$2014 Challenge

I have never made it to the challenge, depite building 2 cars that were actually on budget and performance potential. the ACR and the s10. now am contemplating yet another one.

why have I never made it to the challenge? honestly, part of its the drive from NC in a car that I would have to drive back. part of it is that im not exactly sure WHAT I need to bring to validate my build. part of its that I always seem to find out 2 weeks ahead of time what/where/when the damn thing is.

I need more plan time than that.

I also need a much more comprehensive information "packet" to tell me just what the hell im doing, what kind of book keeping I need to have on hand, what the "tech" requirements are, etc. and I need it aboyut 6 months in advance so I can get the time off work, budget/prepare for the event (not the car), etc.

as far as the cars go, most of the stuff I want to build/cars I have built are dual purpose cars with titles, insurance, interiors, etc. in my mind, im bringing a knife to a nnuclear haulocost. makes me kind of feel inadequate, but I cannot afford/store a dedicated race car/trailer/tow rig. so id have to drive it down and back.

lastly, for guys like me that ARENT great fabricators, I really would love a streetcar class. something that I can compete in. along the lines of title/insurance/valid state inspection/75 mile road test kind of thing. because all my cars fit into that, and those are the kinds of guys I could compete with.

do I want to compete against andy nelson? yes. can I realistically compete against him? berkeley no! aint gonna happen. well, not yet.

I also approve the DOT tire suggestion. y'all do enough tire tests that we have a bunch of good options.

I approve the "if it aint on the car, it aint in the budget" suggestion.

does the budget include things like fluids, cleaners, etc? I never understood that. what about oil filters?

I WANT to compete. ive planned it a few times. I just haven't yet due to circumstances beyond my control. hell, right now im starting the 914 build in my head and research in anticipation for next year, but only if I can get a title....

Michael

aussiesmg wrote:

Strike_Zero wrote:

David S. Wallens wrote: You know, you can always come to watch and hang out.

I may come down this year. Previous years, the Challenge and Petite were either the same weekend or close. Since I've sworn off Petit (thanks to poor signage and law enforcement picking and choosing which law to enforce on which day), I have room to hang out . . . AussieSMG offered a non-official membership to his team If something doesn't keep me away, I'll be down this year.

Offer is still on mate, we have beer

Mrs. Zero just had knee surgery, so it looks like a no-go since I'm in nurse maid mode.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

I agree with this!! My $2014 build is being built with just wrenches and very little horse trading/part selling. I doubt the 70hp of a stock 3TC is going do anything but make noise

I've been to the Challenge several times in the past, and for the last 5 years I've been heavily involved in the Georgia Tech Challenge builds (I was lead engineer in 2010, when we won the Challenge).

In general, I have to say that there is very little that I would change about the rules or the event (and this is really a rare thing for me to say, I have big disagreements with at least some rules for pretty much all other motorsports events I do).

I really like the cars that show up to the challenge. I like the mix of radically different ideas, makes, models, drivetrains, skill-levels - it's great. So IMO, don't change too much; you've got a winning formula on your hands now.

That said, there's always room for improvement and I like some of the suggestions I've read in this thread:

• Parade laps before the event: love it. What a great way to show of the cars, hear the roar of all the home-build powerplants, and give the participants a chance to bask in the glory of what they've accomplished - awesome.
• Some guidelines for concours would be nice. I like having a scored portion of the event based on the effort put into appearances (I think it does a lot to level the playing field for teams that can't do tons of fab work or aren't the best engine builders in the country - everyone can sand bondo, and I think it's a decent idea to encourage cars that look awesome), but it's not always clear what the cars are scored on.
• Less rules in general is good. If you bought it and put it on your car for $2000 (and it's safe) then you're good to go. That's always been the idea behind the challenge and it's a great one.

If there is one thing that I would change about the challenge, it would be location. I know it's tough to do it away from GRM headquarters, but I think it would be a good decision if growing the event is the goal.

Finally, some encouragement for n00bs and "small-time" teams:
Like I said before I've been really involved with the Georgia Tech GRM Challenge builds. That team has a lot of resources that most teams don't and I can understand how it would be daunting to complete with that (or with some of the shop-supported teams, or with the experience of the Nelsons, etc, etc).

However, for the last couple years I have been slowly working on my own challenge build. I'm currently a grad student, I have no money, I have no super fancy tools in my garage, I have less than a decade of wrenching experience, and I have very little free time to dedicate to this. Despite those challenges, I honestly believe that in a couple years, when I finally finish this $2000 car, that I can show up to the Challenge with a real shot at taking the overall win. It might take years to do it and gallons of blood sweat and tears, but where else can a one-man $2000 effort show up and win an event? Awesome.

And, if I can do this, so can anyone else.