My wife wants to build a Class 11 SCORE car (stock VW bug class)

I actually talked her down from the overly expensive "trophy truck" like classes but she wanted to get a start in desert racing and maybe move up. She is probably going to do some navigating for me for stage rally, but she had little desire to drive in one at this time.

That said, anyone know anyone who has been into the SCORE racing? The VW bug class seems cheap and interesting.

We've got a couple guys who rallycross occasionally who have a VW-based car/buggy? for http://borracing.org/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=14&func=view&catid=9&id=122 - "Bonneville Off-road Racing" - fairly active group, their main event is out in wendover (looks like an even 5 hours for you).

Interesting stuff, too bad their car construction rules are so incompatible w/ rally cars. (BOR _requires_ bolt-in cages )

VW Bugs are miserable...race in Jeepspeed.

I'm no expert on this topic, but I have helped build a Class 10 car that competed in the Baja 500, and I've co-driven in a race.

The Class 11 guys are nearly as crazy as anyone. They're in the slowest possible thing with no suspension. Very uncomfortable ride, and they're always right up against the time limit in Baja. Plus, they are forced to use many stock parts by rule... stock parts that easily fall apart - I saw one guy whose bug had 4 wheel drum brakes... the drums kept falling apart. He had several spares with him and finished the race with two of the four gone/broken.

The flip side is that they are relatively cheap and easy to work on.

I think if I were doing it, I'd consider a Class 5 instead- Similarly cheap, but you can upgrade some of the more-likely-to-break stuff.

I would think doing Baja in a Class 11 would be very similar to doing a rally in a slow car, except that you also need to be an expert in getting over severely rutted roads, through silt, and up dry waterfalls.

Baja is a huge adventure. If you can find a way, do it!

Doug

I have a friend who's teamed up with some buddies to build a Class 11 bug. Sounded like nobody actually finishes within the allowed time, but every year there are a few that actually get to the end.

Kinda like racing in "Production" for rally where there might be a few inexpensive upgrades you could make to make the experience more fun than frustrating, but you can't.

Dave

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DaveK
I have a friend who's teamed up with some buddies to build a Class 11 bug. Sounded like nobody actually finishes within the allowed time, but every year there are a few that actually get to the end.

Kinda like racing in "Production" for rally where there might be a few inexpensive upgrades you could make to make the experience more fun than frustrating, but you can't.

Dave

(I hope) at least there's more than one or two cars in Class 11...

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Aaron Luptak
(I hope) at least there's more than one or two cars in Class 11...

Sounded like there are plenty of Class 11 entries...just sounds like with the restricted amount of reinforcing/prep allowed that not many actually make it 1000 miles, and those that do are handicapped by the 45hp engine and have trouble finishing within the allotted time.

Dave

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Tim Taylor
VW Bugs are miserable...race in Jeepspeed.

This. There are several jeepspeed XJs for sale right now. Ready to race with spares for $11-16K.

I considered Jeepspeep, but most of the events are So Cal and too far to haul.

I have mucho respect for the locals in the Class 11's. They get the shit beat of them, yet still have ear-to-ear smiles.

Running a Class 11 seems like it would add a lot of adventure and "rally spirit/press on regardless" to the event. Kind of like rallying in the old days when it wasn't all about power. I'm sure you can build a pretty bulletproof Class 11 - looking at the videos on youtube there seems to be some pretty good builds.

Count me in. These guys are having fun:









Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/2011 01:38PM by wvonkessler.

SWEEET i have been to the zoo road!!!

personally I would build a 93 ranger with a fresh 2.3 turbo motor probably pick
up a mostly done ranger for a few grand.

look for cars truck on hear there are tons of done and part done buggies and prerunners
http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi

http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=14&md=second&id=14401
http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=14&md=second&id=14386
http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=14&md=second&id=14249
http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=5&mct=&md=second&id=10044

for the money desert pre owned trucks are the best bang for the buck there is
so much work and parts that go in to them and they sell them 50% off!!!

What are the rules for the JeepSpeed stuff?

There's a website with all the docs, but generally:

Stock 2.5 or 4.0 block, intake and exhaust are open, as are cam and internals. No forced induction
Stock located suspension, or commercially available aftermarket
SCORE cage
2WD or 4WD. With the XJ, you can swap the rig back and forth with a 2WD beam front axle or swap in the D30 (or D44). 2WD or 4WD depends on the course you are running.
TYpical safety gear and fuel cell rules

There are Jeepspeed events, Jeepspeed categories for SCORE and Ultra4 events (Vegas to Reno, etc)

There are Wrangler Jeepspeeds by there aren't so popular because of the instability of the short wheelbase.

Jeepspeed is definitely something you want to buy and not build. You are lucky to get $.50/dollar on a built rig, usally a little less depending on spares package.

Not street legal for certain, usally no windsheilds.

I'm interested... If there were some Northwest events I'd be really interested in the Jeepspeed stuff.

Jeepspeed. That way you can rally it too! Super cool group and there are a TON of jeeps all over the place. A sorted Jeepspeed is fast as all get out too.

NASA a while back discussed with the JeepSpeed organizers about having a JeepSpeed class - there was simply not enough interest.

You should be able to enter a JeepSpeed Cherokee in a NASA event without any issues. I would just clear it with Ray or Anders. NASA tries to be customer friendly.