Challenge Question - Minivan class variation question

Question of curiosity. The Dodge A100 and Ford Econoline P-U were based on their respective van brethren. Would an A-100 or an Econoline P-U be legal in the Minivan class? Would the Minivan purist have any heartburn about a COE P-U competing?

I vote that it would be awesome.

Good question. I would say the vans are mini for sure, but not sure about the pickup version.

BUT - if someone took a grand caravan and cut the top off to make it a pickup, that would definitely still be eligible in my mind. Maybe another way to look at it?

Here is the original idea announcement.
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/start-planning-for-next-year-soccer-moms-invade-th/107086/page1/

Seems worth repeating, here is the ruling on stability.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/soccer-mom-challenge-rules/108846/page1/

JohnRW1621 wrote: Here is the original idea announcement. https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/start-planning-for-next-year-soccer-moms-invade-th/107086/page1/ Seems worth repeating, here is the ruling on stability. https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/soccer-mom-challenge-rules/108846/page1/

???? Are cab forwards P-U in there. It appears the SUV with the seating further aft is not in the Minivan class. But I did not see the early COE P-Us addressed in the links.

I did not show the original link to state if it was clearly addressed. More, I listed it so you and others could easily review the dialog up to this point.

It's the weekend. The board may be slow but I bet that once people get "back to work" you'll have an answer.

I think what you really want is genuine class competitors to chime in. They will.

I showed the second link so you can plan and be assured your build will fit in the perimeters.

Thanks

Photo examples for those who might not be familiar:

Looks like a van to me.

Van-tastic.

That Dodge pickup/van thing is awesomeness

Grtechguy wrote: That Dodge pickup/van thing is awesomeness

Can't argue with that.....but will GRM recognize the cab forward design and van roots and say "Yes" for 2016???....or.... do we need to push for a truck class for 2017???? Inquiring mind want to know.....

i'd rather see a truck sub-class for '17 than start including things not quite minivan in spirit.

to me, minivan starts with the first caravans(1984?) and goes from there. i'd love to see what you are planning though

patgizz wrote: i'd rather see a truck sub-class for '17 than start including things not quite minivan in spirit. to me, minivan starts with the first caravans(1984?) and goes from there. i'd love to see what you are planning though

I appreciate your feed back and I am sure GRM does/will also.

Not sure why we need a class for everything...

...pickups have already been there (so have minivans).

Andrew, you are most certainly the guy who can pull this off for under $2K:

My opinion...

I am not sure I know what a minivan is and is not.

I agree with patgizz about the Caravan being the moment that "minivans" came to life. Sort of.

I'd like to say the unibody construction is part of the essence of what a minivan is, but that would rule out the Astro, which probably should be included.

Then again, the Caravan is a poor line in the sand, because I certainly think microvans like the Subaru 360, Sambar, Kei, Mitsubishi Minicab, Honda Acty, Suzuki Every would be amusing (though they offer a completely different set of safety problems). Some of these predate the Caravan by over 30 years.

Maybe the best we can do is call it a people mover designed specifically for soccer moms to get groceries. That might be a little vague.

Much as I love the COE pickups, I don't think they fit. Then again, there was the BatVan...

Like I said, the class thing is confusing!

No, cab forward pickup, yes, cab forward van.
I would suggest keeping the van profile rather important to defining eligibility.
Astro/Safari are uni body with a front subframe.

SVreX wrote: My opinion... I am not sure I know what a minivan is and is not. I agree with patgizz about the Caravan being the moment that "minivans" came to life. Sort of. I'd like to say the unibody construction is part of the essence of what a minivan is, but that would rule out the Astro, which probably should be included. Then again, the Caravan is a poor line in the sand, because I certainly think microvans like the Subaru 360, Sambar, Kei, Mitsubishi Minicab, Honda Acty, Suzuki Every would be amusing (though they offer a completely different set of safety problems). Some of these predate the Caravan by over 30 years. Maybe the best we can do is call it a people mover designed specifically for soccer moms to get groceries. That might be a little vague. Much as I love the COE pickups, I don't think they fit. Then again, there was the BatVan... Like I said, the class thing is confusing!

I like the added class. Hope they continue it a variety of ideas. Truck, wagons, rat rods, whatever... I like it

In reply to wheels777:

Didn't actually say whether I liked it or disliked it- just said it gets confusing!

There was a time when a minivan showed up and everyone said "Hurrah!". Now, we have a class and we can't seem to figure out what a minivan is!

In reply to SVreX:

Minivans are like porn. I know them when I see them and as far as anyone knows I've never been in one.

Wall-e wrote: In reply to SVreX: Minivans are like porn. I know them when I see them and as far as anyone knows I've never been in one.

But the truth is far murkier....

Wall-e wrote: In reply to SVreX: Minivans are like porn. I know them when I see them and as far as anyone knows I've never been in one.

I am in minivans all the time. While I have never been in a porn, I am quite sure it is not similar.