Race report with heavy duty torsion bars - Not for faint hearted

First off the torsion bars performed perfectly! I was VERY glad to have them under the truck as half the track we were running was a Grand Prix style with lots of air time the other half VERY narrow and technical. In Friday's pre-running I hit a jump somewhere between 40 and 50 mph and thought I'd launced into the next county! The result was s bent (smiling :happyface) 12 bolt housing. We had to cut the tube with a sawzall to relieve enough pressure to get the axle out. After a wrench fest on Saturday we finished swapping in a new housing about 30 minutes before the race started. We were very fast and competitive but half way through the second lap we were sliding through a curve and had the driver side rear caliper lock up and throw us into a rather large pine tree at speed. The VX climbed the tree and flipped over on its top. Fortunately I had a roll cage installed the previous week and it did it job beautifully! I will have her back in racing condition by the next race in August. Now for the carnage shot! As you can see in the picture we were flying through the woods at high speeds with little room for error and this was one of the widest parts of the course.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9...rover-over.jpg

;eeky; WOW. Its good you installed the roll cage.

Hopefully the VX isn't too much work to put back together. Maybe just a few hours with a big hammer? :smack:

OUCHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad the roll cage worked and you are ok!!!

... and happy the torsion bars were good on a track.
:smilegray

this is the coolest thing i have seen in a long time bravo guys you'll get em next time!

We had a blast for sure. Nothing like airing out the VX for a good time. Every time I take my VX to the track I am impressed with how tuff the truck is. I can't begin to tell you how much air time we were getting on the the track, more that a rented Festiva! :smilewink Body damage is minamal, will probably no longer run a windshield as most of the trucks go without one if they have a cage. Bear in mind I am doing all this on a VERY stock VX! One obstical was a gully about 30 ft deep, very steep in and very steep out.... didn't even strain in or out!

Hey Ashley those are your old drive shafts and gas tank gleaming in the sun! :p I will say it makes getting the the springs much easier.

:thumbup:...love the pic, glad to hear the damage isnt terminal!!

I'm intrigued with the front bumper....is that custom , or modified..
...and do you have a better pic of it..maybe right side up!

Cheers

jo

It is a custom bumper built by Joe Darlington. It is the prototype for the VX so, for now it is one of a kind but he will build it for you.

Here it is before I cut the opening for the winch:

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9...e/bumper-6.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9...e/bumper-7.jpg

With winch installed:

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9...race-day-2.jpg

Taking abuse:

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9.../vx-jump-1.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9.../vx-jump-2.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9.../vx-jump-3.jpg

And I have yet to make a mark on this bumper. During the race I got off course and drove over several trees 3 to 4 inches in diameter.

the bumper isn't quite finished, just enough is done to protect buffy until we can get some more time to continue the build, it is probably 65% right now

Sounds like its time to truss the rear housing! And if the roof is too damaged you could be the first cabrioletVX! :)

Trussing the rear diff is already in the works and more than one person has suggested sawzall action to the top.

And major props to Joe for protecting me and my co-driver. I have beat on this bumper like you wouldn't believe.

Thanks for the info Buffy..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Buffy

I have beat on this bumper like you wouldn't believe.

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...gonna have a chat with Joe on the phone.

Cheers
Jo

Probably one of the coolest pictures of a VX I've seen in a while. Nothing better than standing on top of the bottom of your rig. Glad its going to be back on its wheels and tearing up the track again soon, can't wait to hear more of your racing adventures. Gotta look into trying to find something like this around here.

Lol, what an awesome pic! Don't suppose you have any post roll-over pics of it after you got her rolled back onto her feet?

Post roll over....

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9...2070800120.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9...2070800121.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9...2070800122.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/9...2070800123.jpg

The recovery crew left me on my top for over 20 minutes and all the oil drainied out onthe track. I wished they had flipped me over sooner. Now it will turn over but not fire. So I will be pulling plugs and cleaning all to oil off everything to see if I can get it to fire off.

And people always ask why rally cars aren't "lifted".

High speeds and poor center of gravity at those speeds, I can see why you saw things inverted. ;)

Glad you walked away from it and can't wait to get back up on that horse. :thumbup:

Why did the driver's side rear rotor "lock up"?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LittleBeast

Why did the driver's side rear rotor "lock up"?

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That is a good question. I later found out I had smoke coming from that wheel when I passed the start finish line. I will be replacing all the calipers before the next race. I also plan on removing all the brake lines and just having one line to the rear and one to each side of the front, no ABS birds nest!

Since vx's have been kicked out of Rallyx by the scca I might have to look into this. What's the sanctioning body and class restrictions like for this style of racing?

... and what kind of vehicles are you racing against if you dont mind me asking?

The sanctioning body is called ECORS (East Coats Offroad Racing Series) their web site, www.ecors.com has complete information on rules for the various classes. A-Class ( the one I race in) is for "stock" vehicles with a 35" tall tire limit with lockers being allowed. You can convert to solid axle but if you do must use leaf springs. Would be hard to cover all the rules for A-Class here but are covered on the site. If you click on their forums link it will take you to NC4X4.com where there is an ECORS specific forum group. Most of what is run is Jeep Cherokees, some YJ/TJ jeeps, Bronco, Sammies but mostly stuff in the Jeep family. What I really like about it is how willing the drivers are to help one another out, very strong comradery in the pits, pretty much a bunch of guys having fun.

You have to pass tech inspection before being cleared to race. The race track is completely open to the public. Not unheard of seeing people dashing across the track when the coast is clear, they even have cars drive across the track while racing is underway. Typically there is a person waiving traffic across when this happens. You can get as close as you'd like to the action!

AHHHH!!!!! I miss it so much!! Looks like the roll over may improve your mpg with the nicley sloped windhshield...lol. Too bad you didnt invert your isuzu in the grill, then you would get the photo I have been waiting for in mine. Can't wait to get home and hang out with the Zu group again, gonna try to make hallowharrie, or maybe a november run with the Norfolk 4x4 club.