Start a 24 hours of Lemons?
#1
Start a 24 hours of Lemons?
For those of you who do not know http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/ is a cheap endurance road racing series for crappy cars. The car should cost $500, but safety (cage and brakes and tires) are exempt and you can sell pieces off the car to reduce the costs. A race is usually 8 hours on Saturday and 6 hours on Sunday, so if you divide this over four or five drivers you get 2+ hours of real road racing with other incapable drivers and that's a LOT of fun.
While the car should be $500, from my experience (since 2010 I have participated in 10 races, sometimes in two teams at the same time) the cost of first race for a brand new car is about $6000, and the cost of consecutive races is about $3-4K. Divide this by four and you get the idea.
Thing is I am moving to Jersey City and I have to quit my existing Lemons team in Midwest. I also have a Mini which would get under $500 once some parts are sold off. Still, this kind of car does not really belong to Lemons so we would need a stupid "theme" of some kind and they might still penalize us with laps and we would never win anything, but it would still be fun.
So, I wonder if anyone from around Jersey City would be interested to start a 24 H of L team? I have the car, experience and funds. You should have time, desire and... money. On average, they have three races on the east coast every year plus we can travel a bit.
Andrey
While the car should be $500, from my experience (since 2010 I have participated in 10 races, sometimes in two teams at the same time) the cost of first race for a brand new car is about $6000, and the cost of consecutive races is about $3-4K. Divide this by four and you get the idea.
Thing is I am moving to Jersey City and I have to quit my existing Lemons team in Midwest. I also have a Mini which would get under $500 once some parts are sold off. Still, this kind of car does not really belong to Lemons so we would need a stupid "theme" of some kind and they might still penalize us with laps and we would never win anything, but it would still be fun.
So, I wonder if anyone from around Jersey City would be interested to start a 24 H of L team? I have the car, experience and funds. You should have time, desire and... money. On average, they have three races on the east coast every year plus we can travel a bit.
Andrey
#4
I don't have much a problem with 50 laps - I kind of see them in my future too, but you have to do what you have to do.
My previous build was a time-consuming engine swap with custom brakes on all four corners and a cage I've welded myself. I am not too lazy for that, want to simply slap a cage into a car and call it ready.
So who is in?
My previous build was a time-consuming engine swap with custom brakes on all four corners and a cage I've welded myself. I am not too lazy for that, want to simply slap a cage into a car and call it ready.
So who is in?
#5
Resurrecting this old thread rather than starting my own. I haven't seen a MINI show up on the East Coast yet. There's only been one MINI in LeMons and it was in TX years ago.
Prices on MINIs have come down a bunch, especially if you grab a cvt car like I did. With some haggling and selling/swapping, I've managed to get an '04 Cooper and a 6-speed manual trans with flywheel and other bits that I'm going to try the manual conversion on. I'm ok with the mechanical aspects of this, but I'm very very green on the electrical stuff like talking to the computer and anti-theft stuff so that the car actually works once a kill switch is installed. I've seen a bunch of the swap threads and read through them, with most saying "send me your monies and circuits and stuff and I'll send you back your stuff so it'll work with the manual trans." I'm glad those shops are out there. But I'd rather spend less and learn more.
Anyway, truth be told if the car (in their opinion) is more than $500 they will still let you race it albeit with lots of penalty laps so you can't "win". Who cares about winning anyway, right?
I'm in San Diego / Escondido and have been doing this LeMons stuff for 6 years now. I'm looking for anyone who is interested in getting in on this 04 BINI build with me and "racing" it once it's done. It's a far cry from the other British cars I bring (62 mini, 67 moke, 69 Austin America, 82 MG Metro, among others). But I figure it's time for me to have a car that is more user-friendly and less LeMon-y so my drivers have a reasonable chance of passing someone in at least one of my cars rather than getting passed constantly.
I haven't frequented this forum very consistently, but I'll subscribe to this this thread if I can figure out how (found it-- set for daily!) . I'll also see if I can figure out how to get pm notices sent to my email in case someone would rather contact me directly.
