One Lap of America: So, what would you run?

If Andy can get his drag cars to autocross well enough to win the GRM challenge, then Larry larson should be able to do the same with OLoA. He certainly has the horsepower.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwF-kr91uxU

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I really don't get why OLoA is attractive to anyone.

Dick swinging bragging rights and fun, just like any ameture motorsport!

I'm having problems finding the supplemental tire rules policy mentioned in the main set of rules.

Anybody know what they're referencing? I think the issue with a Miata is going to be tire availability. I was planning on banking on the new Maxxis RC-1 245/40-15, but it's 100tw and would have to be hand-grooved, so i'm guessing that doesn't meet the letter of the rules. I just didn't know if the tires had to be purchased from Tire Rack or something.

Rulez said: Tires: Entered vehicles will run on mass-produced, readily available DOT-approved tires with highway-legal (2/32 of an inch) tread depth (no shaving permitted). The same set of tires will be used throughout the event unless changes are deemed necessary for safety reasons by the organizers. R-rated tires or any tires with a manufacturers wear-rating of less than 140 or tires intended for rally, autocross or racetrack competition are specifically banned. Tires are to be acquired as specified in the separate One Lap Tire Policy. Tire Rack will be the final authority on all tire-related issues.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I really don't get why OLoA is attractive to anyone.

For the same reason that people climb mt. Everest, or run this mt. bike race: http://www.topofusion.com/azt/race.php

because it's there and it's a HUGE challenge. Money definitely helps, but it's still a test of will. I understand it. I don't have the budget for it, but if was available to me, I'd certainly do it.

Does anybody know the actual chassis horsepower and race trim weight (with Andy) of the One Lap CRX? I really admire such "less is more" campaigns.

As to what car? I have little desire to compete for 1st overall, probably because I lack any of the prerequisites to do so. However OLOA represents a personal challenge to me...One that I would expect to test my merits as both a driver and an engineer. Thus I'm apparently a glutton for punishment, as I actually want to run the Locost-ish car that I'm currently designing/building...Whenever I actually manage to complete it, that is. Some type of basic weather resistance would be included, but air-conditioning is still not on the docket, so maybe not the best idea I've ever had either.

ford estate wagon, 545ci or so with twin 88's and a lame old c6, gear vendor o/d unit, 9 inch with some mid 300 range gearing and a suspension built by someone who knows what there doing

In reply to Driven5:

I believe Andy's CRX has been profiled in the Magazine, but looking at the pictures, I'm pretty sure it's gone through some changes since last year. Hopefully Andy will post a report at some point after the event, but I seem to recall he enjoys it for the "David and Goliath" aspect - at least for him. While it's certainly no Challenge car, I sure Andy has far less $$$ into the CRX than any of his competitors - or at least those who are taking the event seriously. His results against a stacked field are a testament to his driving and car tuning/testing skills.

According to the OLOA website he's in 4th overall as of today's event.

AFAIK the tires have to be purchased from Tire Rack for the event and they mark them so they can verify they haven't been changed.

As for why? In my case there are two vehicles running truck/suv. The Odyssey that is basically a factory back Honda, and an Acura MDX that is also a Honda of Alabama car. If I can even remotely hang with them in something assembled in a two car suburban garage, it'd confirm (at least to me) that I'm not completely off my rocker for building this infernal contraption.

Now I just need someone/some company with a bigger wallet to think the same way.

jmc14 wrote: I've always wanted to run the One Lap. I started to make a roof for my Speedster to run it. The roof is hinged to the roll bars and flips up to get in and out. I have a trailer hitch mounted to the frame that is accessed by removing the license plate. I built this car. It has an aluminum chassis (painted black) with a modified LS6 and C5 corvette suspension. The motor is set back by 23 inches to achieve 54% rear weight. It uses the Vettes 6 speed transaxle. I shortened the torque tube to fit. It has 2 fuel tanks. A saddle tank that mounts into the bottom of the large trans tunnel. The second tank is on top of the rear cradle. The idea is to have the top tank empty on the track. The car gets over 30mpg. It holds 24 gallons so the range is good. The car is under 1980lbs with 6 gallons of fuel. I wouldn't win the One Lap but it would be fun. I haven't ever been able to make the event. I am still hoping to but I've had 2 heart attacks this year. I'm not sure when I'ld be able to do it. Still hoping. [URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/c5speedstercoupe_zps4db3de90.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/jmcbigbelly/media/c5speedsterroller_zps09d6a460.jpg.html][/URL]

Is there a build thread for this?

Sorry, I don't have a build thread for my car. I have a few other pictures but not of the build. I didn't use the internet and forums when I built it. I'm old. :)

alfadriver wrote: Giulia Ti with a 2.0l powertrain in it. Nice and classic, and really fun. 4 doors to carry stuff and easily get in and out of. Speed solutions are well known for that...

I change my mind.

Well, kind of. The Ti is still a great option, but I think I can make a GTV do the dance really well.

