Mighty Rally Milan - RallyX @ Thistle Hill

"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
05/23/2016 at 11:21 • Filed to: MILAN, MERCURY, RACING, MIGHTY RALLY MILAN, RALLYX

I’m sure you’ve all been on the edge of your seats waiting to hear how the Mighty Rally Milan did at RallyX this past weekend.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

So how’d it do?

It got it’s ass kicked! But we all saw that coming. The important thing is that 1. I wasn’t the slowest vehicle of the day (thanks so much for that F-150 running!) and 2. I didn’t break anything - at all. The Milan took the course like a champ, every bump, drop, dust, and mud it went through it all without protesting. Also, the very good news is that I got faster pretty much every lap. In the afternoon session I actually dropped about 4-5 seconds per run. Which is pretty huge. In my last run of the day I had the Milan competitive time wise with the Stock Front group. I’m pretty proud of that because I had to have weighed at least more than 1000 pounds more than anyone else in the class.

I had an experienced driver ride with me a few times to give me some pointers and to quote him crossing the finish line with me on one of the runs “This thing is like racing in a fucking SOFA!” (Sorry for stealing your line MurderSofa ).

So what’s more important than getting my ass kicked? Well I had an obscene amount of fun. I’m definitely doing this again and I can’t wait. My wife even said it looked like it was awesome and I think she wants to try it out next time, maybe we’ll be a 2 driver car. There’s already been discussion of purchasing another car just for RallyX because the Milan is just so god damn heavy.

Here’s a photo dump of the Milan racing (a statement you probably never expected to actually read):

DISCUSSION (89)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:24

I really want to do a rallycross.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:25

As soon as I can get a skid plate I am getting into NER Rally-x. Mini sits too low to run without one.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
05/23/2016 at 11:25

If the Milan can do it- anyone can!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
05/23/2016 at 11:26

Yeah I don’t have one, but you’re lower down than me.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:27

And it'll be fun because I have RWD and ground clearance.

Rainbow > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:28

Awesome!! So glad you finally got out there!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:29

And the front sits lower than the rear making it even worse.

EL_ULY > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:33

YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR!!!!!!!! Much awesomeness!

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:36

I did one with the crossfire. Incredibly fun. We ran a 50/50 course, and I was only beaten by a madman in an e46 m3. The FIRM is one of my favorite motorsport parks.

vondon302 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:36

Well you did better than shopteacher in his road master. Looks fun how rough was the course?

yamahog > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:37

“I think she wants to try it out next time, maybe we’ll be a 2 driver car. There’s already been discussion of purchasing another car just for RallyX because the Milan is just so god damn heavy.”

Yesssssss! You know what they say about couples/families who race together :) glad you had a fun time and hope she gets behind the wheel next time too!

PS you now need to include these pictures in the listing if you end up selling the Milan

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:37

I’d love to take Meepster out on one of these but my wife would fucking stab me so much.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:37

I’m glad you had a good time and survived in-tact. After my experience, I’d never do it in my daily driver. The guy who really caught my eye was the dude running a side-by-side UTV, he looked like he was having a ball.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
05/23/2016 at 11:38

Hahaha, just don’t roll it.

We had subaru’s out there on 2 wheels at one point.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/23/2016 at 11:39

Hahaha, If I can get through it in a Milan, you should be fine.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:39

Meepster is our only vehicle.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:39

It corners flat as hell but it’ll probably flip real easy. I don’t want to try and find out where that is.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > yamahog
05/23/2016 at 11:40

Hahaha, fantastic selling point, I can see the CL ad now - “SELLING ONE OF A KIND MERCURY RACE CAR” I already told her I’m referring to it as the race car from now on. It’s officially raced, no one can take that away from it.

I really think she’s interested we just have to find a baby sitter, there’s no way to run a 2 person car and watch a toddler. Impossible. If I get her behind the wheel in August I bet she’s hooked and a beater race car comes home soon after.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Flyboy is FAA certified insane
05/23/2016 at 11:41

Haha, there’s always at least one mad man. I’ll just label the WRX that was on 2 wheels the madman from our race!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > vondon302
05/23/2016 at 11:42

The morning session was more bumpy/difficult terrain than the afternoon which was flatter and faster. There were even some banked turns in the morning session and a few spots I was worried I’d bottom out if I went too far into the grooves. It was all completely passable in the Milan though which gives me hope for pretty much anything.

vondon302 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:46

Thanks.Sounds perfect for my p71 then. Hope to join you next time.

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/23/2016 at 11:47

The chance of damage is only possible with low cars like miatas. Or cone scratches

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 11:47

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/559933…

450X_FTW > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 12:04

To help with the weight, I offer you all the tools you need to make it lighter (spoiler there’s only 2 tools needed)

Kinja'd!!!

deekster_caddy > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 12:05

Was this car a bargain pickup that you didn’t care if wrecked, or just something beyond DD purposes that you wanted to try it with? Or were you playing hard with your DD just to see what it could do?

facw > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 12:05

Your car looks to have ~twice the ground clearance of mine (probably an exaggeration, but given that I hit the nose coming out of steep driveways all the time, I think this would go poorly for mine).

facw > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/23/2016 at 12:06

Sounds like an excuse for a random beater.