Oh, and FWIW I typically take arrive-and-drives at most west coast races and only ask that you share in 1/4 of the operating and participation costs of fielding a car and 4-person team, which is typically $550-$650 a person of actual cash outlay for all consumables like entry, fuel, tires, brakes, etc. There's no profit built in to that. On top of that only expect to arrange for your own food and lodging unless we come up with a team solution for a given event. You can rent safety gear through racesuitrental (no affiliation) if you aren't up for buying your own yet.
I've got seats open for Thunderhill on Sept 12-13 and Miller Motorsports Park in UT on Oct 3-4 and then at MSR Houston on Nov 14-15. $600 and $650 respectively.
Prices on MINIs have come down a bunch, especially if you grab a cvt car like I did. With some haggling and selling/swapping, I've managed to get an '04 Cooper and a 6-speed manual trans with flywheel and other bits that I'm going to try the manual conversion on. I'm ok with the mechanical aspects of this, but I'm very very green on the electrical stuff like talking to the computer and anti-theft stuff so that the car actually works once a kill switch is installed. I've seen a bunch of the swap threads and read through them, with most saying "send me your monies and circuits and stuff and I'll send you back your stuff so it'll work with the manual trans." I'm glad those shops are out there. But I'd rather spend less and learn more.
Anyway, truth be told if the car (in their opinion) is more than $500 they will still let you race it albeit with lots of penalty laps so you can't "win". Who cares about winning anyway, right?
I'm in San Diego / Escondido and have been doing this LeMons stuff for 6 years now. I'm looking for anyone who is interested in getting in on this 04 BINI build with me and "racing" it once it's done. It's a far cry from the other British cars I bring (62 mini, 67 moke, 69 Austin America, 82 MG Metro, among others). But I figure it's time for me to have a car that is more user-friendly and less LeMon-y so my drivers have a reasonable chance of passing someone in at least one of my cars rather than getting passed constantly.
I haven't frequented this forum very consistently, but I'll subscribe to this this thread if I can figure out how (found it-- set for daily!) . I'll also see if I can figure out how to get pm notices sent to my email in case someone would rather contact me directly.
Oh, and FWIW I typically take arrive-and-drives at most west coast races and only ask that you share in 1/4 of the operating and participation costs of fielding a car and 4-person team, which is typically $550-$650 a person of actual cash outlay for all consumables like entry, fuel, tires, brakes, etc. There's no profit built in to that. On top of that only expect to arrange for your own food and lodging unless we come up with a team solution for a given event. You can rent safety gear through racesuitrental (no affiliation) if you aren't up for buying your own yet.
I've got seats open for Thunderhill on Sept 12-13 and Miller Motorsports Park in UT on Oct 3-4 and then at MSR Houston on Nov 14-15. $600 and $650 respectively.
#7
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#11
I have raced Chumpcar with our '62 mini (the last time was 2014 at Buttonwillow)and I was one of classic minis in the field. Mike Kimball has raced his classic mini in Chumpcar in 2015. And the Classic Mini IS on their car valuation list.
https://www.chumpcar.com/downloads/2015ChumpCarBCCR.pdf
According to this list (look under "Austin Mini") a pre 1980 car is valued at $100.
LeMons does not have an "approved car" list. Bring anything that meets their basic rules.
2: ELIGIBILITY
2.1: Vehicle Eligibility: Entry limited to mass-produced, four-wheeled vehicles legal for US highway use at the time of their manufacture. Vehicles must be acquired and prepared for a maximum of $500 as described in Section 4. Vehicles must meet all safety standards laid out in Section 3. The vehicle's original, manufacturer-stated curb weight may not exceed 4200 pounds. Individual waivers may be granted; just don't ask about Peterbilts, Zambonis, sidecars, or golf carts again. We already said no.
