SmorrowKCORRA
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- 20
First off, I live in Kansas City. Not the mecca of desert racing that you guys think we have. Sure, just a short 25 hour or so drive West and I can select all sorts of places to race. But that’s not entirely possible for me. Desert racing is a longtime dream, I’m approaching 53, not getting any younger.
I have discussed this in some detail with Vintage racer and fellow KC native Fast Eddie. I appreciate all of his InSite. He has many years of desert racing under his belt. Our race budgets are not equal though, lol and I have to spend wisely and pick an event or two for the season.
But I am still sort of at a standstill for a decision.
I’m an old Midwest short course racer, raced CORR many years ago, I own and operate the Kansas City Off Road Racing Association, so I am not entirely new to VWs or off road racing. I’ve owned VWs since I was 15. Drag raced them, built street cars, and off road raced them.
My thought was to purchase a used class 11 bug/project, make repairs, add whatever didn’t come in the sale and then head South to Texas for a desert race with TDRA (12 hour drive) as a test/shakedown race. After that, look to a Nevada/West race. Season one budget would be done at that point, and all of my vacation from work, would be used up.
Fast Eddie added to my decision making issue. I have an old SODA 5-1600 short course baja bug. I’ve raced a couple short course races over in Illinois with it a couple years ago, recently an SCCA rally cross race. So, it’s a runner, and if I can ever get any 1600 cars to attend one of our KCORRA events, I will run it with them.
So, the other race vehicle option….update the 5-1600 short course car. Freshen the single port engine (lower compression), swap out to a bigger fuel cell, rebuild some shocks, update safety equipment, add a few other things and bam, its done. Cost wise, probably a cheaper option.
The reason for the class 11. It’s a basically stock bug. I can make it street legal and drive it to work.
I can prep it for some racing. I can race in the macho man class and learn from ground zero. Plus, in race form, they just look cool!
So, that’s the dilemma. Appreciate any thoughts, suggestions.
Scott
I have discussed this in some detail with Vintage racer and fellow KC native Fast Eddie. I appreciate all of his InSite. He has many years of desert racing under his belt. Our race budgets are not equal though, lol and I have to spend wisely and pick an event or two for the season.
But I am still sort of at a standstill for a decision.
I’m an old Midwest short course racer, raced CORR many years ago, I own and operate the Kansas City Off Road Racing Association, so I am not entirely new to VWs or off road racing. I’ve owned VWs since I was 15. Drag raced them, built street cars, and off road raced them.
My thought was to purchase a used class 11 bug/project, make repairs, add whatever didn’t come in the sale and then head South to Texas for a desert race with TDRA (12 hour drive) as a test/shakedown race. After that, look to a Nevada/West race. Season one budget would be done at that point, and all of my vacation from work, would be used up.
Fast Eddie added to my decision making issue. I have an old SODA 5-1600 short course baja bug. I’ve raced a couple short course races over in Illinois with it a couple years ago, recently an SCCA rally cross race. So, it’s a runner, and if I can ever get any 1600 cars to attend one of our KCORRA events, I will run it with them.
So, the other race vehicle option….update the 5-1600 short course car. Freshen the single port engine (lower compression), swap out to a bigger fuel cell, rebuild some shocks, update safety equipment, add a few other things and bam, its done. Cost wise, probably a cheaper option.
The reason for the class 11. It’s a basically stock bug. I can make it street legal and drive it to work.
I can prep it for some racing. I can race in the macho man class and learn from ground zero. Plus, in race form, they just look cool!
So, that’s the dilemma. Appreciate any thoughts, suggestions.
Scott