New Comer Questions - Capeesh?

The T-Bird isn't all that unusual. Sure, it's not a cheater e30 or Miata, but it's not like you've got a Wartburg (or even an MG or Triumph) on your hands. So, it probably doesn't help you too much, but at least it doesn't hurt you much either.

Theme: If you've been reviewing the galleries of the "Top 120" cars of "Enter Race Here" on Jalopnik, you'll have a pretty good idea what themes have been done and overdone. Keep in mind that all the easy car-related themes have been overdone at this point, so don't make the mistake of (for example) taking your black car, painting the doors white, and making it a "cop car theme." Jay and crew seem to give high marks for theme originality, particularly for new teams.

Brakes: I don't know anything particular about T-Bird brakes, but I can confirm that all brake costs are not counted against your $500 budget. So if you choose to swap the rear drums to discs, that won't be counted against your budget. The degree of upgrading that you want/need to do on your car is a hotly-contested issue on this forum, so be careful that you may be walking where angels fear to tread on that topic.

Cages: Don't skimp. That cage may be the one thing that saves your life in a scary and unexpected situation (just ask Sparky Pete). If you don't know how to build a cage, you're well advised to find someone who does it professionally and have them do it for you.

Harness: Get a 6-point. They're not much more expensive and your cojones will thank you for not putting a tight strap right down the middle of your sack.

License: you're correct.

Gas: There are usually several options. You can often bring in your own fuel, but most teams that don't do a lot of other racing (NASA, SCCA, etc.) usually just buy their fuel at the track, if it's available there. Sure, it's usually a premium price, but the convenience is worth it if the alternative is a good drive away. On a race weekend, there is just so much to do that unless you have a big support crew, you have to simplify whenever possible just to make it through.

Training: Get yourselves to some HPDE's if at all possible at the very least. Driving school like Skip Barber would be great, but let's face it, most of us can't afford the time or expense or both. But if you can get to a HPDE put on by any number of organizations, even the few hours of instruction you get there would be helpful. There are any number of guys whose first on-track experience is when they drive Lemons for the first time. They are great fodder for the penalty box

This forum is a great place for these questions so keep on bringing them. Cheers and good luck.

^^what Loren said.  my first time on a track at all was a Lemons race, and the fact that i'd had a lot of autoX experience really paid off.  I did get one black flag at that event (touching a cone...stupid autoX habits ) but that's been it through 5 races.  so the fact you're a novice W2W racer doens't mean you're doomed (and it also doesn't give you an excuse for driving like a d-bag).

but seriously, autoX will be the cheapest, best way to get at-the-limit experience in your Lemons car, and it's a good way to shake the car down.

Spider, the Jegster kits are inexpensive and require a fair amount of work to install.

The Thunderbird will just use a Mustang cage which they might make specifically for a Mustang.  According to Jay, Jegs uses a few kits they sell for a wide variety of cars.

I have one in the 240Z and it is just ok.  It is not DOM which could bit me in the ass in the future.  It requires notching which means you need a notcher and hole saws.  I have added to my cage in addition to the kit.  I think I could do a better job on another install since it was my first but I feel like a DOM cage is a better investment at this point and the cheap cages are not DOM.

Aside from increased safety, there are additional racing options but most will want to see an SCCA/NASA legal cage which means DOM.  So you get more versatility out of your car as well as safety.

Brakes are unlimited.  Do what you need to to make them work properly for the whole race.  What that involves in highly debated.  Personally, I like race pads and discs on all four corners.  As long as you don't hit me I don't care what you have.

Practice/training, I have never Auto Crossed.  I would prefer a DE with an instructor.  It is pricier and will be more like the kind of driving we do in the same kind of environment.

Aside from that, there are already good comments on your questions in the post.

DOM is the type of tubing used.  ERW is the other kind.  DOM is stronger and will protect you better.

DOM = Drawn Over Mandrel tubing.  any materials (metal) supply shop or chassis shop should be able to point you in the right direction.

its a VERY good idea for your drivers to get some type of on track practice, hopefully in the Lemons race vehicle.....Driver Education events are a great way to get seat time and gives you a chance to spot potential problem areas (most are heat related)......autocrosses are another good way to learn car control....

When I decided to build-race a Lemons car...the 1st thing I worried about was SAFETY...& I built the Lemons racer STRONGER than my similar "real" race car....top of the line cage-drivers seat-harness-anything safety related.....  its money well spent..& consider you will be spending a LONG time in the car so a comfortable seat-driving position really reduces driver fatigue...

A reliable car will beat a fast car 99% of the time....I brought a "fast" car and it blew up....so 73 other "slow-er" cars beat my "fast" car.....  the slowest car on the track is gaining ground on the broken or penalized "fast" car...we spent about and hour in the penalty box......that's about 20 laps......

but by far the most important aspect of Lemons racing is HAVE FUN...it is the most fun I have ever had in my short "racing" career....

You should think about tattooing this on your forehead in reverse so that you see it every time you look in the mirror. Because Lemons is a "race," the natural temptation is to figure out how to make your car go faster. As we all know, the faster car wins the race, right? Well, sort of. Except that this race is all about endurance first, endurance second, not getting penalties for stupid driving third, and speed probably about last.

So when you're getting your car prepped for the race, make sure to concentrate on what is going to keep your car running longer versus what will make it go faster. When you run into that conflict in your decision-matrix (and you will, repeatedly), the smart thing is to go with the option that will enhance your reliability and longevity.

Of course, most of us can't avoid the temptation to try to go faster, and then we break our cars. And our wallets. And our hearts. And then we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again. That's Lemons. Enjoy!

cool.  our team (Schumacher Taxi) is also out of the Philly area (Philly, Warminster, Wilmington, etc).  nice to have another local team.

Aw, c'mon now, we don't count?  We're only a bridge away, and one of our guys is in Pottstown

oh, you guys certainly count.  more local teams are always good.  i meant "another" as in addition to our already-strong local roster. we now have a guy from Burlington, so we're representing Jersey.

i grew up in Wash Twp and went to Rowan...i definitely have the SJ love.

Yeah, don't do that.