craig71188

Bush's (the baked bean people) make a product called "Chili Magic" - it's got beans and spices already in it. Add a can of diced tomatoes (perhaps w/jalapenos) and a pound of ground beef (or your choic of meat) and you have a decent chili. Chili Magic comes in mild/medium/hot, but I can never seem to find it in Columbus, usually have to buy a few cans when I'm traveling in Cinci or Dayton. And yes, chili is always better when cooked longer - or on "day two" (leftovers!).

John and his family are just "good people" - as Rich said, started out autocrossing and never forgot the people he started out with. Besides his national championships in SCCA, he was also has an IMSA GTU Championship to his name. Randy is impecable in his preparation - probably has a lot to do with John's (and now Corey's) success as well!

Yea, I like to keep up on his entry in the Daytona prototypes. I new he wasn't running anything pro for some time - but was still doing a little play time in the historics. Ask him to tell you about blowing a RF tire on the banking at Daytona (24 hours) in about 1978! Or about practicing driver changes in front of the "crew" in his old garage on Trabue (and the abuse he took). It was a pretty good time for an 18 year old kid to get to travel around and see a lot of the classic race tracks up close - along with many of the more "well known" drivers of the day. He took the abuse well (might as well - we were working for room and board at the track). I need to stop by and say hello again. Need to see what other toys are haunting the back end of the shop as well.

I figured there weren't too many M8's floating around. I was up "visiting" several years ago after the car arrived. I crewed for the owner in his IMSA GTU days when he drove a 914-6 (and made fun of the big V8 guys). I hear he's pretty good in the "big V8" he now owns. Can Am was one of the great american series, along with the original Trans Am and Formula 5000. American 7 Liter V8's (and eventually 8 liter) topping over 1000 normally aspirated horsepower in a car that weighed less than 1600 lbs!!! Wings bigger than the doors to your house and no ground effects. Eventually costs and Porsche killed the series with it's all dominant 917-10: http://www.gptotal.com.br/2005/Colunas/Eduardo/Img/20070126/George_Folmer_com_o_Porsche_917_10,_q_disputou_o_Can_Am_em_72.jpg Over 1200 turbocharged horsepower (and some would say more)! And the 917-30 from Penske: http://grandprixinsider.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/penske-in-917-30-at-rennsport-reunion.jpg WHat a great sound when that field came down to the start!!!

Is this "local shop" just north of town with an owners initials being S.S.?

Oh, but they do have showers and sort of flush toilets - when they remeber to pump them out periodically.

That would ruin the character of the track we lovingly refer to as the "armpit of Ohio". And yes, I walked the track at the 24 hour race this past summer - it is looking pretty bad - they were patching the patches they had put in 20 years ago!!!

Ben makes a good point - I will amend my Corvette recommendation in this way - track day on a road course for fun - Corvette (although learning in a slower car would be easier). Want to learn to road race in a RWD - buy a prepped IT class car - 4 cylinder ITB Mustang for example, dirt cheap to run, especially for spares. Spec RX7 is another great cheap way to go - probably better than the Mustand as they are prepped to a "spec" set of parts/rules. Learn to race with these, then step up to a faster car/class.

Based on your list and soon to be recent college graduate budget - Corvette. Fast, affordable parts, no real "vices" as far as handling. 944T is tempting, until you start buying nice new German parts. That, and a turbo is a bit harder to drive fast (on a road course) than a normally aspirated car.

PM sent - find the car, I'll buy it and we'll go do doughnuts in Kenny's yard - maybe we'll hit him while he's playing with his matches.

"Cheap" is a relative term in all types of racing, period. What is "cheap" to one person is big bucks to another. That said, after doing a little road racing on a shoestring, Improved Touring is your best bet if you have to do cars. The cars are cheap, but you still need a trailer, tow vehichle, spares and usually a crew person. $200 entry fee minimum and a drivers school or two. Then their's tires.... As to the karts, after trying a lot of "rides" over the years - I'm having more fun now with the shifter for less money than I ever spent. As mentioned elsewhere - "competitive karting" can be very pricey as well. A lot depends on you personal goals. Older shifters are very competitive in SCCA solo events. You can race locally and be competitive as well (it appears) although not many are running 125 shifters as Circleville. At $15 to go down and "practice" as long as you like, it's cheap fun - and it doesn't take much to transport a kart. A set of the sticky tires is $200 - less than I paid for one tire on the car! Keep in mind there will always be someone willing to spend a fortuen on the best equipment so they can win a $5 trophy, but at least with the karts in Solo, cubic dollars doesn't seem to make a big difference. Seat time and set up seem to be the key - and at $15 a day for practive time and cheap comsumables, the kart deal has worked out best for me.