1- make it look like a GTAm. Cuz I think they are cool.
2- start with a 2.0l TS motor, or better yet, find an old 2.0l out of a formula car- those things rocked. Either way, I think 200ish hp is reasonable. Or one other idea from a friend- either way, 200-250hp I honestly think with time and development.
3- since real close ratio boxes are as rare as hen's teeth- make a semi close ratio box. That turned out to be easy to make.
4- I know of some really nice suspensions that are not exactly legal for most racing, but fit here perfectly.
4a- same with the brakes.
4b- wheels are pretty easy, as it turns out.

5- light interior, but I would include a roll over bar to help. Not sure how it would work, but I would see how others did it for the event.

6- tune, tune, test, tune, change, develop. Make changes to the above based on that work.

I lean toward the GTV since I like them, but a TI is small enough to work well at an autocross. And it could be more comfortable. Could.

The next most imporant thing- commit to this for the long run. I did a search for Andy's car here, and saw an article for the 2012 event. And reading older C&D's, lots of efforts are spoiled due to lack of development.

80s malibu wagon with a great suspension and a boosted LSx

oldsaw wrote: Apparently its' been done. A man/wife team donned motorcycle gear and hit the road. Observers noted they looked miserable, stored fuel in the trailer, hooked-up a fuel line to the car to minimize stops and even caught naps in there. The trailer was coincidentally (if not appropriately) described as a looking like a rolling coffin. That seems way too hardcore to be fun for the full event.

That's the Organic Racing team; I met and hung out with Kevin at the track a couple times this year. Great guy with some really good stories about that ultra hardcore seven. He place 3rd in the One Lap with a budget about 1/4 or less of the first two teams. It is a supercharged S2000 powered Lotus 7 clone. It has a dual element wing front and rear. His wife drove it between tracks and he drove it on the track. Might be "way too" hardcore, but it's certainly cool!!

So do pros run the cars for the teams at the track (like at GRM Challenge)?

Because if not, then it goes to show why the GTR's are winning. I would start to lean towards the Evo if you could make enough power. Theoretically lighter, smaller car. They are at the top of the list for time attack across the globe.

At the end of the day, because traction is limited due to street tires, awd should be an immense help. At that point, the list becomes very small. Maybe if someone wanted to go nuts, a Audi TTRS (but the drivetrain would have to be changed up a bit).

HiTempguy wrote: So do pros run the cars for the teams at the track (like at GRM Challenge)? Because if not, then it goes to show why the GTR's are winning. I would start to lean towards the Evo if you could make enough power. Theoretically lighter, smaller car. They are at the top of the list for time attack across the globe. At the end of the day, because traction is limited due to street tires, awd should be an immense help. At that point, the list becomes very small. Maybe if someone wanted to go nuts, a Audi TTRS (but the drivetrain would have to be changed up a bit).

My friend that is in the 3rd place car is a pro driver. The car's owner is not, and is slower. They alternate events and it shows in the placing of the car. I would imagine it would be a choice among the participants.

To the other part. The first car they ran was a 700hp WRX STI. First, it would not last the entire event. It would stretch the head bolts and float the head. It did that at a local autocross once too. It's difficult to describe how fast that car was in a straight line. Anyway, as fast as it was, it still was pretty far off the pace of the GTRs.

1. Buy GM G-body car.

2. Buy Speedaway Motors metric circle track chassis and cage kit.

3. Buy GM crate motor and transmission.

4. Go racing with what is pretty much a brand-new car for under $20,000 and have a damn good chance at winning.

I just saw a blue 968 all stickered up going west from the i80/i76 interchange. Seems to be a little late?

Trans_Maro wrote: 1. Buy GM G-body car. 2. Buy Speedaway Motors metric circle track chassis and cage kit. 3. Buy GM crate motor and transmission. 4. Go racing with what is pretty much a brand-new car for under $20,000 and have a damn good chance at winning.

You do realize you have to live out of that car for a week, right? I would NOT want that at all.. I'd be deaf, spineless and have a mush brain after the 3,000 miles of transit or whatever it is.

Also the GM crate motor would be down on power compared to the GT-Rs. Seriously.

If I had one I would run a nissan gtr. Preferably a second gen. Would be in no way competitive but would be fun.

tpwalsh wrote: You do realize you have to live out of that car for a week, right? I would NOT want that at all.. I'd be deaf, spineless and have a mush brain after the 3,000 miles of transit or whatever it is. Also the GM crate motor would be down on power compared to the GT-Rs. Seriously.

It wouldn't be that bad, but to each their own. Having sat in rally cars for hundreds of hours and done lots of 48 hour blitz down the highway, its really not that big of a deal.

A GM crate motor with a supercharger and turbocharger will make GTR levels of power (about 1500hp is what I am seeing a streetable GTR can do which is HOLY BALLS INSANITY BTW). The only thing is how to contain 1500hp with 2wd. You'd need some pretty advanced traction control methinks (completely possible in this day and age), some serious aero (that is removable for the highway), and the most ridiculously wide tires you can fit (think fender flares on a vette).

Even then, it is a tall order... when the rules are essentially unlimited, awd has the advantage. Only way you'll be better than a GTR is less weight IMO. If you could do 1000lbs less (2800lbs vs 3800lbs for the GTR), I think you may have a fighting chance...