Low Budget
Excitement! ".......Out of the
corner......OK, there's third gear......Oh CRAP!!!......whew, just
missed that rock......Downshift....S-turn coming up......Back on the
gas.....Big jump ahead...Take it in 3rd.......come on, come
on..........YEA!!!" There's a good number of off-roaders
out there who've had that dream. You know, Man and machine against the
desert, Mano-a-mano. Sometimes you win, sometimes the desert wins, and
once in a while it even rains. Unfortunately, many abandon the dream
before it's really even begun, thinking the costs too high. While
racing in any form is not inexpensive, there's still a way for the
"Ivan Stewart" in us all to live that dream without
mortgaging the dog & both kids. It's called "Class 9 -
Challenger" The Father & Son team of Tim
& Gary Hart came to Class 9 after winning the 1995 Class 5-1600
Baja Bug Championship in the Fud Racing Series. As costs in the 5-16
class continued to climb, it became increasingly difficult for the
Harts to field a competitive race car on a budget. Even with good
sponsorship, the out of pocket expenses were taking a definite bite
out of the "fun factor". While the Harts wanted to continue
racing, moving down to the less expensive Class 11 was not an option,
and a move to trucks would prove even more expensive. Class 9 buggies
offered an ideal solution. So the question on your mind right
now is, "How much?", right? The price will really suprise
you. For around $10,000, you can build yourself a state of the art,
highly competitive Challenger car. A big wallet won't help you much
here, since there's only so much you're allowed to do to the car.
Limited in suspension and engine displacement, the Class 9 buggies are
certainly not limited in the challenge they offer. In fact, Class 9 is
called "Challenger" because the cars are so evenly matched,
making for a true "drivers class".
Engine / Transaxle The rules of Challenger call for a
basically stock Type 1 single port VW engine. displacing an actual
1584 cc's. Class rules allow for a single Solex 1bbl carb, coil type
ignition (no Magnetos allowed, sorry) and 4 into 1 exhaust with a USFS
approved spark arrestor. Internally, the engine is allowed a maximum
of 7.5 to 1 compression, balanced crankshaft, rods & pistons (all
of stock type) and unported heads. Camshaft selection is open, but is
realistically limited by the "stock" nature of the other
engine components. Gary Hart is the engine builder of
record for T&G Racing, and along with son Tim, added there own
special touches to the Challenger's mill. A full flow oiling system with
external filter, and a combination external &
"doghouse" cooler keep the vital fluids temperature from
going into the red zone in the torrid desert heat. A 3 angle valve job (keeping
the rules required 45 deg. cut) maximizes the Type 1's exhaust
flow potential, pulling every last ounce of power from the little
engine Solid rocker shafts and "swivle
foot" valve adjusters provide an added margin of safety in
the upper RPM range. 3 outlet crankcase breather
system keeps the engine from building high internal pressures,
resulting in better piston ring sealing, and consistent cylinder
pressures. A Bosch " 009"
mechanical advance distributor, 7.5mm wires & Bosch Platinum
plugs feed the engine spark via a dual redundant Bosch ignition
system. All wiring is securely zip tied and secured, minimizing
electrical failure risks. Even the plug wires are zip tied to the
cap, keeping the water & dust out, and the spark in. A Bosch 12 volt alternator
replaces the stock 6V generator, and powers the lighting, radio,
ignition, shock cooling system, and fresh air system. Specific internal mods are kept
close to the vest. In this highly competitive class, racers strive
for every advantage, and "it just wouldn't do" to give
away T&G Racing's speed secrets here!
The VW Type 1 Transaxle built by
Paul Smiley is of the "swing axle" variety, in keeping with
the class rules. A stock 1st & 2nd gear are followed up by a close
ratio 3rd & 4th. The hard to find German 4.37 to 1 ring and pinion
are mounted to a screw type "super diff" differential,
turning Sway A Way axles, and Tupe 181 drums. A 4-puck clutch &
1600 lb. bus pressure plate, and aluminum side plates round out the
trannys beef.
