What cars didn't make the dance?

OK, I'll be first. I thought there was no way I could finish worse than last year when I DNF'ed 3 hours before the Challenge started.

This time it's 2 days.

'88 Mazda 323 GTX

No big mods- suspension, ECU, extra boost, bigger intercooler, etc.

It's more of a classic Japanese restoration job than a crazy Challenge car.

Too much to do in 2 days. I'm putting my family back in the priority position, instead of this car which has been there for the last several weeks.

2 weeks from now I'll have an awesome little street driver/ autocrosser, occasional rallycrosser. This weekend, I'll be part of Team Spectator, with 3 little Spectatoes, and a very beautiful Spectatress.

Where the bee... er um pics ?

I'll go next. I have a car, a plan, a pile of parts, and a bit of room in my budget. First my partners in crime all fell through, but I thought that I go it alone because my plan didn't involve any thing over my head or skills. I spent much of the time that I was planning to spend on my build chasing electical problems. most of them are now fixed, and cost nothing but alot of time.( that could have been used for a suspension rebuild and gutting the interior). I had to make a trip out west to take care of a sick family member for a week, and I spent the money for my freshly rebuilt and upgraded turbo to cover my travel costs. With out that upgrade the rest of my power adders are pointless. So, no power adders, no freshend up suspension and no weight loss= very uncompetitive Saab 900

Oh well, maybee next year, or more likely 2010.

ps. could we have a mid-atlantic location for 2010?

yeah, mee too....

78 924 Dug out of a mud bog after almost 8 years, but it ran when i parked it and mud was a decent preservative ... but I didnt give myself enough time, lots of progress, but not enough to get to the brakes or electrics yet. On the upside, this gives me plenty of time to get it ready for 09, wherever that ends up being..

we are Team Spectator! this year though.....

Looks like Bruce is joining us:

VWguyBruce's fire

Damn. You still want the tires? I'd damn near buy the car off you if it was finished. Could possibly have gotten you cables today too....

I committed to the tires, and I'll go through, but if you can sell them elsewhere, it won't hurt my feelings. I REALLY don't need 2 sets right now.

If i'm luky i will be able to start autoX in the spring, so for me a challenge will be 201x

I didn't even make it to registration...

My job screwed it up by giving me a raise.

I know that sounds backwards, but as soon as that happened, i went rapidly overbudget.

I'm still under budget as of RIGHT NOW (with about $5k in parts sitting next to it) when taking into account what's on the car, but it would also not be competitive enough for me to feel good about bringing it. (i know, i know, it's not about winning and all that, but i still would have liked to put on a show.)

So as it sits, it's a very nice handling car with some sticky rubber, that MIGHT crack high 13s in the quarter. And do horribly on concourse.

Got a buddy interested though.... you'll see a Toyota come out of Indy next year, and i refuse to settle for less than hilarious tire-smoking mid 12s to start.

I filled out the registration and never turned it in. I wanted to bring down Lacy (the Miata) because I know it's going to be a hoot, but I couldn't get anyone I knew to come with me. I'd be driving to Florida alone. I know I could have convoyed, but it's still a long mother-truckin' drive by ones self.

But I'm well under budget, the car's a blast, and it's reliable. So, I have a track rat now.

Maybe next year, I'll see if I can build a car for $500. And maybe set it up for "most spectacular failure". (I'll make sure I have an airline ticket home!)

damn 0-60 did a article on those a while back and said they were thought to be extinct. def would like to see some pics.

SVreX wrote: Looks like Bruce is joining us: VWguyBruce's fire

1986 Jetta GLi, suspension, sway bars, camber plates, stiff bushings, solid motor mounts, no interior, no soundproofing, stock motor. I ran out of time for the turbo AND the NOS. We were going to bring the NOS with us in case we had time to install it.

Yes, I'm out. As encouraging as everyone has been, I just can't do it. I COULD do it but I'd be spent, crabby, probably on the outs with my wife and we'd be driving all night to get there in the morning.

I think we're going to scrap this car and find a different chassis. I can save all the parts I put on it.

We are out with the 93 BMW. Car is great but I failed. Four bypass heart surgery last month. No travel per wife.

Mark Walker

The 302 powered 85 RX7 is not going to make it. The engine is still on the engine stand.

Having a baby in the house has greatly reduced shop time.