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#1
STEVE HUNT

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There hasn't been a ChumpCar post for quite a while so here goes. 

 

ChumpCar has done a major re-write on their rules for 2014-2016. They've done away with the AIV (Advertised Internet Valve) as a basis for assigning a value to your racecar. Instead they are using all the collected AIV data as well as finishing position data from previous years to assign a performance value to all eligible cars. The end result is: the cars that have done extremely well in past year i.e. BMW E30 and E36 will have a higher performance value than cars that did not finish as well. For example; many of the E30s now have a performance value of $500.00 and the E36 $550.00. This means the E30s cannot perform any mods and must run completely stock while the E36 will be penalized laps before the race begins. Here's a another example: the 90-93 Miata as a performance value of $325.00 while the 94 has a value of $400.00 which means the 90-93 Miata gets $175,00 of mods while the 94 gets $100.00. This doesn't sound like much money for mods but keep in mind the cost of the mods is documented in the rules and the cost is much lower than retail. For example: Non-OE sway bars are $50.00 for the front and $30.00 for the rear, a header is $50.00, Non-OE springs are $20.00 per corner. There are lots of other mods but that gives you the idea.

Anyway, I consider this a major improvement in the rules towards leveling the playing field. We ran our 90 Miata in the 24 Hours of VIR last August and did very well considering, the race was run on the Grand West course, we lost second gear during the first stint and lost a couple more laps for various reasons. We finished in 23rd out of 104 cars. The large majority of cars that finished ahead of us were E30 and E36 BMWs, there HP combined with the long straights just killed us. Still, the whole team was very satisfied with our performance.

One other anecdote: Our pit mates were in a 94 Miata, we were right with them in the standings around 24th as the sun when‘t down when they put their two World Challenge Pro drivers in the car. Jon Miller was one of them I don't recall the name of the other Pro. Anyway, they switched off all night, driving from 24th to 4th. These guys just don't slow down at all at night.

The 24 hour was our first ChumpCar event after doing two Lemons races the previous year.  I have to say I much prefer ChumpCar over Lemons.  ChumpCar is all about grass roots racing, the 24 hour was extremely well run and racing oriented.  Lemons puts way to much emphasis on silly themes, much to the detriment of the racing.  We've done our last Lemons race.

 

For next year we're building a 94 Miata to find some more HP.  We're already registed for three races, all on shorter Miata friendly tracks.  Hopefully between the rules changes and the shorter tracks we can take the fight to those cursed E30 and 36s.

 

Don't hesitate to post, there are a ton of other rules changes and Chumpy stuff to discuss.

 

Steve Hunt

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#2
Ron Alan

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So what are the rules as far as the initial purchase of a car?

Ron

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#3
Rob Burgoon

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Yeah, lemons is way more art show than racing.


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#4
Qik Nip

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I have to agree with Rob. Our Chumpcar Team (Bored Legacy) runs a 1996 Suburu Legacy and we've done respectably with the car running P3 at Nelson Ledges when a broken axle ended our day, a 21st of 87 at the Spring VIR 10 hour, a 25th at AMP and two other DNF's with mechanicals. In truth, the series is at least as well run as any SCCA or NASA sanctioned race. The only downside is that you never quite know if the driver in that old Volvo next to you is Randy Pobst (as was the case in my last stint at AMP - or some guy who never raced so much as a go cart before. That uncertainty can make for surprises in the corners. Ergo, one has to drive these events a bit more defensivly than what we do the rest of the time, but it's truly fun racing. As the Chumpcar slogan goes...Real racing, really cheap cars. It's the truth. 

Rick


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#5
bienc

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So what are the rules as far as the initial purchase of a car?

 

Start with the cleanest rust free example you can find.  Purchase price does not matter.  There's no expectation that your car has to be a POS.



#6
Jeremy Mizer

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I was curious if anyone knew what a 1990 Miata in SM trim would be valued at? 



#7
William Bonsell

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I know this is a Mazda racers forum, but I have been curious about the best cars to use as a chump racer. I took a look at results from some Chumpcar events, but results do not show the type of car being used. Just laps, times, etc. Anyone know how someone could get a "Top 10 Candidates" list for putting together a chump/lemons car. Obvously, Miatas, but RX7's, Neons, old Mustangs, E-30"s.....and so on.

 

I noticed there are about 4 Chump events on the 2014 calendar in the Northwest. Might be fun, especially for older racers who are transitioning  from sprint racing.

 

Thanks.


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#8
Qik Nip

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I was curious if anyone knew what a 1990 Miata in SM trim would be valued at? 

About $3,000. I asked...


2009, 2010 & 2011 SCCA Great Lakes Div. Reg. SM Champ
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SM: The safest race car in the world. It can just
barely kill you.



 

Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#9
Qik Nip

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I know this is a Mazda racers forum, but I have been curious about the best cars to use as a chump racer. I took a look at results from some Chumpcar events, but results do not show the type of car being used. Just laps, times, etc. Anyone know how someone could get a "Top 10 Candidates" list for putting together a chump/lemons car. Obvously, Miatas, but RX7's, Neons, old Mustangs, E-30"s.....and so on.

 

I noticed there are about 4 Chump events on the 2014 calendar in the Northwest. Might be fun, especially for older racers who are transitioning  from sprint racing.

 

Thanks.

By and large, the 90% of the podiums are 3 series BMW's. The 2014 rules may however change that. 

