"RallyDork" (pelijep)
03/15/2016 at 12:55 • Filed to: Mazda, Mazdamotorsport, Rally, rallytakeover, Rally America, 323 GTX, AWD, Turbo, WHooshwhoosh, phwooshwphwoosh, red car, rallycar, snodrift, sno drift, snow, ice, icy and hot, drifting, pirelli, mishimoto, mazdaspeed, garrett, intercooled, downforce is fun, proofofdownforce, thesearefundoesanyonenotice, ifyouvemadeitthisfarwhatisityourelookingfor |  32
|  32 |
Edit image caption (optional)
The last time I posted the lil red GTX had just fizzled out after getting clobbered on the rough stages of the 2015 Lake Superior Performance Rally. We had felt pretty good about the new turbo and the set up in general, but then at the very end of stage 12, the car turned off and that was that. We coasted through the finish line and proceeded to scratch our heads - for several hours. We retired the car after service.
Turns out, it was the ECU. Something fried, and without going into too much detail, we replaced it with a Megasquirt 2 PNP. Which has been great. It did involve me cutting and soldering all of the wires but they needed to be cleaned up anyway. The car spent a few weeks in Detroit where we got to pull the engine, solder, replace the clutch, eat Polish food, solder, and solder a little more. This was all in a large, dark, and recently painted factory that had been happily provided by a friend and fellow competitor.
The car headed north the weekend before the rally. What it did need though was a tune… We had been hoping to use a friend’s whose Miata setup was almost identical but it turned out that wouldn’t be in the cards. Luckily we got saved. A friend of our crew just happened to be pretty handy with these types of things and zapped us over a tune that would hopefully, safely, power the car. Basically, we ended up loading this tune about an hour before the rally because that morning I had made a booboo…
When I woke up on rally day I, innocently enough, went out to the car to be responsible and check for loose bolts. However, thanks to my fat hands and bulky Carhartt I managed to snap off the frozen plastic bung for the blow off valve. Crap. A couple hours later, a trip down the pipe fitting aisle, and a couple tubes of JB Weld and problem solved. We loaded the tune and 30 minutes later headed to Parc Expose.
STILL WORKS!
_______________________________________________
SnoDrift seems to be either a “love it or hate it” kind of thing. Personally I think it’s fun, though I have yet (fingers VERY crossed) to truly stuff it to the point of shovels, tears, and standing with my hand up holding an OK sign and a tow hook with frozen booties.
The weather was nice enough but the actual conditions were very, very icy. The first few stages were the first time I’d really gotten to drive the car with the turbo, new management, etc… It was exciting to say the least. Having grown up in Northern Michigan I’ve driven a few icy roads, and I’ve occasionally stuffed it. I can honestly say that I have never bounced off more snow banks than I have during that first day. All together we did a total of 4 360’s and plowed through many a snow bank.
When we reached the final time control, the volunteers – bless their hearts – were laughing because of the sheer amount of snow packed into the front and on top of the car, but we made it. We pulled out 2 other cars while we were at it and tried for a third but failed. Unfortunately, our good will may have backfired a little bit but that’s for Day 2.
At the end of Day 1 the car held together great, felt good, and we felt good too. Over all it was exhilarating driving the lil GTX on the ice. Adjusting for the boost via left foot braking and timing took awhile and a couple of spins but in the end I got the hang of it. It’s not that there’s terrible lag, it’s just that there is lag and adjusting turn in, braking, gas, etc… took some getting used to. When it would work the car would let loose and hang it out all the way around the turn, and swing into the next. When it didn’t work all would go quiet as the boost would go “ phwoosh” and the car would spin out of my control luckily, mostly, still on the road. Three cheers.
Mostly though, it was just great.
Having settled in back at the house we had a celebratory beer and went to bed. We finished 11 th overall and 5 th in class. Our goal though, was to finally finish both days of an event.
