Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches W. Great Lakes RACING

(sorry for the delay - I was on vacation)

Yes, I race at Blawkhawk Farms . It's a fun 2 mile road course, with speeds up to about 100mph on the back straight. It's NOT a karting track (although they may race karts there too). Very much an intense on-the-edge experience.

I opentrack autocross as a member of the North Suburban Sports Car Club NSSCC . NSSCC is one of the chapters of Midwest Council. Dues are $40 a year + 1 day working the track. The races are about $85 for a day of racing. Can't beat that! Plus they usually have beer parties afterwards. Discounts if you also work the track for the wheel-to-wheel racers.

Actually, they are having free 'Indoor Driving Schools' during the Friday nights of March (2nd one is tonight). It's in the Holiday Inn in Schaumburg. See the NSSCC link for specifics. They have info on Midwest Council, plus racer presos discussing Blackhawk, Gingerman, and other tracks.

The first Autocross (non-school) is May 11. It would be awesome to see some other Contiques at the track. It's a lot of fun. If anyone is interested in seeing some incar video links or other information, just let me know.
I also have some info on Chicago CEG .

Later

So when are you going? Is anyone interested in maybe have a meet there and a track day? I really want to race on that track. It doesn't need to be till late May or June. It is a thought and fun one at that!
peace

Charlie,

It would probably be hard to get folks up there on a Friday open track day, although that is always a possibility. I'm not sure how much they charge or what time of day it's open, but it might be worth looking into. The track is up near Rockford (about 90 minutes northwest of Chicago).

What sort of interest do we have in a Friday open track day at Blackhawk Farms ?

For me, I enjoy the autocross races, as you run in your specific class and get official timing and trophies.

sweet, 85 bucks may be a little steep but getting the chance to run hard on a closed course is well worth the opportunity!

I'll have to look into Blackhawk Farms further in the future.

Mark

So how can I get into the specific class races? I think my car would be pretty good on a track! Can I go up there and be in the class you race in?
peace

Charlie,

If you have a stock Contour SVT, you'd be in C-Stock with me. Depending on what mods you have (your sig says 'Lots O Mods'), you could be bumped to C-Prepared or C-Race. You wouldn't have many folks to race against in that class. What specific performance mods do you have?

As for being able to come to Blackhawk and race, the more the merrier. If you are serious about coming up, you should consider joining Midwest Council for $40/year. You'll get the publications, including race registration forms.

I hope to attend the May 11th race, so you have some time (but not much) if you want to do it also.

I've had a lot of interesting conversations with racers when they see my SVT. Most have heard of them, but never seen them. Pretty cool, especially if you run respectable times.

Keep me posted on what you decide to do.

Here are my performance mods. I am gonna check out the midwest council page. I really want to race on a track. I haven't tried it before so I might suck but I learn fast and am not a bad driver. I'll let you know what I do with the midwest council thing and can you just go there on a race day and register there on the spot and still race?

1998.5 Ford Contour SVT
Mods:
B & M Edge Short Throw Shifter
Front and Rear KVR Performance Carbon Fiber Brake Pads
SHO Shop Billet Underdrive Pulley Set with Belt
KKM True Rev Sport Induction Kit
BAT Polished Aluminum Intake Pipe
Bassani Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust
New Trans Mount
Polyurethane Motor Mount Bushings
ADR 18X7.5 Reaction Rims
215/40ZR18 Yokohama Parada Tires
Eibach Pro Kit Spring Set
BAT Euro Spec Performance Gas Struts - Front and Rear
SP Motorsports 22mm Rear Sway Bar
Sparco Front Steel Strut Tower Brace
Bosh Platinum +4 Spark Plugs
Ford Racing Performance 9mm Spark Plugs

i wanna race on a road course! i am very interested in a road course because i think thats the type of racing our cars would be designed for. who cares about driving in a straight line, our cars are not straight line cars. i dont think i would be able to race in the one in may, but i would love to come and watch, maybe learn some of the ropes.

Charlie,

You would definately NOT be in C-Stock. Here is a general overview of the points assessment, and where it places you in the C class. There are many other rules, but here is the gigst of them.

