As stated. I would have to see if I could find one that has the right height/width ratio. Is this frowned upon?
As stated. I would have to see if I could find one that has the right height/width ratio. Is this frowned upon?
Nope, not in my books.
What's the fastest kind of car again?
Ha ha, I forgot the mantra!
In years recent, a Camaro V8 rental ran the event from a registrant who's car could not make it.
Though none of it made it into print, it served as an interesting benchmark.
I am paraphrasing because I don't remember the specifics but I seem to remember that the $40k Camaro was not top 5 in either autox or drag.
PS: you wont find the proper height/width ratio in a stock, rental lot version.
Ill allow it. I just want to aee how it does.
If I've lapped a grand caravan around Sebring then it should be okay. Pro tip, don't open the power sliding doors at 110mph, the chassis rigidity turns to warmed swiss cheese being taken to by a hand mixer. That was one of the more interesting moments that I've ever had behind the wheel.
I'm still hoping the stars align so I can bring my van to run exhibition. As long as us goofy buggers don't take up track time that should be used by real entrants, I think I can only add fun to everything.
JohnRW1621 wrote: In years recent, a Camaro V8 rental ran the event from a registrant who's car could not make it. Though none of it made it into print, it served as an interesting benchmark. I am paraphrasing because I don't remember the specifics but I seem to remember that the $40k Camaro was not top 5 in either autox or drag. PS: you wont find the proper height/width ratio in a stock, rental lot version.
It was a lot worse than that.
2015 Camaro. Placed 37th overall. Drag time was 13.631 (10th place Drags). Autocross time was 46.508, which netted it a 25th place finish in the AutoX.
And, the low times weren't due to a lack of trying. I seem to remember the Camaro kinda got the "town whore" treatment with just about anyone and everyone who asked taking a turn.
I do though remember that the Camaro was reliable. It served as my ride back to the hotel after day 1 when my 11th place finisher broke and stayed at the track overnight.
Modern Camaros are like 4000 pounds, right? And being a rental, it probably had all-season tires on it?
Wait... if it was a V8, does that mean it was an SS?
That should have had about 426 hp.
captdownshift wrote: If I've lapped a grand caravan around Sebring then it should be okay. Pro tip, don't open the power sliding doors at 110mph, the chassis rigidity turns to warmed swiss cheese being taken to by a hand mixer. That was one of the more interesting moments that I've ever had behind the wheel.
I'm surprised there isn't some kind of failsafe to prevent that from happening.
SVreX wrote: Wait... if it was a V8, does that mean it was an SS? That should have had about 426 hp.
yeah, and weighed over 2 tons. i rode in it, it was quick but not "holy crap i have 426hp" quick.
I drove it in the 1/4 and agree with Pat, it is one heavy bitch
Hertz rents current vintage Mazda 5's, which should KILL the "soccer mom" field at autox . . .
This was my tow rig at $2013, it was teched and there was free time not interfering with competing cars, it was a rental.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG1bB-x3Y1w&list=FL4IRWcNMLfazue4uZBeUgsA
PS: you wont find the proper height/width ratio in a stock, rental lot version.
Sadly i think this is the main issue here. My 1g chrysler van (ie small) is already lowered 4/3-ish and i will have to lower it more AND widen it to get it under the rules. Which makes me wonder if other people with 1g chrysler vans have actually done any measuring yet. It's kind of brutal.
A current gen Honda Odyssey has a 68.15" avg. track and a 68.4" height. Almost any wheel spacer would bring this in compliance. Deflate the tires a bunch and you'd pass. Bring a set of slightly better offset wheels that are wider and you are easily in range.
Yes, its sad that the Odyssey will almost meet the rules easily but the Fit will not.
To answer the OP: Well, now that you have proposed this, I feel like it would inappropriate not to do it.
I also thought that the Camaro was an interesting benchmark just for berkeleying around in. It was indeed a 426hp SS and weighed in well over 2 tons. The keys were always in the ignition so anyone could beat on it but I know we tried to stay out of the way of actual entrants. The one word that kept coming to mind was 'underwhelming'. 
It was almost replaced with a Prius, which I think would have been equally interesting but certainly would not have produced such an amazing amount of tire smoke.
I wouldn't count on seeing it again; that guy is a world class shiny happy person but even the best need to take a break once in a while. I hear he is tinkering with something that will actually turn... 
I realized I never addressed the actual topic; it happens when you stay heavily medicated. FWIW, I slept through the meeting last year (in the passenger seat of a Camaro) but I think it is slightly frowned upon, but perhaps only in a minor way such that it does not get out of hand and become a nuisance.
OP, a few tips:
Make sure the staff know to publish nothing & remove the plates
Wait your turn and make sure to let actual teams get priority
Help out with parts / beer runs and taxi service if needed
Be prepared to get creative if the trans dies or something gets bent
Don't feel pressured to hand over the keys, it is entirely your call
Personally, I think that if you are planning on going and want to attend the events & dinner you might as well enter something. I, for one, will certainly not ask to see a title and build sheet nor protest your presence...
patgizz wrote:SVreX wrote: Wait... if it was a V8, does that mean it was an SS? That should have had about 426 hp.yeah, and weighed over 2 tons. i rode in it, it was quick but not "holy crap i have 426hp" quick.
How do they weigh over 4k lbs? The V Wagon is 'only' 4200 empty. I was actually in one at a recent autocross and commented and how willing it was to turn compared to the V. Oh the things we get used to.
IIRC, the 5th gen Camaros are somewhere around 3900 lbs (for a hardtop / V8 / 6spd). Heavier than a Mustang, lighter than a Challenger.
The first time i drove a 5th gen SS (years back) was the first time i realized that power numbers on new cars are easy to misinterpret because of the weight. It didn't feel that fast. MOST new high-power cars i've driven don't feel that fast. They're heavy and geared and traction-controlled in such a way that their acceleration isnt scary or treacherous at 2-digit speeds. In general i've noticed modern 'fast cars' don't really feel that fast until you get past highway speed and notice that they are still pulling well.
Surprisingly, two of the lowest-power modern cars i've driven that actually felt fast at low speeds were the Cayman S and 370z. Go figure. Perception is a funny thing.
In reply to Vigo:
I totally get that. The "fastest" car I have ever driven was an Elise. That is, of course, as old world a car as you can buy from the last 2 decades in my opinion. Damn that was fun though. Makes me want a 2zz MR2 spyder, as I will never be able to get into an Elise.
My old '91 Miata with the worn out original suspension kept a 5th gen Camaro at bay going around a clover leaf highway section. At the end he wasn't able to get around me and had to get in behind me as his lane went away. Once we merged onto the other highway, he bolted and I just went with normal traffic speed. It still makes me smile that 20 some year old little Mazda was able to out handle, if for only one corner, a brand new, 400 some odd horsepower muscle car.
It probably burnt his ass a bit more since, he had A-pillar gauges and I thought I heard a supercharger whine. My $2500 car bustin his $40k car's ass in the corner(s). Hehehehe... Oh and that miata was scruffy looking too.
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