Anyone raced in NARRA?

[aromocki]

Just wondering what experiences, if any that you have had while racing in NARRA. My Panoz is modified and i live in Canada but would like to run a few races in the USA especially in the winter. Its putting out 480 at the wheels on a Mustang Dyno and has just over 400 ft lbs of torque. Its a couple seconds slower than a 2010 Cup car on a 1:22 minute track.With a better driver it would likely be equal.... I intend on running it in GTR-1 and would like to know the caliber of the drivers so I dont get hit going down the straight away.

There are some brutal "pro" series in Canada and thats why I am asking.

Thanks!

[Fast Viper Dan]

The first race I ever drove in was with Viper Days, now NARRA. That was in 2001.
Since then I have raced with them every year until 2009 when I sold my Panoz.
Now that they have opened the doors for more competitors I think there is a slightly higher chance of incident.
I can tell yo they do not allow bumping and grinding. You will be invited to leave. In other words, you will be expected to behave as a gentleman racer and you should be treated as one.
Now, as for your car. Assuming you have refreshed your car and have found a comfortable pace. You have a good chance to be competitive!
Your car has won in the viper racing league. Fastest car by a half a lap at the end. That was with a talented young man driving it. I know when I drove your car it was fast, loose, but fast.
I say, go for it! there weekend events are much more than just track time. The banquets are full of fun. Charity auctions, raffles, and just good fun.
I still attend west coast events as an instructor and to do some hot laps in my Viper.

[aromocki]

Thanks for the info Dan, I hope to do the car proud and bang out some good laptimes to boot. I will definitely try out some of the races, perhaps even later this year as I really like the car and would like a fun place to race it. Now I have to figure out how to transport it and all the related equipment down to Florida from Toronto~!

I have a 24 foot aluminum trailer from ATC, do tyou think that would be sufficient to haul all of my gear down there and back. I would likely have someone drive it down for me and then just fly down??

[Fast Viper Dan]

That is a long trip.
Your trailer will be fine. I would suggest carry at least two spare tires for a long trip like that.
Hot tip, to be faster, paint your car! jk

Dan

[aromocki]

Its already all Baby Blue and I will be putting the finishing touches on the Ford GT40 Gulf paint scheme. I will post pics when I am done. The car was messed up as I tore the front right corner off it while going into the pits. Another racer spun and slingshotted across the track (and blend line) before hitting me. Cost me 15k but luckily we cobbled it back together and raced the next weekend.

It was a shame as she was going to win that race as well!

[panozracing]

I have 445 HP at the wheels on a mustang dyno with 440 ft.lbs. of torque so we are similar. NARRA has combined with PBOC a few times and I have run with them. I like the competition. Its nice to have some american muscle to play with instead of the German p-cars. I had nothing but good times with the NARRA guys.

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[aromocki]

OK really good to know. I will let you know when my first American race is and I hope to see some of you there.

[aromocki]

Originally Posted by Fast Viper Dan

That is a long trip.
Your trailer will be fine. I would suggest carry at least two spare tires for a long trip like that.
Hot tip, to be faster, paint your car! jk

Dan

Dan, do you have any idea of what the maintenance costs are like on a Competition Coupe Viper?

Thanks,

Andrew

[Fast Viper Dan]

Originally Posted by aromocki

Dan, do you have any idea of what the maintenance costs are like on a Competition Coupe Viper?

Thanks,

Andrew

Comp Coupes are vary hardy cars. Much like the Panoz.
Parts are more expensive. Everything from Brake Pads Body parts.
The bulk of the Viper racing league have John Archer maintain there cars. If you have someone else doing all the prep and repair, 40-120K per year. Depends on transporting, number of races.
Do it your self and you can run a scca year for 20K.
Motor is 15k for stock spec motor. You can run a word challenge spec motor at 40K.
A friend of mine is running the same motor that came in his car in 2003.
The motor in your car was not cheep but a spec Panoz is $9500.
All relitive. If you have the chance to drive a CC, you will fall in Love with it. They are sooo much fun to drive.

If you are interested in buying one, let me know, I know of a couple for sale. 110k-135k.

Dan

[aromocki]

Originally Posted by Fast Viper Dan

Comp Coupes are vary hardy cars. Much like the Panoz.
Parts are more expensive. Everything from Brake Pads Body parts.
The bulk of the Viper racing league have John Archer maintain there cars. If you have someone else doing all the prep and repair, 40-120K per year. Depends on transporting, number of races.
Do it your self and you can run a scca year for 20K.
Motor is 15k for stock spec motor. You can run a word challenge spec motor at 40K.
A friend of mine is running the same motor that came in his car in 2003.
The motor in your car was not cheep but a spec Panoz is $9500.
All relitive. If you have the chance to drive a CC, you will fall in Love with it. They are sooo much fun to drive.

If you are interested in buying one, let me know, I know of a couple for sale. 110k-135k.

Dan

I spoke with John at Archer racing yesterday and its seems like a great deal as they can work on your cars and transport them to the various racing across the country. It seems that world challenge spec/competitive Competition Coupe will be very expensive to build and likely high maintenance as well as you have the dry sump and sequential to deal with as well as the other pro drivers. I think I will try and cut my teeth in the NARRA and see how well I do. I have no delusions of grandeur when it comes to racing as I am going to get trumped by a pro everywhere except maybe my home track.

I also think that my Panoz is faster than a Competiton Coupe at the moment and will test that theory in the USA. If I really like the NARRA I may buy a CC and just keep it in the USA and race my Panoz in Canada. I will have to see how things play out but having someone like Archer do all the maintenance and transport your vehicles as well is fantastic.

Thanks a lot for all of your help and is there any chance you will be at Daytona in October?

[panozracing]

That Daytona event Oct 21-23 is combined with PBOC. I will most likely be attending. I have never raced against another Panoz (except my brother). Are you definitely coming?

[aromocki]

Originally Posted by panozracing

That Daytona event Oct 21-23 is combined with PBOC. I will most likely be attending. I have never raced against another Panoz (except my brother). Are you definitely coming?

I should be barring anything ucnertain. My last race of the season in Canada is October 1st or so. That way I have three weeks to get the car prepped for Daytona and haul it down as well. Assuming I didnt pop a motor that should be totally doable. My wife thinks its a great idea as well and we will likely just have a week vacation after the race. I may even leave the Panoz down in the USA with Archer so he can bring it to Sebring for January. I would like to run 2 or 3 races in the USA over my winter assuming all is well with the car. The only snag is I need to freshen the engine at the end of the season at some point?? I will speak to my mechanics about that and with luck will get it done quickly at the end of the season.