2009 Ultimate Track Car Challenge signup is open

Hello everyone I am in the process of signing up my slavaged grassroots 04 evo. I have taken a grassroots approach to the build with low cost bolt on items for maximum performance. It will run on E85 and a dream! I will post a link to the car domain site when it is finallized & up.
Matt Step

ss wrote: Hello everyone I am in the process of signing up my slavaged grassroots 04 evo. I have taken a grassroots approach to the build with low cost bolt on items for maximum performance. It will run on E85 and a dream! I will post a link to the car domain site when it is finallized & up. Matt Step

I thought only rotary motors ran on dreams.....

Here's are link Hope most of the challengers&readers vote with us, Keepin it real!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3286646 WESTSIDE EVO

Ran in 07, but missed 08 due to work conflict. Hope to get invited for 09: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2579608

Costas

Sent these questions to Rob at Cardomain 03/16 but have not received a response. Maybe someone here can help. 1. How many cars do you expect to select for the actual competition at VIR? 2. Are the cars shown on Cardomain.com/UTCC in the sequence of where they are in the UTCC ratings? If not, what is the sequence? And is there a way we can tell where they rank in the ratings.

Thanks, Ed

Ed, the first year we had 40 cars, but this year we've got more track and two run groups. We won't know for sure until we get closer to the date, but we might aim for as many as 80 cars this year, depending on how many serious and eligible entries are available from the list of hopefuls.

The cars listed right now on CarDomain.com are the UTCC hopefuls; we'll draw the actual pool of entrants from that list. The only order they're in is their CarDomain rating, which is based on the rating votes given by other CarDomain.com members. We do factor the ratings in to our decision, but they're not critical, merely indicative of the popular opinion of CarDomain users.

Hmmm, it seems as if some on the list may not know what they have signed themselves up to be considered for. Example:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3112760

Although I guess that could be considered 'active suspension'

Jon

How do you see the list of people for this event only? I haven't been able to figure this out.

http://www.cardomain.com/MakeModel/all/all/category|27

...which appears to be sorted by rating, not # of views.

This E28 gets my vote for coolest track car on the list so far:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3310601

Good stuff,

Jon

It has begun! The first round of what we like to call the "are you serious" email blasts went out this morning, and in just a couple of hours we've already gotten replies from 10 very interested parties with very wicked track cars, so this is shaping up to be the coolest Hankook Ultimate Track Car Challenge ever.

If you've signed up on CarDomain but didn't get an email blast asking for more info, drop me a line at scott@grassrootsmotorsports.com and I'll send you a copy of the "are you serious" email.

We'll make our decision about the final invitations in mid-June.

getfast wrote: The next level is minimum experience. Specifically we need proof of at least 4+ weekends of NASA-MA HPDE3 Advanced equivalent, passing-in-corners, non-instructed road course driving experience in the last 2 years. We will need to see groups, dates, and references. Depending upon who this was with, when it was, and what your references say, this may or may not require a check ride at any NASA roadcourse event anywhere in the country between now and the UTCC in July.

Just thought I'd bump this bit of info, since I've heard from several UTCC hopefuls recently who didn't know about it.

The main reason why we need advanced/experienced drivers is because of the passing rules for the UTCC:

"Anywhere, anytime, with or without a point-by."

Qualified drivers are a huge part of what makes the UTCC a success...

Thanks for understanding,

Jon

The list continues to grow, keep 'em coming, Hankook Ultimate Track Car Challenge hopefuls. As Jon mentions above, the Time Trial or equivalent license requirement is absolutely non-negotiable, it's for the safety of all involved.

If you're not sure if you qualify, don't hesitate to contact Jon, he's friendly and will help however he can. In the past, we've had a few drivers on the brink who were able to attend a couple of NASA HPDE events prior to the UTCC and get signed off, but it's not an overnight process. Experience is a key part of the equation.

Remember, however, that you can always get a qualified driver to drive your car.

Jon?! That guy is a big jerk! I showed him my turbo on my Miata and he commented on how small it was! I've been feeding it viagra to it ever since.

I've actually done a few track days with the Track Daze crew. Jon runs events for them. All have been safe and run flawlessly from my perspective in the learning seat.

I'm trying my hardest to be there. If any GRM'ers want to spectate as a crew get in touch with me. Hotels are in the region and close to the track if you're going over night. You could also bunk up in the lodge if there are rooms left. You'll be amazed at the facilities.

As they say on the internets - "angrier snail FTW"

And, thanks! For this one I'm proud to be part of the NASA-MA team - helping with the UTCC is an extension of my duties as regional TT director just like it was in 2007. But there are several others with direct involvement too, most notably our esteemed registrar and E30 driver Sean Thompson.

