With 3 weeks to One Lap of America 2022 it's finally time to go into some details about what you've seen a few of us preparing for!
We need to first off give credit where credit is due, Scott Robertson, co founder of Track Walking Podcast who goes by apexanimal here on GRM Forum put all the work in to make this official class a reality!
For One Lap of America 2022 there is going to be a special class created for #GRIDLIFE Sundae Cup cars that is Sponsored by #GRIDLIFE
We have 5 Cars Coming each bringing a slightly different flavor to the Sundae Cup formula.
All of these cars are running in low prep levels as per Sundae Cup philosophy!
2 cars have completely stock interiors. 1 car has a Race seat, 2 others have Race seats, roll bars and Harnesses.
4 Cars are running Completely stock calipers with upgraded pads and fluid, and One Fit is running a slightly upsized stock caliper from an integra Type R.
Sundae Cup is the most approachable Time Attack class in grassroots motorsports, with truly slow cars and low prep levels that keep costs in check!
Bobzilla and I (Spacecadet) both have Build threads for our cars here on GRM Forum.
Bozilla's Sundae in Rio Illness thread
Spacecadet's a Sundae 12 years in the making thread.
We're going to be updating this thread as One Lap happens with details and shenanigans. But if you live anywhere close to the tracks/events, I can't recommend enough coming out to see the show that is One Lap of America.
Just a reminder this is the Route for this year.
Y'all should campaign Brock that it would be wise to send this Sundae Cup Collective off on the track as the first run-group, before the 1000 hp run-groups.
First laps dangers met by Rio/Fit could be beneficial to saving the day rather than some 1000 hp off track excursion that hampers the continuation of the day.
Or, some other excuse!
In reply to John Welsh :
I like where your head is with this....
If it wasn't for Steve and Tomo returning for this year... there was a possibility of that happening for the wet skidpad.
Alas, I think the likelihood of being let out first is low.
Not that I can do the One Lap this year, but seeing this thread reminded me to take May 4th off to spectate. See you at Hallett!!!
I'll be there at Nashville to bug you guys. Ya'll have fun and be safe.
Super excited to see everybody! I'll be on One Lap this year in Andy's McLaren, and can't wait to finally experience the event in person.
In reply to Tom Suddard :
Welcome! It's a helluva ride for sure.
Bobzilla is a gentleman and a wonderful human and I'm proud to be snuggling with him for the week. Well, maybe just that one night that we could only get a single king bed.
This is getting close. And Bob is freaking out. I'm so excited. Will hopefullly bombard this thread with pictures in a little over a week.
All these hatchbacks... anyone saving on hotel costs and sleeping in the car?
In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :
Is this a "fly to arrive" type event for you them? No pre-requisite 20 hours of driving to the start line?
In reply to John Welsh :
I'm his easy button. And I'm freaking out less. New windshield goes in Thursday.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:
All these hatchbacks... anyone saving on hotel costs and sleeping in the car?
I don't think so. The car I'm driving has a bunch of monkey bars in the back, which would limit camping comfort.
However, I've thought about trying to do a 'Dirtbag' OneLap, and staying a minimum of nights in hotels, with other stays at Walmart/Campgrounds/Track-Entrances. Haven't come up with the right year/car/co-driver combination to attempt that, though. And, from what I hear, the availability of that kind of camping is getting reduced?
In reply to sleepyhead the buffalo :
Any of the Sundae Cup cars cost less than the entry fee? I wonder if it's possible to do OneLap for less than the entry fee all-in between the car and lodging...
The key to the sort of camping you're talking about is to ask forgiveness rather than permission.
In reply to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :
In this market, it'd be hard to find something that runs for the entry price. I've been looking for a 2008-11 Rio5 to be my next track rat and those are $4k and up.
If it helps, the car was $5300, I got $1900 in mods (suspension, wheels, intake, exhaust).
In reply to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :
None of the cars going this year, afaik, were purchased for under the entry fee.
To do it in this market, you'd have to find a "John Welsh" / "AAZCD" auction special... that's been in a fender bender, or had a cat stolen, but is still running/driving... and get it out from the normal flippers/south-bounders for $1200 out the door. I'd assume you're using "Challenge Rules" for 'daily running costs'...
but then you've got to figure ~4000miles for the event, including some mileage to get to the start and back. Hopefully you've found something that gets close to 40mpg to 25mpg highway: ~$400-$700
then there's mandatory tires that you have to buy: 205/50R15: $525 225/45R17: $650
track brakes: easily another $500 ?
South Bend Hotel (yes, you'll want to stay the two nights there): $200
Food? 10days * $40 = $400
so that leaves to $1000 to $1500 for the car, any fixes, and any modifications beyond the brakes. Probably do-able for some of the types around here.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:
In reply to sleepyhead the buffalo :
Any of the Sundae Cup cars cost less than the entry fee? I wonder if it's possible to do OneLap for less than the entry fee all-in between the car and lodging...
The key to the sort of camping you're talking about is to ask forgiveness rather than permission.
I bought my Sundae Cup car for $3k, but I've spent additional thousands on modifications and safety gear, not to mention the sets of tires I have gone through and replacing old parts preventatively and others as they have worn out.
Watching un-tested cars break on day 2 and have to go home is sad enough that I never want to show up in anything that I'm not 100% sure can finish the week. Not saying that spending $$$ is necessarily the way to make that happen, but I don't skimp.
In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :
It's why the Rio has been daily'd for the last year, and seen as many track days as I could get to. I don't want to see a co-driver spend all that money on entry fee and then be broken on day 2. Or 1.
docwyte
PowerDork
4/20/22 3:36 p.m.
You can't be wrenching on your One Lap car at the last minute. You need to have as many miles (hopefully thousands) on it after you've finished setting it up so it's thoroughly shaken out. That way you can hopefully finish the event. Most people seem to worry more about their track performance and event placement vs just having a fun time and finishing the event.
If yall find yourselves on I85 in South Carolina needing help or a place to crash, let me know I'm dead smack in the middle of Charlotte and Atlanta.
In reply to RacetruckRon :
'preciate that. Windshield going in and tires getting mounted on the main wheels today. This weekend gets an oil change and a small tweak to the alignment and final nut/bolt session.
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