Photo: Alexander Bergel
Day 2 started off with a bit less fanfare than Day 1. We had a doughnut breakfast and drove the car to Parc Expose. That’s it. No breaking important bits, no tuning, no fixing things… it was kind of nice! I had a hankering for a hot dog but couldn’t find one. Only complaint.
The weather had warmed up a decent amount which provided much more grip and less treacherous conditions. The stages were great. Fast, flowing, with just enough ice in some spots to keep it interesting.
One thing the GTX is not known for is its durability. In fact, on rough stages I’d completely go into what I call “screw you” mode, stick it in 3 rd gear at about 2-3k and putter around. The Super Special at Sno-Drift is a gravel pit with an uneven gravel pathway through deep snow. Getting stuck is not fun but also causing even more wear on the trans with 1st and 2 nd gear pulls with mixed grip and bumpy shocks does not really fit the bill. So I said “screw it” and proceed to toot around like a grandma. I did this twice. It is not fun.
The action is palpable. Having a great crew is pretty incredible and we’ve lucked out to have some pretty awesome mechanics/people come along with us! Like these two dudes!
What got us was the 4th from last stage. We were going pretty well when flicking through a blind right downhill to a blind left, we caught a competitor who had apparently gone into a bank and was just getting going again. Now the normal course of action would be to just mash the gas prematurely, let the phwuoosh woosh, swing the car, pray, and Wha LA! Super cool. Since there was an expensive obstacle in the way of option 1, I opted for option 2 and dove into the snow bank.
Photo Credit: Tara Rotten-Hurlin
In a moment of half rage and relief, and while the car still hadn’t sunk into the snow, I grabbed reverse and mashed it… then I grabbed 1 st, and mashed it… having gotten free we started to chase down the car, we caught it pretty quickly but then as I shifted up, I felt something different… When we passed the car going into a series of tighter turns I could feel something going. Every shift gave off a nice “chrunch”, “chirp”, and other unpleasant mechanical unhappiness… We took it easy the rest of the way, limping through what seemed like an eternity of hell on the next stage, which was an 8-mile version of the gravel pit, being overtaken by 3 cars… the pride not gouda.
(This was going to happen eventually. Just a bummer when it did.)
After what felt like miles of hateful, unrestricted rage covering a broad range of subjects, spewing into my poor co-driver/girlfriend’s ears, my cool was gone, my trans was making terrible sounds, and our only goal was to finish. The next stage I totally assed up a tight left looking for 2nd gear and slid right into a bank. Fortunately, a group of spectators just happened to be having a beer nearby, and immediately came to our aid. Unfortunately, I had stuffed it good... like real good, and reverse only gave off very unpleasant metal-death-kill sounds. Even with a swarm of dudes pushing we were stuck. Luckily another competitor stopped (in the same class no less) and gave us a good yank, popping us out of the snow bank. Without them and the pack of bonfire beer dudes we’d have been pretty S.O.L.
With our hatch flapping around without any latches we finished the stage and cautiously ran the last stage Bonfire Alley. We missed out on it last year thanks to a shot voltage regulator. Even when taking it easy, bonfire alley is a sight to behold. Big flames, flying snowballs, flashlights, audible whoopin an hollerin, and the smell of smoke and booze, its a special thing fur shur.
We finished 8 th Overall and 3 rd in Class in the regional Drift Rally. I haven’t won a trophy since skiing in the 4 th grade. We’re totally stoked, man.
Photo: Jason Swoboda
So here we are. Just days from heading out on our next adventure to the 100 Acre Wood Rally in Salem, MO. We swapped the trans for a mystery box that’s so far OK! We’ve been working to get a solid tune with a little more boost to make it just that bit more peppy. Our goal is to be reliable and have fun. We’re pretty close to the first one. woohoo.
We’ve gotten a huge amount of help from our local businesses who’ve (for some reason) decided to sponsor the car and can’t thank them enough. From gas money, to t-shirts, to beer, to tires, expertise, or just plain old hard-cash-gas dollars.
