So I need a crash couse in LeMons!

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44) 10/27/2014 at 18:03 • Filed to: None

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Mr boss man came by my desk today and asked me to find and build a car for the company LeMons team! I know the basics, but how much am I really looking at spending for a weekend of racing after I factor in race suits, helmets and all that?

I'm company funded but there's a limit to how much they'll spend on this.
Also: What car should I buy!? I really have my heart set on a malaisey MG Midget but I'm open to suggestions. Any advice for a LeMons rookie?
And I mean woohoo! Company funded LeMons car! If you can find any awesome LeMons candidates near Toronto, drop the links here.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:04

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I'm guessing it's going to be more than 'tree fiddy.

Blondude > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:06

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company LeMons team

WHERE THE HELL DO YOU WORK AND CAN I HAVE A JOB THERE TOO?!?

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 10/27/2014 at 18:06

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tree fiddy < $500

We're all good.

bob and john > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:06

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ok, 2 ways you can do this

buy something completly odd-ball and rish never going it again
or actually taking it serisouly

if you take it seriously, might I recommend a old civic/miata or a calvalier? and spruces it up a little

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Blondude 10/27/2014 at 18:08

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http://driving.ca/

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > bob and john 10/27/2014 at 18:09

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I want something old and stupid.

davedave1111 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:10

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This is going to take some smooth talking from you, because a Bricklin SV1 will involve spending a bit more - but will more than pay for itself with the extra interest it'll generate. It's actually more cost-effective to do it this way. Or something.

You'll also need to talk the LeMons organisers into a waiver on the costs, but that shouldn't be too hard.

Blondude > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:11

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D'oh! That's right. I probably should've looked at who posted this before commenting...

Kailand09 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:13

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Guy at work did it. After all mods to a car, such as roll cage, etc, he said his team ended up spending around $6-7k in the first year. After that you already have a car so costs go down.

CB > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:15

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Option 1: Taurus. Ran when parked. $350.

Option 2: Rusty Neon. $500.

Option 3: Rusty Protege. $375.

Looks like most of your options are going to be a bit rusty. Good luck!

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > CB 10/27/2014 at 18:17

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These are all good finds! I'm thinking of something older and simpler though. Like pre-1984

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:26

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Look for an old land yacht then. I'm sure there are some dirt cheap Caprices out there if you look hard enough.

bob and john > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:26

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crap, who did I not notice it was you!

I know a friend who is selling an old miata...1400$

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:27

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Why can't I have a company LeMons team???????

KamikazePigeon > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:29

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I'm not to familiar of the rules. But what about a van? Getting a cage for it would be HILARIOUS!!
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

Not mine personally, but I do drive a 2002 and it can take a thrashing.

Other Candidates:
1989 Pontiac 6000 LE
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars…

1987 Toyota MR2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It runs and needs bodywork apparently (a non-issue for LeMons)
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

Just some odd-balls that I found.

That MR2 looks YUMMY for a LeMons team!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 10/27/2014 at 18:41

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There *is* a weight limit, IIRC. On the other hand, if he constrains himself to a Mark, he can get something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Linco…

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/27/2014 at 18:48

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If he goes that route, I suggest he recreate something like this.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 10/27/2014 at 18:49

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I don't know that the swag of a Mark needs any help, though.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:52

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Unfortunate limiting factor: mfr. original stated curb of 4200lb or less. No 70s Lincoln Mark - I checked.

Will with a W8 races an E30 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:53

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I own a Chump Car, which is similar in cost and format. It cost ~$10k to build a competitive car. Each driver needs ~$1000 in equipment. You need at least one HANS, which is $750. A race weekend costs $4-5k (20 hours track time) in fuel, tires, brakes, fluids, entry, transportation, lodging, wear, and damage.

Bottom line, a competitive team realistically costs $15k in startup costs plus $5k/event. If you don't assume free labor, that goes up considerably.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/27/2014 at 18:54

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If cletus44 wants to bring the crazy, this is a good start.

