Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Back in the drivers seat

dashboard · 2K+ Club

What powerplant was in that little thing?

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Stock 4 cylinder in that one, which is why I had fun.

Last year, I drove one with a 500hp LS3 in it, and nearly quit autocrossing because of it.

bowtie · Secretary

Sounds like fun. I'd love to get into that, but it would have to be in some sort of smaller car I think, like a CRX-si, moza/vega, maybe a corvair? In the back of my mind, i've thought a fiberglass jeep body on a Typhoon chassis would be a good start.

SShink · 3K+ Club

Does Nate live in the Rosemount/Apple Valley area? I saw him on CR 42 Sunday afternoon, but maybe that was after track time.

I think his car was featured in Chevy High Performance or PHR?

Derek69SS · Founding Member

There are several basic recipes for getting into the sport in a low-cost/competitive platform... Miatas, Civics, Karts, and F-Mods are the cheapest... S2000s, WRX's, EVO's, and older BMWs are kind of the next step up. Anything beyond that is going to get really expensive. Even running a stock Corvette takes deep pockets because of the tire costs... think $30/run just in tires. There are local indexed classes that limit tires to 140tw street tires that they can run in, but then they can't take advantage of their torque without slicks, so they aren't competitive in those classes.

My advice to anybody thinking about it is, any car will work if you just want to try it. You'll be slow the first time regardless of what you're driving... everybody is, don't be discouraged. If you like it, keep doing it... if you just like to drive, that's great. If you enjoy the "competition" part of it, follow one of those common recipes. It's cheaper, and you'll have more talented drivers to compete against, compare times with, and learn from.

Wild "prepared" cars are awesome... but there's nobody to compete against locally in one.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

I'm not sure where Nate lives, but he was headed West from DCTC at about 4:30 on Sunday.

Chris R · 2K+ Club

A Mini Cooper S is one that comes to mind that I would like to try at one of these events. Another vote for a good contender is the Lotus Elise or Exige. The Elise isnt as expensive as you would think and they are not high maintenance.

Tanaman · Member

Back in High School I autocrossed my 1983day Z/28. It was some of the most fun I have had with my clothes on.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Chris R wrote:
A Mini Cooper S is one that comes to mind that I would like to try at one of these events. Another vote for a good contender is the Lotus Elise or Exige. The Elise isnt as expensive as you would think and they are not high maintenance.

Mini Coopers are fast, but very hard on tires... 12 runs on a set of R-comps, and maybe 50 runs on street tires.

New "stock class" rules this year allow more camber adjustment though, so they might be better now.

I have ridden in a couple Lotus's (Lotii?) and their handling is unbelievable, but starting price is still well over $25k for an older one. In comparison, a "competitive" Miata is around $5k.

Back in Black · Active Member

Very cool.