I normally just read in Digest mode, and comment about once a year, as I've
read your banter about costs, I must say I've had to pick my jaw up off of the
floor a couple of times.
I'll admit I probably don't have the credentials you are looking for. I have
never been to National's because: my wife is a High School teacher, I have 2
small children; and National's is conveniently timed just after summer break in
the beginning of the school year. But I'd love to go!
What have I done:
I've been autocrossing for 7 years, all in GS (old ES). I started in a Geo
Prizm, and currently run a "Bone stock" '91 Acura Integra GS. Other than a few
body panels,
and the right rear shock, (an accident an '97) everything save consumable, are
straight from the Japanese factory floor in '91. I do run on Kumo
victorracers, normally
other competitors throwaways, mounted on 1st gen MR2 alloy rims. (Many have
told me there isn't a heavier rim made, but it's what I could afford.) By the
way this
car is my wife's daily driver, with a generic alignment from the local
Firestone ($125.00 lifetime warranty).
With this setup (or total lack there of) I have managed:
San Diego Region ES GS (w/ change) champion 1997-2002.
Mid pack 6th place 2000 S.D. tour. (my first in the car, ran the '98 & '99 in
the prizm for kicks, as I didn't have a chance in hell w the automatic.)
Trophy 3rd place (9 entries) 2001 S.D. Tour
Trophy 2nd place (8 entries) 2001 El Toro Pro
Trophy 1st place (5 entries) 2001 Atwater Pro
Tied for 2nd place (was ES) in overall points points going into the Pro Solo,
for which I could not attend, and probably would have been handed my toosh on a
silver
platter.
Trophy 4th place (10 entries) 2002 S.D. Tour
Trophy 2nd place (6 entries) 2002 El Toro Pro
Trophy 4th place (13 entries) 2002 Atwater Pro
Since the old ES was split half going to HS, the other half remaining with many
of the prior GS cars in the new GS last year, I only had 1 old ES car place
above me
once in those three events. So with relatively no money spent in car setup,
in an underdog car in the "new GS" (130 hp) and relatively equivalent weight to
other cars w/
as much as 200 hp in the new GS of last year, I managed to remain competitive.
So, in direct answers to your questions: I started with your last question
first above. If I had some money, a couple hundred maybe, I could do a bit
better. Does all that
expense count ($10K), from my perspective obviously not! But if just a little
of your excess pocket change could fall out of your pocket and roll down the
20% grade of
a driveway you have I'd be happy to scrounge for it, adoption is not
necessary. I did, and do manage to get on that 50K alignment rack for a
onetime upfront fee, but
must admit I can't talk them into playing with the toe or camber outside
factory specks, but Joe does put them at there max.'s within the specks for me.
Can money spent in car preparation help, sure. Can someone be competitive on a
shoestring budget at a National level, YES!!! Can some one be a National
champion
on a shoestring budget, probably not. Can money be thrown down the drain for
no benefit? I think you have answered that question yourself.
Craig Naylor
'91 Acura Integra (GS)
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 14:35:08 -0500
From: "Charles" <cfgold@intrex.net>
Subject: Re: New Car Classing
Well you also don't HAVE to win or even race, so that would =$ 0 costs!
Old racer's saying: "going fast costs $$$, how fast do you want to go?" We
want to go as fast as possible.
Really all that expense doesn't count? You got someone paying it for you? Do
they want to adopt us?
Even if you take out the 6K of expenses involved with testing and learning
the characteristics of the car, that still leaves 8.5K in vehicle costs.
you can do an alignment yourself for 0 cost ??? You have a callibrated
eyeball that is as accurate as a 50K computerized alignment rack? I spent 6
years working as a mechanic, and know that statement is "pure crap" as you
say! Besides I don't have a garage, and my unpaved driveway is a 20* slope.
Wonder how much it would cost to rent a shop or put up a garage??? (or are
those "free" too?) Just out of curiosity, so I can understand where you get
your info from, what class did YOU run at the nationals and how many
national trophy finishes did you get last season?
I can document all our expenses, we keep excellent records, but I'm getting
tired of people telling me how much cheaper they could do it. I'm always
willing to learn from someone with the credentials, but I'm not recognizing
most of these names from the national champions list, so I'm not going to
respond to this issue any more! Have a good day!
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