All are welcome to come and spectate. NASA membership isn't required and there tentatively won't be a fee at the gate (although please don't quote me on that - if so, it would be a VIR policy not a NASA policy, and it would be like $10 or so.) Also anyone and everyone can get right down in the paddock to see the UTCC cars, talk to the drivers, etc.

Regarding hotels - trackside suites/lodge will probably book early because the UTCC is part of a 3-day NASA-MA full/patriot/karting event that usually brings hundreds of participants. Best bets near the track (but without being too pricey or too far away) are the Best Western and/or Sleep Inn on 58 by Danville Airport. Or camping at the track of course, which VIR charges between $35 and $60 for IIRC (total cost from Thursday evening until Sunday morning no matter how many nights you stay) depending upon whether it's tent or RV, and whether or not you need power.

Other things to do... we will have a 2- or 2.5-hour arrive and drive twilight kart enduro on VIR's Plantation Valley Kart Track that night. Entry fee is $140 or $175 depending on race length, minimum 3 drivers on a team, maximum 12 teams. GRM definitely needs to be represented at that!

Also - Saturday we will have a full course "Hyperdrive" for $50 (single classroom session followed by single 20+ minute HPDE1 equivalent track session with an instructor) and Sunday we have a "circuitcross" (fast autocross - lots of runs, no cones, no work assignments) on the infield Patriot course for $70 (+$35 for the morning school.) As well as another one of those 2+ hour twilight kart enduros on Saturday early evening.

So even if you're not coming to drive a full weekend on the full course, there are plenty of other fun things to do at VIR besides spectate...

The Kart Enduros are a blast, by the way.

And that circuitcross sounds pretty awesome, too.

getfast wrote: This E28 gets my vote for coolest track car on the list so far: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3310601 Good stuff, Jon

Jon,

Thanks for the kind words. Considering the assortment of amazing machines, that's really nice to hear. Apparantly, you suffer from an affliction similar to mine. Hopefully others will feel the same way! I'd love to be a part of the 2009 GRM UTCC.

Everette

Just a comment from the peanut gallery here.

Why is it that when ever I try to go look at some ones ride on cardomain it will load the page and then immediately flip over to some add page (in the same window)?. Between getting spammed to death a year ago and now this I can see this as being a major downer for all those causally wanting to see the cars and/or those that just want to see what it is all about by reading about the cars. So far I have tried to look at three rides and each time it loads the page for the car. I get 2-3 sentences in to the writeup and BAM it kicks me over to an add in the same window and there is not way to get out of it other than by the back button and that kicks you all the way back to the GRM page not to the ride you want to read about.

So in short I know this is an add based supported site/event but I think this whole interweb-add stuff is getting out of hand.

So how do you actually get to look at the cars on car domain?

OK I am an idiot I got it figured out for some reason my computer was auto clicking when I run my mouse over some of the adds. A re boot and all is good.

Is that some sort of spy ware or add ware thing that will auto click your mouse?

Dean, glad to hear you found the culprit, I've always found the CarDomain.com site pretty easy to navigate and un-annoying as far as advertising and pop-ups go.

We recently sent a letter out to all the previous UTCC hopefuls from 2007 and 2008, and several repeat customers have already sent in their info for serious consideration in the 2009 Hankook Ultimate Track Car Challenge. Fans of the event will see some familiar names and a few familiar cars.

There's still plenty of time until we make our formal decisions, so encourage your friends and fellow competitors to bid for a spot!

Scott Lear wrote: The Kart Enduros are a blast, by the way.

For those who are definitely coming to the UTCC, registration is now open for our arrive-and-drive kart enduro that night:

https://www.nasaproracing.com/event/916

120 minutes, 6:30-8:30p, minimum 3 drivers per team. NASA membership is not required, prior experience is not required, all are welcome.

For those who are staying over for the regular NASA weekend, registration is also open for the Saturday night kart enduro:

https://www.nasaproracing.com/event/917

As well as the Circuitschool/Circuitcross (fast autocross) on the 1.1 mile infield Patriot course that Sunday:

https://www.nasaproracing.com/event/918

Registration for the full course Saturday & Sunday HPDE, TT, roadracing, and Hyperdrives opens on May 23. Follow the link from

http://www.nasaracing.net/sched_regis.htm

Thanks!

Jon

So who has been accepted?

Scott Lear wrote: Preregistration for spots in the 2009 Ultimate Track Car Challenge at VIR Full course on July 24 is open! In fact, more than 50 cars have already signed up in the hopes of getting a spot in the event. This should be the best one yet, don't miss your change to be there. Lear more at THE UTCC INFO PAGE.

Hey that is really an interesting thing to know !!!