Lateral-g Forums - Run to Music City, the 48 Hour Camaro, and some great components!

I just returned from one of the more fun and successful outings this summer with the 48 Hour Camaro.

First, the numbers:

Autocross - 1st
Speed Stop - 4th
Road Course - 2nd
Overall - WON!

Also...I was able to win the Goodguys invitation to the Scottsdale Shootout in November. My position at that event was in real danger until Saturday as I had not run enough events [in one car] to accumulate enough points to make it in. Problem now solved :)

While I'm on a roll, I'd like to mention the huge amount of fun and seat time we ALL got in Nashville. Bill Howell, Brian Finch, and Yancy Johns always make sure that fun comes first and they certainly succeeded again this weekend. Thanks for that!

I also wanted to make a couple comments about the Camaro...

I started out the year in the Camaro because the car spent the winter at Centerforce in AZ and our first events were on the West Coast. At Nashville Goodguys I re-debuted my 69 Mustang and ran it there, at Daytona USCA and at Road America USCA...where I starved it for oil and drove over a connecting rod in the carrousel. So...back in the Camaro until I get the new aluminum 427 Lingenfleter dry sump engine done for the Mustang :)

I have to mention some of the components on this car because they seem to be made of some completely indestructable material!

The 417 LS3 that Lingenfelter built for me in 2011 is still making 425RWHP in 90 degree humid weather. This engine has OVER 20,000 miles on it...most of it at well over 6000 rpm. When it finally wears out I will have it bronzed.

The Centerforce clutch and T56 Magnum is hanging in there nicely as well. I am always looking for ways to improve the shift quality in these cars...Centerforce played with the car all last winter to acheive just that. At Michigan I was shifting probably 6 times per lap at over 6500 rpm...no worries.

Rarely an event goes by that I do not marvel over the efficiency of the Vintage Air system. When it is 93 degrees and 90% humidity...and your strapped in with a driving suit, helmet, HANS device, and gloves...A/C is your friend. The car runs 188 degrees with the air off and about 196 when its on. A testament to the US radiator as well!

One rarely thinks about a rearend unless its broke. Maybe because I've broke a few I can fully appreciate the job that Moser does for us. Quick turn around, no noise, and the Tru Trac posi unit keeps BOTH the rear tires doing their work.

VaporWorx fuel pump and pick up system that is incorporated into the aluminum tank that Ricks Stainless built for me. I have run a full autocross lap with 1/2 gallon of fuel in the tank. Think about that!

Falken tires - When we made the switch to the 615K Azenis tires about 2 years ago, the Camaro picked up by 2 seconds on a 32 second autocross lap. Not only that they wear like iron. It is the best 200TW autocross/road course tire in the world that I am aware of.

Recaro seats - I recently changed out the Recaro Profi seats for the Recaro Sportster CS seats. HUGE improvement. The Profi XL's are great on the track but the Sportsters are so much nicer on the road for the longest of trips. There is a HUGE difference between a $300 seat and a $1500 seat. Come sit in my car sometime.

Forgeline wheels - Another "unsung" hero...until something goes wrong. I've had this car off course a few times...things happen...and have yet to hurt one of these wheels. I've taco'd hoops [via my exuberant off track ventures] but never more than that. These guys are NO drama...pick your style and finish, send them money, and receive wheels in a FEW weeks. Nice.

Baer Brakes - Not only can I ROUTINELY outbrake lighter, more powerful ABS equipped cars...I can do it lap after lap after lap after lap. Yes, they are gorgeous. Yes, they are relatively expensive...6R calipers with a 14" rotor and Hawk blue pads, a full floater rear set up and a Corvette 1.125" manual master cylinder. I can scare the **** out of any driving instructor...they are hollering "BRAKES!!" at least 100 feet before I hit them. Baer used to have a T shirt that said "brakes for the way you WANT to drive!" Agreed!

I'm not going to try to pull anyone's leg here by saying I'm paying retail for these parts...I get a good deal and end up trading suspension parts for some of this product. BUT...neither am I here piping sunshine to a bunch of sponsors. I use these products because they make my car faster, more comfortable and more reliable. There are many other parts and suppliers for this car that I haven't mentioned here yet...the list above is just the ones that have recently stood out in my mind.

AND...I won't bore you with talking about the RideTech suspension...I'll let other customers do that :)

Thanks for listening!