Cal Club Autocross Forums

Someone local buy it, we can work out hauling to far away events...

http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/vandi ... 3914ss.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Why did I buy Philip's car ? Oh yeah, so Karen could track it this year.

Any thoughts on sizing of a Van Dieman? I know Swifts are tiny and Reynards have larger footboxes. I forget what i learned about the Van Diemans. Sides can be widened though the body may not fit, but a tiny footbox doesn't sound too workable.

Any idea what kind of shocks this one has? I've heard the Fox Penskes are good. Any thoughts?

How competitive a car is this with say an average alien driver behind the wheel?

Steve Ekstrand wrote:How competitive a car is this with say an average alien driver behind the wheel?

Does Will even know how to spell RWD?

KJ Christopher wrote:

Steve Ekstrand wrote:How competitive a car is this with say an average alien driver behind the wheel?

Does Will even know how to spell RWD?

What's DWR? ;)

Do It! Will Deserves a Sponsored Ride - more competition 4 TTD

Steve Ekstrand wrote:Any thoughts on sizing of a Van Dieman? I know Swifts are tiny and Reynards have larger footboxes. I forget what i learned about the Van Diemans. Sides can be widened though the body may not fit, but a tiny footbox doesn't sound too workable.

Any idea what kind of shocks this one has? I've heard the Fox Penskes are good. Any thoughts?

How competitive a car is this with say an average alien driver behind the wheel?

I fit no problem, pedal box is bigger than Mondiales.
I don't recall what it has for shocks, he had a set rebuilt and didn't like them and put the current ones back on. Stimola foxskes are known to be good. Koni 28s on Roberts car.
No reason the car wouldn't be competitive. Will would (don't they make brakes?) probably have a hard time figuring it out but we'd be glad to see you in it }:)

Finally, a car light enough to tow behind my Tacoma.

Eric Clements wrote:Will would (don't they make brakes?) probably have a hard time figuring it out but we'd be glad to see you in it }:)

Speak for yourself!

Steve, before considering such a purchase, consider not only fitting, but getting in and out. It's challenging even for the physically fit. Since I"m not a member of that group, it's double the challenge for me. You definitely won't be changing drivers after every run. :mrt:

That said, I do love my Van Diemen. :heyes:

George Schilling wrote:

Eric Clements wrote:Will would (don't they make brakes?) probably have a hard time figuring it out but we'd be glad to see you in it }:)

Speak for yourself!

Steve, before considering such a purchase, consider not only fitting, but getting in and out. It's challenging even for the physically fit. Since I"m not a member of that group, it's double the challenge for me. You definitely won't be changing drivers after every run. :mrt:

That said, I do love my Van Diemen. :heyes:

It is much easier for me to get out of the Mondiale now that the roll hoop diagonal braces have been relocated, and some other things have been tidied up and adjusted.
Before I had to twist my upper body and pull myself up until I got my shoulders above the diagonals, simultaneously pulling my straight legs through a fairly narrow gap under the "dash" hoop.

Now I can push myself straight up using the body side rails just until I can pull a leg back and beneath me to stand up. Much easier and safer.

I don't know; seems FFs are for young men, not all you old farts.

Bill Schenker wrote:I don't know; seems FFs are for young men, not all you old farts.

You have a good point Bill (I can't believe I said that). I may have to figure out some sort of portable crane for loading and unloading moving forward.

I haven't sat in Robert's car yet, but I do know it has more room than mine. For me, it's getting out that's sometimes a problem. My shoulders are shot so it the initial push out of the seat that is hard for me. But I've got it down to a system now. Step one is HELP!

I figure a few young guys could just pick the car up, turn it over and shake the driver out.

not all US old farts.

Fixed ...

Seems like it takes Experienced fellows, like yourself Bill, not OLD btw, to appreciate a Real Race Car!

A few years ago, when I had a chance to drive a Vee at San Diego, I brought up the point that it was surprising that more of us didn't go for these inexpensive REAL race cars. Cool to see folks going for it now.

I guess it's the trailer part that holds most folks back.

Had to borrow a full visor helmet ... had one of my best AX finishes ... a 2nd, out of 5 cars by 2 tenth:

Once the Miata is put out to pasture (and that won't be for awhile, since when I'm done with CSP, I'll go to DP), I see a Mod. car in my future!

Mako Koiwai wrote:

A few years ago, when I had a chance to drive a Vee at San Diego,
Had to borrow a full visor helmet ... had one of my best AX finishes ... a 2nd, out of 5 cars by 2 tenth:

Interesting that you posted THIS photo. When we were getting REAL interested in going SOLO at the end of 2010/beginning of 2011, we were in serious negotiations, already agreed on price and were set to go over to Encino/Sherman Oaks to see if I could fit in it. Cancelled at the last minute, deciding that since we BOTH would be driving, a Miata seemed better. But I want a Formula car.

You sure this wasn't you? The seller was asian and somewhat in the same industry as you. As I recall, he was a budding videographer/filmmaker. You probably know him.

That would be Chris L ... who use to AX with us ... and weirdly ... he also shot Olympic Style Free pistol ... an obscure discipline that took me to Nationals three times. Chris was not "budding." He was THE main supervising Editor on that Home Make Over show for a number of years. Editor, Director, Cameraman. He also had a Miata that he occasionally AX'ed. Even though he lived up here, he did more of his AX'ing with his friends in SD, including LA Shergold.

George Schilling wrote:

Bill Schenker wrote:I haven't sat in Robert's car yet, but I do know it has more room than mine.

I think your car has more room. And if you would adjust your clutch pedal so it didn't hit your knee cap, it might feel even roomier.

George Schilling wrote:Steve, before considering such a purchase, consider not only fitting, but getting in and out. It's challenging even for the physically fit. Since I"m not a member of that group, it's double the challenge for me. You definitely won't be changing drivers after every run. :mrt:

That said, I do love my Van Diemen. :heyes:

Upper body strength is important to getting in and out, but an even bigger issue is simply having some place to put your hands to push from. That, and a dash hoop that is too small/low/narrow to allow me to get my knees out. Most of these chassis were designed for jockeys.

Considering my back issues, I think I'm confined to cars with doors for the rest of my life.

If I can get in/out of one, you guys have no excuses.

And Steve, in my opinion all Formula Fords are about equal in AX potential. Same wheels, tires, engine, drivetrain, weight etc. Biggest differences are in aero drag -- not such a big deal for us. You'll learn a lot about suspension tuning.

And again, in my opinion, easy to drive. Just hard to get 10/10ths out of it. Like I would know what that was like.

Some may be a little wider or longer, but all combinations have scored wins at Nationals.