Rally Racing

[lude000]

So according to Rally America rules on my beginners licence I need a n/a 2wd vehicle. So since I have a year before the next 100 Acre Wood rally I'm going to be rebuilding my 420a eclipse as a road/rally car. I have the know how and the driving time. I'm just wondering if anyone on here has any advice or what not to do help any and all help will be appreciated.

Feel free to voice opinions,advice, or flames

 

[habitatguy187]

Ditch the huge rims, gut it, and build a cage. Drop as much weight as you can first off, it's free and you'll notice quite a difference in performance.

 

[lude000]

The body kit and everything is gone. It's about stock now. I'm wondering what whould be a strong light weight material to build my cage out of

 

[habitatguy187]

Pretty sure that most people use chromoly.

 

[the_mork]

Switch to an e30, if you need inspiration read this article.

How A $500 Craigslist Car Beat $400K Rally Racers - Rallying - Jalopnik

 

[habitatguy187]

^^^ We all know the m3 motor helps, not to mention rwd and one of the best obtainable racing cars of all time.

I'd take an m3 e30 over a brand new evo.

 

[Lofty]

You can't just "MAKE A LIGHT CAGE"/

If you make a cage wrong it will hurt you more than it will protect you.
I suggest doing your homework a lot. Basically if you have to ask what material to make a cage out of, you shouldn't even be attempting it.

 

[the_mork]

^^^ We all know the m3 motor helps, not to mention rwd and one of the best obtainable racing cars of all time.

I'd take an m3 e30 over a brand new evo.

But just a straight e30 without the m3 motor is still an awesome platform for rally racing, and will be more beneficial experience-wise than the NT DSM IMO, they are also incredibly cheap and durable.

 

[lude000]

Lofty I've made a few cages for dirt track and derbies Usually I'd go with some nice solid steel piping however I'm trying to save some weight

 

[Lofty]

Lofty I've made a few cages for dirt track and derbies Usually I'd go with some nice solid steel piping however I'm trying to save some weight

Then you should know that regulation is only Steel and Chromoly.

 

[habitatguy187]

But just a straight e30 without the m3 motor is still an awesome platform for rally racing, and will be more beneficial experience-wise than the NT DSM IMO, they are also incredibly cheap and durable.

I definitely agree with you there. There's actually an 86' e30 for sale locally here for $700 obo. Needs some work to get it drivable but supposedly the motor and trans are in great shape, I've really been thinking about picking it up but I'm not sure yet.

 

[the_mork]

If I come into some money at the same time that I find a reasonably priced e30 I will certainly pick one up but I'll have to wait until I'm done with school. If I were trying to rally in a 2wd NA platform I would choose that car first. It is simply a far more capable and less expensive car to prep for rally.

 

[kainam00]

Basically if you have to ask what material to make a cage out of, you shouldn't even be attempting it.

I hate to flame, but I agree.

You need to read the rules, then read them again, and again. The cage has to be to very specific spec, and Rally America is pretty anal about it. The rule book has all of the requirements in terms of materials, attachment points, gussetting, and layout.

Same goes for seats, belts, suits, HANS, helmets, and fire protection.

Some good resources are the message boards here:
Specialstage North American Rally Resource
Rally Anarchy - Don't Panic
These are rally specific forums with lots of good information and people who have been rallying for years.

Finally, if you are serious about actually getting into stage rally - sell your car and buy a pre-built and log booked rally car. Much much cheaper and easier this way

Also - NASA RallySport is a much friendlier place to start than Rally America.