I know that it makes very unpopular if your motor pukes its guts on an autocross course, what about rallycross? Lets say hypothetically that a guy was given a free car with an engine knock that he has no intentions of fixing, and wants to give it a good send off. If he were to go to a rallycross with the car, and it launches a rod into the stratosphere, would he then be a social pariah, or is it not considered a big deal in that environment?
So long as the land owner does not mind as well as they would need something to tow it out with, better to find a friend with a large field, a tractor and some alcohol and go from there.
Yeah, they would have to close the course to get the car off of there, and then there is always the risk of some chunk of conrod being buried in the dirt, and ripping a hole in someones tire. You can bet that whoever gets their tire punctured by your debris wont be happy.
Seems like a huge waste of time and money to me.
Things happen in rallycross and cars break.
That said, if you show up with an already-broken car with the actual INTENTION of making it blow up on course, that's lame. That means less runs for everyone who came out to compete, since time has to be taken to get your POS off the course. And nobody likes less runs. To say nothing of the possibility of metal bits on course, or dumping oil into the ground.
Knurled wrote: Seems like a huge waste of time and money to me.
I agree, it does sound fun.
One time I went to the parts store during a rallycross for a new drainplug. They asked if I needed to dispose of the used oil. I said it was scattered across a field a few miles down the road if they wanted to come get it...
Another time I blew an engine on the first run, I never did find all the parts.
Never had anyone at the rallycross complain about it (except me).
If it's a car that actually has a possibility of making through an event, have at it. Might have four runs left in it, might have 40, who knows. Might as well live life to the last second.
mazdeuce wrote: If it's a car that actually has a possibility of making through an event, have at it. Might have four runs left in it, might have 40, who knows. Might as well live life to the last second.
This. If your friend's car is merely weak, do it.
That said, we have a very hard time finding sites for RallyCross. Don't cause your region to lose theirs.
It's all about balance. Boost is adjustable.
kylini wrote: It's all about balance. Boost is adjustable.
But only in one direction, up.
I may have misrepresented myself somewhat. I have wanted to try autocross and rallycross for a while, (not trying to be super competitive guy, just try once for the experience)but I didn't own a suitable vehicle. I drive a truck and my wife drives an suv. And then this honda lands in my lap. It runs and drives but it knocks and has other problems and a ton of miles. When the engine gives up its not getting fixed, its getting scrapped. So I think to myself, not only is it suitable, but I can run it with no fear of consequences. I'm not breaking a car I need, nor feel obligated to fix it. I don't WANT to blow the engine on the course, but I know its a real possibility. If that happens on the first or last run of the day is of very little consequence to me, but I DON'T want to ruin anybody elses fun. So that is why I made the original post. Would this be a jerk move?
Put some thick oil in it and run it. If you are thinking about making the event at Bitzer's farm at the end of the month he has a tractor to pull cars off course...
http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/2015-dont-loose-your-head-wor-rallycross-pe6-bitzers-farm-scca-western-ohio-704838#.Vc5CaLJVhBc
We are fairly laid back and probably won't hold it against you if it blows.
-Evan (OVR Rallyx co-chair)
Can you hook up with a friend also competing that owns a tow strap? I think the major problem is dead car on course equals pita delays. We get enough of them already. If someone's ready to haul your dead Honda out at a moment's notice, probably not a big deal.
I've seen some pretty clapped out cars competing and wondering which lap it was going to collapse under it's own weight.
If something goes awry and things let loose on course, the damage that you'll do to the course is mostly negligible. At a pavement-based event you have to worry about having created a slippery spot but with RallyCross, it isn't as much of a safety concern. It does slow the event down a bit if you have to be towed off course, but I've never known anyone to get all that bent out of shape about it.
We've had lunched motors, debeaded tires, electrical gremlins, blown trannys, and the like over the years and it's never a big deal. I would think you wouldn't want to go out there trying to break things of course, but stuff happens. Best thing you can do is if you don't think you'll make it back to grid, just look for a safe place to pull off course where you will be way out of the way - or at least a much shorter push to be out of the way - and the event can continue around your car with limited delay.
If your truck doesn't have a really high suspension from the factory, you should be able to run that. Isn't that the 2nd reason that they're marketed (and bought) for?
wae wrote: We've had lunched motors, debeaded tires, electrical gremlins, blown trannys, and the like over the years and it's never a big deal.
Yeah but despite doing all that have I ever not driven the car home? Except for that ONE TIME. (And it was technically drivable, I guess, aside from probably me going all ICP-hatchet-crazy by halfway home)
Just remember if the car blows up on course you are responsible for post-event beer. Be sure to bring enough for the whole class.
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