class questions

[Shred918]

Well this is my first post on here and no I have never raced desert but have been raised going out to the desert. My name is Jeff (37 yrs old) and I am a Network Operations Engineer in Orange County. I am really looking at seriously getting into class 9 for budget reasons and you guys seen to be a pretty tight group. I do have a few concerns/ questions and the deeper I look into this the more questions are popping into my head.

I would like to first start off by saying I am getting married next year. So I am thinking I am going to be building my car to help keep the cost under the radar even though I do know it will be much more expensive. It is most likely going to take me at least 2 years to get this thing finished. I notice that you can run 1 or 2 seaters but it seams to me that having the extra weight in with the second seat/ co-driver is really going to slow you down. I would really like to have a co-driver with me to be honest but would also like to be competitive.

Another big concern is pitting. I know I can lean on friends to help some but I am a concerned about how often they would be willing to help. Is there some kind of group I could join and they pit for me when I can’t get anyone to help? I would also be willing to pit for others when I am not racing. Granted I would bring all my own supplies. I have seen they do this kind of thing in the class 5 coalition but didn’t want to assume you guys are also doing it.

I am going to buy a chassis from someone whether it be a 1 or 2 seater. Being I am building the car I get to have a choice here. I have heard you guys talking about a few fabricators for this but I was wondering who is driving what kind of chassis. Most important to me is a good reliable and safe cage but I would also like it to look cool. So to get me started could you guys post pics of the different builders to give me an idea of what frame looks like what. One thing I am going to be adding to it for sure is a dimple die rear shock mount.

In closing I am really looking forward to racing with you guys even though it might take awhile. I want to start getting exposed to this so I am offering myself up as a pit crew/ help. I have been working on VW’s since I was a small boy so I know a thing or two. Also I think watching you guys run your cars will really keep me motivated to get this thing done quicker.

Sorry for being so long winded!

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[Johnson954]

Weight is a huge issue, and the guys that seem to be going the fastest are running single seaters right now....but we aim to end that this next race! haha With that said, if you can build a car that is a 2-seater and weighs 1350 lbs, and you run with a light co-driver, you could actually be less weight than the single seats that have to run at 1550 lbs.

1350 + 200 lb driver + 115 lb co-driver = 1665, lbs total, 2-seat

1550 + 200 lb driver = 1750 lbs total, single seat

Running with a co-driver to me is a lot more fun, plus it is nice to have an extra set of eyes watching the mirrors, and for uh-ohs. My wife co-drives with me and we have a blast! (and at 102 lbs, she is a serious weight advantage!)

Not sure what JFK race cars can do for you, but the Rocket's new car looks pretty sweet! www.jfkracecars.com/wst_page8.php

[Shred918]

Thanks for the reply

I didn’t realize there is a weight difference with the 1 and 2 seaters to help make the difference. I am going to have to order the rule book so I can be a little more educated here.

I was looking at your car and was wondering what kind of chassis you are running? Thanks for the info on the JFK car that is pretty nice. I talked to AJ over at baja shop about a chassis a couple months back (not sure if I asked for dom or 4130) but it was more than I was willing to put down at the time. The two other frames I was interested in are the Chenowth and Lothinger? (sp) cars. I did see a few posts about the Chenowth chassis being around $1500 but I am not sure if that is something that is still available.

Sounds like I am gonna have to trim down bellow the 200lb mark too.

[ffrank]

Shred, First off get a SCORE rule book that is the book by which most all organizations run by. Close to you is Mc Kenzies for that. I do think there is an advantage to a single seat (but don't know what it is). If your looking to get your family and friends into it I'd go two seat, it is always nice give rides. As far as pitting, having friends is great, I also belong to F.A.I.R. a pit club,it a great bunch of devoted racers that get together and make sure you finish. We "scotty's misfits" will be racing in March and always welcome help if your coming out. Good luck Frank Wagner

[PEST]

First thing come out to a MORE race, lots of 9 cars especially March 17. For the most part everybody gets along and helps each other out. ACME always welcomes anybody new so would "Scottys Misfits". So come out in March and hook up with someone. Class 9 is more of a brotherhood!! As far as chassis go KAT FAB(Las Vegas)built the 2006 Class 9 Championship car and looks like maybe 2007 champ. Lothringer(somewhere in CA) doug969 Could point you in their direction. The JFK car looks great I can't wait to see it run.

Most of us have older cars, I couldn't even tell you when mine was built. Come out get familiar with the class for a while and then you could make a better decision on what is best for you. Shoot I hung around Class 9 guys about 3 years before I knew exactly what I wanted. The decision between 1 or 2 seats is difficult but it would be near impossible to have a 2 seater safely built under 1500 lbs. so most of the 2 seaters are at a weight disadvantage. In my opinion single seaters are alot more smooth to ride in.

[Soylent_Green]

As far as pitting, having friends is great, I also belong to F.A.I.R. a pit club,it a great bunch of devoted racers that get together and make sure you finish.

Interesting thread - I'm in the same situation as Shred625 (except for the getting married part next year ) and in the future will be getting a 2 seat class nine. Anyway, is there a F.A.I.R. type of pit club that work the MDR races in Plaster City/Superstition?

[ACME]

Lothringer is located in La Verne, PH 909/596-4076. JFK in Apple Valley, Kat Fab in Vegas and all 3 do excellent work! I had the pleasure of driving Worm's Lothringer last year and felt is was the best 9 car I've ever driven. The SS vs 2 seat issue rages on, 2 seats are more fun no doubt and I wouldn't run in Mexico without a right seat but in my opinion single seaters are faster and I prefer racing them. It would be tough to build a 2 seater under the new SCORE rules and make it a min weight car. When we built Doug's we added a bunch of things to help it make weight... Either way Class 9 is an awesome group to race with, cars are suprisingly fast, great drivers and at a reasonable cost to race! Come out to the "MORE Big 9 Race" March 17 in Barstow, tech is on Friday, talk with any of the class 9 guys, volunteer to pit and you'll learn more in 2 days then you could by reading this forum in 2 years... ACME's always looking for help, PM me if you're interested. If you talk with Ffrancis, ask him about his fabulous hair, that's the secret hand shake to get you in with the "Scotty's Band of Misfits".

[Shred918]

Wow I cant believe the amount of replies to this thread. I almost feel like I am being taken into a family here.

I will plan on making out to MORE big 9 race. It sounds like a lot of fun.

I am definitely not going to commit to building a car until after that race at least. I would really like to have a two seater but it sounds like the single seat car will be more what I am looking for ( I think ). It almost sounds like I may want to hold out for a used two seater that is already inspected and is really light.

Thanks Frank for letting me know Mc Kenzies has the score rulebook. I will pick one up next week if I get a chance.

I honestly would really rather have the two seater but it sounds like the one seaters ride much better. I am goign to try to get my brother in law (to be)involved in this somehow and have him be a co-driver.

One question that has been sitting in my head today is the cost of building one of these. Granted I will do all but the chassis build myself but just throwing out numbers off the top of your head what do you think a build will cost?

Thanks again guys I will see you out there!

Btw I am look at focusing on MORE and going for points. I have 34 years of off-road driving experience so I am hoping that will not leave me in last.

[Cameron]

You can always build a 2 seater and add weight and run with just one seat when you need to. I did this for a few years until my boys were old enough to ride.

[snoreracer]

Camron, will i see you at the dusty times race this year?