Sweet Trav > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 12:11

I am debating jacking up the suspension and running the Monte. Just afraid I will break something.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > EL_ULY
05/23/2016 at 12:17

Thanks man, it was so much fun!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
05/23/2016 at 12:18

yeah, I saw a miata get it’s front lip spoiler ripped off.

He knew it was going to happen and wanted to take it off but the screws were rounded so he said forget it and just let the course take it hahaha

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Rainbow
05/23/2016 at 12:18

Yeah it was great - definitely hooked!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
05/23/2016 at 12:22

I don’t think we’re allowed to run UTV’s, I guess he was in X class and had enough safety gear for your group to let him run.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
05/23/2016 at 12:22

I don’t think you’d damage it, but it’s about how hard you push it too.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
05/23/2016 at 12:22

Yeah you’d have to run real slow, I doubt this is the kind of race for ya (unfortunately)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > vondon302
05/23/2016 at 12:23

I think the P71 would be high enough up that it shouldn’t be an issue. It’s probably going to get crushed in Stock Rear though. Not that I had a complaint in getting beat up in Stock Front haha

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
05/23/2016 at 12:24

That’s a hell of an option. I’ll be looking for another FWD that I’ll turn into Modified Front, probably an Escort or even a Cougar (BECAUSE MOAR MERCURY)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 450X_FTW
05/23/2016 at 12:25

Hahahahaha, unfortunately this is my daily driver and it needs to carry my son to daycare in decent comfort/safety.

vondon302 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 12:26

I just want a full day of sideways.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > deekster_caddy
05/23/2016 at 12:26

Oh no, this is my daily driver. I’ve been driving it for 4 years now and I’ve put 60k on it myself (it’s at 105k now). I barely owe anything on it and it has all new suspension with plenty of ground clearance for this event so I said what the hell and went for it.

I also warned my co-workers if I’m not into work on monday, you’ll know my car got killed by RallyX lol.

It did great though! (Except for being a cow lol)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > facw
05/23/2016 at 12:27

haha possibly. A lot of guys take off the front splitter, it’s typically only a couple screws.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Sweet Trav
05/23/2016 at 12:28

Knowing you? You’ll break something because you’ll be hauling ass around this course. I can’t imagine you’d be the one to take it easy. It depends on what you’ve done to that suspension though, it might kick ass. It would be in modified rear at this point and those supercharged miata’s were flying around that course.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > vondon302
05/23/2016 at 12:29

I had the Milan sideways so you’ll definitely get that!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 12:35

I mean..... It would be like every race. Last. Just look how I do in the OPPO Forza 6 series.

deekster_caddy > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 12:39

I think that might be the best part of this story! RallyX on Sunday, drive to work on Monday!

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 12:41

The organization I ran with isn’t affiliated with the SCCA, so they kinda do their own thing. They have a UTV class.

RallyWrench > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 12:58

This is the best. I’m so bummed that Rallycross doesn’t happen anywhere near me.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RallyWrench
05/23/2016 at 13:16

You may be able to find something outside of the SCCA that’s similar, keep on googlin! Or you could make a road trip out of it somewhere.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
05/23/2016 at 13:16

lolz

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > deekster_caddy
05/23/2016 at 13:16

I’m at my work desk right now and its sitting right out the window to my right. Still covered in dirt. lol

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
05/23/2016 at 13:17

Ooooo

I’d love to do this in a UTV.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 13:28

It looked like an absolute blast! I’d like to pick one up in a couple years, build a little trailer for it, and then you could go hammer down without worrying about how to get home. That was an expensive tow home.

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 13:44

As I’m sure you saw, there’s a healthy civic rallycross community.

Escort is solid. Focus works too. My friend was there with his Abarth having a blast.

Personally, I prefer RWD though. You need the right technique to get FWD cars to slide on dirt

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
05/23/2016 at 13:48

Yeah I didn’t see your message to say hello to the Abarth until after I was already gone. I have some extra pictures of his car if you can get him in touch with me. A friend of mine was there taking pics it was all from the morning session and only the FWD’s (he had to leave). There was only 1 civic, though he was quick.

There’s an 03 Escort Zx2 that I’ve got my eye on right now actually.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
05/23/2016 at 14:04

Oh I’m sure it was and that sucks.

I’m thinking about (because there’s no SCCA UTV class) getting an Escort or even a late 90's/early 00's cougar (you know me lol). I’ve been eyeing up a Zx2 with an almost new motor for a while.

dsgolson > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 14:14

This is so fucking rad. It makes me want to RallyX my W123 even more.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > dsgolson
05/23/2016 at 14:20

One of the best ways i’ve found to describe it is like a roller coaster you’re in control of.

