Thought experiment: SUV Racing Series

So let's say that I want to compete with the SCCA and NASA by starting my own race series, but it will be for the emerging field of performance SUV's. While they are getting faster and more capable all the time, the fact remains that they ride high and weight a lot. Traditional autocross is probably a bad idea, too much risk of rollover. Track days are a possibility, but they don't do anything to exploit the unique nature of the PSUV. So what should I do?  Build a special track with camber in every corner? A mixed-surface track with grippy asphalt for straights and gravel in the turns?

If you hade unlimited funds, what race series would you build for performance SUVs? 

Make the spec tire 800 treadwear or so, and run on a wet course.

Ice racing. The problem is is the ice would need to be 6 ft thick in case someone shows up in a Durango. 

Road Rally is where to start.

I guess for me, I'm not sure how you defeat the physics side of the equation. These things are tall, heavy, have lots of horsepower, have huge wheels, with low-profile tires. It's a match made in hell for understeer to snap oversteer. I just see these things sliding off the track alot of rolling over. 

Assuming you can change the parameters and drop the vehicles down, I'd want to switch from 20" wheels to something more like 16" wheels with a bit more sidewall flex. Drop them as low as possible while maintaining as much suspension travel as possible. Once you've done that, I think you can have a fun time with them on a track.

Or go the other way. I think it'd be kind of fun to buy a Trackhawk, strip it, cage it, lift it up with long-travel suspension, fit some skids and hammer away with it as a Pre-Runner.

If I had unlimited funds, I'd probably buy all the automakers and stop the sell of performance SUVs, but that is a different discussion.

pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) said:

If you hade unlimited funds, what race series would you build for SUVs? 

SUV demolition derbys already exist. Not sure why you need another  

Rallycross and require a cage. 

It's called "tough truck"

APEowner said:

Rallycross and require a cage. 

Some SCCA regions will already allow non-lifted SUVs to run in rallycross as long as they feel it can safely negotiate the course.  See my Jeep below:

Love the old 5.9s

Buy up the Jaguar I-pace racers that they built up for the series that only lasted like 1 year? 

RevolverRob said:

Assuming you can change the parameters and drop the vehicles down, I'd want to switch from 20" wheels to something more like 16" wheels with a bit more sidewall flex.

Well the Trackhawk has rotors that are something like 15.7" diameter, so it's going to be tough to fit 16" wheels...

With the massive calipers they fit pretty snugly in the factory 20s

FWIW, some of the small CUVs have better track width:height ratios than the Fiesta ST.  So if you are ok with that...

The normal Kona is 1:1.  I suspect the N will be favorable.

In reply to ProDarwin :

I'm already hesitant on the Fiesta ST:

Two years ago, a local guy lifted both inner wheels and made the car go into limp-mode. He now runs a BRZ (or FR-S)

With that said, since all new cars will probably be SUV's by 2030, we'll have to find a solution to race them or we won't have anything but old hoopties left to race.

Figure 8 trailer racing?

Just get one of these and run it like a car. 

ProDarwin said:

FWIW, some of the small CUVs have better track width:height ratios than the Fiesta ST.  So if you are ok with that...

The normal Kona is 1:1.  I suspect the N will be favorable.

 

damnit I see I was scooped.

RevRico said:

It's called "tough truck"

Tough truck or stage rally both seem like natural venues.

bobzilla said:

ProDarwin said:

FWIW, some of the small CUVs have better track width:height ratios than the Fiesta ST.  So if you are ok with that...

The normal Kona is 1:1.  I suspect the N will be favorable.

 

damnit I see I was scooped.

 

I can't believe you missed that opportunity to use "Scouped"

In reply to ProDarwin :

No. I have limits and those were trash

bobzilla said:

In reply to ProDarwin :

No. I have limits and those were trash

 

I had a '92 Elantra.  I know :(

There is a 454 powered S-10 blazer that autoxs up here in New England.

Rocket Rally sells a Competition prep kit for the Subaru Crosstrek for performance rally. The web site doesn't give the pricing you would have to contact them.

Going forward sanctioning bodies will probably include CUVs/SUVs where they fit in existing classes.

Many moons ago we had a guy running a lowered rwd 2 door explorer in Time Trials. It was a laugh riot to see him going flat out through turn 1 at Road Atlanta. 

We all know that XJs make great racecars, as long as they retain the solid axle

There was an all XJ series out west at one point. Kind of like XJ stadium racing. I can't see the vid at work so you may have nailed it.