Start planning for next year, Soccer moms invade the 2016 challenge...

Sooo, I keep looking at the two cars in my driveway currently, the 2015 challenge 750il and the 2005 honda odyssey familymobile.

They have wheelbases and length within one inch of each other (maybe 2 or 3 in length, but PDC).

So what do you think would happen if I make a quick and cheap fiberglass body molded off of the odyssey and drop it on the 7 series? Paint it up like a NASCAR (or a car from the CARS movie)? I'd easily be able to drop another 400-500 lbs off the 7 in doors, glass, hood, fenders, etc. I might be able to sell enough parts off the 7 to make the budget fit as I still have quite a bit of recoup room left.

300 HP, v12, RWD minivan anyone?

aaaaaaaand please let me know if you have an tips for making a really cheap fiberglass copy of something approximately the size of a 2005 honda odyssey.

In reply to Robbie:

Having just finished my first relatively major fiberglass project, I would say that it will cost about 5X what you think it will by the time you pay for the molds, tooling, release agents, etc, and take 20-30X as much time as you think it will.

And the final product will only be 30% as awesome as you thought it would be.

Unless you've done this before and have access to a chop gun, it's a boatload of work.

Food for thought.

Paper mache?

In reply to pimpm3:

Vañata!

EDIT: Holy crap I just realized this would also mean the van is full of free candy

In reply to Robbie:

Why not buy a flood title 05 Odyssey, gut it, and drop it on the 750 running gear, retaining all the BMW electronics?

Here's some helpful information on building a racing van from some English blokes.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/6098740

SVreX - I agree, it doesn't sound easy. Nor particularly cheap. I was kinda thinking skipping the mold step at least though, basically making a mold and then using that as the part, understanding that it will be a bit bigger than the original (and have a very rough outside finish). I was also thinking about using plastic bags as a 'release agent' because I am not worried about the 'inside' finish of the part.

G_Body - Honestly, that actually sounds like WAY more work to me. Not to mention expensive.

What about heat molding some 1/16th or 1/8th plastic sheets? For the most part the van really doesn't have complicated shapes. I don't have an oven that big but I can get some heat guns and some buddies. EDIT: websearching always leads back to GRM: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/anyone-drape-formed-plastic-body-panels/65094/page1/

Maybe Ill try paper mache first. I like free candy.

Maybe I should go wire frame?

Wire frame would be badass!

I say combine a roll cage with wire frame with the stuff they wrap boats in for winter/transport and you've got a bitchin bavoddity.

Full cage, wire frame, keep the lighting and tuck the wiring as good as possible.

rich911s wrote: Autocross, shmotocross ... I wan't to pull the front wheels.

Now I'm interested!

Wire frame covered with coroplast.

The day after tomorrow is "Free Coroplast Day" in Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Are there any 'body-on-frame' minivans? Some quick googling suggests that the ford aerostar and the chevy astrovan have frames 'integrated' into the unibody, so they are close but no dice. Of course a lot of full size vans are body on frame. Other ideas?

Not fooling me. The chatter is battle of the "Soccer Moms", but reality is:

In reply to Robbie:

Are the vans of the 60's on frames?
Chevy, Ford, Dodge.
Chevy Sample

dont those "early" vans have some questionable handling characteristics?

Now there is the winning Challenge Van for next year.

I think every team next year should bring a custom van. I love custom vans.

failboat wrote: dont those "early" vans have some questionable handling characteristics?

No, I don't think so.

I remember this movie, and its van. "Go Big Or Go Home" seems fitting.

We need the van from Midnight Madness.

I think my entry in the A-Team nostalgia class would be more like this:

I'm liking the idea of the ginormous 1:1 scale RC car style Ody body on 750IL chassis.

JohnRW1621 wrote:

failboat wrote: dont those "early" vans have some questionable handling characteristics?

No, I don't think so.

Does anyone have any follow up pictures of the crash, extrication and helicopter LZ from these events? The darker Greenbrier looks like it's about to capsize.

Just some Google images by searching Greenbriar autocross.

My guess is it's all just an optical illusion.

Trucks in 17? Does this mean I finally need to build the awd, paddle shifted, turbo northstar s10ive been threatening?

Only problem is what to do with it after, cause it sure wouldn't be useful as a truck.