[LTBlackBird]

Hi, the name is Mitch and as you all know i am new here. I live in Charlotte, NC and attend UNCC. I have a 1997 Trans Am and could give 2 shits less about the drag strip. Will still go a couple more times simply because its only $15 but i could care less how i do. I love back roads and road racing (well im sure i would if i could make it to the track). The car is a cam only LT1 with full exhaust, LCA's, Adj. Panhard, and 21mm sway bar in the rear. I have a 32mm bar up front with Penske 7500 Coilovers all the way around. Car rides rough as shit but i don't really care, it sticks to the fucking road hard, harder then i'd care to push it on public roads. I hope to learn a lot from this forum, again road racing is truly my only desire for this car but unfortunately a college budget can't really spare the $200+ price tag for a road race event. Car under steers a little bit so im going to put a 24mm rear bar on it from a 3rd gen and see how i like it, i can get it cheap so it's worth a shot. Hopefully will have all tubular k-member and control arms up front as well as a torque arm within the next year but again, college budget. Here are a few pics of the car...

(IMG:http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/LTBlackBird/DSCN8774.jpg)

(IMG:http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/LTBlackBird/DSCN8777.jpg)

(IMG:http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/LTBlackBird/DSCN8780.jpg)

(IMG:http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/LTBlackBird/F-Body%20Beach%20Week%202007/DSCN8803.jpg)

No longer have any of the A/C stuff
(IMG:http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c105/LTBlackBird/Spring%20Auto%20Fair%202007/IMGP0434-1.jpg)

[LTBlackBird]

Thanks guys, im pretty sure this summer im going to be starting a few events. This car will never be a competitive track car, unfortunately i have too much money in the paint and looks of the car, even if i just tag a cone...it would really really suck. But that wont stop me from still going. I do appreciate the advice, and yea im well aware that my first runs i will get my ass handed to me so i wont get too caught up in the competitive side of it until i get a bit more comfortable with it. Another car i'd been looking at buying was a cheap e30 which would be a daily driver and track car. This whole car has been a hell of a learning experience. It is my first car and to be completely honest in the beginning i didn't even know the difference between a formula and Trans Am. I'd like to think i've come a long way (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[CrashTestDummy]

<SNIP> This car will never be a competitive track car, unfortunately i have too much money in the paint and looks of the car, even if i just tag a cone...it would really really suck. But that wont stop me from still going. I do appreciate the advice, and yea im well aware that my first runs i will get my ass handed to me so i wont get too caught up in the competitive side of it until i get a bit more comfortable with it. <SNIP>

A good coat of wax, blue painter's tape on the leading edges, and SaranWrap behind the wheelwells will go a long way toward preserving the paint. I'd expect to be driving regularly for a year before getting competitive. You'll improve, then plateau, then improve, then plateau, etc. It is a maddening cycle. Hook up with experienced drivers, and ride, or have them ride with you as often as the rules allow. You'll learn a lot. I'd also recommend one of these:

http://www.evoschool.com/

As we've said, spend the money on yourself first, then the car. You'll enjoy the sport more.