on a subcategory.
• Independent Study is for cars that have been built or prepared by nonprofessional individuals in their own garages, driveways or work areas. Our goal with this category is to make sure the folks who toiled in the creation of their own monsters get recognition for their efforts.
• Shop: Cars that have been built or prepared by a professional race shop. If you are a race shop looking to show off your hardware, this is the place for you. Shop class also includes factory-prepared production-based race cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Dodge Viper Competition Coupe and Ford Mustang FR500C.
EVERYTHING ELSE
• Über Varsity Our two classes and two subcategories encompass most of the cars out there, but the Ultimate Track Car Challenge is a wide-open competition, and that means we get some pretty insane hardware. For 2010, we’re creating a new class to encompass these road-borne fighter jets. Vehicles designed from the ground up for track use. Most aren’t street legal—at least not in America—and share very few, if any, chassis components with any mass production street legal automobile. Examples: Riley Technologies MkXXII Track Day Car, any Daytona Prototype, Radical SR series, tube-frame Trans-Am cars, Formula 1 cars, the powerful Mach 5 from “Speed Racer.”
• Green Category The Ultimate Track Car Challenge offers a Green Cateogry for alternatively-fueled or powered vehicles. If your car runs on something other than gasoline, be it ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, electricity or turnip juice, you’ll be eligible for the Green Category in addition to your regular class. For example, a professionally-prepared biodiesel-powered six-cylinder turbo Mercedes would be in the Shop Varsity (Green) class. Such a car would be ranked among its peers in the Shop Varsity class, but it would simultaneously be competing against other Green-class cars.
If you’re not sure which class you’d be in, contact Scott Lear at scott@grassrootsmotorsports.com and he’ll be happy to figure it out with you.
TROPHY CUP CLASSES
For the 2010 Pirelli Ultimate Track Car Challenge, we’re going to be recognizing some specific sub-groups within the field. Watch for more exiting news, classes and even prizes as we develop these Trophy Cup classes.
Pro Touring Trophy Cup: Classic cars have plenty of style, but advances in technology often leave them down on performance compared to their modern counterparts. Why not mix the best of what’s old with the best of what’s new? Our Pro Touring Trophy Cup class is for old-school street cars with modern hop-ups, from classic Camaros with modern Corvette Z06 running gear to lightweight early Porsche 911s with the latest twin-turbo flat six powerplants. How about a Honda S2000 engine in an MG Midget? Why not? To be eligible for the Pro Touring Trophy Cup, a car must be a street legal (active tags and insurance) 1980 or earlier model, run DOT tires, have stock sheet metal less hood (flares, wings, front spoilers and add-ons are okay), functioning headlights and taillights, and a fully upholstered interior with at least two seats (racing buckets are okay).
Sponsors
it literally took me 10 seconds to find this on grm. the rules/classes:
At its core, the Pirelli Ultimate Track Car Challenge presented by Grassroots Motorsports is a NASA Time Trial event. That means that all participating cars MUST pass a NASA technical inspection. More importantly, all drivers at the event must have a NASA Time Trial or equivalent license, as well as a current NASA membership. If you’re dying to show off your car’s speed but you’re not licensed, you’re welcome to bring a qualified hotshoe to drive your car. If you have questions regarding your NASA Time Trial legality, contact Jon Felton.
Our two classes and two subcategories have worked well so far, but for 2010 we’re clarifying things a bit and adding a new top-level group called Über Varsity. We’ve also got some exciting news about Trophy Classes, but we’ll get to that in a moment.
CLASS DEFINITIONS:
All production-based cars fall into one of two classes, Junior Varsity or Varsity.
• Junior Varsity is for cars running naturally aspirated, four cylinder (or fewer) engines and DOT-legal tires. New for this year, two-rotor cars are allowed. Common examples: Honda S2000, engine-swapped Civics and Integras; Porsche 968; BMW E30 M3, Mazda RX-7 (non turbo).
• Varsity is the home to production-based cars with five or more cylinders, three or more rotors, or anything with forced induction. Cars on non-DOT racing slicks will also be in Varsity. Common Examples: Chevy Corvette Z06, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, Ford Mustang, Porsche 911, Dodge Viper, E46 and later BMW M3.
SUBCATEGORIES
Once you’ve determined if your car is Varsity or JV, it’s time to decide on a subcategory.
• Independent Study is for cars that have been built or prepared by nonprofessional individuals in their own garages, driveways or work areas. Our goal with this category is to make sure the folks who toiled in the creation of their own monsters get recognition for their efforts.
• Shop: Cars that have been built or prepared by a professional race shop. If you are a race shop looking to show off your hardware, this is the place for you. Shop class also includes factory-prepared production-based race cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Dodge Viper Competition Coupe and Ford Mustang FR500C.
EVERYTHING ELSE
• Über Varsity Our two classes and two subcategories encompass most of the cars out there, but the Ultimate Track Car Challenge is a wide-open competition, and that means we get some pretty insane hardware. For 2010, we’re creating a new class to encompass these road-borne fighter jets. Vehicles designed from the ground up for track use. Most aren’t street legal—at least not in America—and share very few, if any, chassis components with any mass production street legal automobile. Examples: Riley Technologies MkXXII Track Day Car, any Daytona Prototype, Radical SR series, tube-frame Trans-Am cars, Formula 1 cars, the powerful Mach 5 from “Speed Racer.”
