SVRA/VIR, The Mangina Monolouges

#1

This was one of the worst weekends I can remember at the track…rain, poor driving on my part, more rain, still more rain. It cleared and the track dried and then it rained while I was on the grid with 5 to go…more poor driving on my part. A bunch of cars got toasted, some really nice ones. I didnt even pick up my medal for 2nd in class cause my driving sucked so bad. The only good thing was I passed the 200hp red pinto in the rain today on slick’s.

The problem with running a spec e30 in vintage is these guys have about 200hp and 2000lbs. They do not like to pass in corners. I used to run a 2500lb Bavaria with 203hp and used to have a lot of fun. The e30 looks out of place. There was one other e30, a SCCA GT3 car, with huge flares, quiafe seqential gearbox etc, but I never really saw him as he was behind me…you get a lot of that in vintage also.

We have a great thing going in Spec e30.

Al

#2

The only thing more annoying than vintage racing is vintage racing rules :stuck_out_tongue: .
Nationals was a wakeup call for me- I need to get more tracktime in the rain. I hope ill get some of that rain this winter.

#3

Yes, they crawled up my butt for about an hour at tech…the rules are in print but that does not stop guys from building raised floor, crank fired, 180hp 2002’s…Vintage racing is serious checkbook racing, BUT there are some good drivers also, some ex SCCA champs, IMSA, etc.

The problem I have is that by allowing the super modified cars, you scare away dozens of guys who would like to run their street legal, weber 32/36 135hp 2002. If you wanted to run at the front of SVRA group 8 in a BMW 2002 you would have to spend a minimum of $50k. Now I think the pinch is going to come in the next year or so, how many people can afford that? I am still planning to build an Alfa for vintage for next year, will have less than 10k in it, hopefully will run mid pack, if anyone can afford to run next year. Vintage also requires lots of towing…but I will jsut run the 3 events at VIR and maybe one or 2 at RRR.

Al

#4

FARTBREF wrote:

[quote] I am still planning to build an Alfa for vintage for next year,

Al[/quote]

Hey Al, I’ve got a '78 Alfa Spider Veloce project I’m thinking about prepping to SVRA (Group 8 I believe) specs. But it doesn’t sound like vintage is as much fun as Spec E30. Is it worth it?

#5

I’ve seen three alfa’s at various track events in my time. They all ended up catching on fire.

#6

Doesn’t ALFA stand for “Always Looking For Another” - for parts?

#7

Vintage is OK, but there is as very wide range of skill…and you really cannot race as hard as we do. I did have some memorable battles but just not every race like in Spec e30.

Alfa’s break stuff we just cant immagine in Spec e30, I have sold 4 bellhousings in the last month or so.

Al

#8

IndyJim wrote:

Note to self: upgrade fire suppression system. :laugh:

I’m not doing any serious work on the Alfa, it just keeps me off the streets while I’m waiting for the E30 to come back from the shop.
SVRA doesn’t sound like as much fun as E30.

#9

Vintage is not nearly as much fun as vintage, mostly because vintage is pure checkbook racing…if you do find someone to battle with you are lucky. The most fun for me though is the 3 hour enduro’s…not many of those in vintage. the intensity of the spec e30 sprints wears me out more than an enduro, getting old sucks.

Al