Opels eligible for 'Performance Touring' class in NASA

[RallyBob]

Just an FYI for those who may be interested.

NASA (National Auto Sport Association) has a new road racing class for 2006 called 'Performance Touring', which pretty much allows any car to race with whatever mods it wants...as long as the car runs DOT tires. Cars are classed with a baseline, and modifications are given 'points' which determine the car's final racing class. Basically 'run what you brung' as long as it has the required safety devices installed. Certainly more lenient than SCCA road racing classes.

Anyhow, the Opel GT (both 1100 and 1900) were already classed as PTH** cars (the two asterisks are worth 15 points above the baseline) , and I just got the Opel Manta classified this week in the same class. I will be running the ex-SCCA GT-4 Manta in 'PTA' next season. (just re-checked the rollcage attachment points and I'm now up one class). Here's the car I will be running after 'detuning' it a bit to fit the class. 1975 Manta

More info here: http://www.nasaproracing.com/
and here: http://www.performancetouring.com/, with the points classifications here: http://performancetouring.com/index.php?categoryid=10

Unfortunately they spelled it as 'Mantra', but regardless, the car is now classed.

Bob

[opelwasp]

Bob where would I find the neccessary mods that need to be done to a GT for racing in these races?

[GTJIM]

Originally Posted by RallyBob Unfortunately they spelled it as 'Mantra', but regardless, the car is now classed.Bob

Good "Mantra" :

Opels Rule! Opels Rule!

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by opelwasp Bob where would I find the neccessary mods that need to be done to a GT for racing in these races?

Well, the only thing that 'needs' to be done for legality is the rollcage, seat, harness, battery kill switch, driver's suit, helmet, etc. In other words, the safety stuff.

Anything else is optional and will determine your classification. The overall CCR (Club Codes and Regulations) can be found here, and this includes the general safety specs and rollcage design parameters.

The rules specific to the Performance Touring class are here.

All of this info can be linked from main page that I listed before.

[RallyBob]

Oh, and ironically NASA started out on the west coast, so it's already very well established out there. It's new to the northeast however. A few friends of mine raced this year in this new class, and had an absolute ball. The past 2-3 months most of my income has been from race-prepping local cars for this class. Definitely up-and-coming, so I want to get in early.

[RallyBob]

You can go here to plug in your mods and find out your final class with the online calculator.

[davegt27]

Cool Bob

Go Mantra


Looks interesting

Plugged in the old GT and got this ha ha


Your 15 base points plus your 274 modification points (289 total points) puts you in SU.

Good luck

Davegt27

[opelwasp]

After I fit in a roll cage, I'll have 65 total points. Puts me in PTE class.

[jeff denton]

Looks like I'm in PTC, 107 points.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by davegt27 Your 15 base points plus your 274 modification points (289 total points) puts you in SU.

Yikes! I bet there's a lot you could 'undo' that doesn't make the car any faster or slower. A lot of people apparently play that game in this class, they try different mods within their class points restrictions to see what makes them faster.

I plugged in the ex GT-4 Manta and came up with 132 points plus the 15 baseline for a total of 147. Bumps me 7 classes to PTA. BUT, I also have a leeway of 12 points left to experiment. I could play with EFI, or with a larger displacement shortblock, or some additional suspension mods, and still stay within class.

The SU class is for the fast cars....there are a bunch of 400-500 hp WRX's and EVO's in there, and they can run full slicks. This also means I could put slicks on the Manta, add EFI and a turbo, and go play in SU! Surprisingly, on the tighter tracks a lot of the PTA and PTB cars are significantly faster than the SU cars. Has to do more with the driver and the handling than raw power.

Bob

[davegt27]

Very Cool Bob-- I will have to take a closer look after I get 3 or 4 other projects out of the way.

Its sort of like back in the day when my T-5 swap put me in E-Mod

then again I put down 2.2 as a motor swap, then FI, rear wing, close ratio gear set, changed final drive,

Lightened body panels, reworked front end, suspension mods

Well you know the story

But like you said it does open the door for some interesting stuff

Like if you’re going to SU class anyway why not Turbo or twin charge the sucker ha ha

The GT4 Mantra (sounds cool) seems tame: maybe it needs a 2.2 (2.2 will rev unlike a 2.4) Turbo six speed with a wide body kit
With IRS with side skirts and under body tunnel work

Yeah baby the MANTRA

Davegt27

[Tru-Craft]

Bob, that's a great racing association.
It would challenging to find the right combinations to see what gets the best results!
Have to keep the points down!!
Passenger seat out and interior gutted.........or a Hot cam?
Glad to hear your back into racing.
Lyle

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by davegt27 Like if you’re going to SU class anyway why not Turbo or twin charge the sucker ha ha The GT4 Mantra (sounds cool) seems tame: maybe it needs a 2.2 (2.2 will rev unlike a 2.4) Turbo six speed with a wide body kit With IRS with side skirts and under body tunnel work

I'm going to try to stay in PTA at all costs.

If however, I find myself crossing the line into SU, then I will go for the gusto...17" wheels with big brakes, monster turbo engine for sure, stronger tranny w/dog engagement and straight cut gears, stronger rear diff, etc. Problem is that gets expensive fast, not just up front but also to maintain the car, tire replacements, rebuilds, racing fuel costs, etc.

The engine I'm putting together now has stock rods with 11.5:1 compression, and a tweaked 1.9 head. I *should* be able to run 93 octane with a dash of Torco octane booster or a few gallons of 100 octane racing fuel. If I go turbo then I have to buy $8 per gallon racing fuel!