Ready for 100 Acre Wood!! mostly. ish.
We head out Wednesday. My main concerns are water and deeper water but hey whatever right? My lovely co-driver/girlfriend extraordinaire has gotten pretty darn good at the notes thing so it’ll be great to be able to hear each other with our new intercom system.
To follow us at the 100 Acre Wood check us out on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or Instagram (Just About Right Racing). Or just come and say “What’s up”, that’d be pretty cool too.
We’re !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . <—- it’s pretty self explanatory.
P.O.R.
Brought to you by our local sponsors... !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , 3 Mile Garage, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and the amazing people that make up the rally community here in the good ole U.S. of A.
Photo: Rob Sacktya... Disclaimer: The Paint on the photo does not represent Rob’s ability to edit, paint, draw or any of his creative faculties. It is a reflection of my own abilities. Cheers. #proofofdownforce
random001
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 13:25 |
|
I love this! I love you!
I want to rally....
MarquetteLa
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 13:54 |
|
Mazda 323 GTX owner here! You guys are living the dream. I spectated 100AW about three years ago. I can’t make it out this year, but I have a group of friends I have instructed to give y’all huge high-fives if they see you. Good luck!
Jonathan Harper
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 14:09 |
|
Sweet writeup Jimbob! Favorite part:
“I had a hankering for a hot dog but couldn’t find one. Only complaint.”
nerd_racing
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 14:14 |
|
Love seeing this car being used for the reason it was built! Might be time to look into an alternative gearbox though. I know a lot of people do the toyota Alltrac box in the BG GTX/GTR/4wd cars. I know a guy selling adapters.
|
RallyDork
> Jonathan Harper
03/15/2016 at 14:16 |
|
Looking forward to seeing you this weekend
|
Jonathan Harper
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 14:24 |
|
Wish I could make it dude! Gotta get ready for auto-show shit this coming week. Soon though. SOON!
|
RallyDork
> nerd_racing
03/15/2016 at 14:28 |
|
Sweet. I have a BG trans and a broken BF Dogbox... Need the resources though for the later.
I’d be interested in putting the BG in there. But I’ve still got another f out back so, may be good for awhile
I’m pretty sure you need new hubs and shifter linkage though for the bg. Again it’s all about the resources
AvoidTheCones
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 14:35 |
|
I loved seeing a 323 GTX out there at Sno*Drift! I worked comms along Stages 2/5 & then comms at start for Stages 14/16 (I was the blue Focus ST with the antenna on the hatch). I’ve always liked the GTX, and yours was actually the 1st I had ever seen in person.
That was a pretty good weekend. I’ve flagged/corner worked for many road course events, but I had never even spectated a rally race before. It was awesome, and I’ll likely be back next year!
WayDude
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 14:37 |
|
Loved this. I had one of these in the early 90s and it is one of my great regrets in lifew that I sold it.
|
nerd_racing
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 14:57 |
|
I think the hubs are the same but don’t quote me on that. There are some great guys on clubprotege.com that could help with your BG swap. Is it a USDM box or a GTX or GTR box?
Driving_Impaired
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 15:15 |
|
active aero slayed me! great write up... can’t wait to get into stage rally myself in the next few years. still doing rallycross life right now, mainly due to sheer cost of stage.
love to hear your advice on approaching sponsors... it seems you found some good ones!
good luck at 100AW!
Wagons-Midwest
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 15:26 |
|
Hope the weather for 100AW holds up this year. It looks really hot today but mid 50s for the weekend. And no snow, but that’s the rally’s Spanish Inquisition.
Bryan
> nerd_racing
03/15/2016 at 15:43 |
|
The hubs are different but you can still use the BF hubs if you make a hybrid axle. You use the BG transmission and BG axles and then use BF Outer CV/Spine and BF Hubs. Club protege, or the yahoo group should have a good write-up about it.
