Milano "Pro 75" Spec Series!

[Grant]

@Nizam

Do you guys bring the car up to snuff maintenance wise? New timing belt?

[nizam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant Do you guys bring the car up to snuff maintenance wise? New timing belt?

[junglejustice]

Hang on a second here! Nobody took a "go big or go home" attitude here - at least not I... (Like 10-15K is "going big" any way - ) Richard was the one with the 50K balls-out budget!

I simply said that the bargain basement BS approach WON'T cut it either because I have been (and continue to be) INTIMATELY involved in 4-5 builds at varying levels - AND because we have ALL seen the Roxanne build that Jes completed; from these experiences we have/SHOULD all have learned that 4-5K and even 6-7K WON'T cut it.

There is safety to consider, reliability, some class to the project and then yes - the fun factor - none of which in MY estimation can be had in decent quantity for 4-5 thousand dollars. It is one thing to take one budget car and to make it run one event. You want to build a sustainable car for a spec series that can be run monthly and even complete an enduro or two a year!

Any way - somebody early on in the thread said it; this thing won't fly by committee. You need a firm rule-setting body that lays it down the way it is going to be - whomever that is going to be. (I never even said that I would or could be a part of that body - too much going on right now!) I may even get ruled out of my own rules here pretty soon!

In any case; I simply presented the idea based on stuff "rolling around up there" and prompted by a post that Jes had made. It is up to you guys to take the ball and run with it.

[nizam]

Well guys, I ran through the NASA site. See NASA Pro Racing

They sanction quite a number of "Spec" series racing. Here's their list (each one is a link):

• 944 Challenge (944 Spec) (944Cup)
• American Iron
• Camaro/Mustang Challenge™
• Factory Five Challenge
• GTS Challenge
• Honda Challenge
• Performance Touring
• Spec E30
• Spec Focus
• Spec Miata Challenge
• Spec Neon
  
• Super Touring
• Super Unlimited

So ... Alfa boyz ... this isn't rocket science obviously. If you went through each (cheaper) one you'll see quite clearly there is a recipe for this. The pattern, however, is quite simple ... and it's along JJ's original suggestion. I'll pick the Spec Focus site as an example:

[nizam]

Now - keep in mind that the $7000-9000 cost is without the car which could be anywhere from the low $4K's for a running one.

But putting aside the cost, look at the guideline above (this isn't the rulebook, just a guideline for the spirit of the series). Suspension mods and brakes are encouraged. No engine mods (except for the oil cooler). Standard 'box.

Confirming Carter's earlier input, the Spec E30 rulebook has the same recipe: Spec E30 Rulebook

Going through this thread again, and picking out dollar numbers from everyone's guesstimate, one could realistically build a Milano with the same recipe for under $10K ... with the car included and inclusive of the RSRacing coilovers which from my standpoint, will provide the best adjustability and conformity to the rules overall (I'm being objective, I do not own a set -- but after going through three/four sets of torsion bars of various sizes, "standardized" coilovers will almost guarantee the field not be diminished because folks couldn't finish bolting their suspension back together in enough time).

How's that not interesting?

[Alfar7]

Maybe all of you should do a little more research on minimum requirements for safety structure and equipment required NOW to put a car on the track. Unfortunately, or fortunately perhaps for your health & the Insurance premiums paid by various sanctioning organizations, most if not all, have addopted the SCCA`s Roll Cage & Safety Structure & Equipment as the standard they all use. DOM tubing is quite expensive. To build a conforming cage for less than $3000.00 means you do it yourself, and you better be a good tig AND mig welder, because the welds will be checked over! The GCR is available online, free to read & download. I encourage beginners to use the SCCA regional race programs, not because I`m a official in the So,East Div. Race program, but because after nearly 40 years of racing I`ve seen that this is the most bang for the Buck you can get, and the safest way to do it .
In the SO.East Div. we have 2 Regional classes SPO & SPU, that are for "Production type" cars that have exceeded other class preparation rules. They HAVE to meet all of the safety equipment and appearance standards.
Other than that you can do what you want within the engine size limit.
SPU is for cars with motors up to & not over 2500 CC. There is a place for your lightened Milano with any suspension & brake mods & engine tweek as long as you don`t exceed 2500 cc. These cars run with the EP, ITS, ITA, cars so speed differential is pretty close.
SPO is for cars with engines above 2500 cc. Yes the 3 liter would meet the test, But the class is really for the ex NASCAR/Transam cars that choose to install BFM`s & run in excess of 200 MPH on the straights & finish ahead of the GT1 cars.
These classes are the fastest growing down here & we think it`s because of restrictions in other classes, and the desire to strech the limit as we all want to do.
Every Region has similar classes, Check it out. Regions are listed on SCCA.com & it`s not hard to track down some one to talk to if you don`t know someone already.

Rj

[junglejustice]

Thank you Nizam! Now we're getting somewhere...

And by the way - yes - we should include GTV6s. What about an Alfetta chassis with a V6 (before they ask...)

Perhaps now the name changes to Pro TA (nah - transam...) Alfa Cup? (Too general-too SoCal...) Comp Verde or Quad Cup!

[nizam]

Just to test this out, JJ, we should build a rulebook based on the

• Spec E30 rulebook
• SpecFocus rulebook
• AROSC Competition Guide

and run the first few races with the AROSC's Alfa Cup series. These cars would be in the "Class D" or "Class C" which would provide much entertainment since their competition would be similarly classified GTV's and Alfettas.

I have no illusions that any of them will be able to compete with the "Rimicci 681" car but if we get some close racing mid-pack, it would still be awesome. I say "mid-pack" loosely because about the only car I think we could stay in front of is Norm's Giulia .... that is ... if he doesn't up his motor to a 2.0 twin-cam.

[nizam]

And just to be cheeky, we'll call it the "C-Cup" series

... a subset of the Alfa Cup!

[fast-alfa75]

I like the concept. I like the idea of GTV-6 involvement to broaden the field. The idea of buying a donor car, strapping some race crap onto it and going bargain racing is misguided.

Proper safety items alone cost more than what some of you think you can build a car for. You will be racing, door to door, 100 + mph, two or three wide in corners, and accidents will happen. That being said, racing at this level is a blast, and when prepared; safe.

Carefully spent, 20k is a reasonable number to think. Anything left over, and I think you have done well for yourself. You will have a few bucks left in your pocket for drycleaning and to replace the first set of race tires you flat spot after you panic in a corner and crap your driving suit.

Race cars require HUGE amounts of maintance. A well built car will last a long time barring any accidents or mechanical failures. For those of us with virtually unlimited resources to exploit (shops to work in, roll cage constructing tools and knowlege to use them, tire machines, ect...) a venture like this will STILL stretch every dollar.

All this being said, I can barely afford to do what we are all proposing. I am very excited of the prospect. LET'S GO RACING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: Start collecting your spare doors, hoods and trunklids NOW. You just might end up needing them!

[Hit an Apex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by italcarguy The more I look at this thread, the harder it is for me to justify putting all this money into a Milano that will probably still be worth less than $5K once its all done. For the same money invested, I can build a GTV that will be worth the same or more than the money invested and GO FASTER. How about a spec GTV series?

[81gtv6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit an Apex This thread has made me start researching spec focus! I am going to one of their regional events to check out the competition. Pros - Low cost - I know a ton about the Zetec motors - Tons of parts - Tons of cars

[nizam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 81gtv6 Cheaper parts, newer cars, and a bigger turnouts? Why are we doing a Spec2.5?

[Grant]

Are you kidding!? I just can't afford a Focus