hell i have always been into cars, i had a 95 ta, modded it, had fun and sold it. but once i was spectating at infineon a few years ago and watched a road race heat with 4th gens, and mid 90's mustangs. what is the lowest mod level or class you can start in? i only know of scca or whatever and still don't know of specific classes within the scca. i would like to purchase an LT1 6 speed again and start at step one.

CMC (Camaro Mustang Challenge) which is sanctioned by NASA (National Auto Sport Association).

These should get you started.

http://www.camaromustangchallenge.com/

http://www.nasaproracing.com

Check out American Iron and American Iron Extreme on the nasa site, but CMC is the place to start (after HPDE from NASA to get licensed).

CMC is definitely the place to race. It is probably the cheapest and best racing anywhere.

Take a look at this years Texas 2009 recap video in this thread.

http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?sho...c=13760&hl=

The best way to decide is to get to some races and see it for yourself and talk to some people. You can find the local SCCA schedule here: http://www.sfrscca.org/images/2010/2010roa...hedule11_14.pdf

Both clubs offer stregths and benefits different from each other. Many here will be NASAcentric due to the CMC series...but both clubs have great things to offer. Check it out yourself and see what is right for you!

Randy makes a great point and it's excellent advice.


My answer was based on:



That sounded like CMC to me.

There are a few places to race these cars and it's a great idea to check out a few of them before making a decision to build or buy a car. Right now cars have been changing hands for pennies on the dollar. You can probably buy a nice legal race car for far less than you can build one. However, a few have been burned by illegal cages (too many points, wrong tubing material and so on), etc. So it's worth having someone knowledgeable help you check out any potential purchases.

The best thing to do is just go out to an event(or more) and just volunteer as a worker. You get to see/ hear everything first hand, and they never turn away anybody that wants to help. Just get in touch with the local club by email and they will get you on the right path!

This is what i did and it really helps to know whats going on when you do decide to start tracking a car! Its a great time with like minded people! I started with SFR SCCA than on to Cal Club SCCA, now i race with NASA SoCal.

I agree, if you have the coin, now is an EXCELLENT time to buy a FULLY prepped race car ON THE CHEAP! ....it's the economy stupid! ;-)

I can tell you from experience that building your own car, while it SOUNDS like a good idea and cheaper, IT WILL COST MUCH MORE TO BUILD YOUR OWN CAR THAN BUYING A RACE READY CAR!

There is "cheap" racing in SCCA too....just have to be willing to race with those guys....

Ditto! my $3K AI car is now up to $8K and many......many...... did I say many.... man hours! I would have been better of buying a sorted out car as a foundation for sure!

I run with two different clubs NASA and ASA just because the crowd is different at each event, AND some clubs have locks on certain tracks and it is nice to run at different venues.

Hey Drivingsideways,

Where are you located?

Sidney Franklin
Nasa Midwest
CMC #64

wow, thanks for the support. the cmc sounds like my style, i hate fords, it allows me to have some sort of grudge in life . i know how cars can become money pits. my circle of friends here in town are fabricators, builders, headporter etc, so the joy of building and racing my own car is the gratification i am after(not to mention get notoriety for clients). that and im not ready to have a dedicated race car so it has to be street driven as well ( i could care less about practicality as i have a small truck but it would need working signals and whatever a real street car requires). btw my name is jason and im in the napa valley, inbetween infineon and thunder hill.

ive been looking at the cmc rules.. more so glancing. it seems that not much weight reduction can be done and not much engine modification can be done. what are the required mods that need to be done? other than wear a helmet?

why is a 3rd gen 350 considered cmc2 and a LT1 considered cmc1? an lt1 could do donuts inbetween turns and still make better lap times it seems....

where is the list of specifically allowed modifications? nevermind i just needed to read a little further

im guessing an LT4 knock module isnt allowed? that allowed my LT1 to run alot smoother...

man im getting juiced reading about the cmc. how many of you are running restricor plate?

Another option for you is NASA Time Trial, which can be run with no more prep than HPDE. Get your car on track in HPDE, shake out the bugs and get a bunch of seat time with instructors, then move to TT while you plan a CMC build.

NASA NorCal schedule: http://www.nasanorcal.com/

I run tech at all the NASA NorCal events, glad to answer any questions.

PS read the rule books first, then the answers to your questions will make more sense.

NASA CCR: http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/ccr.pdf car prep rules sections 11 and 15, but read the rest also.

Hey Jason,

Welcome.

CMC doesn't allow engine mods to the newer motors, restricts the LS1 / LT1 and the older ones allow a few to get them up to CMC2 power levels. The idea is to provide cheap close racing. A good bit can be done to the suspension, you can gut the hell out of the cars so you can get a LOT of weight out.

The Norcal / Socal regions both have a lot of CMC and CMC2 cars. As far as mods go, heres a short list.

Intake box = free
exh = free after exh manifolds
interior can be gutted
unused brackets can be removed
must use stock windshild and rear hatch
rear wing or spoiler may be added
suspension bushing material is free
Spring rates can be changed (must stay in stock location)
Any factory bar can be used within a model series (3rd gen bars cannot be used on a 4th gen etc)
TA must be stock
Race shocks may be used (less than $800 / set)
Rear suspension arms may be replaced, but must be stock length
Any diff may be used
Any shifter may be used

In CMC2 other things like more power and aftermarket brakes can also be used, as well as larger tires.

