Class 5 unlimited (#519 V2.0) Build Thread

[wheezy]

So, as many know I had an unfortunate incident at the 2009 Toys For Tots race. About ten miles in, right past Hodge crossing, I ran into what many old time racers already knew was there, a big f'n hole. I'd ridden dirtbikes in this area for years, but it was my first race in the car and didn't get a chance to prerun. I hit that hole going WAY too fast and unfortunately it broke my back, and broke it BAD. I'm lucky to be alive, lucky to be walking, and lucky to have guys like the Dirtmob in my corner. The car survived my wad into the hole, though I suspect I had cracked the rear pivot tube. My second driver got in the car to try and finish the race. He completed 4 laps on the large loop before disaster struck. That crack turned into a full blown BREAK. The driver side trailing arm came off the car causing the car to pitch sideways and literally HIGH SIDE. They did an "air roll" a full roll and a half before the car hit on it's side. The "beast" #519 was so heavy it just hit the ground and slid. Didn't keep rolling. It was overbuilt and not built correctly. I decided to scrap the chassis and start fresh.

The new car will be wider, longer travel, and MUCH MUCH LIGHTER. Literally 1,000 lbs lighter. The old car was just a mutt and obviously WAY overweight. Great for a prerunner or play car, just not a proper race car. New car will also get a rebuilt 2332 that runs properly.

LOTS MORE TO COME OVER THE NEXT YEAR. Class 5, lookout in 2011, I'll be back and ready for some good racing! (I can't really talk smack, I've yet to actually finish a race) Who was that first told me. "ya know, building the car is the cheap part"

Leftovers -


THE NEW BUILD IS IN PROGRESS

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[puravida]

GOOD LUCK with your build. Hope to see you out there very soon Todd

[TauMau]

Sorry about the bad luck. Fortunately the chassis is the cheap part. You made the right decision with the new car...lighter is faster.

I would recommend making the shell somewhat easily removable.

[wheezy]

Ya, the plan all along was to build, learn, buy the best parts and then build a new chassis when the time came. It just came a heck of a lot sooner than planned. New car is full fiberglass panels from Kar Tek, so it can be fully stripped, checked, prepped, and raced again!

Thanks Ben, it won't be soon, I've got another 6-10 months of recovery time, but come January of 2011 it's ON!

The hardest part will be looking at a fully prepped race car sitting in the garage for all those months!

[CHASETHISTOO]

LOVE the attitude wheezy!

Keep your chin up and see you back out there soon.

[Matt D]

If you want me to come wd-40 it for you every other week or so let me know haha

Do you know if the Dirt Mob will be at the MORE race on the 20th yet?

[wheezy]

Not sure. None of our normal cars are racing, but one of the guys we hang with is racing Class 1. Not sure what's going to happen though. Lots of the Mob will be in Baja for the SF250, so it's still up in the air as far as I know. I will let you know asap though.

[WALSHMOTORSPORTS]

Any more work on your car? Looks great!

[wheezy]

Ya, it's getting there. Just about ready to come off the table. I'm headed to the shop on Thursday. I'll grab a few new pics.

Very long road ahead!

[wheezy]

JFD sent me some updated pics. All welded up! It's getting close. The next 6 months are going to seem like an eternity. The car should be done and ready to race before my back is. I'm gonna have to stare at it in the garage while I continue to heal up.