Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Autocross and Open Track 3L?

The Mark mentioned about protests. They generally don't occur at local level. But I was protested in 86 when I won the Southeast Division F Stock championship. Two other guys had 85 Mustang GTs like mine and could not believe I was legally beating them by over a second with identical tires. Me and one of the guys almost got into a fight when words were exchanged.

Anyway, they had to put up money and I had to prove that my car had not been lowered. I am totally technically inept so stock really means stock to me, so I was not sure how to proceed to clear myself. Ended up taking my car to a Ford dealer who confirmed I had the stock springs and they were the correct height. I got reimbursed for the expense from the money the other guys put up. Afterward, the guy still claimed I had gotten shorter than normal springs from the factory as a production anomaly. Worst part was I really did not deserve the championship. I just went to more events and beat the same average guys. Never had to run against the really good guys like Danny Shields. I figured through time comparisons with national hotshoes that I would have only finished mid-pack at Salina.

asshole

To make you feel better David, I did spin my SVT at 95 mph into the infield exiting turn 9 at Willow Springs last Monday. It took three hours Tuesday with a shop vac to get most of the dirt out of the inside of the car. Someone got a picture of the outside of the car - completely tan. I'll post it when I get it.

Hey SVT Cole, I think I need to move. The guys in my area in G-Stock drive like wildfire. Of course then I'd lose the opportunity to learn from the very stiff competition. Nahh.. think I'll stay where I am


Congrats on winning that in 86.

I'm just jerk'n your chain John...

Hey I'm going to Buttonwillow June 10th, care to join?

John C, it's like a 240/260/280Z mecca around here as it seems at least two show up at every event but none are ever that fast. Guy came last time with triple Webers, full roll cage, and prior road course experience but car was 5 seconds slower than me and over 10 seconds slower than the CSP Honda CRX on a one minute course. I know you have a lot out your way. What do you have to do to them to make them handle better? If David Z went all out per the rules, wouldn't he be just as fast?

SVT Contour as lawnmower, now that's a mod

EDIT: Dave, didn't mean to just be singing Matt's praises to your exclusion. Obviously if you had race tires like them you would be more competitive. But it is becoming clear that the Contour is not super competitive in G Stock vs. the lighter competition. Who is Carlos and what does he drive and is he legal! Lot's of guys cheat in this sport sad to say.

I didn't think you were leaving me out. lol not at all. Carlos is another person who runs in the NNJR region and he's legal and wicked fast. Not that Matt is slow, far from it, I think Carlos just might be a tad quicker than he is. But the differences are minor between them.

Your right that the Contours are outclassed but I also think the disparity could be narrowed signifigantly if I sprand for the tires and shocks and did all the other mods allowed within the rules.

BUT I drive my car daily, so that ain't likely to happen. Except for the tires that is.

My replies:

> I'm just jerk'n your chain John...
> Hey I'm going to Buttonwillow June 10th,
> care to join?

I know, as far as BTW on the 10th, I would like to go, but I'm not sure what work travel is in store for me. For the next couple weeks I'll be in Atlanta, New York, London, & Munich. If I do show up on the 10th it will be a last minute thing.

> What do you have to do to them [early
> 240Zs] to make them handle better?

240Zs come stock with lots of steady state understeer and lots of lift throttle oversteer. Understanding that you can make them hustle around an autocross course quickly, just not a quick as more modern vehicles (remember, the 240Z is a 30 year old car!)

To make a good handling BSP 240Z you have to get a lot of front and rear negative camber, lots of postive caster up front, toe-out in front, toe-in in rear, spring rates in the 250 - 300 lb in range, a roll bar/cage to stiffen the chassis, a LSD, and good anti-roll bars.

> If David Z went all out per the rules,
> wouldn't he be just as fast?

David could get more horsepower (although per SM rules I can put a twin turbo VG30DET engine in my 240Z). Unfortunately, I don't think you can get a Countour's weight below 2,500 lbs and still meet the SM rules.

Autocross is all about how quickly a car can transition. Weight is the key factor in determining that; horsepower is much less important.

Now, if we were running on a track like Willow Spring our cars would be much more even (assuming my 3.0L L6 and his 3.0L Duratech). The Contour would have better aerodynamics, top speed, and braking while my Z would have better acceleration.