Can’t wait to go again, so much fun.

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 14:22

I could see getting something cheap and FWD and a car dolly to haul it there and back.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
05/23/2016 at 14:28

I’ll probably drive it.

I heard from multiple people this past weekend the following-

“there will come a time when you think you should buy a car dolly to bring your car to Rally, at that point time do not buy a car dolly, save up and buy the trailer you’ll thank me later.”

Basically the dolly always sucked for everyone.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 14:50

There were cheers in the padock at one event when a miata came back from a run with the spoiler hanging on by one screw and the owner just casually got out, ripped it off, and out It in the trunk.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
05/23/2016 at 14:53

That happened in the Grid Line in this case. lol

shop-teacher > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 15:55

The trailer is far superior, no doubt, but the dolly takes up a LOT less space.

Sweet Trav > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 16:13

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/558374…

Sweet Trav > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 16:13

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/556363…

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Sweet Trav
05/23/2016 at 16:23

While I would really prefer a manual for racing, this is a hell of a deal:

http://www.paylessusedcarswayne.com/2003_Ford_Esco…

I posted it a while back. Basically a brand new motor in it, and I obviously don’t give a crap what it looks like.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > shop-teacher
05/23/2016 at 16:30

VERY TRUE

The Compromiser > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/23/2016 at 23:52

So if I read this correctly, thereal will be 2 Milans I the driveway soon?

Sweet!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Compromiser
05/24/2016 at 09:20

LOL

No I need something more nimble - and a hell of a lot lighter. Like 1000 pounds lighter.

The Compromiser > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 10:08

Kinja'd!!!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Compromiser
05/24/2016 at 11:01

I want to so bad.

But i don’t know if I could get enough weight out of it.

Milan Curb Weight: ~3,300

Cougar Curb Weight: ~3,000

Escort Zx2 Curb Weight: ~2,462

So the Escort is almost 1,000 pounds lighter without removing anything. Those are base curb weights. So pretty huge swing there. I think i’d take the loss on 75-90 horsepower to lose 1000 pounds lol.

I’m just thinking I won’t be able to pull 500 + pounds out of the Cougar to get it to Escort weight. I’ve never done a “weight reduction” on a car before though. And at that point, if I can pull weight out, who says I can’t get the Escort to 2k flat then?

The Compromiser > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 12:33

But the Escort is not a Mercury! at least find a Merkur then. we can pretend its the same thing!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Compromiser
05/24/2016 at 13:22

Well I’ve done some googling and I think you can get the Cougar down to around 2500 or so.

And trust me, I’d rather it be a Mercury too!

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 13:51

You just gotta get a tracer bumper and badges for it so it's still a murcury

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2
05/24/2016 at 13:52

Hmm, I wonder if you can swap a tracer bumper to a Zx2 that would be awesome

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 13:56

I bet you can and since it's a racecar zipties and massaging with a saw are always an option it it resists

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2
05/24/2016 at 14:00

Yeah they don’t line up it would take frankenstein-ing lol

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 14:05

That’s surprising fomoco used a different core support or is the whole front clip different?

That's disappointing

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2
05/24/2016 at 14:05

whole front clip is different 2 door vs 4 door you have to cut and blend the fenders to try and pull it off.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 14:23

Why choose between Escort and Mercury when you can have both? Behold, the Mercury Escort Tracer.

Kinja'd!!!

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 14:44

That's a lot of effort to remain murcury faithful. Would be really cool though!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
05/24/2016 at 15:13

Because that one only comes in 4 door when I was looking for a 2 door.

Interestingly enough my wife said “we can buy a rally car as long as it’s just like my old Mercury Tracer” This one is just like the one she had:

Kinja'd!!!

(random google image search I wouldn’t have married her if she parked that poorly lol)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2
05/24/2016 at 15:20

Hahaha, probably too much effort.

I’m open to all American makes, looking to stay FWD for now.

The Compromiser > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 15:35

I am thinking a resin trunk lid, poly rear window, and lots of carbon fibre....

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Compromiser
05/24/2016 at 15:37

LOL

I just made a new post with a pile of potential cars

It’s a problem already.

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 15:59

Zx2 escort is a great option.

Might find an early twin cam focus pretty cheap these days

Contour svt would be a little heavy but awesome.

Old neon acr probably hard to find

Maybe an old Saturn those were light and cheap with ok power

The Compromiser > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 16:10

In times like these, I try Whiskey. Hasn’t let me down yet. My boss, The kids, my wife, society, yes. But never me!

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/24/2016 at 16:11

I mean, you could take the back doors off to save weight...

Kinja'd!!!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Compromiser
05/24/2016 at 16:30

LOL

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2
05/24/2016 at 16:33

Oh I’ve been exploring...

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/sub-2000-poten…

Avoiding the contours for weight. I haven’t explored the Saturns much yet.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
05/24/2016 at 16:34

lol