5-1600 High School Project

[BajaCoalition]

Received this letter from a high school auto shop teacher, hopefully we as a racing community can help out this school and kids. Thanks

Hi Win-
I'm Tim Chambers, the Laguna Hills H/S teacher you spoke with yesterday. I wanted to thank you for all the time and information you gave me. I was hoping that you could publish this letter on your site so everyone could here about our project we are starting. Our Auto Tech class has been donated 2 VW beetles, a '72 super & '73 std., both rollers. There are some extra parts, but not enough to complete a car. Our goal is to build a 5-1600 Baja bug. I want to have the class plan the project to the guidelines of the rulebook. What I am asking from you and the generous people who read your website in assistance with finding the correct parts, how to build the car, and anything else that may be of help to us. This has never been done before at this school, and so far it has caused a lot of excitement and support from the students, faculty, and administration. The only problem is that we have to rely on mostly donated parts and pieces for the project. Building a race car is definitely not in the budget. Any parts that are donated can be used as a tax deduction, so hopefully this will motivate people to clean out their garages and get rid of all of that stuff that you've been wondering; do I keep it or throw it away. I'm sure SOMEONE could use this part. That someone would be us.
It is so hard these days to motivate young people. I see it with many of my students. So many won't be going to college, and some just aren't cut out for it. This is where classes like mine could be so helpful to a student that has no direction. You wouldn't have believed how their eyes lit up when I proposed this project. I also mentioned your invitation to the Primm Stateline race and all hell broke loose. Very excited to say the least.
I’ve been connected to the off-road community for 35 years (motorcycles) and I know what a great group of people you all are. If anyone would like to contribute to this project, you can contact me at chamberst@svusd.k12.ca.us or tpcmoto@ca.rr.com. My phone contact # is 714-227-8087. Sorry for the long read, but hopefully it will bring some response.
Thank You-
Tim Chambers

[swiftracing5]

At my school the auto shop class closed down a while ago, not even wood shop anymore. So im kinda jealous. Have Fun.

[jacko619]

try the fab school heres the link http://www.thefabschool.com/ i think they are located near you. maybe they can help answer questions

[HDRA1]

i have a chromoly front beam with adjusters to give them brand new where can i send it ???

[BajaCoalition]

you can contact Tim- at chamberst@svusd.k12.ca.us or tpcmoto@ca.rr.com. Tim's contact # is 714-227-8087. He will gladly take in your donation. I would call him, spend a moment talking with him, He is really excited about this project and enjoys gathering information. He is planning on coming out to the Primm race with some of his kids to hang out with the Baja Coalition gang, and see some race action - you might be able to catch up with him then. Either way he will want some info from you to make sure you get your tax deduction paperwork. Thanks.

[PAB]

I have some stuff in the garage that you all can have a free for all with....raid PABs garage!

[AzBajaman]

i have a chromoly front beam with adjusters to give them brand new where can i send it ???


I have some stuff in the garage that you all can have a free for all with....raid PABs garage!

I don't have anything to offer at this time, but it's really great to see you (HDRA1) (PAB) step up to the plate.......

[J_Lothringer]

Im sure we can come up with some stuff outta the ol garage, Plus I can help you with anything you might need to buy new (McKenzies performance) Jeff Lothringer

[techteacher]

The response has been incredible! We are going to document this project, so once we get started I`ll get my website at the school up and running so you all can check in and see the progress.

Tim

[BajaCoalition]

The response has been incredible! We are going to document this project, so once we get started I`ll get my website at the school up and running so you all can check in and see the progress.

Tim

Awesome, it would be great to see the progress, And when you get the 5-1600 finished, and race ready, (don't forget to use the knowledge and expertise of ART " The tech guy", to make sure your cars legal) call the Baja Coalition - we will sponsor your way and support your kids at your first race- Hope to meet you and your class at the SNORE Battle At Primm in Feb. Have a field day in everyone's garage-

[BajaCoalition]

Hi Kristen and Tim,
Wow! How cool is that! A school Auto Tech Teacher willing to show students what racing is all about! I'm in....what ever it takes......donations of parts.....I'm sure we can help one way or another.

