24 Hours Of LeMons & I've got a crazy idea if anybody's up for it...

[Hopman]

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the 24 Hours of LeMons @ Stafford Motor Speedway in CT.

http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/ne2010.aspx

http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/contentpage.aspx?Id=6611

While watching the $500 cars in crazy themes and questionable engine swaps (SAAB turbo motor in a 300ZX!) I had a crazy thought:

Why don't we find a 2.3/5-speed Gen 3 Ranger and do one or two of the races next year?

Why should we do it?
- It'd be cheap fun.
- It's something different from the normal stuff.
- A chance to show the world that Rangers are more than just hauling stuff. They can tear up a track too!

So, who wants to do this for next year?

 

[hoosier1104]

Definitely an interesting idea. I would take part. I love road circuits. I am more of a Moto GP kind of guy though. Gotta show the Ranger some love as well.

 

[Clay Lorance]

I'm game, that would be cool and very different from the norm. Since I'm more into the short course off road racing, which there happen to be several Rangers in the Pro Lite class. I say we yank the engine out one of them to put in it. You know one of those 4 bangers has more than plenty of power to turn 33" tires, just imagine the possibilities on a paved road course with some sticky racing tires. Just my $.02.

 

[exbass94]

I'm down. Stafford is about an hour away from me. My uncle has an SK Modified and we go to the Speedway every week to race it.

 

[Hopman]

I'm game, that would be cool and very different from the norm.I say we yank the engine out one of them to put in it. You know one of those 4 bangers has more than plenty of power to turn 33" tires, just imagine the possibilities on a paved road course with some sticky racing tires. Just my $.02.

The problem is that once the judges saw the "built" engine, the team would get plenty of BS laps.

One of the best parts is that the stock engine & trans are bulletproof. All we'd have to do is tweak the chassis a but with new poly bushings, change the oil, put in a roll cage and fuel cell, & be good to go.

Maybe we could run two: The "Lone Ranger" & "Tahanto."

Maybe Jim would toss us a few buck if we slapped a TRS decal or two on it?

 

[Clay Lorance]

The problem is that once the judges saw the "built" engine, the team would get plenty of BS laps.

One of the best parts is that the stock engine & trans are bulletproof. All we'd have to do is tweak the chassis a but with new poly bushings, change the oil, put in a roll cage and fuel cell, & be good to go.

Maybe we could run two: The "Lone Ranger" & "Tahanto."

Maybe Jim would toss us a few buck if we slapped a TRS decal or two on it?

That sounds like a real good plan Hopman, double team them, and fly the banner for TRS on both trucks.

 

[Hopman]

That sounds like a real good plan Hopman, double team them, and fly the banner for TRS on both trucks.

I think two trucks would be doable. There's enough fab skills in this group to make a relativley safe cage.

Even better, if we have them running the same parts and bring a spare engine & trans, they can be used in either truck.

Anybody got a Ranger 2.3 2WD Ranger they can sell for under $500?

 

[LearjetMinako]

Anybody got a Ranger 2.3 2WD Ranger they can sell for under $500?

Not mine.

One thing I would question, wouldn't the Ranger be the slowest vehicle on the track? Unless some of the compeitors cars did not finish the 24hr run. I would use a 98+ Ranger with a 2.5, 3.0, or 4.0 (depending on engine size allowed). Strip it of all junk weight (spare tire, plastics, carpet, etc.) Hop-up the engine to get it to breath better and produce more power. Lower the ground clearance and stiffen the spring rates.

 

[Hopman]

Actually, the it's a race of endurance. Many times, reliability is more important than performance.

About the only restrictions when it comes to vehicles in this race are that it must have a curb weight under 4,200 lbs and must be worth less than $500, excluding safety gear.

It's truly "run what you brung."

 

[LearjetMinako]

Must be less than $500. Does that include all the hop-up parts that are going to be included? If so, then maybe a bone stock Ranger with useless parts removed will have chance. Seeing how some people can buy a $500 car and throw in over $5,000 worth in hop-ups, giving the total value up in the $5,500 range.

Sounds like a winter rat race. Bring in your old rust salted cars and run them till the last one is standing.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

a 01+ 2.3 would be better, since it has more power than the old lima ones.
the speed limiter would be an issue if u need to go over 90mph. and has 4w abs.

 

[superds]

Must be less than $500. Does that include all the hop-up parts that are going to be included? If so, then maybe a bone stock Ranger with useless parts removed will have chance. Seeing how some people can buy a $500 car and throw in over $5,000 worth in hop-ups, giving the total value up in the $5,500 range.

Sounds like a winter rat race. Bring in your old rust salted cars and run them till the last one is standing.

This LeMons race sounds awesome! I wish they did one near me.

The $500 includes vehicle purchase and hop up parts but not safety equipment. Safety equipment includes things like wheels, tires, brakes, safety cage, exhaust past the manifold collector, fuel system (but not carb or efi stuff) and a few other things. But, if you sell parts off the vehicle you can increase the $500 limit by the amount of items sold. Ie, if you took off the windows and sold them for $100, you could invest a total of $600 on the vehicle.

 

[Hopman]

Must be less than $500. Does that include all the hop-up parts that are going to be included? If so, then maybe a bone stock Ranger with useless parts removed will have chance. Seeing how some people can buy a $500 car and throw in over $5,000 worth in hop-ups, giving the total value up in the $5,500 range.

Sounds like a winter rat race. Bring in your old rust salted cars and run them till the last one is standing.

Yes that $500 does include the "go-fast" parts, with he exception of wheels and tires that are considred "safety items." Those DO NOT count towards the $500 total. The racers are slightly nuts, but the organizers want to be sure that everybody goes home at the end of the day in one piece.

The events are designed to be "low buck" affairs. You don't a need a car made of unobtainium or even titanium to compete.

In a sense it is what you describe. Poke around the LeMons website to get details. You'll see a lot of BMW's being run, but there's plenty of oddballs. Like the two-stroke SAAB, the Triumph TR7, and the Chevy Corvair being run yesterday.

 

[Hopman]

This LeMons race sounds awesome! I wish they did one near me.

You want in on this little escapade?

 

[farmer]

man does that sound fun! i know theres plenty of 2wd rangers for sale around here for less than $500