Introducing the OMGWTFestiva.

I figured I should start discussing my impending doom at the hands of an econobox racecar. As previously announced, I’m partaking in the 24 Hours of LeMons in a little over a month. We picked up a Festiva in track form for $350. The car spent the last two season dirt track racing down in Monroe and while being a little more than beat up, the decals also had to go:

Putting a roll cage into any other car would have cost about $1,000 minimum so we saved quite a bit of cash right there. The chassis, cage, engine and transmission were solid. The suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, seat, harness…. not so much. Here is the list of what we have done and will do:

1. Strip decals
2. Install seat mount
3. Install seat
4. Install harness
5. Replace brakes
6. Replace radiator
7. Install drain plug in radiator
8. Replace suspension
9. Install something in place of windshield
10. Replace wheels
11. Replace tires
12. Remount battery
13. Replace all fluids
14. Paint?

The suspension is halfway done, I believe. One of the other team members is doing most of this work and I do believe he has replaced the rear beam. The fact that the car was in “working” condition from the start was a huge benefit. It was obviously trailered home when purchased, but here is a video of it firing up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWNj6SeC9g8. Push button start what.

Another requirement is that every team member must have a proper helmet and race suit. I have the helmet (three seasons of autocrossing, thanks) and I’m pretty sure of which suit I want: G-Force 545, in blue of course. Clare calls this the moonsuit and strikes off into endless giggles anytime it is mentioned. I’m pretty sure I’ll need to clean pee off the carpet when she actually sees me in it.

We should be finishing up most of the car this weekend. I’ll try to get a large number of pictures but those will wait until after paint if we decide to do that. Look back here in about six weeks for a huge trip report; I’m psyched!