2.1: Vehicle Eligibility: Entry limited to mass-produced, four-wheeled vehicles legal for US highway use at the time of their manufacture. Vehicles must be acquired and prepared for a maximum of $500 as described in Section 4. Vehicles must meet all safety standards laid out in Section 3. The vehicle's original, manufacturer-stated curb weight may not exceed 4200 pounds. Individual waivers may be granted; just don't ask about Peterbilts, Zambonis, sidecars, or golf carts again. We already said no.
3.D GENERAL VEHICLE REGULATIONS
3.D.1 Minimum Wheelbase. The minimum acceptable wheelbase is 82 inches (as delivered by the factory). Cars with smaller wheelbases may be granted a waiver by LeMons after extensive review of the team's construction and safety plans. (These plans inevitably require extensive, high-quality engineering; lots of new material; and huge amounts of high-quality fabrication. If you're the least bit shy on talent, dedication, or budget, it’s better to pick something else.)
3.D.2 OE Crush Structures. Modifications that reduce the size and/or effectiveness of OE crush structures -- including but not limited to shortening or removing frame rails or unibody structures outside the wheelbase -- are discouraged in the strongest possible terms. Cars with compromised OE crush structures are exceedingly likely to fail tech. Non-OE replacement crush structures are not an acceptable substitute; you and your stick welder ain't NHTSA.
3.D.3 No Gullwings. Or Lambo doors, or anything else that will trap you inside when you roll.
3.D.1 Minimum Wheelbase. The minimum acceptable wheelbase is 82 inches (as delivered by the factory). Cars with smaller wheelbases may be granted a waiver by LeMons after extensive review of the team's construction and safety plans. (These plans inevitably require extensive, high-quality engineering; lots of new material; and huge amounts of high-quality fabrication. If you're the least bit shy on talent, dedication, or budget, it’s better to pick something else.)
3.D.2 OE Crush Structures. Modifications that reduce the size and/or effectiveness of OE crush structures -- including but not limited to shortening or removing frame rails or unibody structures outside the wheelbase -- are discouraged in the strongest possible terms. Cars with compromised OE crush structures are exceedingly likely to fail tech. Non-OE replacement crush structures are not an acceptable substitute; you and your stick welder ain't NHTSA.
3.D.3 No Gullwings. Or Lambo doors, or anything else that will trap you inside when you roll.
more rules here http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/prices-rules
Here we are at Thunderhill in September
I have had to withdraw my offer to race with me in Houston this November. I was unable to find enough people to share the costs by the time the entry deadline came. If you are still interested, you will likely be able to find a seat in a registered team by going to the 24 hours of lemons forum and searching in their Drivers Wanted or Rides Wanted sections.
#12
#13
I like 'em all but still have much to learn about MINIs.
#14
Hi Spank! Small world. Was just on here reading up on my new whip, the black mini I was flossing at the track. Bridget says hello.
#16
Yea, I ended up running with another team in Houston this past November and had an awesome time.
I've got a bunch of races I'm planning on doing in 2016, including one in March in Arizona. I still have a LeMons-grade 2004 MINI awaiting a drivetrain transplant that I don't have tons of time for but hope to get to it this year. Some local team mates to help out with car building it would be nice and could help it happen sooner rather than later.
I am already softly recruiting for the Buttonwillow race in October, what I'm calling the Class C Onslaught Pt2. I hope to be able to bring out every car I have. Last time I did a Class C Onslaught a film crew was there. Here's a taste of what it's like:
I've got a bunch of races I'm planning on doing in 2016, including one in March in Arizona. I still have a LeMons-grade 2004 MINI awaiting a drivetrain transplant that I don't have tons of time for but hope to get to it this year. Some local team mates to help out with car building it would be nice and could help it happen sooner rather than later.
I am already softly recruiting for the Buttonwillow race in October, what I'm calling the Class C Onslaught Pt2. I hope to be able to bring out every car I have. Last time I did a Class C Onslaught a film crew was there. Here's a taste of what it's like:
#17
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