HTH,

Jason S.

Several good donor cars are available here in the bay area - check the classifieds or give me a call.

I think the lt1 has been ok'd top be used in a 3rd gen.

im looking to buying a complete streetable car for probably at most $3000. preferance being hard top crank window camaro. i sold my trans am because i replaced the window motor 4 times, i had the brass gears for the headlights but then the motors gears were stripping yada yada. i would love a 1le no mods. im debating on keeping my exhaust system and using it on the street or selling it to put toward a car (FLP racepipe/cat setup with corsa premium tip catback) oops i didnt post 35 posts yet also im pretty sure i want a 95. imo it's the best year, odb1, vented opti, closer gears than 93's although only a few 93's have the shorter 1st gear don't they? other than a cleaner engine bay is there any real advantage to running a 93 with speed density? also don't 93's have other disadvantages to later years such as smaller injectors?

getting dialed in through time trials sounds the way to go. other than mountain drives with other built cars, ive been in go kart races, but obviously an open track with 300hp cars would be different.

so hdpe i can bring anything? or are there restrictions to what type of cars you can bring or i mean i wouldnt want to look like a jack ass driving a 92 ranger 5sp 2wd around the track(i would though...)... just as long as it's teched? pay my fees and then group 1 requires a ride along? how fast do you progress through the groups? i remember when i was bmx racing there was a certain amount of wins and youd move up in class but if you showed you were dominant in a class they would move you up on the spot. im like shaking im getting excited.

my understanding is that in HPDE i can bring any bone stock car and learn the track?

Just saw this, I can definitely help you with that f-bod racing thing! I am usually a CMC and track day regular at T-Hill, not this year due to a pooped motor, but will be back next year with a new motor and much enthusiasm after the time off. I'll be at Family and Friends day at Thunderhill Monday December 28th. If you can possibly make that I will be there giving rides to my friends in my '96 TA hard top LT1 six speed street car, which is for sale and I'll take a firm $3800.00 for it as we just put a low mile motor in it and fixed the AC. That would be a great way to get you started. The motor in that car is freak with a ton of power! I also know the history of it from my buddy's car ('96 WS6), which makes it a very good way to go.

Come on out and we can talk about CMC. If you can't make that give me a call at 530-669-3236 (biz phone) that I am most easily reached at.

coming out at thunder hill sounds fun. i don't want to set your hopes up with buying your car but if you want to shoot the shit and all it would be fun to come out with a friend of mine. im kicking myself for selling my 95 ta. it was super clean and silver and trapped 107mph with only long tubes and 3600#

No biggie! My '96 Formula is silver! C'mon out. Let me know if you can make it for sure!

Man if I wasn't going to be in Oregon on the 28th I'd make it out there for sure! I'm getting my car together to open track it in 2010 a few times!

Bummer! I am rewarding my pit crew with some on track instruction. He has not driven the track. Should be fun!!!

well I have a feeling I may see you at thill at least once this year unless u just go out to race. I'm going to run with the ncrc because their track days are by far the cheapest for the ammount of track time that u get. All I need is to get some tires really and install my phb. Oh and I live maybe 30mins from woodland.

Looks like I'll be doing more NCRC days than usual this next year. Gotta break in a new motor, and NASA has given us a crappy schedule for CMC NorCal with three of the four races being at Sears, only one T-Hill! Grrrr. I plan to qualify for the Nationals, do T-Hill, then hang out with NCRC for some of their T-Hills. You get the $49 get to know NCRC special since you have not run with them before, WOOT! You should spend some $ on their instruction though, it will go a long way in improving your skills and making you safe on track.

cmc #37, as the 28th or whenever you said it's goin down at Thill gets closer ill know if im going to come out. my plans for buying an automobile will be delayed because i will be leaving for baseball spring training so chances are i wont be racing or tracking anything this comming season but i will be on this board for sure. so it's kindove a good news/bad news situation with me. im going to try to get my friend out on the track. he doesnt have an Fbody though, he's got a 73 240 with an F20c so it's a fun car. later in the year i think i will have a chance to get out on the track myself

btw you can check his car out here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwU0FC1-Dv4 i was there for that dyno sessoin.. in person is nuts! stock peak torque is at 7500, new peak torque is still at 7500 but the new torque at 9000 is equal to the stocks peak torque at 7500, power carries to 9500. stock cams... its all about the port work! the dyno numbers are with a mustang dyno

I could not believe how still that thing sat while getting the piss revved out of it! Someone did a nice job on that motor! Hope to see you on the 28th, go to the T-Hill website to get details on the event Monday the 28th.

all the work on that motor was done by my boy in question we might see you out at t hill

I havent seen this special you talk of.. is it listed on their site?? i plan on getting some instruction for sure my first couple times out.. I used to ride track days when i was into the whole sport bike thing.. So im sure the flags are the same.. Probably going to be different hucking an LS1 Fbody around that place though especially with the new pavement!

on the 28th.. as a spectator whats it cost to get in? how much is someone like that limited to where they can go?

There's a .pdf on their website that explains all the details. http://www.thunderhill.com - Family and Friends Track Day, Dec. 28th.