vortex’s blog

Since my previous post on my goals for season 2008, there has been some changes in the expected class competitor numbers - so hence my goals have changed

I previously listed that I want to finish top 3 in Sportsman at the SA Closed State Titles, however it looks like there will be a Senior National Heavy field for at least the Festival State Cup rounds this year and most likely the SA Closed Titles - so i’m readjusting my 2008 goals to suit.

1) Win at least 1 Senior National Heavy 2008 Festival State Cup round.
2) Finish top 3 in Senior National Heavy in 2008 Festival State Cup overall results.
3) Finish top 3 in Senior National Heavy at 2008 Closed State Titles at Whyalla.
4) Finish top 3 in Senior National Heavy at 2008 Open State Titles at Whyalla.

My previous goal of getting a Clubman Kart and Engine for season 2008 is still valid, however it’s unlikely I’ll be putting enough effort into the Sportsman class to get any good results. I want to get out on the track in Sportsman at least a few times during the 2008 season and hopefully challenge for some top 5 results at Festival State Cup rounds; however it will be a lower priority than my Senior National Heavy racing at this point. That, however, could change rapidly should there not be enough Senior National Heavy runners (again).

My other major goal for the year 2008 is to build an Improved Production Touring Car (SA site) (NSW Site), a class of racing where the Mazda Rotary engine is very competitive almost to the point of being completely dominant.

Ideally I would like to buy a series 1/2/3 RX7, however I am open to purchasing an R100/RX2/RX3 or RX4, or even their Piston powered counterparts, the 808 or the Capella. I am actively looking for rolling chassis versions of the above cars, ideally with a full 6 point roll-cage already installed and in good repair. However I am open to buying a good straight roller that still needs work such as suspension, roll cage, seam welding etc, but that will be more expensive in the long run.

I fully expect it will take over 12 months building the car before it sees the bitumen at Mallala, and chew up between $10,000 and $20,000 to build. It’s a dream I’ve had for years, and in fact it’s indirectly the reason I got myself more healthy and went from 115kg (253pounds) to 81kg (178 pounds). So, why not?

I will be using my IPRA build as a challenge. I have been told by very experienced IPRA racers not to build a car from scratch. I understand their point of view, however I will not borrow $20,000 to purchase a racing car. I cannot justify it. A road car perhaps, but a racing car - no. The challenge will be to get onto the track and be as competitive as possible for UNDER the cost of buying a second hand ready-to-run IPRA racing car. I am confident that I could get close, I’m 100% sure I’ll be able to get on the track in a race-worth state for under $10,000 - but getting semi-competitive for under $20,000 will be harder More to come on this subject once I have purchased the base vehicle; I intend to keep a full blog on the progress on rotarygrunt.com