About NASA,I have 4 HPDE's under my belt,w/ they're nor-cal San Fran.Chapter.
So far I havent had a bad experience,quite COOL.
I've discovered some other messages posted,elsewhere.Some replies"wouldnt drive my enemies car at one of they're events" or"Lined up like Trains" or "Ive become disenchanted w/ them"
Before I get to deep Maybe some input?
I want to end up w/ competition lic. And DRIVE for real.NASA offers this.CMC is what I want.
No trains in the high groups,They've allways acted professional.Friendly.My last instructor had competed in F1s,PANOZ.
I dont get it.
Other clubs are smaller and have more track time.But how can you end up really Competing in the end?


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Hella Clean Dark Green Metallic 98 3.8 L60E Coupe:Fast toys Ram Air,Holly filter,Whisper lid,160 Thermo,Man.fan switch,Purple ice wetter,Eibach Pros,Koni adjustables,BMR sways,Prothane bushins,Transgo kit,Magnaflow cat-back.National Auto Sport ***. member/student.

 

Its a money making deal for the organizers. They are in business. Its not a club. It is a franchise. How good or bad its going to be depends on many factors.

Their licenses are not accepted by all clubs. Better check if SCCA accepts them.

What is CMC?

BobC
95 Formula W2W in Midwestern Council

 

Also: Get a cage thats legal for wherever you plan to run. It will stiffen the suspension and protect you as well. For ex: Wolfe cage isn't legal due to tubing size, even in Stock class where I race, but Autopower is...

Also, pay close attention to their rules on metal-to-metal contact. Remember, you will be paying to fix your car (and yourself, heaven forbid), so stay away from groups that tolerate recklessness.

BobC

[This message has been edited by BobC (edited August 22, 2002).]

 

I'm not aware of any path that goes from a NASA HPDE event to their CMC (Camaro-Mustang Challenge). There might be such a thing, but I don't know. If I'm correct, then your time spent in their HPDE is no different from your time spent in any other open track or scholl event. So my recommendation is to try various events and decide for yourself which you prefer.

Dave

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1997 LPE 383/n2o Camaro Z28 Convertible
12.39@112.2, 1.76 60' (na) 11.27@124.6, 1.76 60' (n2o)
LT1 Diagnostics, New to Nitrous? Northern California Racing Club

 

CMC=Camaro Mustang Challenge, Camaros and Mustangs go at it.
Not reckless,all if any violations by driver are caught by officials.Sportsman like conduct is advised and supported.
Autopower thanks Bob,I'll take a look.

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Hella Clean Dark Green Metallic 98 3.8 L60E Coupe:Fast toys Ram Air,Holly filter,Whisper lid,160 Thermo,Man.fan switch,Purple ice wetter,Eibach Pros,Koni adjustables,BMR sways,Prothane bushins,Transgo kit,Magnaflow cat-back.National Auto Sport ***. member/student.

 

Do they have a class that your V6 can be competitive in?

Try working corners when CMC is racing to learn. Thats what I do...

I'm sure I've read that in NASA you progress thru their run groups to W2W classes.

BobC

 

Yeah Dave you complete thru group four,and you can petition.Another driver I believe can sponser the petition.B/c one has already offered,when I'm ready.
Bob my car w/ a lot of money,say race prepped block(enough for 12-20psi.),super six powerpak,decent intercooled supercharger(LS1).The tranny,rears etc. etc.It could run Super Unlimited,not the fastest but could.
CMC is stock class almost every aspect,limited to 230rwhp.
American Iron calss Is Heavy Modifications Camaros,Mustangs,Firebirds,others.

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Hella Clean Dark Green Metallic 98 3.8 L60E Coupe:Fast toys Ram Air,Holly filter,Whisper lid,160 Thermo,Man.fan switch,Purple ice wetter,Eibach Pros,Koni adjustables,BMR sways,Prothane bushins,Transgo kit,Magnaflow cat-back.National Auto Sport ***. member/student.

 

#7,

Maybe I've misread the rules, but aren't there 2 AI classes in NASA? I believe there is a AI basic class and a AI extreme. The AI basic class is based on a RWHP to weight ratio. Brief pause while I do some surfing . . . . Here's a quote from their web site:

"The Series offers competitors two classes, American Iron (AI) and American Iron Extreme (AIX). In order to control costs and encourage close competition, the AI class has a 9.5:1 power-to-weight ratio, a tire limitation, and other restrictions placed on the cars. For drivers that wish to race in less restricted format, AIX is a "sky's the limit" class, where nearly anything short of a tube frame is legal. "

I had my eyes on their basic AI class. If the power to weight is restricted and there is a tire size limitation, the big money spenders are limited. If the CMC is limited to 230 RWHP, that's a true stock LT1 I would think. I need a little more fun than that.

BTW, according to NASA rules, for cars over 2500 lbs., the roll cage tubing must be -

Mild steel - 2.25" x .120"
Alloy - 2.0" x .095"

The specifics in more detail than this are pretty long in the NASA rules, available online at http://www.nasaproracing.com/images/...s_2002_CCR.pdf

How do the SCCA GCR rules compare Bob?

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Mike Taylor
'94 Formula
Holley Cold Air, Borla downpipe, Walker UltraFlo catback, BMR STB, BMR PHR, Ground Control coilovers, Bilsteins, G2 Torque Arm, Torsen T2R, 16x9.5 Rikens, 255/50/16 Street tires, 17x9 SLP Wheels, Kumho 275/40/17 V700, 17x11 AFS Wheels, No tires for these yet

[This message has been edited by 94bird (edited August 23, 2002).]

