So after running the One Lap of America last month it was apparent that the weakest link in our program was my driving - I definately need more work if we're going to defend our class win in 2011. So with that the search was on for a street legal track car that I could flog without regret but still have fun on the road and eventually restore and - ultimately - put through it's paces in the OLoA. I looked at a couple of first gens (including the '67 RS I have sitting in the garage) as well as a couple of very cool second gens but couldn't figure out what I was going to build on a real budget that wasn't going to end up getting out of control. A couple of weeks ago I came across a cool third gen that was a little out of the ordinary, had some history, and was ready to hit the track as it was.
It's a Canadian 1989 Camaro Z28 with the 1LE option package as well as the R7U option. The 1LE package is fairly well known at this point and is generally considered to be a stripped down performance package - heater delete, radio delete, armstrong windows, etc. - and is most ofter associated with police packages. The R7U option is slightly less common and not as well known - especially south of the border.
In 1986 GM Motorsports created with Players Challege Series which featured factory modified Camaro's and Firebirds which were raced on road courses and ovals in Canada. The series lasted through 1992 with between 35 and 91 cars built per year - Ron Fellows is probably the most well known race driver to have competed in the series. Unlike the typical 1LE cars, the R7U's featured slightly more aggressive suspensions and were full load cars - power everything with heaters (but ac delete) and other options - because the cars were required to be licensed, insured, and driven to the track.
The car I found was an '89 - one of 111 1LE cars built and one of 74 R7U optioned cars - with only 25,000 miles and currently legal for vintage racing. It's got a couple of class championships under it's belt and is more or less street legal with a couple of adjustments here and there. It's got a carbed 305 with a close ratio Tremec 5-speed and a Currie 9" with an Edelbrock torque arm.
It's got a factory GM Motorsports cage that has been upgraded to meet modern rules and all of the neccessary tweaks for regular track use. Hood is a factory fiberglass peice and the rear hatch is lexan and 'glass (but still heavy as all get out).
Once I have a chance to go over it we'll look at an LS swap and maybe a 6-speed upgrade as well as some (a lot) of clean up. New brakes and wheels and tires are on the list and we'll bring the interior back to something marginally more streetable as time permits.
It should be a lot of fun and best of all it's ready to go right away... heck, If I can remember how to change jets I'll try it out at an autocross next weekend and should have it on the road course at Race City within a month...
I'll post some progress pics as I go but for the most part I'm going to try to keep this one under control...
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
New 3rd Gen Project - '89 Players Challenge Z28 - 1LE R7U
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