Chassis /
Suspension World renowned chassis
manufacturer, Chenowth, provided their "4LW" chassis,
literally "hot off the welder". When Tim & Gary arrived
at Chenowth's El Cajon California facilities to pick up the car, the
finishing touches were being put on the bare chassis.Still hot, the
4LW was loaded onto the T&G Ford F-250 and cooled off on the way
home! The Chenowths have developed a
legendary reputation in the trench warfare of the Challenger class.
While heavier than many of the newer offerings like Bunderson or
Lothringer (two of the industries best manufacturers) the Chenowth has
proven to be nearly bulletproof, taking thousands of miles of
punishment with little complaint. With less than 8 in. of front &
rear wheel travel from the "stock" VW suspension design
(Swing axle rear, and ball joint / trailing arm front)
"punishment" is an accurate word to describe it. "You
don't drive a 9 (Challenger), you skip it like a stone across a lake.
You get up on top of the bumps and STAY THERE! If you get down in
them, you get beaten to death trying to get back up on top"says Tim. Easing the pain enormously is the
job of specially designed Fox 2.0 "Challenger" Shox.
Designed and valved specifically for the Challenger cars, the Fox
units pack a tremendous amount of performance into a lightweight,
compact package. Further aiding the shocks effectiveness is a custom
designed liquid cooling system engineered by Tim. Using a transmission / oil cooler,
braided nylon line, silicon, steel tubing, an electric fuel pump, and
coolant, the Fox Shox can be pushed to their limits with no fear of
heat induced shock fade. While many Challengers are slowing down due
to handling problems late in the race, T&G Racing's Chenowth keeps
going with a "first lap" feel. Additional suspension components
include spring plates & torsion bars from Sway A Way. The
combination of 27mm "Intermediate" bars and super durable (chrom-moly
steel, twice the thickness of stock) spring plates is well suited to
the chassis dynamics of the Chenowth, and are made even more versatile
by the addition of torsion adjusters. Making the chassis tunable to
course conditions is a must for desert racing, since they can change
greatly from lap to lap. Proper setup often makes the difference
between sitting in the winners circle, and spending a long night in
the desert with a broken car, and coyotes for company
Steering Steering is accomplished via a
Wright Rack and Pinion unit, with Chro-moly tie rods, and a
combination of International 1 ton, and Ford 3/4 ton rod ends. The
stock VW spindles are reinforced to rulebook specifications, and ride
in German (VW) Ball Joints for maximum durability. The light weight
(1600 lbs.) and rear engine location of the Challenger cars make power
steering unnecessary, even with the increased tire diameter. Big tires and R&P steering
boxes can add up to some sore arms without a little hydraulic help.
T&G chose a Fox Nitrogen steering stabilizer originally designed
for a 5-1600 car. Adjustable via gas pressure, the Fox unit keeps the
wheels pointing in the right direction, and minimizes driver fatigue.
Tires While Class rules call for
Steel wheels, the tire sizing is open. Tim & Gary opted for the
proven Yokohama Super Digger III rear tires sized at 33X10.5X15. The
Diggers mounted to a 5 in. wide rim result in a rounded tread surface,
which allows for more wheelspin, and increased rolling radius. In
front, 7x15 Yokohoma highway tread tires provide knifelike steering,
along with a high sidewall profile. This extra sidewall height works
like additional suspension (in the rough), and that's a thing that
Challengers can always use more of. While many racers have
"gone tubeless", Tim & Gary prefer the added security a
tubed tire provides. Although adding weight to the rotating mass, the
time and speed lost are more than made up for by fewer pit stops due
to blown tires. In the desert, there are no shortage of things ready
to tear a tire to shreds. Cactus, rocks, other cars...the list goes
on. T&G Racing are firm advocates of the theory.."Better safe
than sorry"
Interior The interior of a
Challenger is purely functional. It has to be since there's little
room for luxuries. A pair of Beard Super Seats and aci 5 point safety
harnesses are bolted directly to the chassis for maximum safety.