 

I was refering to the heavy mod.Thakx for the link so I my not have been acurate,others can verify.I've been to the site many times,I was not that far off though.
CMC is a begining,American Iron would be fun after some exposure and a worthy car.
94 bird you say you considered AI,what are you doing now specificlly?racing wise
And you didnt really address the original topic.

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Hella Clean Dark Green Metallic 98 3.8 L60E Coupe:Fast toys Ram Air,Holly filter,Whisper lid,160 Thermo,Man.fan switch,Purple ice wetter,Eibach Pros,Koni adjustables,BMR sways,Prothane bushins,Transgo kit,Magnaflow cat-back.National Auto Sport ***. member/student.

 

Ummm, he's got a 3.8L. Well, short of a SC, he'll never get 230 RWHP, especially with an A4. I had a 99 3.8 with 5 spd, headers, k & n, ram air hood (raptor), cat back, etc, and got 176 rwhp out of it. And if he puts an SC on it, he's all too likely to blow it sky high, like Stefan. The class is designed for 5.0L Mustangs and Camaro's, I'm guessing, which can get 230 with bolt ons, I'd expect. I looked at the rules and 5.7L 93-97 F-bodies are allowed with a 250 hp limit.

LOL, I wonder if you could put an LT1 or LS1 in it with 87 octane and a restrictive airfilter and keep it to 250 rwhp? Would it be legal?

No offense, but if I were to suggest, you need to put an 5.7L motor in it, which if they'd grant an exemption in CMC for your car's year, would be limited to 250 rwhp/300 ft lbs tq. You will spend far more on you SC than the swap in long run, I'd bet. Ask around at Firebirdv6.com or the v6 forum here and find out how much, then budget for rebuilds. I almost did the SC, then saw all the troubles, and traded to a V8.

Another option, if it doesn't spoil your dreams, would be just to run it at the back of the pack with the 3.8/A4, learning to get the best out of it you could, and when the 3.8 or A4 dies, then consider the swaps to 5.7 and M6.

BobC

 

Oh No Bob,This car could not(far as I know)compete in CMC.I havnt even considered it,I'm using it now to get the track time.
As far as in the novices(where I'm at!!)In the back of the feild,please.Thunderhill,Last time I started 3/4 lap behind,worked 75% of um before the end.2min.36, begining season 2min59.
Bob they add weight for over 230rwhp,or I believe restrictor.No 6s
As far as your 179? Super six motor sports heads/cam/intake pac gets 200rwhp.Why would you boost stock internals?(coarse it'll blow)They have a race prepped blocks(any talented mech can do).Plenty for higher boost,LS1 SC Intercooled should get a least 60-90 more to the rear if not more.With the right gearing headers,custom program PCM.They get 340rw for ford 3.8 stage 4.
Swap thats lame,This car will be unique street machine,its just posing for now as a track car.I will buy somebodys already prepped car (for cmc)Something someone put alot of effort in,not to mention $$$,for a 1/3 of what it cost to create
Last months speed news For Sale:CMC #58 Formula Firebird,multi color paint,k/n,pp,kirky seat,hurst,welded cage,griffin radiator,1LE b/s,multi race winner.No time to play $5,500
A swap 6,000 or more,what about saftey,you know everything else too.


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Hella Clean Dark Green Metallic 98 3.8 L60E Coupe:Fast toys Ram Air,Holly filter,Whisper lid,160 Thermo,Man.fan switch,Purple ice wetter,Eibach Pros,Koni adjustables,BMR sways,Prothane bushins,Transgo kit,Magnaflow cat-back.National Auto Sport ***. member/student.

 

#7,

Sorry, sometimes there's substantial topic drift in a thread like this, and I was addressing some of the things talked about in later messages.

Right now I'm doing lapping days and driving schools only this year. I'll probably continue this strategy in my car next year, and then see how the budget goes for going road racing. We're having our first baby this Christmas so my budget and timing could be upset a little. It'll all be OK though. We're having a boy, and he's going to be in a go cart by the age of 4 I tell ya.

It's my understanding that NASA HPDE events do allow you to count them as "schools". I'll be going to my first one in October at Mid-Ohio. I went to a Track Time School at Mich. Int. Speedway a couple of weeks ago that will count with the SCCA also. The only "racing" I'm doing right now is autocrossing. Everything else is just track time.

 

94 bird,Thanx I like hearing where your coming from.I do like that you clarified some things(for the sake of others)really.
Congrats on the new baby,You will experience a kind of different love now.My boy is 11,daughter 8.Financialy does take some getting used to.I'm looking for a cart(by next season) myself for chris(son).There is a guy here in town builds'em.If I cant get used.
This is a NASA event your planing? In Oct. I get to run Sears Point,as a child my uncle took me by there.I was Awwed.I'm hoping for a date at Laguna next season(havent seen 2003 sched.)But this year early they had one.Promising
After starting on real tracks,I dont think I would enjoy AutoX(I respect this)At least AutoX is Competition.It seems so small,flat.
You enjoy this? My car would be a excellent AutoX car,no doubt it would hold up to the Zs,Stangs,Ludes,whatever.On the road coarse its all about momentum,when driving a 6.


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Hella Clean Dark Green Metallic 98 3.8 L60E Coupe:Fast toys Ram Air,Holly filter,Whisper lid,160 Thermo,Man.fan switch,Purple ice wetter,Eibach Pros,Koni adjustables,BMR sways,Prothane bushins,Transgo kit,Magnaflow cat-back.National Auto Sport ***. member/student.