"grassroots", definition and connotation

JoeyM wrote:

JThw8 wrote: And for that matter I've lost most of my interest in organized motorsports as well. I much prefer the build to the drive and only use competition as a way to test out builds and look for room for improvement.

It is nice to know that I'm not alone in this....I have not done much autocross this year....I'm more interested in building the datsun these days.

JThw8 wrote: So I may be neither grassroots nor motorsports by the definitions but "mad scientist car builder" magazine doesn't exist yet so this is as close as I can get :)

I'm in the same boat....I'll be here until Tim start's publishing Junkyard Fabricators

I haven't autocrossed in about 7 years now. The most motorsports activity I have in my life is BABE rally which is way more about the adventure than the cars.

Although I entered Lemons I didn't drive. Although I will admit I enjoyed doing the drag racing at the Challenge. Wife likes to go fast too so we've discussed building a dedicated drag car to go to the local strip with. I'd love to build an HA/GR car but it's not a recognized class anywhere but one or 2 strips on the west coast.

HA/GR if you don't know is something started by the rodders over at The H.A.M.B. Its basically junkyard front engine dragsters limited to Flathead V8s or straight 6's only. Looks like stupid fun :) Full rules here if anyone is curious http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=299965

JThw8 wrote: but "mad scientist car builder" magazine doesn't exist yet so this is as close as I can get :)

I proposed starting that magazine - project car magazine - to two of my buddies about 7 years ago. The fact that they said no, tells me that they're a lot smarter than me. I also love the build. I especially like a build where there's a budget constraint, and ingenuity makes the difference.

All this talk about big dollar vs low dollar reminded me of an important lesson I learned when I was racing circle track. Through a screw up at the track, I was at a preseason practice with a sprint car. It was only the two of us, and we practiced all day. I went over to his pit, to see his car, and made some comment about my car being "only a mini stock". He corrected me that it was also a race car, we were both doing what we loved, and that I was probably having a lot more fun than he was. I know I was, because I did about 500 laps to his 50. I've since raced at higher levels and realized how right he was. I never had as much fun as I did when it was cheap and simple, so that's how I keep it, and that's grassroots to me.

"Project Car Magazine" (http://www.projectcarmag.com/) as it is done now is a good idea, but not executed particularly well... yet. I'd love a GRM'd version of it with a bit more of an driving/event angle.

I didn't even know that existed. It didn't when I wanted to do it. I hope the mag is better than the non-site. I'm doubting it.

It's actually not bad. I pick it up from time to time.

It's pretty basic stuff, but they literally go step by step by step by step for their installs. Very informative.

i read the first page, then decided to post..

i think everything i've ever done could be considered "grassroots".

i do almost everything myself using either what i have around or the best parts i happen to stumble across. the most money i've ever had in a car was my 71 Nova that had a pile of receipts that added up to just over $15k (never, ever add up receipts..).. but that was over a 5 year period, and the only thing i didn't do to that car myself was the machine work on the engine. the car wasn't pretty, but it was solid, fast, dependable, and turned and stopped better than 90% of the new cars on the road. and i drove it everywhere without a second thought.

when i first got it, i lived in an apartment with no garage.. about a week after i got it, i took the night off work to install the Flowmaster exhaust that the Big Brown Truck left at my door just as i was getting ready to leave for work.. in the parking lot.. in 40 degree April weather.. in the rain.. with only 2 jackstands and basic hand tools..

when i rebuilt the suspension, i used a set of chopped front springs for a 56 Nomad and made the brackets to put the 12" C4 Vette front brakes on it. i made a press to put the bushings in. when it was back together, i did a 4 wheel alignment based off the centerline of the car with a couple of jackstands, some string, a carpenter's rafter square, a level, a tape measure, a cheap magnetic angle finder, and a few hours of time to figure out exactly what i was trying to accomplish.

that car got driven from March or April until sometime in November every year i owned it. wanna know what 400HP in a light rwd car with a 4 speed with 3.70 gears a tight posi and crappy heater is like in a surprise ice storm? or that same car in vicious MN July thunderstorms with 1" hail flying sideways? i can tell ya..

oops