Is Lemons worth it in a slow car? (Page 1 of 2)

what are you wanting to achieve by participating?

I didn't see 'going fast and passing everyone' in that list, so well worth it then.

Is Lemons worth it in a slow car? I would say absolutely. I've driven some of the slowest cars in many of the races I have done over the years, and it's always been a blast. You'd be surprised how much joy can be had taking a car that had no sporty intentions and flogging it around a track with reckless abandon. And half of what makes Lemons great isn't the racing, but the commeratity that happens in the pits.

Also bear in mind that Lemons is a class race, with three races going on at the same time. These classes are basically determined by how fast or reliable your car and team is, at least theoretically. A car like your Jetta, depending on how cheaty it was prepped, would most likely end up in class B, the middle class. So even if you don't have the speed to keep up with the pointy end of the field, there is the possibility you could wind up with a class win. Also, a lower class win comes with a greater cash prize.

If your expectations are set correctly you will have a blast.

If you show up and focus on the fact that you're being passed constantly, not running the racing line, and are sitting back half of the pack, you're going to not enjoy it. But if you focus on simply doing the best you can with what you've got, you'll have a blast. My first years in Lemons involved running a slow car. It was awesome. You learn driving skill a lot better in a slow car, since mistakes are more obvious without the HP to pull you out of it. Learn how to drive in your mirrors, and then go find cars matched to your speed, you'll have a blast battling them. Over time you'll make your car faster and your increasing skill will make you faster.

FWIW, that jetta shouldn't be that slow. I've seen some really quick VWs of that era. They were at the hands of some decent drivers, but they can still be fast cars. You'll have a platform with plenty of room to grow into.

Also keep in mind that Sonoma attracts the fastest cars and teams.  There are plenty of other races in driving distance where it is not as crowded driving a slow car such as the Thunderhill 5 mile course, Buttonwillow, and the AZ race.

We "race" a 92 Jetta. Its not fast, but lowered and has sticky rubber. Corners better than it should and that makes it a sleeper. Passing faster cars at sonoma slinging it thru the corners is super fun. We trade position again in the straights but each has its advantage. Agree with above, the satisfaction of making a slow car go is pretty cool. Bearings, brakes, reliability, go out there and do it.

IMHO the most fun is figuring out how to be faster than you are regardless of where you start. Take it to a race and see what happens. When you break stuff, figure out how to not break those things and you'll finish higher. When you crash, figure out how to not crash and next time you'll finish higher. When somebody turns laps 2 seconds faster than you in your car, learn what they're doing and next time you'll finish higher. When another Jetta blows your doors off, figure out what you can do to make the car faster and you'll finish higher.

I've only driven Lemons in slow cars and always had fun.  Driving a slow car at the limit is fun, and you'd be surprised how many fast cars you beat with a slow car.  Plus chances are you will be able to find someone that is about the same speed as you to play with which is always fun.

Or, in our case, give a seat to an SCCA veteran racer, watch him run 8 seconds a lap faster than our fastest driver, keeping Eyesore's Miata in the rear view mirror for several laps, and realize that given enough driving  talent, you can probably win in damn near any car, even a Jetta

Its more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

If you drive a fast car and don't win, you've failed. If you drive a slow car and survive, you've succeeded. Every year we get passed by hundreds of cars and every year we come home happy.

add external trans cooler and you'll be fine-ish.

also add an external oil cooler, hell cool as many fluids as you can.