USCA - Optima Batteries - NJMP August 25-27

[PolarBear]

Is anyone else going/participating in the event this year?

I will be participating this year instead of volunteering. I will be taking my 92 Firebird since the Camaro still hasn't seen any love in a while :/

http://driveusca.com/events/




I got a hotel room nearby this year since I had a bunch of points from all the business trips I had to go on last year.

Link to last years thread http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=66675

[Blackbirdws6]

Hmmmm. Shame its in the peak of summer but it would be fun to participate.

[PolarBear]

Yeah, it's going to be hot as balls, last year was in May and it rained on the second day, so it was nice overall.

[Jersey Mike]

After Dave's (IROCZman15) write-up last year, I really got the itch to try this out. But unfortunately, I'll be away that weekend.

It seems awesome, and is definitely on the To-Do list.

[PolarBear]

I never read all of Daves posts in the other thread before, he called my "nephew" my son, LMAO He isn't really even my nephew, lol

[unstable bob gable]

This looks cool, P. Bear. I might even look into volunteering like you did.

[BonzoHansen]

Bear, how are you mounting the tow hooks?

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Bear, how are you mounting the tow hooks?

I forgot about the need for them. I may be able to get away with the sway bars, if not I'll have make up a hook. I will email them and ask, I may not need them since I will be a novice driver. If I need there are a few places i can attach it in the front, either at the sway bar frame mounts, or I can mount something to the bumper and come out in the fog/turn area in the front. I don't think I've seen anyone with rear ones, but also shouldn't be difficult.

What did BTK do?

[BonzoHansen]

2017 rules state every car running must have them. That was not a requirement last year

Not sure hes doing it this year.

[IROCZman15]

I am planning on attending and participating again. I haven't signed up yet though, and haven't read the rules. Seeing that you guys just mentioned tow hooks... that has me concerned. I don't have tow hooks and I won't be putting them on the car just for this. No way. I am not crapping up the car with tow hooks just to compete for fun. Looks like I'll have to read over the rules and see what is required. Why the hell would a STREET CAR need tow hooks??!?!

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by IROCZman15

I am planning on attending and participating again. I haven't signed up yet though, and haven't read the rules. Seeing that you guys just mentioned tow hooks... that has me concerned. I don't have tow hooks and I won't be putting them on the car just for this. No way. I am not crapping up the car with tow hooks just to compete for fun. Looks like I'll have to read over the rules and see what is required. Why the hell would a STREET CAR need tow hooks??!?!

Especially if you are only doing auto-x. It's not like you'd get towed off a course. It would be faster to push it off.

[sweetbmxrider]

I would think it would be relatively easy to make something that bolts up to factor holes and comes out through a factory hole.

Its probably for ease of hookup if something happens and you smack the car up. Lessens the risk of damaging the car while hooking up to it and recovering as well. They probably just have a pickup and a tow strap.

[Jersey Mike]

Originally Posted by IROCZman15

Why the hell would a STREET CAR need tow hooks??!?!

I'm not sure what the Optima USCA folks deem acceptable, but I was under the impression that a lot of newer cars come with tow hooks from the factory.

Heck, even my old-man, land barge (2005 V6 STS) has the provisions for them in the front and rear bumper covers--Owners need to purchase a $50-$150 screw on hook separately.

I've cringed every time I've watched a steel winch table pull up on my bumper cover.

Is a tow strap an option? If so, 1 bolt, under $20, and easily reversible.
Jake (qwikz28) has one coming out of the bumper of his 4th Gen Camaro. I may grab one for my Firebird & find a discreet location for it to hide when not in use.

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

I would think it would be relatively easy to make something that bolts up to factor holes and comes out through a factory hole.

That's basically what I was thinking. The rear bumper mount is an easy place to get to and mount. I figure some 1/4" steel going straight down and then the hook welded to that should suffice and it is removable.

I could probably make something for you Dave if you need.

I am guessing maybe it is a requirement for all the activities since you could potentially break down in any of them, like that Purple Dart? (I forget what it was) that broke both upper control arms right in front of me and it took a little while to get a strap on the vehicle to get it out of the stop box.

