My real experience.

[RVachon]

Hi again everyone, in case you missed my "re-introduction", here is the thread: http://forums.tpgleague.org/racing/index.php?topic=828.0

Beginning in Nov 2008, I bought a street car...1996 Pontiac Trans Am, with the intention of gutting it, caging it, and racing in 2009 on the various local road courses in the CASC SoloSprint series which is basically time trialling.  It happened.  After a lot of money & time, the car was good enough to run starting with the 3rd event....couldn't get it ready for the first 2 events in mid May 2009.  My class:  STG3.

My website has all the details, updates: MadDog Motorsports.  Have a look when you get a chance.

Even though I missed the 2 first events, I still managed to get my class championship, and also the Toyo Top Novice.  Our banquet is on Nov 14th were I'll be getting a few trophys and some contingencies.

Pic of the car in action at Mosport:


Also a video of some lapping at Mosport in my car...this was my first time at the track at event #5.  Since then, I've dropped over 2 seconds on my first time. 
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Mosport-Lapping-July-5_694226.htm

I have a bunch of work I have to do on the car in the off-season to get back into shape.  I season of abuse takes its toll on a fairly stock drivetrain. 

I'm also looking to get back into sim racing during the off-season to keep the skills up. 

[Haiku]

That's fantastic Ray that your living the dream!

I need to pay off my DRZ so I can convert it to a supermoto setup so I can take it to the track myself...

[Mahjik]

Very cool Ray!   

[C_Phillips]

Nice job Ray....looks like a BLAST!  Nice to see one of the "fellas" from round here doing it for real! 

[RVachon]

Thanks fellas.  The only regret I have is not starting this sooner. I plan on doing another full year of solosprint to continue sorting out the car and learning the tracks more, then hopefully in 2011 I'll do a few regional (GT Sprint series) door-to-door races.

That's fantastic Ray that your living the dream!

I need to pay off my DRZ so I can convert it to a supermoto setup so I can take it to the track myself...

It's definitely not a cheap hobby.  I have over $10k in the car already and it's no where I want it to be yet.  I'm putting in another $2000 in the suspension this off-season, plus my diff is toast, and I have a pretty bad valvetrain noise.  So I expect another $1000-2000 for those repairs.  Not to mention another couple set of tires, racing brake pads, etc etc.  Every weekend costs from $500-900 in expenses depending how far the track is from home, etc.....but, there's no greater feeling than going into turn 8 at Mosport @ 150 MPH and hanging on. 

[Beast56R2]

SA-WEET Ray!!!  Livin the dream, keep it up, and good luck to ya.  Thanks for the video, very cool!!

[Chezka]

After you missed your 2 event I know that you will trained well to pursue your career in next event happen.

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