I am considering a stroker 2.2 (2346 cc's) later down the road, with a 2.2 head and a roller cam. But we'll see how fast it is with the 1.9 engine. It should be the best handling car out there...my friend Jack has the best handling car right now running in PTA in the northeast, and I know an Opel can outhandle his car (I've driven his car before and helped build it). The faster tracks like VIR and Watkins Glen might be tough, I hear they hit 145+ at those venues, but the Manta is currently geared for about 125 mph top speed. We'll see!

Bob

[cherokee]

It is too bad their Midwest div. is not quite midwest enough for me. M-O is a 1.5 day trip for me with a trailer. TX,OK,MO,NE,KS I would love to see something in this area. Talked to some guys in Texas they are trying to get something started up.

[soybean]

Originally Posted by RallyBob The faster tracks like VIR and Watkins Glen might be tough, I hear they hit 145+ at those venues, but the Manta is currently geared for about 125 mph top speed. We'll see! Bob

Bob, VIR has a good straight in front of the Pits and I imagine that type speed can be reached. But the right turn off the straight is tough on the brakes. The photo in my Gallery is facing that turn off the straight, and the begining of the uphill S's. If you should get down this way, I'm 30 min from the track and will be available for any help you should need. Jarrell

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by soybean If you should get down this way, I'm 30 min from the track and will be available for any help you should need. Jarrell

It's one of the tracks I'm looking forward to running the most. I've seen a lot of in-car video and it looks like a veritable roller coaster ride! May have to remove the 4.30 gears and stick in a 3.89 for that track!

Bob

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by RallyBob It's one of the tracks I'm looking forward to running the most. I've seen a lot of in-car video and it looks like a veritable roller coaster ride! May have to remove the 4.30 gears and stick in a 3.89 for that track! Bob

glad you're back in racing Bob!
this new race category seems very promising,
the only bad thing maybe with Dot tires is not to be able to use the full car potential,
same problem here in the "real" vintage race group.
have fun!
Hiro

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Hiro Dot tires is not to be able to use the full car potential, Hiro

Hiro, I believe the tires are DOT R-Compound. If so, these are not your run of the mill hi-po street tires. They are very near full race tires. Tirerack.com has some excellent pictures and tech info. I autocrossed a stock Neon that would pull 1.08G left and 1.05 right on a skid pad running Hoosiers, and rebound adjustible Koni's.

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by Paul Hiro, I believe the tires are DOT R-Compound. If so, these are not your run of the mill hi-po street tires. They are very near full race tires. Tirerack.com has some excellent pictures and tech info. I autocrossed a stock Neon that would pull 1.08G left and 1.05 right on a skid pad running Hoosiers, and rebound adjustible Koni's.

thanks Paul!
I see some of these DOT tires have only 2 grooves,
it's equivalent to what we call here "grooved slicks",
indeed should stick wildly to the track!
Hiro

[RallyBob]

Yes Hiro, I will be running the Hoosier radial DOT-R compound tires, the size will be 225/50-13 with 13" x 9" wheels. Adhesion will be comparable to full slick tires from 8-10 years ago! These are the tire specs.

I pulled 1.31 G's with my old street Ascona on slicks, and that was with no rollcage to stiffen the chassis. So the racing Manta should see similar numbers at higher speed corners. It has a very complete rollcage tied into the chassis, and either solid bushings or bearings throughout the suspension, and very firm springs (700 lb front and 225 lb rear).

Bob

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by RallyBob Yes Hiro, I will be running the Hoosier radial DOT-R compound tires, the size will be 225/50-13 with 13" x 9" wheels. Adhesion will be comparable to full slick tires from 8-10 years ago! These are the tire specs. I pulled 1.31 G's with my old street Ascona on slicks, and that was with no rollcage to stiffen the chassis. So the racing Manta should see similar numbers at higher speed corners. It has a very complete rollcage tied into the chassis, and either solid bushings or bearings throughout the suspension, and very firm springs (700 lb front and 225 lb rear). Bob

price is also appealing,
much less expensive than wide slicks here,
hum... worth a try for sure!
cheers,
Hiro

[opelwasp]

Originally Posted by Hiro glad you're back in racing Bob! this new race category seems very promising, the only bad thing maybe with Dot tires is not to be able to use the full car potential, same problem here in the "real" vintage race group. have fun! Hiro

Hey, Bob now that you are getting the race bug again we want video. I know most of us would love to see some in car video. It would be great to see you hit some of those turns at speed in yor manta from outside the car too. I have to be carefill though, if I see too much I may get infected by the racing bug(too late I think). Anyone live close to Bob to be a team videographer?

BTW Bob do you have a race team name? I would love to get a sticker of it.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by opelwasp Hey, Bob now that you are getting the race bug again we want video.

I actually have in-car video equipment, with a neat micro-video camera that has excellent resolution. I will certainly be installing it!

BTW Bob do you have a race team name? I would love to get a sticker of it.

I have often referred to my addictions as '1450 Racing'. This is in homage of course to 'Project 1450', which was GM/Opels code name for the Manta A/Ascona A chassis while it was under development. I have not made any decals for that as of yet. I still have some of my 'Legere Motorsports Development' stickers from the mid '90's however. I recently found a stash of them, and have been affixing them to some of the cars I've been prepping lately (mostly rollcages and suspension mods).

Bob

[davegt27]

yep i proudly have one of those stickers in the back window of my race GT

Davegt27

[spdkilz02]

bob i need ur opinion. my dad and i were talking today about building a car, and i cant get the opel bug outta me to save my life. so we were thinking of doing either a manta or ascona race car. would the ITB class or this new class be better for us to start with? my dad has about 30 years of experience working on cars, and owns his own shop, so getting the work done wont be a problem at all.