Rear Engined for RallyCross?

So has anyone run or have seen someone run a rear engined car in RallyX? I was curious how well they would fare.

Even though I don't have any money right now, I've been playing around with the idea of a late model Corvair that has a crap body, but is solid, that would be specifically set up for RallyX. I don't want to use mine, I would rather have one I wouldn't mind getting some scratches and dents and the crap beat out of it.

My dad and his friends used to dirt track race them, so I think it would work out just fine.

Herbie seemed to do all right.

Team Illuminata runs a Porsche 911. I'll see if I can find the thread.

Curiously, the search function didn't turn anything up on here but here's their website:

http://www.teamilluminata.com/cars/911/911.htm

My first couple events, I got to see a VW Bug doing very well. I had just bought the MR2, stock and needing some maintenance, for $2k. He was selling the bug all set up, needing a trailer, for $2k. I really wished I had found that first...

Hmm, well it sounds like it's possible. I just have this 3.89 Posi differential that I'm going to be pulling out of my car. My dad said it was horrible for AutoX, but I think it would do well for a RallyX.

Corvair for Rallyx would be awesome. The rear engine Porsches work very well.

I would think you would have good traction in the rear.

I can't find any writeups on the internet about it, and my details are sketchy...
but a local guy where I live (Buffalo) built a mid-engined rotary Miata which I believe he entered into Global Rallycross a few years back.
He brought it to a local rallycross event once, but something broke (could have been the transmission) so it only went around the course about once on that day :S
whether or not it was an optimal car for the type of racing, I have no idea, but I think he mostly did it because it sounded interesting and unusual :)

The_Jed wrote: Curiously, the search function didn't turn anything up on here but here's their website: http://www.teamilluminata.com/cars/911/911.htm

I got you.

In reply to Ed Higginbotham:

Thanks :)

In reply to lastsnare:

That was Randy Zimmer, last I heard the roller is still for sale. I have pictures of the mounting and modified rear area.

There was some german team that had good results with rear engines...

Well the only difference between the Corvair and Porsche is the horsepower. Honestly I'm looking at a 110hp car. I would be lucky to find a 140, but they have a tendency of dropping valve seats if the heads haven't been rebuilt. I'm hoping that the 110 would be powerful enough to hang the ass end out on dirt. Corvairs do get ridiculous traction.

Enough power to hang the ass out? That's what gears are for. I'm not a fan of the GWD. That stands for "garbage wheel drive". But that being said- the stock beetle will not only traverse, but finish the baja 1000 Every. Single. Year.

In reply to Trackmouse:

So what is GWD? FWD or RWD?

GWD = rear engine, rear wheel drive trash. Hate. Hate. Hate. Porsche and bugs. Fwd- front wheel drive. Nearly as bad. RWD= rear wheel drive. Let's face it. The king of cornering. Whether the engine is middle or front.

Ahh.

In rwd/rear engined cars, I'd imagine it being more predictable in low-traction racing to have an abundance of horsepower.

I just feel like low hp rwd/rear engined cars would suddenly fling you off the "track" as it suddenly loses or gains traction.

In reply to ebonyandivory:

Well that's where I think the Posi would come in handy. Corvairs aren't that heavy to begin with and I think even with the lower hp, it could still be a blast on a RallyX course.

The only way to know is to try.

With regards to running the 911 in RallyCross: it's like cheating. There is so much traction it's ridiculous. It's also something of a bargain, or was. When I think about how much money I spent on our Subaru over the years to get it to do what this one will do out of the box it blows me away. However, I didn't feel that way after we blew the transmission.

We ran it for, I think 2-3 seasons and I can not recall it getting beat, once.

In addition to the aforementioned Porsches, some of the most popular and/or successful rally cars of all time seem to have done just fine with a RR setup, so it can't be too bad for rallycross.

I've always thought a beetle would be a fun rallycross beater. If you've got knowledge, parts, and access to a Corvair...why not?

I was considering going 1st gen MR2 or Pontiac Fiero for rallycross. I looked up videos of other people doing it and they seemed like fun cars in the dirt. I dont see any reason against it.

EvanB wrote: In reply to lastsnare: That was Randy Zimmer, last I heard the roller is still for sale. I have pictures of the mounting and modified rear area.

Id love to see those pics.