I would be proud to show my 5/1600 to the students for a bit of motivation.....thats what it takes lets do it. Its all in the timing....due to one of the (599) 5/16's is apart and getting ready for the up coming Battle @ Primm! The other (569) is.....well just sitting there waiting for bigger shocks "KING"......but its ready for a ride in the desert!

Mr. Chambers, my name is Art Savedra, better known as "The TECH DUDE. I am the Tech Director for many of the Desert Race Organizations in Southern California and Nevada........and Mexico. Basicly, what my crew and I do is inspect all desert racing vehicles for safety and Class legality Classifications per orgaization. Like I'm the guy to see about Class rules and the asnwer man for each group. Standard Baja (non-superbeetle) is the bellpan to get ready for the race vehicle.

We'll talk more about what you can do with what we can get from the Off-Road businesses......many will help!

I'll be talking to you both soon,
Art "The TECH DUDE" Savedra
Wattarush@aol.com

[techteacher]

I want to include something that was left out on the original post. This auto tech program is actually a partnership between Laguna Hills H/S and Coastline ROP (regional occupation program). Most H/S have one or two classes of ROP along with the district classes. The ROP programs are centered around preparing a student for further specialized training after H/S and also placing them in dealerships that support an intern program. At Laguna Hills, all the Auto Tech classes are ROP. This really makes no difference as far as the project goes, I just wanted to clarify that this is a joint effort between the two programs. By the way, ROP does more than just Auto Tech. They offer training in many skills and trades. For more info you can go to www.coastlinerop.net and see everything they offer.

Thanks,

Tim

[racinteach]

Wish my school would do something like this..could you imagine, school against school short course race ....haha good luck .. wish I could help you out more...

[techteacher]

I would like to give everyone an update on the latest news with our project. We have secured a car that is in process of a 5/1600 build. Incredible donation. I am putting together some field trips at a couple of local shops so we all can see how you all build these and other cars. We have a few offers of actually getting cars down to our shop, which are in the planning stages now. I still get offers daily for assistance. This whole deal has gone off the charts because of all the generous people in the offroad community. I will contnue to keep you updated.

Thank You All,

Tim Chambers 714-227-8087

[C. Bucher]

Saw this is the classifieds. Not sure if it's of any help or not.

Good luck with the build!

http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=2&md=second&id=7605

[Game-Over Racing]

I have a set of +1 trailing arms and sway away spring plates I'll thro in for ya.Also have a pan with the KK adjusters already welded in the torsion if you want.

[TMorford]

Had Mission Viejo HS done this two years ago I would have taken auto shop! Props to Laguna Hills and I hope everything works out, see ya in the dezert.

[BHracer]

This is great! Our local HS's here in San Diego county have mostly done away with metal shop and wood shop. Its too bad since this is where a lot of us learned to work with tools, weld and repair our bikes while riding or racing in HS (for me late 60's/early 70's). Thumbs UP for a teacher starting this up!

[techteacher]

I want to update everyone on our project. We are in the planning & logistics phase. There are so many people that want to or already have donated it`s become quite a job just getting everything together. It would take a couple of pages to name everyone who has offered to contribute to this build. I am making a list, and will post it at a later date.We are looking for a class 11 rollcage from Chenowth, so if anyone has a line on one let me know. We have Glenn Allen( Allied Racing ) and PAB bringing their cars down to show the class. Special thanks to Kristen and Eric, this wouldn`t have happened if not for you.

Thank You All,

Tim Chambers

[techteacher]

Wanted to let everyone know that we are still moving on w/the build. Parts are slowly coming in and there will be media exposure once we get farther along. I`m working on a corporate sponsor to help us, we will need financial support to complete this. I was hoping we could do this w/o having to, but it looks like we will need some financial help. Once again, thanks to everyone who has helped us along, it is going to a good cause.

Thank You

Tim Chambers

[techteacher]

We will be at the MORE race this weekend. I will be wearing a black tee shirt with a "Motoworks" logo ( my side business ) Please feel free to introduce yourselves. I`d like to meet all the people who contacted me about our project so I can give you an update.

Tim Chambers

[ThisSideUp]

Tim,

we race a 1/2-1600 car, but I was originally going to build a 5-1600 car, so I have some Fodrill Front arms that are basically brand new that I will give you if you havent already been given some.

