1 Topic by Where's Uranus? (edited by Where's Uranus? 2016-09-10 02:05 AM)

  • Registered: 2016-09-08
  • Posts: 14

Topic: Is there a weigh-in?

I'm thinking about entering this old truck I bought from a buddy 15 years ago for $200.

Reading the rules, the only spec I see is curb weight has to be less than 4200lbs, the sticker on it as GAWRV and GAVWFRT which I think is gross weight on the axles and stuff, but no curb weight, internet searching gets me curb weight answer from 3600-4200lbs.

It's a 1983 C10 Suburban w/ a V8 in it, if anyone knows.

I can always remove seats and glass if it needs to lean

So long .. and thanks for all the fish big_smile
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Likely fine but hedge your bets and get a waiver...all you have to do is email Jay or Nick.  I got one for 1972 Eldorado in seconds...

  • Registered: 2016-09-08
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

OK thanks, guess I'll go ahead and unstick the motor big_smile

So long .. and thanks for all the fish big_smile
  • NSF
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

I'd bet no. It's too tall.

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  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

The Standard Catalog says it's 4,293 pounds curb weight with a V8, so it's over the limit. Jay might give you a weight waiver, though, because such a vehicle on a race track would be spectacular. Just email him and ask.

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6 Reply by Where's Uranus? (edited by Where's Uranus? 2016-09-09 07:00 AM)

  • Registered: 2016-09-08
  • Posts: 14

Re: Is there a weigh-in?

There's a height limit too? Must have missed that, sorry. I'm going back and reading those rules more carefully.

Judge Phil, I will wait and get it running first, seems like it's at the edge for a lot of stuff so a waiver would be the way to go. Btw, loved that article about the carburetor on the EFI, just what my old '88 LeBaron deserved. Someone needs to do that again, with a proper gasket big_smile

So long .. and thanks for all the fish big_smile
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

I don't know if there is a height limit but we had a stalled car on track and a Miata drove up under us and broke our differential in half.    The bumper may be DOT compliant on that Suburban but race cars tend to be a little lower in front.

Anyway, it was scary so I may just be overly cautious about this issue. 

Good luck either way.

b

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  • From: St Louis
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

My 2cents....

I am all for weird and wonderful cars in Lemons but I don't want a Suburban on track with my Celica, the potential for a Suburban running out of brakes and destroying a smaller car or three is a bit scary.

There are plenty of other cool builds waiting to be done.

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  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

I think if you want to race a big Detroit vehicle, a full-size 70s/80s sedan would be a lot more fun to drive. The initial purchase cost of a Lemons car is much smaller than the cost of making it race-ready, so having the truck on hand doesn't save you that much money.

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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Judge Phil wrote:

I think if you want to race a big Detroit vehicle, a full-size 70s/80s sedan would be a lot more fun to drive. The initial purchase cost of a Lemons car is much smaller than the cost of making it race-ready, so having the truck on hand doesn't save you that much money.

... and there's always the option of towing your unreliable 70s/80s "racecar" with an equally unreliable but period correct tow vehicle.

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11 Reply by Where's Uranus? (edited by Where's Uranus? 2016-09-09 11:16 AM)

  • Registered: 2016-09-08
  • Posts: 14

Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Here's in the rust belt, it's nigh on impossible to get nice big ol' sedans. Places asking silly, silly money for rusty ol' carcasses.

http://www.daves-classic-cars.com/1970s.htm

The license plate / tow bracket and stuff hang under the bumper on mine, it's not very high ground clearance wise, I can't see much getting under it.

Isn't the whole getting your vehicle destroyed part and parcel of the experience? Given your not that far from me, I imagine there's a very good chance your Celica and my Burb would be on the same track.

Paint a bullseye on your roof so I can see you big_smile

So long .. and thanks for all the fish big_smile
  • From: St Louis
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 2,611

Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Obviously you have not found the wonder that is Craigslist...

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/5732546327.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/5749394587.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/5758632970.html

All stolen from the future $500 dollar racecar facebook page.

Having the engine blow up three times in a  weekend, the panhard rip from the chassis, exhaust fall off, strut break and depart with wheel and brakes are all part of the fun....ask me how I know smile
But having the car destroyed by another racer, although it can happen and is part of the risk we all take, is not so much fun.

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Racing the "Toylet" Toyota Celica powered by Chevrolet Ecotec.
24x Loser with the Celica. 16x loser in other fine machines
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  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 4,167

Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Um, you can find them.  Not sure which part of the rust belt you are in but we have on guy posting Minnesota cars all the time...I post them (and bought one) from the Chicagoland area...etc.  It requires patience and a complete lack of sanity plus the ability to move past when you find one.

There will even be a Spec Land Yacht class at the October Gingerman race in Michigan.

  • Registered: 2016-09-08
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Chicago is only technically part of the rustbelt, get any of those heaps 300 miles south, might be harder than running them in Lemons big_smile

Hang on, none of those were under $500. How do they even qualify? I guess I am missing some very clever loophole?