Between them rests a Jamar shifter with reverse lock-out, which
prevents any transmission damage from an accidental missed 3-2
downshift at speed. A Yaseu 2 way radio with
helmet intercom provides vital communication between the driver,
co-driver, and crew. Speaking of helmets, the team's Shoei RF-R
helmets are set up for a pair of Cactus Racing fresh air systems,
mounted behind the Challengers seats. An added benefit of the Cactus
system is the cooling ability. The circulation created in the full
face helmets help keep Tim & Gary cool in the ultra-hot summer
races. Knowing that a comfortable driver is an effective driver, the
Cactus system is an invaluable part of the teams winning effort. A quick detach steering
wheel eased entry and exit, since the "door" is actually a
hinged roof panel. Entry to the cockpit by the side "window"
openings is not possible, because of the solidly mounted safety nets
which keep the occupants hands & arms safely in the cockpit, and
protected in case of a rollover. Other safety features
include a Firesafe on-board fire suppression system (manual Halon
Dump), first aid kit, and 16 gal foam bladder Jaz Fuel Cell, mounted
behind a steel firewall. Reflective "flares", on board
water, and survival supplies all meet or exceed the rule book
requirements, and add an extra layer of confidence to both driver
& co-driver..
Lighting The 4 KC Highlights "Daylighter"
100 watt units live up to their name, and provide the Hart's
Challenger with more than ample illumination during the night races
common to the Fud Series. A 55 Watt fog light is rear mounted (and
faces rearward) as per class rules, to provide an "early
warning" to approaching cars in limited visibility conditions.
Sometimes the standard tail lights just aren't enough, and getting
rear-ended by a Class 8 truck is never fun. A red clearance light is
mounted to the interior and wired to the oil pressure sending unit. In
case of a sudden pressure drop, the light goes off, and there's no
missing it. This system has saved the engines in many cars from
catastrophic damage. Finally, there is a "work light"
mounted in the engine bay. Midnight in the desert is no place to
wonder where your flashlight went, and the added safety &
convenience of a chassis mounted light is well worth the very minimal
cost in weight.
At the Races T&G Racing's most
recent outing was the SNORE "Terrible Town 200" (Feb 21) in
Henderson NV, where the team came home with a 4th place finish out of
a 19 car (Class 9) field. Starting in the 10th slot, Tim & Gary
ran consistent laps, moving the Challenger up 3 positions by lap 3. Assisting Tim and Gary
with the Driving chores were Rich & Lee Culiver of El Centro Ca.
Both veterans of the desert wars, Rich and Lee took over the car on
lap 3, on an increasingly deteriorating course. The course proved to
be the least of Rich's problems, when a 1/2/1600 hit the T&G car
from behind, mangling the engine cage, and knocking an exhaust pipe
loose from the collector. After a quick repair (a'la crow bar) in the
pits, the Challenger was back on the course, and gaining position.
When the checkered flag dropped, Rich pulled the car across the line
in 4th position, keeping the car's record of top 5 finishes intact.
Thanking the
Sponsors Tim & Gary Hart would
like to take this opportunity to thank their sponsors who have made
their success possible. I.V.
Freightliner Pacific Coast Freightliner - El Centro CA. The Off-Road
Shop - Fort Mojave AZ Union 76 J
Street - Needles CA. Web Cam Mary Kay
Cosmetics
Your dream of racing in
the desert doesn't have to remain a dream. Challenger offers you an
inexpensive (relatively speaking) solution for making the dream come
true. Now just ask yourself...."Would I rather skip rocks across
a pond, or a Class 9 Challenger across the desert?" Well, What are you waiting
for?
Find out more about
Class 9 "Challenger" from the
Official
SCORE Website Find out more about
Chenowth
at the Chenowth Website
here @ Off-Road.com Find out more about
Fudpucker
Racing (FRT)
at the Fud Race website here @ Off-Road.com Find out more about
Wright
R&P Units
In Off-Road.com's Product Review section Find out more about
Beard
Super Seats
In Off-Road.com's Product Review section | 