Chris Langmayer
This Side Up Racing
Hooters Desert Race Team

[techteacher]

Just got back from the MORE race. Had a great time & finally got to meet some of the people who have helped us along. Unfortunately, something has become very apparent in this project. After seeing some cars and how they are built, I think this class would be to much for us as a 1st time build. To much fab, and even with all the support and donations, we will come up short. Sooooo, after talking with some very knowledgable people,we feel that a class 11 car will be a much better first time project. A lot less money, easier to put together, and also a lot of fun. Luckily, no parts donations for the 1600 have arrived, so I will personally contact everyone to let them know whats going on. All of you have been so supportive in this project, I hope you continue to keep us in mind. We are not giving up, just changing direction.

Thank You All,

Tim Chambers

[Stonehouse]

Any updates to whats going on with the new project..?

[techteacher]

Thanks for asking, we have been making progress. We have a `67 volkswagen that is a roller, but has a good pan and body. The big news is that we do have a sponsor, but he prefers to remain a silent partner. Also McKenzies, Rimco, and Transwest have stepped up bigtime! We also have a lot of class 11 people who are offering good advise. This deal is happening. It is going to take some time, but you will see us at a race eventually. I will continue to keep everyone informed.

Tim Chambers

[highlandraceteam]

I think its great that you are doing this. I tried the same thing with my highschool.(highland highschool in palmdale ca) The main problem was the budget and i was also a 17 year old student. Now with me bein in the navy i cant even think about that stuff. But im glad to hear that you have gotton so far and i wish the best of luck to you.

[highlandraceteam]

Any updates on the project?

[techteacher]

Just a couple things since my last post. Chenowth stepped up w/a cl. 11 cage. We will use it as a base and add more tube to tie in the front and rear. 11 Brothers is helping us w/that. I started this project knowing ther would be no budget. What it takes is a lot of footwork and patience. These things don`t happen overnight, especially when you have no money! Luckily, the offroad community is very generous, and when you are doing something w/kids it really opens a lot of doors. We were also able to get some financial help from a person who liked what we were going to do. He isn`t an offroad guy, but helps H/S programs. We need to show the kids what is possible if you really want it.

Tim

[techteacher]

Quick upate on our project. We have two more sponsors, Hunsaker Products (seats) and Jaz Products (fuel cell) 11 Brothers is helping us with additional structure to our Chenowth cage. We`ve taken the car apart to begin all the work to get it to race spec, and continue to get help and advise from the many people involved with this. It`s amazing how this project has generated so much attention. I was at McKeznsie`s the other day and someone overheard my conversation about the build and knew all about it from this website! We can`t wait to get this thing in the dirt. It `s far from being done, but with the support of everyone who has stepped up to help us it will be worth the wait.

Tim

[ThisSideUp]

So is it going to be a class 11 or 5-1600? I still have those fodrill arms I am willing to donate, just let me know. I will be gone at the Baja 500 for a week, and can ship them when I return.

Chris
Hooters Desert Racing

[techteacher]

Chris,
We`ve changed to a class 11 car a while back(there was a post from me a page back on the change). We learned real fast that a 5/1600 would be out of our bugdet and the class 11 would work better for us. I should change my title, but it helps to show future sponsors the responses we`ve gotten over the last few months. I do appreciate the offer on the parts, maybe someday we can step up to the next level. Our goal right now is to complete this build and get racing!

Tim

[racinteach]

I fyou need a another hand with this build I am a teacher in the city here and would love to help you guys out...I have built a car or two...in my younger days..and know some good 11 secrets...

[techteacher]

Robert,
Give me a call 714-227-8087. Would like to talk to you.

Tim

[techteacher]

Wanted to give everyone an update on the build. We decided to purchase a `72 that has been somewhat started. It has a cage and some suspension work. It will put us in a much better position to get this done in a reasonable time frame. We Have collected some parts to start putting on the car and also will have an engine and a trans by next semester. Things are really looking better! School is winding down for the summer, but I will continue to approach vendors and potential sponsors durring this time. Once you get started you don`t stop until it`s done. We do still need help w/donations and discounts. My school account is drying up fast. I`m looking forward to a new group of students that we can get involved with this project, It helps to get more interest to grow the program. If anyone wants to help, please don`t hesitate to contact me.

Thanks,

Tim Chambers LHHS
chamberst@svusd.k12.ca.us