It's been a while for me, but yes, have the title signed and notarized just like here. Yes, it will have to be "inspected" (basically they just check that the VIN matches the title - duh!). Some dealers can do this, some of the BMV "superstores" used to be able to do it all (West Broad here in Columbus). Then take the signed and notarized tire along with the inspection sheet and transfer the title.

Well you know where they are, you know who's involved, and so.... you know you will be in one to try before next season!!!

Practice: you can go to Circleville (7/10 mile kart track just north of town on US23) and run for $15 - all day if you feel like it. There is also a small track just on the other side of Dayton - I here it's only $5. A little farther out is New Castle, IN - state of the art facility, haven't heard a cost for practice days. Operating costs: 110 leaded race gas $7 gallon - used about 8-10 gallons all year (including some play time at Circleville). Tires: $200 a set for the go fast stickies - will last a couple of years (normal solo use-less sticky in year two). Motor: $100 or less for a major clutch overhaul on a motorcyle based motor, probably only need it every 2-3 years. Top end rebuild, about the same amount of time, less than $500 including a cylinder and rod (probably wouldn't need all that anyway!). ICC motors are probably double the engine parts prices. You can spend as much as you want - new kart, new blueprinted motor, new instrumentation (gauges), etc., etc., you could spend $10K+ ,and still get beat by a 10 year old chassis! Transportation: won't fit in a minivan -too wide. Tim (one of the kart guys) hauls his in a full size pickup, or you can buy a "fold up" tailer at Harbot Freight for about $500 and tow it behind anything. Karts only have to weigh 385# WITH DRIVER (425# w/ICC motors). If you seriously want to look, PM me and I'll be glad to have you come over and see the karts I got - and look at anything that you happen to consider purchasing - Andy Bell (solo chairman) is also a great resource. Might even get a chance to get to Circleville one more time (if we get another good weekend this month) to play before they come apart for their winter check over.

Not really - especially for SCCA (unless you're under age 15). You're really looking for a 125cc shifter kart. You can go with either a motorcycle based motor (best long term cost wise) or an "ICC" motor (purpose built race motor, more power out of the box, more costly for upkeep). craigslist is the best place to go bargain hunting. Deals can be found - less than $2500 w/some spares, spare wheels and a stand is not out of the question.

hmmmm, I want to drive a new vette, just to play with HP again..... We'll have to get together at the test and tune next year perhaps? PS - we need MORE karts - go fast cheap!!!!

Well got down to a 43 and change in the am in the kart - finally got some rear brake bias dialed in the afternoon and went 41.2. Andy got into the 41's in Sean's kart in the morning session. So one FTD each! Work on those toys this winter and stand by for next year's schedule. I'm sure there will be a drivers school. Get out and get a lot of track time with some good coaching. You'll find you will get "up to speed" much faster for next year. Great day - too bad we were a little late in starting (Cooper had "Fright Night" the night before so no access to set up the lot) - then a damaged timing cable held us up a bit more - but hey, six runs isn't too bad!

Does this tempt you - it is a 5 speed..... http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/878844193.html

Leave the drag radials at home - I discussed these for autocross with the BFG guys when they came out. They are designed for straight line work with flexible sidewalls - even though they are DOT approved - very flexible. Probably not bad enough to be called unsafe for autocross, but not the best solution. The "close to bald" street tires are your better choice. You are looking for cornering grip as you will be mostly turning - careful use of the right pedal to stay within the tires grip will net you the fastest times!

63 preregistered - even with 30 walk ups, we won't break 100 entries. Spoke to Andy last night (solo chair) - could be a big "fun run" afternoon!

Bring your wallet - I've thought about buying one from time to time, then I look at the price of parts: $800-$1000 Clutch, $400-$600 wire set, $35-$60 air filter, etc. And yes, that's just parts, not labor if you don't DIY. But someday.....

PM sent - give me a call...

He should become the democrats "Dan Quayle" - but the traditional media won't let that happen - just another in a long list of gaffs, mostly unreported.

hmmm, I'm in Montana, but I left my car in Groveport. Just send me the money and I'll mail you the title and the keys. BTW, I am also an attorney for a large african fortune, If you will bive my your bank account information....... And finally - never trust an ad IN ALL CAPS!!!!!!! (yes, I vote scam)

BTW - it sure as hell shouldn't take 500 pages to lay this out - that in and of itself sends up red flags for me - somebodies hiding something in all the BS.