Imagine yourself here with your Turbo!!!!











The point of my post?
I am planning on participating in the Pony Express 130 from June 24-27 http://www.openroadracing.com/html/pony_express.html and will be shipping my car out to Nevada to do so. I am requesting feedback, and ultimately confirmations, from interested parties in the northeast region to help share the cost for chartering a car transport. I was planning on using Intercity Lines as they are very highly rated and based in Warren, Massachusetts. Their website is located here http://www.intercitylines.com/

What is Over the Road Racing you ask?
Well, I asked the same thing. Watt and Roland had turned me onto this and I am very excited to give it a try. It has been discussed in the forums in the past but I will recap......
For this specific event, we show up in Battle Mountain, Nevada where a high speed police escort will take us down Route 305 to the start of the event. At the start, the cars will be sent off in 2 minute intervals for a 130 mile time trial on a closed public road. You will be assigned a Division and Class wherein there is a set average speed and maximum speed. You must finish as close as possible to your assigned average speed. You cannot go above your assigned maximum speed otherwise you will be disqualified and the sheriff will have some strong words with you. Safety is strongly enforced at this event. Speed is strongly enforced with radar. Cowboys, need not apply. Navigators are recommended but not required.

What are the Divisions and Classes?
The Divisions and Classes are a function of your car's safety equipment and your driving ability. The full rules can be found on the referenced site but basically, it goes like this for the car's requirements. (Please read the rules for driver personal requirements such as helmet, firesuit, gloves, shoes, etc. as required by Division and Class):

• Touring Division
  Class T1=95mph avg
  Class T2=100mph avg
  Class T3=105mph avg
  Class T4=110mph avg
  Top Speed=124mph
  
  Minimum Safety Equipment Required:
  2.5 pound automotive BC fire extinguisher
  Factory seat belts
  
• Grand Touring Division
  Class GT1=115mph avg
  Class GT2=120mph avg
  Class GT3=125mph avg
  Top Speed=140mph
  
  Minimum Safety Equipment Required:
  2.5 pound automotive BC fire extinguisher
  5 or 6 point harness with 3" lap and shoulder belts (driver and navigator)
  
• Grand Sport Division
  Class GS1=130mph avg
  Top Speed=150mph
  
  Minimum Safety Equipment Required:
  2.5 pound automotive BC fire extinguisher
  5 or 6 point harness with 3" lap and shoulder belts (driver and navigator)
  Competition Approved Roll Bar

As novices, the aformentioned Divisions/Classes are the only ones available to us so I did not list the rest.

Now, where do YOU fit in you ask. Good question. Pretty much anyone can go in the Touring Class. If the average and top speeds don't suit your fancy, you can go for a harness and harness bar such as the following:

Brey Krause standard bar:

http://www.bkauto.com/porsche/r1030.php

Brey Krause Aluminum Truss bar:

http://www.bkauto.com/porsche/r1035.php

Speedware harness bar:
http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/safety/hbars.asp

Once those are installed, with a fire extinguisher (required for all classes), you can be in the Grand Touring Division.

If you want to get in the Grand Sport Division, you need a roll bar.

So that is the jist of it. I don't want to drive across the country for this for two reasons. First, I don't want to take on any tire damage prior to the event and secondly, I am thinking of driving back so that is a lot of driving. If we charter a transport we will probably get a good rate. I would like to gauge the interest before I start making telephone calls though.

Sean has expressed interest and I thought TonyNJ, BuddyG, Colorchange, Rockitman, PorschePhd and maybe even Jcramair may want to do this. John, you would be the first on the bus in Mass!! Sean, If you go the harness/bar route, I will help you with the install.

The ride home should be a blast as well. If he doesn't go with us, I was thinking it would be a great opportuntity to stop in to see Stephen enroute.

Interested parties, please respond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Does Grand Touring requires a navigator???

Which class are you interested in participating in???

I like Grand Touring class GT3 for obvious reasons...

This is certainly something that peaks my curiosity/interest. I still need to resolve the logistical details in my mind(shipping the car...not sure I want to drive it all of the way back, ect..Although it might be neet seeing Buddy's initials scratched in the jail cell in Texas )...I guess the only mods I need is the fire extinguisher, harnesses and lap belt. I assume there is a special bracket to install under the GT3 seat in order to secure the lap belt???

 

Chris,
To address your questions:
I do not believe you need a navigator for any of them, but please read the rules to be sure.

I am going for the gusto, GS1. I haven't read the rules thoroughly yet, but I believe I have to get an extinguisher, firesuit, shoes, gloves and helmet.

Here are the seat brackets you need:

 

Are you going to have a navigator???

 

HMMMMMMM

 

Roland offered to "hook me up" with a navigator out there that knows the route. Alternatively, I would bring my Gumball partner.

I just thought of something else, if the Chicago meet is chosen to occur the following weekend, we could all drive right to it on our way home!! Cool!! Hint, hint to those national meet organizers!!!

 

I take it that was directed at me??? If so, you are probably right...A navigator sounds like a necessity....

 

Holy ****-Team Porsche will have an awesome field for this event. Hey guys I have a 20 minute high speed video in quicktime format and I can't get the dam thing posted. I am one of those Mac dummies. Help please!

Mail me with any rules questions: rolandroth@mac.com

PS

There is also a fun day 1K drag race for laughs on Saturday. Navigators are optional for the race but why not bring a friend to hang out in the right seat? I have course notes and battle plans all yours for the asking. Friend Watt is obviously the expert since he bagged 1st place in the 120 class his first time out. Bug him for clues on how he did it!

R
PPS
The road is closed for the race and it is closed for practice and the 1K drag races. We have ninety workers out there on the road,all radio equipped as well as medvac helicopter and three EMT teams. We also have nine hidden radar guns so you don't cheat on your assigned speed limit!

 

Ok,
If I get my visa before this and I am in Houston I definitel;y want in!!! I guess I need to invest in a rollbar and harnesses now??
Also, where can I getthe latex paint stuff?? Im gonna cover my WHOLE car in that goo to protect from rotten stonechips...
Guess I need my V1 too

 

Mansour,
We all know how you like spending money on that car of yours, BUT, you don't need a rollbar, you don't need harnesses and you are not allowed to use a radar detector. So, you can thank me, for what would have cost you thousands is now whittled down to a mere $38.95 for a gallon of latex.

 

Ken, thanks but as much as I would like to do it, I would have to trade a track weekend to do it and I still prefer the track. Have a blast and thanks for the consideration.

 

Well, it looks like the NJ crew is back at it again! Sean and Tony have both expressed interest. I will call Intercity tomorrow to get the charter rates.
Anybody else want in???

 

Guys,
Hang loose! We should have a good video up,perhaps this afternoon. MKM management has offered a "deal" if we get a few sign ups. I will arrange for hotel (Big 8-best in town) and can help out if anybody chooses to ship tires to Las Vegas,I will get them transported to Battle Mountain.

R

 

I have brand new pair of these brackets. I never got around to installing them.

PM me if interested.

 

Chris,
You should act on Dan's offer!!!

Dan,
Are your parts scattered all over the northeast?