So long .. and thanks for all the fish big_smile
  • From: Tustin, CA
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Read the rules

4.7: Scavenger Sales: If you sell pieces off of your car, the money that comes back in can be used to offset the initial purchase price. (This only applies to stuff that counts toward the $500 total; the sale of exempt items--like wheels, glass, etc.--can NOT be used to offset the initial purchase price.) Just be prepared to convince some exceedingly skeptical judges of the validity of all those transactions.

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16 Reply by OnkelUdo (edited by OnkelUdo 2016-09-09 12:19 PM)

  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 4,167

Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Where's Uranus? wrote:

Chicago is only technically part of the rustbelt, get any of those heaps 300 miles south, might be harder than running them in Lemons big_smile

Hang on, none of those were under $500. How do they even qualify? I guess I am missing some very clever loophole?

Many clever loopholes but lots just creative use of the rules.

Our car has lots and lots of salable parts...no loophole there (if we get it all sold off in time, it will be worth about $0).
Most the SLY cars are just so terrible, the judge do not care (loophole).
Most of the SLY cars are being run by veteran teams that know the number of penalty laps on your first race do not matter in the slightest (not a loophole).
Judge Phil occasionally lists "budget exempt" cars if brought in stock form (loophole).
Do a near perfect theme recreation from something that makes the Judges laugh (loophole)

etc, etc, etc.

  • From: Seattle, WA
  • Registered: 2009-10-28
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Judge Phil wrote:

Jay might give you a weight waiver, though, because such a vehicle on a race track would be spectacular.

Jay and Nick didn't want me showing up with a fourth-generation Travelall, which is also just over the weight limit, so I wouldn't be surprised if a Suburban also turns out to be a hard sell. It's still worth asking, though.

Where's Uranus? wrote:

I can always remove seats and glass if it needs to lean down.

That wouldn't help with regard to the initial determination. It's the factory weight that determines whether it would need a waiver.

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  • Registered: 2011-10-14
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

I guess since you linked to a Springfield, IL site I can start there and CL surreounding areas:

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5743507802.html

Not SLY but cool

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5730901840.html

Bring a Volare Wagon and I would bet on 0 penalty laps...

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5771208646.html

Powerglide and a 283...no laps

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5766012843.html

'76 Conti...no laps

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5763486996.html

19 Reply by BoB (edited by BoB 2016-09-09 02:07 PM)

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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Brett forgot the lincoln

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/5740245946.html

and the flock of english cabs which while not large american would be pretty epic to get one on the track and you could have spare parts

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/5753796913.html

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20 Reply by BoB

  • BoB
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Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Also in springfield a few old timers that I'm guessing have lots of hard to find parts in it to sell off

47 desoto
https://springfieldil.craigslist.org/ct … 72756.html

48 Plymouth
https://springfieldil.craigslist.org/ct … 49950.html

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21 Reply by Brett85p (edited by Brett85p 2016-09-09 03:13 PM)

  • From: St Louis
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 2,611

Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Classy
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5749355030.html
Sporty
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5757083853.html
Name says it all
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5753405668.html
Spec Land Yacht for life
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/5716895787.html

Apocalyptic Racing - Occupy Pit Lane racing
Racing the "Toylet" Toyota Celica powered by Chevrolet Ecotec.
24x Loser with the Celica. 16x loser in other fine machines
Overall winner Gingerman 2019

Brett85p's Website

  • Registered: 2016-09-08
  • Posts: 14

Re: Is there a weigh-in?

SLY, someone clue me in?

So long .. and thanks for all the fish big_smile
  • From: St Louis
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 2,611

Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Spec Land Yacht
http://www.roadkill.com/spec-land-yacht … hday-race/

Apocalyptic Racing - Occupy Pit Lane racing
Racing the "Toylet" Toyota Celica powered by Chevrolet Ecotec.
24x Loser with the Celica. 16x loser in other fine machines
Overall winner Gingerman 2019

Brett85p's Website

  • Registered: 2016-09-08
  • Posts: 14

Re: Is there a weigh-in?

OnkelUdo wrote:

Our car has lots and lots of salable parts...no loophole there (if we get it all sold off in time, it will be worth about $0).
Most the SLY cars are just so terrible, the judge do not care (loophole).
Most of the SLY cars are being run by veteran teams that know the number of penalty laps on your first race do not matter in the slightest (not a loophole).
Judge Phil occasionally lists "budget exempt" cars if brought in stock form (loophole).
Do a near perfect theme recreation from something that makes the Judges laugh (loophole)

etc, etc, etc.

Aah, so if I don't give a rats-ass about my finishing position and just want to do some laps, I can just eat some penalty laps?

Is there a point where the judges say, no way, too much money, no racing?

I'm a crappy trader, so I'd rather not have to sell parts.

So long .. and thanks for all the fish big_smile
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 4,167

Re: Is there a weigh-in?

Where's Uranus? wrote:

Is there a point where the judges say, no way, too much money, no racing?

I'm a crappy trader, so I'd rather not have to sell parts.

Not so far...They mostly have made it contest on the obviously stupidly cheaty car to see how many penalty laps they can give the,