Rick


2009, 2010 & 2011 SCCA Great Lakes Div. Reg. SM Champ
2006, 2009, 2010 & 2011 Cincy SCCA Reg. Driver of the year
Powered by: Stewart Engines
Set up by: RAFT Motorsports

SM: The safest race car in the world. It can just
barely kill you.



 

Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#10
Jeremy Mizer

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About $3,000. I asked...

 

Wow!!  How did they come up with that?  The way I read it, it should be about $620.



#11
bienc

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Wow!!  How did they come up with that?  The way I read it, it should be about $620.

 

I'd be curious as well.  $325 plus coilovers, swaybars, and some non-adjustable shocks.  Maybe a FPR and factory hard top.  The rest should be no-value-added.



#12
Jeremy Mizer

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I was thinking same thing. I believe there was an added value for an aluminum radiator. Everything else (besides the suspension upgrades) are supposed to be factory, or factory equivalent. If the set value was reasonable, the concept of ChumpCar sounds fun. Does anyone know a person to contact to get some clarification?

#13
Protech Racing

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Winning teams can run the car for the max 2 hrs between fuelstops, knock off consistant 5 min stops, along with fast laps
Neither of my Miata can make 2hrs. so you are going to have extra stops.
We have run the 99 Sm in the EC class and had plenty of fun.
If you want to not be penalized you will have to not use the hard top.
My Chump team has run the VW golf, the "Turbojett" and we have just bought a Nissan VG 30 powered 300ZX .
19 gal tank and 170ish power along with brakes that will last 20hrs or more.
The rules don't make sense and the head guy is kindaofadick, but the racing is good and the guys that actually put on the races are very nice , as are most of the racers.
The 4 of us have a good time. We also rent seats in the Golf,( 1000$ per) to help support the rest of the deal ,
The cost per race is about 3600$ all done. If the car disnt shoot hot oily parts out.

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#14
Todd Green

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Wow!!  How did they come up with that?  The way I read it, it should be about $620.

car $325

shocks $100

springs $80

spacers $20 (I'd just take them off and kinda stupid since wheels are open)

sway bars $80 (I'd put stock back on and save the penalty)

radiator $35 (Could be more if you don't have an eBay special)

hard top $250 (WTH?!?  I love how an aftermarket top is $75.  So I can go get a carbon fiber top and save a ton. :scratchchin: )

LSD ???

 

So $890 (I assume the $620 is no hard top and no spacers).  I guess a "pro" motor + LSD is $2k+? (You'd think you'd just be able to use the non-OE head rules for $150.)  Also how the heck do they get $1500 as a base for the 99?  Clearly we need to adjust the SM rules if the 99 is 4x better than a 90. ;) ;) ;)

 

Well at least the rules aren't as bad as LeMons.  Both series are coming to MMP this year for the first time.  It'll be interesting to see what/who shows up.


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#15
Jeremy Mizer

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car $325

shocks $100

springs $80

spacers $20 (I'd just take them off and kinda stupid since wheels are open)

sway bars $80 (I'd put stock back on and save the penalty)

radiator $35 (Could be more if you don't have an eBay special)

hard top $250 (WTH?!?  I love how an aftermarket top is $75.  So I can go get a carbon fiber top and save a ton. :scratchchin: )

LSD ???

 

So $890 (I assume the $620 is no hard top and no spacers).  I guess a "pro" motor + LSD is $2k+? (You'd think you'd just be able to use the non-OE head rules for $150.)  Also how the heck do they get $1500 as a base for the 99?  Clearly we need to adjust the SM rules if the 99 is 4x better than a 90. ;) ;) ;)

 

Well at least the rules aren't as bad as LeMons.  Both series are coming to MMP this year for the first time.  It'll be interesting to see what/who shows up.

 

I did notice that a 99 was valued at $1500.  Having raced both a 90 and a 99 SM car, a 99 surely isn't 4 times better (perhaps slightly better, but I wouldn't want to start a parity discussion).  I certainly do not see how a factory hard top is $250 whereas a lighter, more costly aftermarket top is only $75.  You are correct in where I came up with the $620.  I didn't figure you would get wacked almost the cost of the car for having a factory hard top.  In my opinion, a "pro" motor should be viewed similar to a stock motor since you have to use all stock components. 

 

I would agree that it would make sense to remove the hard top and put on the stock sway bars.  We have a 90 SM car that will be sitting around which is why I became interested in running a ChumpCar race to begin with.  Given what I am hearing on here, I may have to think a little harder on that idea.

 

I would agree with



#16
MPR22

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We have been at or on the podium in a NA 1.6 in our Chump races in Texas. If its not us, its another of two miatas that are winning. Great car on most courses. E36 BMW is very good car as well but runs in the non paying class.
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#17
Jeremy Mizer

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What do they value your car at?

#18
MPR22

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I will have ask the crew chief, if IIRC we were $420.
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#19
Jeremy Mizer

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I will have ask the crew chief, if IIRC we were $420.

Was the $420 without a hard top?



#20
Dirt Surfer

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Was the $420 without a hard top?

 

 

Has to be without a hardtop, although there is a provision where you can make your own hardtop and only be assesed the value of the materials that were used, so if you can use your top to make a mold for a fiberglass one then they won't hit you so hard for a penalty and you get the advantage of some much needed aero. 2014 rules will be interesting and I imagine there will be much gnawing and knashing of teeth at the start :rant:


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