Solo 1 Racing

[Sandeep]

Hi all,

For 2003, this is my goal.. http://www.soloontario.com/solo1.htm

Its called Solo 1 racing. It does not matter what type of car you drive, but depending on the mods you have, you could be racing a honda civic to a 911 TT.

Its circuit racing against time, only you vs the clock. At the end of the day, the best laptime is taken and that determines who wins the class. I'm hoping to get a 914 2.0 into my bug this winter so it should be interesting....

It should be a great test for a GL !

Any thoughts on what I should be doing suspension wise ? I'm looking for an adjustable front and rear swaybar setup...do I even need a rear sway bar ? I'm going to replace all of the suspension bushings this winter as well.

I have to replace my front shocks (they are shot) and while I'm at it, I'll replace the rear. I'm keeping the stock beetle trailing arms for now.... not going to replace with 951 alu arms. I'm going to go without the rear cup brace to start with.

Hopefully Alex will be my grease monkey while I drive !! Is anyone else in the GTA up for this challange ? It would be cool to have at least 2 cars competing. I have the tools and we could share the wrenching on each others cars.

Any thoughts on setup ?

Thanks.

Sandeep

[Alex]

I will be your grease monkey but I will have a go at it as well.
I hope that my hps will give me a little advantage over your racing experience. :hehehe:

Alex

[lightning bug]

Ahhhhh. Solo one. Good choice. You'll be running GT4 I'm assuming? I've run a little Solo one and alot of Solo2 (with my Super). This was my intention for the Super originally. I'm trying to get into club racing now (ITB Golf). Just not enough time though. Good luck with it. I would fit a rear swaybar to compensate your oversteer. Don't forget the brakes!!

[Sandeep]

Quote: Don't forget the brakes!!

big enough for ya ?




:hehehe:

Sandeep

[Andy]

Originally posted by Sandeep
Quote: Don't forget the brakes!!

big enough for ya ?




:hehehe:

Sandeep

You need to sort that paint out!! Nice set up though!!

Those indicators may cause a drag on the fast straights!!

[lightning bug]

They'll do........ I guess.

[Brent Bousman]

I have a '70 Ghia which I have run SOLO 2 for a few years. I would use sway bars at both ends and change the rubber bushings out for urethane. I changed my rear torsion bar bars out for 27mm. This keeps the front tires on the ground most of the time which helps with understeer.

If I can find enough money for a new motor, I plan on changing to the new Street Modified 2 class next year since there are more people to race with in that class.

Brent

[Andy White]

Hi Sandeep,

Rude looking brakes and wheels! Just out of interest...What size and ET are your rims, tyres etc. cos I still have a problem with my rear track width! (posted in the wheels and tyres forum)

Good luck with the racing next season!

Andy.

[Sandeep]

Hi Andy,

I'm running 18x8.5 and 18x10 with 235/35 and 265/35 Pirelli PZeros. You can't tell in the pics but the tires stick out about 2" past the fenders.

Check the members gallery for a better shot showing how far they stick out. I bolted them on temporarily to see how they would look ! Just need the CCC fenders now...or wait till CarbonJoe comes out with his version.

I'm installing the 914 2.0 GA engine this winter. I'll definately keep everyone posted on te racing !

Sandeep

[Sandeep]

What do you guys think about urethane bushings ? Are they absolutely essencial or will replacing them with new stock rubber be better ?

I haven't replaced any bushings on the car in its lifetime, but while I'm installing the T4 this winter, I may as well do the bushings and all bearings and seals.

Thanks for any replies !

Sandeep

[Supa Ninja]

Sandeep,
I've been running urethane bushings in the front of my Supa for a few years and they really do stiffen up the suspension. They are coming out with new compounds that don't squeak. I believe Topline carries those. I do recommend them if you'll be competing in Solo 1. I am thinking about going to urethane in the rear also.

[Brent Bousman]

I use urethane on my SOLO car that I drive on the street. Urethane is the way to go for racing but on the street it will send more vibrations through so the ride is not nearly as good as stock rubber. It's always a trade off....

Brent
______________

SCCA WDCR SOLO2 EP Ghia

[bren]

all the urethane parts ive ever used have lasted no more than a year.. they stiffen things up in the short term, but through extended use, theyve deformed quicker than rubber parts, leaving an element of slack after a while.. worst culprit was the rear torsion bar bushes i used.. the urethane one looked like the 26 year old rubbers they replaced after only a years use.. they allowed the springplate to move quite a lot.. i wasnt impressed so threw them in the bin and bought new stock rubbers.. these are still fine 4 years on... i guess urethanes are great for racing, where mileage is limited and parts are replaced more regularly, but on the street they just plain suck IMO..

PS: the fit of most urethane parts ive used is pretty poor too.. balljoint anti roll bar bushes especially.. they dont have enough material to go between the bar and the trailing arms, meaning the bar sits too close to the grub screws.. genuine rubbers fit much better...

[Brent Bousman]

Bren I agree on the fit. As usual the aftermarket part never fits like the well-engineered stock German part. You must put a lot of mileage on the car to wear out the bushings. Did you grease the urethane so it reduces the friction? Maybe it's just a case of poor quality aftermarket parts (my guess).

Brent

[bren]

i do around 8000 miles a year.. in my opinion nothing should wear out in that many miles! ****e aftermarket parts to blame i reckon...