Note you can also source the 4wd BG hubs from the AWD protege that was sold in the states, but finding those is becoming just as hard as sourcing BG GTX parts from Canada and overseas.
|
Bryan
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 15:45 |
|
It’s always nice to see other 323 GTX being driven, whether it’s on the street or as a rally rat. It’s great to see these old girls being used and enjoyed :D.
|
breonnagy
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 15:47 |
|
I had a GTX for a couple of year. Was going to turn it into a stage rally car until I found out that the floor was rusted right through. So I just beat the hell out of it at rallycrosses.
Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 15:50 |
|
I was so hoping I’d get to the bottom of the article and find out you’re coming to 100AW. See you there!
|
RallyDork
> Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig
03/15/2016 at 16:28 |
|
Sweet! See ya there
|
RallyDork
> breonnagy
03/15/2016 at 16:34 |
|
Sweet! Ya I’ve got some on the rear quarters and starting on the rockers. Hoping to fix it this summer.
|
RallyDork
> Bryan
03/15/2016 at 16:36 |
|
Ya, by the time I do the axle combo or hubs or whatever I could probably have just thrown the dogbox in. I’m not sure whats busted yet though. I have another spare, and a bin of loose GTX trans bits so... maybe i can make this new one last another while.
R.S.D.
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 16:43 |
|
Mazda 323's are on my Unicorn List. Just finding a stock runner within 1000 miles from me is a challenge...
|
RallyDork
> R.S.D.
03/15/2016 at 16:45 |
|
They’re great. I have a parts car that’s pretty fun but it’s not road worthy. If i find a good one with no rust i’m gonna snap it up. I have parts galore for 1.6 Gtx’s that i can’t use.
LOCRacing
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 17:39 |
|
We had some active aero issues of our own at Idaho Rally 2013. The hatch on our GTX popped open just as we started SS8, and we ran the whole thing eating dirt. A screen cap from the GoPro will have to do since I can’t find the awesome photo someone took from the spectator area. We did go on to get 1st in PGT though.
|
Wagons-Midwest
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 17:47 |
|
For anyone planning to head to 100 Acre Wood this weekend the Ranch Motel has one single occupancy room left due to a cancellation.
It’s as close to the center of the rally as you can get. I procrastinated as usual but this year Montauk State Park’s lodge is full so I threw a Hail Mary since The Ranch fills up as soon as the date is announced.
Papa Van Twee
> R.S.D.
03/15/2016 at 18:26 |
|
I had a normal 89 323, and it was a blast. I can’t imagine the fun I would have with a GTX.
sdwarf36
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 21:13 |
|
I love your page readers style. (And “slippy”.) I’ve watched a million rally vids-and I never really can connect what the nav. says and how far up the road he’s talking about. She was reading things at a speed that work with what the car was doing-and repeated if she got too far ahead.
Grindintosecond
> RallyDork
03/15/2016 at 23:59 |
|
I understand they could be had in foreign markets with the V6 instead of a turbo4. Would there be any logic to running a KL25?
smaximus14
> RallyDork
03/16/2016 at 12:47 |
|
I am looking to purchase one of these this weekend. It has a stuck lifter, no compression in one cylinder. I may get it for $500 it runs and everything is clean 150,00 miles. all stock. any advice?>
Wiggle Puppy
> RallyDork
03/17/2016 at 00:40 |
|
I’ve had mine since 1999 and I love it. Are you on the yahoo forum?
Also, if anyone in the Bay Area wants a cherry, garage-kept red GTX, just hit me up.
$4k
joclla
> R.S.D.
03/17/2016 at 18:57 |
|
I have one in Oregon, I’m looking to sell.
|
R.S.D.
> joclla
03/17/2016 at 19:42 |
|
Thanks, but the wrong coast!
budget_crx
> RallyDork
03/18/2016 at 10:23 |
|
Ahhh! I did the scrutineering on this car yesterday! Good luck on the races this weekend!
|
RallyDork
> budget_crx
03/18/2016 at 13:33 |
|
Sweet! And Thanks!