• Green Category The Ultimate Track Car Challenge offers a Green Cateogry for alternatively-fueled or powered vehicles. If your car runs on something other than gasoline, be it ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, electricity or turnip juice, you’ll be eligible for the Green Category in addition to your regular class. For example, a professionally-prepared biodiesel-powered six-cylinder turbo Mercedes would be in the Shop Varsity (Green) class. Such a car would be ranked among its peers in the Shop Varsity class, but it would simultaneously be competing against other Green-class cars.
If you’re not sure which class you’d be in, contact Scott Lear at scott@grassrootsmotorsports.com and he’ll be happy to figure it out with you.
TROPHY CUP CLASSES
For the 2010 Pirelli Ultimate Track Car Challenge, we’re going to be recognizing some specific sub-groups within the field. Watch for more exiting news, classes and even prizes as we develop these Trophy Cup classes.
Pro Touring Trophy Cup: Classic cars have plenty of style, but advances in technology often leave them down on performance compared to their modern counterparts. Why not mix the best of what’s old with the best of what’s new? Our Pro Touring Trophy Cup class is for old-school street cars with modern hop-ups, from classic Camaros with modern Corvette Z06 running gear to lightweight early Porsche 911s with the latest twin-turbo flat six powerplants. How about a Honda S2000 engine in an MG Midget? Why not? To be eligible for the Pro Touring Trophy Cup, a car must be a street legal (active tags and insurance) 1980 or earlier model, run DOT tires, have stock sheet metal less hood (flares, wings, front spoilers and add-ons are okay), functioning headlights and taillights, and a fully upholstered interior with at least two seats (racing buckets are okay).
Sponsors
#29
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GeneSplicer has the magazine quality paint job that will get serious votes. And he's on the east coast and has big track experience. He just needs to finish that forged motor and get it dialed in.
Or if Bob Bundy or Savington wants to drive to Virginia...
Or if Bob Bundy or Savington wants to drive to Virginia...
#34
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Yo, thanks for the shout... but Im only sitting at 10 or so weekends! I'm doing 44s at Barber (about 3sec below SM) - been to Road Atlanta several times but... who knows? Yeah, the paint job will put it in GRM even if it doesn't run - I just have to slap on a burnt GRM sticker... But seriously - VIR has such long stretches - would it even be possible to get a 1:55 out of a 400hp miata with a factory slush box - 5 or 6spd?
#35
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Now for some amusing comparisons.
Quick amateurs: My dad's FD is gutted, caged, has aero improvements, over 500 whp and it will reach 180 mph on the back straight. He's run for a few sessions on Goodyear slicks, in the 2:00-2:02 range. I don't know if he ever broke 2:00 but I'll ask. He more commonly runs on R6s and in the 2:05 range.
World Challenge GT cars:
Randy Pobst runs in the 1:57s in a K-Pax Volvo S60. A 2.5L motor running 26 psi, good aero and more rubber than you could ever fit under a Miata, at the hands of a world class driver.
Insane:
Daytona Prototypes lap in the 1:45s. There is no way any Miata is going to be within 10 or even 15 seconds of them on a 3.27 mile course.
#36
i think the fastest miata's out there today coulddef. run in the 2:05 range. probably a little faster even. if a stock motor'd s2000 with a few bolt-ons and r-comps can run 2:12's, savington or bellwilliam or emillio should be able to beat that by quite a bit. i'd be stoked if i could run a 2:10-11 there today. was @ 2:17 in 2008 with about a dozen laps of practice. i was there during a redline time attack and it was awesome but sucked. awesome to get to see the koni challenge cars racing in their season final enduro, and the us drift nationals finals, and the skip barber finals. but sucked that we (the time attack competitors) got pushed to the back burner for track time. practice was at 7am and the track was cold and soaked from the dew. alot of guys crashed because of this, and that killed our practice time as they tried to clean up and remove the pieces.
#37
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Yeah, you can get a bunch of wreckage there in the morning. The river is right at the edge of the property and you can have fog and mist and such around the lower part of the track (front straight to the uphill esses). It usually doesn't take long to establish a dry line, but even in summer the grass can remain dew-soaked until lunchtime, so if you go off you will slide a long way before hitting something. The VIR crew are pretty quick at cleaning up the carnage since they get lots of practice.
I didn't mean my previous post to be discouraging, only to be realistic. The UTCC is a big boy event and even the fastest track Miatas out there aren't going to turn 1:55s. I'd guess the 2:05-08 range could be attainable by the more studly Miatas. Champagne and umbrella girls.
I didn't mean my previous post to be discouraging, only to be realistic. The UTCC is a big boy event and even the fastest track Miatas out there aren't going to turn 1:55s. I'd guess the 2:05-08 range could be attainable by the more studly Miatas. Champagne and umbrella girls.
#39
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I didn't mean my previous post to be discouraging, only to be realistic. The UTCC is a big boy event and even the fastest track Miatas out there aren't going to turn 1:55s. I'd guess the 2:05-08 range could be attainable by the more studly Miatas. Champagne and umbrella girls.
Now if they bring it to a very technical track like Barber where there isn't much straights - maybe we'd have a shot? Problem is, NASA doesn't run at Barber anymore.
Last edited by GeneSplicer; 11-06-2010 at 11:44 PM.