I'm gonna Rally!

Hey! I'm looking at an AWD Wagon Legacy for Rallying! Is this a good platform? I love to watch Rally races, but am now getting up off my arse to join the boys! I wish I could get a WRX with a turbo... but sheesh ($$$)! The Wagon I'm looking at is only $5000 ('94) and another for $6500 ('97). I was also considering a FWD Celica. I heard Auto transmissions are better suited for this sport (?). Any other suggestions?

Also: what do I have to do to start Rallying? Where are the nearest sanctioning bodies (I live in So.Cal.)? Remember I'm an amateur! I'm serious about this!

---1viadrft

I'd think wagon is not idea weight and weight distribution-wise, and shoot whoever told you that A/T are better suited for this sport. Otherwise you're on the right path. Some one else might be able to tell you about the sanctioning bodies.

Will the car be your race car only or will oyu be driving it on the street as well?

I'd think wagon is not idea weight and weight distribution-wise, and shoot whoever told you that A/T are better suited for this sport. Otherwise you're on the right path. Some one else might be able to tell you about the sanctioning bodies.

Will the car be your race car only or will oyu be driving it on the street as well?

Thanks Mr. Moderator,
The car will be strictly for Rally... not for the street! That's what my 240sx is for! I thought that the AT comment would be credible because I saw a WRC car with an electronic shifter... I guess that's ok 'cus both cars I'm looking at are MT. And I read that the Legacy wagon is actually lighter than the sedan version by 200lbs. I guess the weight distribution might be off , however, with that big arse in the air! What about the Celica??? Thanks for the help.

---1viadrft

oh... but do you think the Legacy wagon is OK to rally in for the time being???

i do believe that older legacy wagons had an e-brake that locked the front wheels, not the rears.

i would assume this to be very inconvient in rallying. But maybe that was only the really old models...eh, anyone?

oh yah...depending how extensively you want to prep your rally car you could get a wrecked L from auction. I went with my friend to a car auction the other day....4 L's all AWD ranging from like 94-96 i think. anyhow..they all had certificate of destruction. None even looked that bad, just a little frame damage, fenders, bumper, hood, 1/4s. They all went for around 2-300. I was gonna get one, but i have to get some other projects done before i can work on my next rally car. hell i already have 2 spare 2.5 motors and transmissions, so parts for a swap are no problem, but do i really want to run open group? maybe not yet.

electronic shifter? i've always thought the wrc cars were all MT and had no clutches.. the computers acted as the clutch or something :eek:

i was looking into doing some rallying myself, but my co-driver moved to japan, so i've had to shelf the idea for the moment.

my advice would be:- DO NOT BUY ANYTHING, UNTILL... you have found a local rally club and got a copy of the handbook. there's no point buying a car just to find out that it's not eligible for any of the classes you can compete in.

in the UK (were i am, so may be different for you) you also need at the very least the following equipment:

FIA approvel roll cage - welded in, not bolted and must be CDS and not seam welded.
fire extinguisher mounted within reach of driver whilst wearing harness.
flame retardant overalls or flame retardant underwear and socks with normal overalls.
engine kill switch.
fuel tank replaced with racing fuel cell - not a necessity, but a damn good idea.

also remember that you're going to be spending a lot of money on tyres and fuel. also budget for at least one engine rebuild per season and also the very real chance that you are going to total the car and have to buy another one. it also really helps if you're handy with the spanners as it will cut down your garage bill the more work you can do yourself.

having a few petrolhead mates for your pit crew and knowing someone who's car has a tow hitch & trailer helps a lot too. :)

hth,
jules
'89 944 turbo SE
'83 924 lux 140bhp
'87 635 CSi
Ex '91 Scirocco GT2
Ex '83 Golf Mk1 - rally prepped

REAL stage rallying costs at least $10000 to get you going, you cannot rally your street car. You need tons of safety equipment and a support vehicle to do every rally with you. You will also need at least 3 sets of wheels and tires and need to replace the clutch every couple rallies.

A much more reasonable opportunity is RallyCross, this is done one at a time with several runs over a single course and the only equipment you need is your car and a helmet (which can be borrowed)

I'd suggest the SCCA as a local sanctioning body, but as of late, they've dropped their rally program....
You should not look to the WRC for your inspiration over here. They're cars are a little too advanced for any of the classes of any sanctioning body I've heard of on this side of the pond.
Anyway, my list of suggestions for prep:
1. FIA approved roll cage (isn't homologation GRAND?)
2. tires. lots of tires.
3. I haven't heard any rule against seam-welding your car, but I have been wrong in the past.
4 (which should be step 1). Get the rulebook of the sanctioning body you want to race with. Then just build to the class you want to compete in.

I wish I could get a WRX with a turbo...
You could get one, just don't buy a brand new one.