<VV> Spike> Autocross Classification

Wed Aug 11 12:44:52 EDT 2010

Not only does he autocrss Spike, but runs it at NECC events (and in the 
rain) and takes it to the farm every September for a on dirt, 
across-the-field autocross...
So all you wannabes, Be.

Chuck S
BBRT
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Smitty" <vairologist at cox.net>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 12:39 PM
Subject: <VV> Autocross Classification

> Smitty says:  This thread has had me smiling to myself and almost laughing
> out loud at times.  Except as pertains to Ron of course.  He has been 
> poorly
> used and I hope he can forgive the collective "US" and come back for more
> autocrossing.  Cheating?  Cheating is what those atheletes do.  It has
> nothing to do with me or my cars.  It works like this.  My 64 wagon was
> initially made in 62 and because it was such an early 64 it had no sway 
> bar
> or transverse spring.  Right away I took care of that.  Then I go to an
> autocross.  I register as a pure stock low performance Early.  After all
> there are a half dozen "same equipped" cars in the pits.  Then the 
> protests
> start.  Who is trying to cheat who.  And who gives a damn.  I'm just there
> to have fun.  So they are accusing me of cheating just because I built my
> car like a bunch of others there.  They darn sure aren't going to hear 
> "from
> me" about anything else I do to make it run faster and have more fun. 
> They
> want to know about the Porch 917 engine, they are going to have to raise 
> the
> lid and look for it.  See, I am learning.
> Then I build Spike.  We gonna go out and run the road race tracks with the
> big dogs.  I have spent 40 years in Corvairs wondering what would happen 
> if
> I---------.   If you have seen the car you can tell I want it to be 
> noticed
> as a racer.  Got those goofey sponsor decals all over it etc.  Got to look
> like a racer inside too.  I cut away the dash from the instrument hood all
> the way to the right side of the car.  Not supposed to lighten the car if
> you want to stay in the street class.  I didn't do it for lightness I did 
> it
> for cool.  If that really bothers you that much I could bolt a flywheel to
> the passenger floor.  Or I could say. the heck with you.  Protest it if 
> you
> don't like it.  I'm here to have fun.  I have a friend that co-drives with
> me.  He is the only one on the track I want to beat.  I assume the rest of
> you are just out there having fun like me.  The car has to have 
> upholstery.
> I didn't care for the rags covering the inside of the doors so I took them
> off and and covered the doors with some cheap plastic sheeting.  For
> lightness? No.  Just didn't want the car to look tacky inside.  Because
> Spike is my daily driver and is a fully state inspected and licensed car, 
> he
> is carrying a lot of weight.  No room for cheating there.  The State 
> doesn't
> compomise.  I went to the carpet store and got in the dumpster and got 
> some
> reject carpet for the floor.  Cut it out to fit and use it on the street.
> When I went to an autocross,  Naturlly the inspector didn't want the 
> "loose"
> carpets there so I took them out.  During the autocross a busybody went to
> the course Marshall and told him I was running without carpets and
> upholstery and out of my class.  This guy wasn't even in my class or body
> style.  I told the Marshall I was his to order around.  No problem.  And
> continued to run.  Next the same guy is protesting my tires.  He ticked me
> off.  Not the protest.  Him.  So I changed classes and ran.  If I had won 
> a
> class that day and taken the thousand bucks cash and the three foot tall
> trophey home I would have been cheating, (maybe).  You are going to have 
> to
> protest me if you think so.
> I'll tell you right now that I think that a three gallon filler neck on a
> tank in a limited fuel race is innovative thinking.  I think dipping a car
> in acid to lighten it is innovative thinking.  And I think that picking up
> 12 psi of air off of a bellhousing to be used as a supercharger is
> innovative thinking.   So if you are in a class with Spike or the wagon 
> come
> around with your clipboard and make a list.  I do nothing to cheat.  I do
> things to see if they work.  I do things because I think they are cool.  I
> do things because they are the cheapest way.  With my driving skill at my
> age your highly prized trophey is in no danger anyway.  So give it your 
> best
> shot and I'll laugh all the way around the track on my next lap.
>
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