Mikelly

SO I was told yesterday that all C5s will move to T2 next year, and that the "new" T1 class will include C6Z06s and the Viper, and I guess one or two other high end exoticas...

So what's the general take on this from you guys??? Actually surprised I'm not already reading a thread about it...

Mike

wtknght1

We're talking about it on the SCCA forums and I posted a question on this one about removal of the cats (and the sound level). We've also sent a request in to name the new group ST (Super Touring) instead of T1. We'll see what happens. Either way, both ST and T1 will suffer a bit as far as total entrants.

96CollectorSport

How are they going to put roll bars in the C6Z, I'm curious how they can weld a steel roll cage on that aluminum frame?

wtknght1

It's a very involved process according to Joe Aqualante and Kurt at Phoenix...not to mention expensive. I just can't see too many folks willing to go thru all that. But I'm sure there will be a few.

AU N EGL

I know of at least two cars done by Phoenix. it is almost twice as much as doing the normal T1 car roll cage.

No they dont weld alumium to steel. It is a very complex process that GMs Performance Division worked with Phoenix too assure strength.

wtknght1

Yep, they use a type of steel/aluminum 'sandwich' or something like that.

I'm hoping that somebody does all this and realizes they are over their head...then decides to sell the car...cheap. I'd love to race a new Z (especially after driving one at last October's CMP event), but there's no way I can justify a $100K racing car...for either a new Z or a Viper. Too much $$$$$!!

AU N EGL

Hey wait - I want one first.

It is like turing a current vette into a Phoenix T1 car, about $25,000 or purchsing a used T1 car for $32-35,000 - and you still have your street vette.

Oh Chris there should be 5-7 GM Zs at CMP this year.

wtknght1

Chalk me up for one of the driver's seats!!!! This year though, it'll be without the electronic gadgets on!!!!! Wahoo!!!!!

davidfarmer

while it is labor intensive, bonding/bolting steel plates to the aluminum is not that big of a deal. The A-pillars in your C5's are aluminum, and they slide down into the stee door support. There are about 6 bolts holding it together, THEN they put some sort of glue on their that WILL NOT EVER EVER VERY come off.

Trust me, when I stripped down my old car, I thought I'd just unbolt it, loosen it up, and slide apart. WRONG. Ended up cutting the entire thing out with a plasma cutter.

Bottom line, it can be done. If GM was willing to spare the frames, they could do all of that at the factory and charge a premium.

There are also some exotic friction welding processes for "melding" different metals, but I don't think that is something you do at the cage shop.

gonzalezfj

Plus at least one privately-owned.

Frank Gonzalez

AU N EGL

More like 7 or 8 privetly owned. Dont have driver / car list to match students with instructors yet. Waiting on GM to send us the list of engineers and managers who are coming.