Haven't been on here in probably over a year. Finally graduated college and am getting back to my hobbies/addictions. I think the oil in my Camaro has been the same for 2 years. Trying to finish up school left me no time or money the past couple years to drive the racecar.

So a buddy and I registered and paid for Big Bend this April. We are in the 140 max (125 mph average) class. This is the same one we tried to do 4 years ago but couldn't race in since I didn't have window nets and straps on the back window (and the tow rig broke down and we were late).

Questions:

1. Will the Camaro pull 125-140 in 6th gear or will that be a 5th gear job? Tried googling but can't find any answer to that.

2. Any suggestions on where to buy window nets? I don't really know where to buy anything for these cars anymore since I've been out of the loop for so long.

3. Straps to hold the back glass in like a NASCAR? What the hell am I supposed to do here, any thoughts? Aluminum strap drilled into the hatch and into the roof? I guess I won't be able to open the hatch?

4. Helmet intercom for navigator suggestions? We tried the $50 motorcycle 2-way intercom I bought in 2005 for the race yesterday. Me and my navigator got in my old thirdgen and went down the street. As soon as I started accelerating all we could hear was static and reverb and wind noise and couldn't hear a word the other was saying. I suppose that is another good reason we weren't able to race Big Bend in 2006 because we wouldn't have been able to even talk to each other.

Anyway hope everyone around here is doing good. Glad the fbody crowd still knows how to turn the steering wheel. The new Camaro looks like a boat so I'm curious how that thing handles. I've got a lot of catching up to do... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

Welcome back. As soon as I saw your name pop up I remembered your rain "incident" and the current car being built. Congrats on finishing school!

Andy J's car is an automatic, but Boyce (NataSS) and I think Chuck are running manuals.

Window nets are available about anywhere. I have a Safequip net floating around with an SFI sticker on it. Are you mounting it to a cage? That's going to be the important question.

1. The car will pull those speeds in 6th but is pretty sluggish - I'd get it into 5th and leave it there.

2. Any race shop will sell window nets - I'd find a local shop that can answer questions, give them your business. I don't see any mention of window nets in the BBORR rules for your class, you should first get clarification from their tech folks of exactly what they are expecting to see .

In NASA we look for:
cage mounting
metal attachments
good condition
upper forward corner release
SFI sticker < 5yrs old

there is a discussion here: http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=13663

3. rear window straps - once again I see nothing in their rules.
Here is what NASA expects on the front:
http://www.blainefabrication.com/projects/...an/IMG_1756.JPG
3 clips on top, 2 on the bottom. You could do the same thing on the rear, 'cept put them all on the body of the hatch - no way to attach to glass. You need to be able to open the hatch.
Get clarification from their tech.

4. Chatterbox intercom worked well until the interior carpet/padding was removed - then we went to hand signals.

1. It will, but as stated is sluggish and can overheat the trans. It is ok for a short time like down the long hill.

2. Smiley's Racing, Mansfield I think.

3. www.lawmotorsports.com

4. Not sure, the cheap one I bought off buy.com sucks. Well I could hear Nick, but he couldn't hear me (which might be a good thing).

Sadly we won't be making it out this year for the old reason, $$$.


I would improve the diff vent, and make sure the radiator is secure. Mine came out of the rubbers last time allowing the upper hose to rub the pulley.