=====================================================================
TOTAL POINT CATEGORY
0-2 Remain in 'Stock' Category (C-Stock for SVT Contour)
3-7 Bumped to 'Prepared' Category
8-15 Bumped to 'Modified' Category
16 and up Bumped to 'Race' Category

=====================================================================
MCSCC Autocross Series Rules – 2000 9/30/00

7.2 Points will be assessed by technical inspectors as follows:

- Tires, Wheels and Suspension
Specialty compound tires
................3

Change of rim width, per full inch increment of increase
................1

Change of rim diameter, per full inch increment
................2

Suspension bushing replacement, excluding sway bars and shock absorbers
................1

Sway bar revision or addition: Front=1; Rear=1
................1,1

Other suspension modification, per modification, including spring/rate change
................2

- Chassis stiffening (per each system)
................1

- Brake conversion, including LB1 option (except on 1LE F-bodies)
................2

- Engine
Engine displacement change (per each 3% increase)
................1

Engine swap, except for exact replacement of original
................2

Removal or tampering with emission control device, per device
................1

Intake manifold change or adapter without carb or fuel injection change
................1

Carburetor or fuel injection revision with stock manifold
................2

Carburetor or fuel injection revision with non-stock manifold
................3

Camshaft change
................2

Valve size change and/or head modifications
................2

Ignition and/or computer module change
................2

Exhaust manifold change
................1

Open exhaust and/or muffler removal
................2

Exhaust system enhancement (beyond manifold and converter changes)
................1

Accessory drive revisions, including underdrive pulleys
................1

Turbocharger or supercharger change or replacement
................3

Turbocharger or supercharger addition, not including Intercooler
................4

Intercooler change or replacement
................3

Intercooler addition
................4

- Other
Gear ratio change less than or equal to 20% (from stock or factory-delivered option)
.................2

Gear ratio change more than 20% (from stock or factory-delivered option)
.................3

Obvious attempt of weight reduction or weight transfer i.e.; removal
of each bumper, removal of or replacement of each body panel, each
plexiglass window panel, battery relocation, etc., per modification
(first modification = 2; subsequent modifications = 1)
.................2,1

Replacement of drivers seat with racing seat (This assessment is applicable
only for vehicles which do not require a lap and shoulder harness)
.................1

Other points may be assessed for modifications not stated here by the Chief
Autocross Technical Inspector (1 point maximum, per modification).

=====================================================================

Here is a sample of C-Class vehicles:

Class C Note: This class includes all vehicles with V8 with less than 396 cid, unless
listed elsewhere.

