Thinking out loud here. I’m in nowhereland, Mi and waiting for people to get ready.
I’m getting that load of vw parts in the classifieds from grm member after the event to include a stock vw pan with title, and stumbled upon a sand rail built upon another stock pan - which I interpret to be “production frame rails”
Quoth the rulebook:
Vehicles must retain production frame rails or equivalent unibody structures or, if the vehicle uses a tubular frame, must retain the production exterior bodywork. If a tubular frame is used, then modification of exterior bodywork is allowed, provided the end result is substantially similar in general appearance to the original vehicle. If production frame rails or equivalent unibody structures are retained, then exterior bodywork modification is unlimited, provided no safety rules are violated.
so, powers that be, is a vw sandrail built on “production frame rails” ie a vw pan legal for competition or do i need to find a rotten $100 bug and drape some of the skin over the rail?
I vote legal, just because I wanna see a sand rail doing autocross.
I vote jealous. Also, legal. Wanna see sandrail+buggy body awesomeness.
I’m also cool hanging a rotten bug or similar off the cage
SVreX
MegaDork
8/30/19 5:15 p.m.
Don’t think it’s a vote. I think the rule is quite clear.
Legal.
SVreX said:
Don’t think it’s a vote. I think the rule is quite clear.
Legal.
That’s my interpretation. Think lot lizard, I need a relatively easy button for next year.
SVreX
MegaDork
8/30/19 6:04 p.m.
There are some enormous “loopholes” in the existing rules set, few of which have been maximized.
Some of the “loopholes” are big enough that it’s gonna feel like it MUST be illegal.
This is one.
I would think a formula vee layout would work better than sandrail setup. My short wheelbase rail is powered by a 2.2L VNT Turbo dodge. It has a 3 rib Bus Transaxle and trailing arms that are "3x3" meaning three inches wider and longer than stock VW.
With this setup it balances just ahead of the torsion spring tube right below the back of the seats. It understeers to say the very least. On wet grass the turning brake is required to drive at speed. It does though hook up and go in a straight line pretty awesome, on any surface.
If I was going to go bug based rail it would be mid engine with a ring gear flip and something other than a VW powerplant. You would have to be seriously very light to be competitive on a challenge budget with an aircooled VW engine. Again, formula Vee.......
What about sandrail with another engine in the front to balance it out? Double engine, 4WD Bug beast!
In reply to ronholm :
Nobody said it has a vw engine
Patrick said:
In reply to ronholm :
Nobody said it has a vw engine
Just watch Bug Transaxles with lots of power, they can be a weak link.
