Any Challenge drivers on the site

I was just curious as to if there are any Challenge drivers on the site? I know there is one in my area (Rudd Lighting), but just curious. I went to the race last year at Road America, my first one, it was really awesome. How does someone get involved in this series?

 

Not a Challenge car series racer, but I did get a chance to drive Rob's 355 Challenge car. He could comment on his racing that car in other series now.

His 355 Challenge car was the most awesome road car I have ever driven (not counting pure single seater race cars). Just about everything was perfect in that car: Precision, power, brakes, handling.

BTW: I noticed your comment in the P.D. thread about having driven an Indycar in the Joliet speedway. I did the same as well as a CART replicar at the now defunct Chicago Speedway. Aside from a few other racecars. Just like you I love to sample cars.

 

I raced a 360 in 2000-2001. 2000 was the first year of the 360 and I finished 4th overall in the sprint series (Dr. Earle was 1st) and I finished 1st in the Enduro Series (only 1 race!!!...lol)

How do you get involved? Go to FerrariChallenge.com and join that site. Maria Homann/McNeil has run the series for years and Dave Seibert is the resident authority on all things related to the series. He hangs out here on Fchat.

If you want to race, go to a race and start talking to dealers and drivers. Word of caution, it costs silly money. For the price of 2 years of running I could have bought myself an F40...others spent much much more.

 

It certainly looks like an awesome experience, I think that is a great series and a fantastic idea. Someday (probably 20 years down the line after graduation, a job, income) hopefully I'll be able to afford to compete.

The Andretti experience was awesome, the sensation was incredible. Now I have my sights set on Skip Barber this summer.

 

I started out with the 3 day Skip Barber school. Road America of course. Great school and definitely teaches you the basics, which makes experiencing bigger cars all the more enjoyable.

My best drive to this date is still a 1989 F1. Have to do that again at some point.

 

I own a '97 355C that was raced in the series from '98-'00. It now is used as an obnoxious road car, only changed the springs, raised it up a tad and removed the graphics. If you have any questions about the car let me know. Regards Vern

 

Thanks for all the info guys. I need to stress that the question was just for my personal interest. I am way to young and way to poor to do this at the moment, I was just curious to learn more about the series.

 

That sounds insane!
According to Fifth Gear, the Maserati Trofeo series only costs $100k(not sure USD or GBP or EUR); either way it seems way cheaper than the Challenge series..?

 

Unless you're doing it in a Subaru WRX.

 

Rob,

Where are you getting tires for 1000? Can I get some?

 

Rob, where do you buy your used tires, and are you aware of anyone who sells used track tires that will fit the 550?

Thanks,

Ron

 

Or a 308GTS QV that enjoyed eight hours of open track time ($150) on Thursday of which i took advantage of about 4 hours worth as am not an endurance racer plus bleed the brakes, etc. between runs

Also had track time this past weekend ($300). Tires (will soon be) Mich Pilot Cups that last quite a few weekends ($1,100) and gas per weekend is about $50.

Here are two pics from this weekend's fun
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The WRX reference was a tease towards Rob as that car gave him grief. At least for the first couple of laps.

Your QV looks great. Is that a fibreglass front bumper?

PS: Happy to report, that your seats got reupholstered. Daytona style.
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Ahhh ok. FYI: there were quite a few WRX guys at the track event this past weekend. Most did well, but one WRX had a catastrophic drivetrain failure whole another had CV boot/axle grease go up in smoke. Those liltte WRX can really go, especially when tweaked (as compared to the ol' slow 308)..

Yes, stock Euro. The deep aero on there now is actually a direct replacement for the stock one i trashed last year and seems i am trashing this year's one too. Next year i may go with US-spec. So i guess add the cost of new aero per year to track costs

NICE!!!!!!! Post pics!!! i'd love to see my old seats finding new life in a great home. They served me well and am sure they will bring you many years of driving bliss.

 

That WRX that gave Rob grief eventually ended up with a torn front tire. Same thing happened to the guy the day before.

You might want to consider a whole new front racing clip from Berlinetta motors. Might be cheaper in the long run.

Currently the seats just sit around in my living room. Still working on the complex headrests. I'll shoot some pics once they're in the car. Good things take time.

 

Thanks, will check that out. For now i decided to do a fix with red racing tape all across the front. It has the usual front crack on both sides where the front lip got pushed in a touch and it is fine. Still, want to use the tape as it will easily keep it fine and handle other things as the year progresses.

Look forward to seeing the pics!

 

you guys should run in Continental Historics www.chra.cc . I did last weekend in Daytona and had a blast.

$60,000 Challenge car
$100 gas (yes plenty of track time)
$800 in tires(2 sets) (I flatspotted a new set at $400 in a stupid move)
$600 registration for the event
$200 hotel for my crew
$200 gas to get the motorhome to the track
$50 RV spot for two nights
$80 blown out trailer tire

So my weekend was $2000. Got two first place finishes and one 3rd place finish.

Smiles for 3 days, priceless!


I also do NASA and Rob's numbers are dead on! I can even use a set of tires for 2 races if you are not too hard on them. At least you can use it one race weekend and then use the same set for practice and Qual and use a new set for race and use the same set again for another race.
What I am saying: 3 practice and qualifying on one set and two races on one set.

 

picture is from Sebring NASA in April finishing 2nd in class and 4th overall after starting 28th (dead last) becasue the transponder was not working.
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Geez,

I guess I need some driving lessons. I'll run scrub slicks for two days and my rears are toast and I'm maybe 2700lbs in a 348.

 

WOW!!! Congratulations! Well, you had some great passing experience to pull that off. Most impressive.

 

Tires are like wine...don't try the good ones unless you plan to get hooked on em, then the costs run a bit higher....

Be careful where you get your scrubs, a slick with some heat cycles that has been on the shelf for 6 months is a very dangerous tire.