LugNutz > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 18:54

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Well, something shitty, and French should do nicely. I'm not sure what region you need it to be in, but here's a real beaut.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/38103…

A Peugeot of at least 40 years old will also be accepted.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Will with a W8 races an E30 10/27/2014 at 18:59

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Isn't LeMons cheaper? Do you need a HANS for LeMons?

roflcopter > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 19:07

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He's definitely exaggerating a bit. I have a LeMons car and we've done a few races... The initial cost of the car and getting it safety prepped with decent tires, brakes, and running well enough cost us about $3500(roll cages are expensive), then each driver can get a full set of gear for $500 off of the LeMons store. The HANS is not required, you just need one of the crappy neck roll things although something better is definitely a good idea. The cost of a weekend is typically in the ballpark of $2000-$2500 depending on how far we have to trailer the car. While we definitely haven't ever been 'competitive', that was never the goal and we have a blast and typically keep the car on track a decent bit.

Feel free to ask me any other questions and I'll try to answer them as best as I can. If you're interested in a 93 Mustang with two spare engines(one is even a rotary) and a spare tranny that won't fit then we might have a car already for you ;)

All prices are in USD, figured I'd mention since you guys are in Canadaland.

Stephen the Canuck > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 19:12

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If you get into this and need another crew/driver/whatever give me a shout.

EDIT: Oh, and this. http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Stephen the Canuck 10/27/2014 at 19:18

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Thanks man! I'll let you know!

Stephen the Canuck > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 19:20

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What about livery? Paint it like Peggy! GM Blue engine bay!

Will with a W8 races an E30 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 19:39

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It certainly can be. That is the cost to be competitive and safe. For example, as roflcopter mentioned, you can get a set of gear for $500. It's not gear I would be comfortable racing in, especially in a series that does not require a license, and with cars that have a tendency to catch fire, but it will pass tech. You don't need a HANS, but I like keeping my head attached in a crash, and don't like whiplash. You also can get away with a crap seat, we have an OMP full containment seat - again, I like to stay attached to the car. You can also pick the car off craigslist, weld in whatever, and go. That will be cheap. You will also spend your weekend trying to get the damn thing to run. In contrast, I know the condition of every single part on my car, and on many I also know their lifespan in a racing environment. All of this costs time and money. Surprisingly, if your car is slow and breaks down frequently, your weekend will be cheaper because you are not blowing through gas ($30/hr), tires ($28/hr), and brakes ($15/hr), not to mention everything else that wears more slowly (I budget $25/hr, accurate so far). Every hour not on track is $98 saved in wear and consumables alone!

Finally, my prices are not exaggerating. That is actually what it costs me to run competitively and finish races near the top, with everything accounted for. And plenty of teams spend more than we do.

Stef Schrader > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/27/2014 at 21:57

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DON'T CRASH.

I wrote a ton of stuff on these shenanigans this year: how much they cost, what car to pick, and even how to forage for munchies at the race itself: http://jalopnik.com/tag/a-guide-to…

I recommend going the obscure but zany route. You Canadians got a lot of Soviet wackiness that we don't get here. It'd be an instant Index of Effluency contender and therefore, instant hit.

BJ > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/28/2014 at 22:48

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From what I've read about crapcan racing, Will has it right. And I've also heard that the Lemons events are getting so popular that you'll get picked based on theme/originality in some cases, so you might not even get to go...

If ever you need a Lemons or Chump driver in Ontario, Quebec, or one of the nearby states, let me know. I have no experience, but I'm a good listener, a good helper, and I'm handy with tools (even if I'm not necessarily useful under the hood). I can also run a bbq and I'm married with kids, so you know I won't get too stupid on the track. In theory, anyways!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/29/2014 at 10:32

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http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

How about this $300 LSS?

Tina Corbett > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/29/2014 at 11:59

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You don't NEED a HANS, but why cheap out? I've done some LeMons and it's a blast, but never never never never cheap out on safety gear. The LeMons site has some good deals on stuff you need to race: http://store.24hoursoflemons.com/

Tohru > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/29/2014 at 13:38

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Dogapult used to run a '73 Celica ST in LeMons. I think he was $2k into it to have it out on the track and racing, counting the cage and safety equipment. It wasn't necessarily competitive, but it was racing.