Acura Integra GS-R, all except Type-R
Acura 3.0CL or 3.5RL, 1997 and later
Acura Legend, all
Acura TL DOHC V6, all
Alfa Romeo Milano, GT V6, 164S,
164LS, pre-1994
AMC Javelin V8 or AMX V8, all except
Class B and D lists
AMC American, Concord, Spirit,
Gremlin, or Hornet, all V8
except Class D list
Audi 200 Turbo, all
Audi A4 2.8 30V V6, 1998 and later
Audi A6, all except V8
Audi TT 180 Hp with 5-speed, all
BMW 323, all except M models
BMW 325, all including ix, except
M-models
BMW 525 or 528 24 valve, all
BMW 535i, all excluding M-models
BMW 635, all excluding M-models
and Si
BMW 735i, all
BMW Z3 4 cyl., all
Buick Grand National, w/
non-intercooled engines, all
Buick Regal V6 Supercharged, 1997
and later
Cadillac Eldorado, 1993 and later
Cadillac Seville SLS, 1998 and later
Cadillac Seville STS, 1993-1997
Chevrolet Beretta GTZ or Z26, all
Chevrolet C1500 454SS (truck), all
Chevrolet Camaro V8, 1967-1981
except Class B and D lists
Chevrolet Camaro Z28 w/ LG4 V8,
1982-1988 (eighth VIN digit=H)
Chevrolet Camaro w/ Series II V6, 1995
and later
Chevrolet Corvette, 1957-1962
Chevrolet Impala SS, 1994-1997
Chevrolet Lumina Z34 or Monte
Carlo Z34, all
Chevrolet Monza V8, all
Chrysler Conquest Turbo TSI-R, all
Chrysler 300M, all
Chrysler LHS, 1999 and later
Datsun 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, all
Dodge Challenger V8, all except
Class B and D lists
Dodge Charger Turbo II (175 Hp,
intercooled), all
Dodge Conquest 2.6 Turbo, all
Dodge Daytona Turbo II (175 Hp,
intercooled), all except IROC RT
Dodge Intrepid R/T, 2000 and later
Dodge Lancer Turbo, 1989 and later
Dodge Omni GLHS. All
Dodge Shadow CSX, all
Dodge Shelby Dakota or Dakota R/T, all
Dodge Spirit RT, all
Dodge Stealth SOHC V6, all
*****************************************************
Ford Contour SVT, all *****************************
*****************************************************
Ford Lightning (truck), 1993-1995
Ford Mustang V8, 1964-1973 except
Class B and D lists
Ford Mustang GT or LX 5.0, 1982-1984
Ford Mustang SVO, all
Ford Mustang V6, 1999 and later
Ford Probe GT, all
Ford Taurus SHO, all
Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe, 1989
and later
Ford Thunderbird Turbo, 1987-1988
Isuzu Impulse RS, 1991 and later
Jaguar XKE, XJS 12 cyl., all except
Class B list
Honda Civic del Sol VTEC, all
Honda Civic Si DOHC VTEC,
1999 and later
Honda Prelude DOHC, 1992 and later
except VTEC
Jaguar S-Type V6 or V8, 2000 and later
Lexus SC300 or SC400, all
Lexus LS400, 1995 and later
Lincoln Continental, 1995 and later
Lincoln LS V6 or V8, 2000 and later
Lincoln Mark VIII, all
Lotus Europa, all except twin cam
Maserati V6, all except Turbo
Mazda Miata with 6-speed, all
Mazda MX-6 GT, pre-1993
Mazda MX-6 V6, 1993 and later
Mazda RX-7, 1984-1985 w/ 13B engine
Mazda RX-7, 1986-1992, all except Turbo
Mercedes-Benz 400E, E420, S430,
CLK320, C230 supercharged,
500SEC, all
Mercedes-Benz SLK, all
Mercury Capri 5.0, 1982-1984
Mercury Cougar V6, 1999 and later
Mercury Cougar V8, all except Class B
and Class D lists
Mitsubishi Eclipse V6, all
Mitsubishi Gallant VR-4 Turbo, all
Mitsubishi Starion Turbo 2.6, all
Mitsubishi 3000GT SOHC V6, all
Nissan 300ZX, pre-1990, all except Turbo
Nissan Maxima SE w/ 5-speed, 1995
and later
Oldsmobile 88 LSS Supercharged V6,
1995 and later
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme DOHC V6,
1991 and later
Plymouth Barracuda V8, all except
Class B and D list
Plymouth Sundance Turbo II (175 Hp,
intercooled), all
Pontiac Bonneville SE or SSE
supercharged, 1995 and later
Pontiac Firebird or TransAm V8, 1967
-1981 except Class B and D lists
Pontiac TransAm 301 cid Turbo,
1979-1981
Pontiac Firebird or TransAm with w/
LG4 V8, 1982-1988 (eighth VIN
digit = H)
Pontiac Firebird w/ Series II V6, 1995
and later
Pontiac Grand Prix DOHC V6, 1991-1997
Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, all
Porsche 911 models w/ 130 to 165 Hp
Porsche 924 S or 924 Turbo, all
Porsche 944, all except Class A & B lists
Saab 900 V6, 1994 and later
Saab 900 or 9000 Turbo, all
Saab 9000 V6, all
Saab 9-3 Turbo, all except Viggen
Saab 9-5 V6 Turbo, all except Aero
Saab 9-5 4 cyl. Turbo, all
Subaru Impreza 2.5RS, 1997 and later
Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon GT,
1995-1999
Subaru SVX, all
Sunbeam Tiger V8, all
Toyota Camry V6 with 5-speed,
1997 and later
Toyota Solara V6, all
Toyota Celica GT-S, 2000 and later
Toyota Celica Turbo, all
Toyota MR-2 Supercharged
Toyota Supra, all except Class X,
A, B and D lists
Volvo 850 Turbo, all except T-5R and
850R
Volvo GLT Turbo, all
Volvo S70 Turbo, all
VW Corrado V6, all incl. supercharged
VW Jetta V6 or Golf V6, all

Mike boy,

I 100% agree with you. Our cars are road cars, not drag racers. Given a good driver, our cars (especially in SVT trim) can hold it's own against many cars considered 'better'.

Even if you only go to spectate, you'll enjoy watching the variety of cars running around the course.