Pikes Peak or bust!
May 14, 2008, 03:45 PM
#153
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After my first trip to spectate the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, I knew someday I would have to build a car and get out and race. Last summer this dream came true, and needless to say I'm hooked. The car I ran last year was an old Mazda 323 GTX with ~150whp (in Denver), and by the time we left the start line, I was itching for more power.
My wife (who's in the navvie seat) and I have been planning for the 'next' car for the last few seasons, expecting that the GTX might meet an untimely demise, but that car just seems to keep kicking despite my best efforts.
Last week I purchased a salvage 2005 Evo which we will be building to run at the 2008 PPIHC. I will attempt to document many of the steps with the build and hope to be announcing some partnerships soon.
First I'm focusing on the safety side of things, so the car will be getting a T45 FIA cage and seam welding done. Everything else on the power and suspension side of things is still up in the air. I'm also not 100% sure what class I will be running, as the rules for the 2008 race won't be finalized until late November.
Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.
Here are the 'before' pictures.
Thanks for reading,
Dave
My wife (who's in the navvie seat) and I have been planning for the 'next' car for the last few seasons, expecting that the GTX might meet an untimely demise, but that car just seems to keep kicking despite my best efforts.
Last week I purchased a salvage 2005 Evo which we will be building to run at the 2008 PPIHC. I will attempt to document many of the steps with the build and hope to be announcing some partnerships soon.
First I'm focusing on the safety side of things, so the car will be getting a T45 FIA cage and seam welding done. Everything else on the power and suspension side of things is still up in the air. I'm also not 100% sure what class I will be running, as the rules for the 2008 race won't be finalized until late November.
Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.
Here are the 'before' pictures.
Thanks for reading,
Dave
Good luck on your run. I would love to do this. I might join you next year.
May 14, 2008, 08:23 PM
#154
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Fantastic work Dave! I bet you feel a sense of accomplishment already just looking back over all the photos from the time you started ripping those two shells apart!
Nice work painting it yourself too btw - it looks like a nice job.
Nice work painting it yourself too btw - it looks like a nice job.
May 14, 2008, 08:56 PM
#155
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No, if he is a crew member than he is bound by the rules listed above.
He would have to be just some average Joe that just happened to get stuck to the front of the car.
When did they change the rules on Pikes video anyway? I know that I have ummmm seen some video out there that was done by some folks but am just not sure where I saw it. Where would that have been?
He would have to be just some average Joe that just happened to get stuck to the front of the car.
When did they change the rules on Pikes video anyway? I know that I have ummmm seen some video out there that was done by some folks but am just not sure where I saw it. Where would that have been?
Somebody buy me a round trip ticket and I'll hide a camera in his car :]. Then it won't be his footage that gets posted. :] I don't understand it either, it is BS. Are they afraid you will recoupe some of your cash back instead of them getting it? Don't answer that btw.
May 14, 2008, 10:29 PM
#156
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I can't take credit for the paint job...I never picked up the paint gun, a buddy of mine just told me what needed sanding/prep work and I got after it.
Dave
May 14, 2008, 10:31 PM
#157
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Somebody buy me a round trip ticket and I'll hide a camera in his car :]. Then it won't be his footage that gets posted. :] I don't understand it either, it is BS. Are they afraid you will recoupe some of your cash back instead of them getting it? Don't answer that btw.
Dave
May 15, 2008, 07:36 AM
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The rumor I heard was that some team (I have no idea who it was) sold their in-car to Sony for use in the PPIHC stages in one of the new video games. Seems a bit weird to me, as I'd expect that they'd rather get slow moving shots to get better detail...but IMO, the video game has a terrible representation of the scenery once you get above Glen Cove. The actual road portion is fairly good, but there are a few spots that seem off to me.
Dave
Dave
Who is to say that it wasn't a team moving slowly that had footage?
I understand the rule, it doesn't address the problem in a productive way, just like Rally-America's media rules....
May 15, 2008, 10:24 PM
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Enough with the outside, I'm sure you guys want to see what was inside!
I'm going to try and get these installed over the weekend, and I'll try to snap some additional pics once I get them on the car. I have to say the craftsmanship on these is outstanding and they look like they were designed to take a hell of a beating.
These are the brand spanking new Ohlins TTX/TPX gravel spec dampers. Only 3 sets in North America right now. Big thanks to AMS for helping me track these down these beauties!
I'm going to try and get these installed over the weekend, and I'll try to snap some additional pics once I get them on the car. I have to say the craftsmanship on these is outstanding and they look like they were designed to take a hell of a beating.
These are the brand spanking new Ohlins TTX/TPX gravel spec dampers. Only 3 sets in North America right now. Big thanks to AMS for helping me track these down these beauties!
Last edited by DaveK; May 16, 2008 at 08:54 AM. Reason: Forgot to mention again what these are.
May 16, 2008, 10:06 AM
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Nice to see #9 again. #7 is eager for a rematch!
Nice mirrors, BTW.
Last edited by RX-RS; May 16, 2008 at 10:09 AM.
May 20, 2008, 10:23 PM
#163
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Here are a few pics I snapped of the AMS gravel brake solution. I used B compound pads on the car the first race and I may experiment with something different in the future, but they did the job just fine and kept me out of the ditches/ravines.
May 20, 2008, 10:35 PM
#164
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I thought I'd throw in a few pics of some of the little details that didn't make it into this thread due to the last minute thrash before Temple Canyon.
Here are shots of the skid plate from a few different angles. We used 3/16" T6 Aluminum. Due to time constraints we weren't able to get a bend put into the skid plate so I had to use some washers to space out the bottom of the plate so it wouldn't hit the downpipe. If it weren't for the stock suspension, I think the skid plate would've survived the event with no dents at all. Hopefully I can straighten it out a bit.
Here are shots of the skid plate from a few different angles. We used 3/16" T6 Aluminum. Due to time constraints we weren't able to get a bend put into the skid plate so I had to use some washers to space out the bottom of the plate so it wouldn't hit the downpipe. If it weren't for the stock suspension, I think the skid plate would've survived the event with no dents at all. Hopefully I can straighten it out a bit.
May 20, 2008, 10:43 PM
#165
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Pictures of parts in boxes are usually boring, but I figured since you won't really be able to see these parts once they're installed, they deserved a post.
I think I've mentioned it before, but I'll do it again. A huge "Thank You" goes to Eric & Tim at AMS for sourcing/designing all the parts quickly even though some of these items are rather obsure (Ohlins TTX/TPX rally suspension & Cusco top mounts, 1.5F & 2R Cusco diffs, and the rally brake kit). You guys ROCK!
Dave
I think I've mentioned it before, but I'll do it again. A huge "Thank You" goes to Eric & Tim at AMS for sourcing/designing all the parts quickly even though some of these items are rather obsure (Ohlins TTX/TPX rally suspension & Cusco top mounts, 1.5F & 2R Cusco diffs, and the rally brake kit). You guys ROCK!
Dave