Waterford Hills Road Racing Forums

Second question: Would racing a Neon in ITA be like taking a knife to a gun fight?

Sean and I have pretty much decided that we are going to come play at Waterford in 2012 with our recently acquired '95 Neon SOHC sedan. What we need to decide is whether to leave the car as is and compete in SN (against maybe just two or three cars) or prep the car to run in ITA against the Miatas and Integras?

We certainly don't expect to win right away, our initial goal is to just enjoy the time out on course in wheel to wheel competition, but we would at least like to know if we have a fighting chance to be "successful" long term.

BTW, what 15" tires are popular in the Improved Touring classes?

Jim

Chris Childs is the Neon guy to talk to if you want the straight poop on how competitive the car is. From what I've seen, there's no way the Neon can put a candle to the real front-runners in ITA - Mosers, Ruck, etc.

However, you might have better luck if you built it into a proper STU car. One of Chris's old ITA Neons (maybe the?) was down at Mid-O last weekend, but running in STU IIRC.

As for IT tires - it's Purple Crack or first loser, IMO - Hoosier R6 or A6 YMMV...

I don't think it is dead compared to some of the other classes. A few guys have not been out this year. You only need two cars to have a good race (See F500 Joe Dunn & Tom Diehm). I am sure the Mozers would love to have you join them.

SeniorPBA2B wrote:Second question: Would racing a Neon in ITA be like taking a knife to a gun fight?

Based on history...yes, but I ran my ITB Mustang in STU against a wad of ITS cars...it is great track time for the cost, especially for a beginner and you never know...the guys ahead of you might break something!

SeniorPBA2B wrote: What we need to decide is whether to leave the car as is and compete in SN (against maybe just two or three cars) or prep the car to run in ITA against the Miatas and Integras?

Per the Waterford Hills rules & regs a SN is eligable for ITA but not the other way around. Spend some time learn the track, learning how to prep and drive and get the car reliable, learn the competitors...while double dipping. Then maybe in a year or two, upgrade and go for it in ITA. Also note...there really isn't a huge car count increase from SN to ITA.

SeniorPBA2B wrote:We certainly don't expect to win right away, our initial goal is to just enjoy the time out on course in wheel to wheel competition...

That is a great attitude to have!

SeniorPBA2B wrote:BTW, what 15" tires are popular in the Improved Touring classes?

I second what Vaughan said...talk to the Spec Neon guys they can help...also know I think there is a spec tire required for Spec Neon.

I also second talking to Chris Childs when you are ready to have a fast ITA Neon!

Spec Neon isn't dead. It's definitely not as strong as it once was, as a few of us have taken some time off the last couple of years.

Lots of the cars are still out there, I think with some grassroots effort we can get several of them back out. We are working on a couple of our co-workers here at Roush to get them into Spec Neons for next year. It's tough to beat SN for someone starting out.

My plan is to get my car back out for the last two race weekends this season and next season as well.

A Spec Neon can run in ITA as is and is somewhat competitive even in spec trim, even more-so if you bolt on some quicker tires.

My suggestion would be to keep the car SN legal - that gives you the flexibility to run in either class (or both). The two of you may want to split the car and each run in one of the classes. That would be a very economical for you guys to go racing.

ITA=$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Is the Neon competitive, ish? Bigger tracks it has a better chance. If you want a great ITA car for WHRRI, build a Gen1 1.8 Miata.........

Thank you all for your input.

The car is pretty much ready to go SN as is, or was. I went to move the car last Saturday so I could clean out the garage for my grandson's birthday party when the clutch died. The cage needs to be upgraded and a fresh set of belts added ... and tires. Looking through the rulebook, there are still a few small mods that can be made to add a bit of performance to the car and engine that I can do in the offseason before 2012. (That's where I get my enjoyment, Greg. I have no real desire to get behind the wheel. I prefer the wrenching side of automobile racing, which is kinda why I'd like to run ITA because there's more places where I can "play", more opportunities to find ways to make the car quicker.)

Between autocrossing "The Grape" (where Sean's driving routinely tells me I should stick to wrenching ) and all the family stuff, there just aren't enough weekends in a month lately. I'm hoping we can get "The Banana" out for a couple of open track days before the 2011 season is gone. Look forward to seeing y'all out there soon.

Jim

I'm taking this year off (probably), but I'll be back for at least half of next season. There are still at least a half dozen cars in the area. We just need to get them on the track.

I am hoping to have the #76 converted from ITA to SN and on track next season.

What's your opinion on power steering on a Neon in road racing?

The assist on our car is virtually non-existent. I haven't tested it for the cause of the problem yet, but I believe the rack itself is dead (bad rotary valve or rack piston seal or whatever. The pump doesn't make any noise).

Should I go ahead and convert the car to a manual rack, which would allow me to lose a few pounds by also removing the pump and hose?

Jim

I did a few laps in my base model Civic which has no power steering, and a bit of a toe-out alignment problem, and it was a bit of a handful. Probably more to do with the car refusing to go straight because of the alignment than anything else. But I suppose if you have the shoulders for it, then go for the manual rack!

I have a SN just sitting here in the garage, just waiting for a new driver. If anyone interested, let me know.

Unfortunately i've sold every last Nitto to the Mosers!

Chris

I hope not ... just saw 2012 rules ... Greg you got pm.

Jim

There will be one additional SN next year. Some of my buddies, just bought Ray Ayala's old car and it just arrived here back from the west coast. Their plan is to start doing some track days this year, driver school and racing next year.