[OptimaJim]

I would strongly encourage anyone who is considering running at NJMP to read the rules and reach out to Jimi Day if they have any questions about them. We had way too much downtime the past few years, because cars went off track and didn't have anywhere easily accessible to attach tow hooks. Straps are acceptable and relatively-easy to install-



Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries
www.DriveOPTIMA.com

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by Jersey Mike

Is a tow strap an option? If so, 1 bolt, under $20, and easily reversible.
Jake (qwikz28) has one coming out of the bumper of his 4th Gen Camaro. I may grab one for my Firebird & find a discreet location for it to hide when not in use.

Yes, straps are allowed and that is essentially what I would do on the front of my car, but I may do a strap instead of a hook like I was thinking.

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by OptimaJim

I would strongly encourage anyone who is considering running at NJMP to read the rules and reach out to Jimi Day if they have any questions about them. We had way too much downtime the past few years, because cars went off track and didn't have anywhere easily accessible to attach tow hooks. Straps are acceptable and relatively-easy to install-

Jim, Thanks for posting. Those straps are very affordable and easy to mount.

I will probably just do that

[IROCZman15]

phew, I just read the rules a few moments ago and checked the facebook discussion about this. It helped to cease the sweat from rolling down my forehead! The thought of cutting up or potentially rigging up a hook setup which would interfere and bend the front nose/chin spoiler up was a tough one to swallow! I can definitely figure out a method of discretely installing a red tow strap instead; and making sure it is clearly marked with removable vinyl lettering.

Also, thanks Jim for writing in. I was thinking of sending you a PM on here or thirdgen.org for clarification, but you beat me to it. Thanks!

PolarBear, yes I definitely remember the purple car taking a while to remove from the course . I think I have a blurry photo of the wheel all kicked out in my album.


As I said in my writeup from last year.. this event was hands down the funnest car event I have ever experienced. I encourage everyone to consider competing. I am not going for any time records or national points standings.. simply to have fun and put the car to the test.

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by IROCZman15

phew, I just read the rules a few moments ago and checked the facebook discussion about this.

Where did you see this discussion?

[IROCZman15]

I don't have facebook but was able to view the page as a guest. There is a post on January 22 from a guy named Dan Howe which starts off a short discussion of comments regarding the tow hook/strap topic. USCA themselves have a comment on there stating that a fabric type strap is acceptable. That cleared it right up for me, and so did Jim's post above.


https://www.facebook.com/DriveUSCA/

[PolarBear]

Cool, I just wanted to read it. I didn't go that far back on the USCA page to find it originally.

[IROCZman15]

Ok. I am registered for the NJ event.

Hopefully a bunch more people from here sign up. Fantastic chance to flog on your car along side of some serious serious street cars.

[PolarBear]

Well, this is right around the corner. Anyone else but Dave and I going?

[IROCZman15]

I'm almost all set. Have to go through a long check list of stuff on the car, and then start a list of tools/fluids to bring as well. I fabbed up the bracket and mounted the rear-tow strap today. I will be doing the front one tomorrow and hopefully will get a chance to post a few quick photos of both setups.

. I am pumped, but also a bit excitedly nervous as I remember how intense/fun/competitive it was last year. I really wish there was a whole group of us going and running our cars. very fun

[IROCZman15]

a few quick cell phone photos of the tow strap setup I decided to build


I can assure you that they are STRONG, and easily removable. I used straps because I didn't want to weld up mounts/brackets/ etc just to pass tech. i do NOT plan on using these (who ever does?!). Anyways the straps are easily rolled up and I am using a simple break-away rubber band setup in case they need to be used. the Rear one is solid as heck and the front one I built using threaded steel rod, but with a larger sized steel pipe sleeve to center the tow-strap anchor mid-way vertically through the fog light pocket in the grill. If it was too high or too low in the grill pocket and was just mounted on the threaded rod, it would move around and kill the bumper paint. It will swivel side to side now, but can not move vertically. I emailed photos to Jimi at USCA and was give the thumbs up.



Tow strap setup for upcoming race by David Martin, on Flickr








FRONT:

Tow strap setup for upcoming race by David Martin, on Flickr

Tow strap setup for upcoming race by David Martin, on Flickr




Tow strap setup for upcoming race by David Martin, on Flickr


Tow strap setup for upcoming race by David Martin, on Flickr





REAR:

Tow strap setup for upcoming race by David Martin, on Flickr




Tow strap setup for upcoming race by David Martin, on Flickr

Tow strap setup for upcoming race by David Martin, on Flickr