Racing Body - vs - Street Body?
Discussion
I just saw the post regarding the rear body section that flew off under full throttle and it made me think about something.
How many of you would consider purchasing a second (2nd) body for your Ultima and simply use it exclusively for Road Tracks runs on Saturday's.
Something like:
Or, whatever you wanted.
My thoughts are these:
1) I could now have that hot "Le Mans Prototype", or "Nascar" paint scheme that I've always wanted without having to "display" it all over downtown while going out to dinner for the evening.
2) If the body got banged up a little bit on the track, well it would then really look like a race car and not merely a "trophy" car with all show and no go.
3) Just because the body got a few scratches at the track on Saturday, does not mean that I hit the wall and caused serious chassis damage, or worse. (Think about how easy it is to trade a little paint with people while running hard on the track - no major damage, just a little paint trading coming out of turn number 3).
How long would it take to do a complete body panel swap?
Could I do it in the morning just before leaving for the track, or is it something that I would want to take care of the night before, or maybe two - three days before?
Lastly, is the issue of cost. What would a full set of fitted body panels cost me?
I think that having a GTR painted like the "Tide" NASCAR is another story! WOw! That bright Orange Tide Bullet would look good at the track though! Just not at my favorite Steak House in downtown San Francisco.
L2Pilot
How many of you would consider purchasing a second (2nd) body for your Ultima and simply use it exclusively for Road Tracks runs on Saturday's.
Something like:
Or, whatever you wanted.
My thoughts are these:
1) I could now have that hot "Le Mans Prototype", or "Nascar" paint scheme that I've always wanted without having to "display" it all over downtown while going out to dinner for the evening.
2) If the body got banged up a little bit on the track, well it would then really look like a race car and not merely a "trophy" car with all show and no go.
3) Just because the body got a few scratches at the track on Saturday, does not mean that I hit the wall and caused serious chassis damage, or worse. (Think about how easy it is to trade a little paint with people while running hard on the track - no major damage, just a little paint trading coming out of turn number 3).
How long would it take to do a complete body panel swap?
Could I do it in the morning just before leaving for the track, or is it something that I would want to take care of the night before, or maybe two - three days before?
Lastly, is the issue of cost. What would a full set of fitted body panels cost me?
I think that having a GTR painted like the "Tide" NASCAR is another story! WOw! That bright Orange Tide Bullet would look good at the track though! Just not at my favorite Steak House in downtown San Francisco.
L2Pilot
Have you thought about how much time and effort it is to swap all the panels?? Bonnet and rear clip are fairly straight forward but not sure about the large cockpit section and the side panels.
Also how much damage would you do everytime you took it apart / bolted it back again.
Surely a better bet would be to buy another one for trackday, such as James or 001.
Also how much damage would you do everytime you took it apart / bolted it back again.
Surely a better bet would be to buy another one for trackday, such as James or 001.
The side pods are bonded and riveted in place. The centre body including the dash board is then bonded, riveted and bolted in place. All of the above is critical to the alignment of the doors.
The whole thing is a non starter.
It would be more practicle to swop the engine than what you are proposing.
If you realy intend to 'swap paint' in a race environment you would want to build the car to a completly different specification than a road version with a change of panels.
Steve
The whole thing is a non starter.
It would be more practicle to swop the engine than what you are proposing.
If you realy intend to 'swap paint' in a race environment you would want to build the car to a completly different specification than a road version with a change of panels.
Steve
The quickest way to change your paint scheme for track days would be to have the car resprayed.
The alternative yould be to have a complete second rolling shell, and transplant the engine and gearbox between the 2 cars.
The third alternative (the one that I practice on track days), is to show some consideration to other drivers, and not "trade paint". This sort of thing is sometimes unavoidable when you're racing, as the rules and expectations are somewhat different, but not really the "done thing" on a track day (at least in the UK, it may be different in the US).
Happy motoring
James
The alternative yould be to have a complete second rolling shell, and transplant the engine and gearbox between the 2 cars.
The third alternative (the one that I practice on track days), is to show some consideration to other drivers, and not "trade paint". This sort of thing is sometimes unavoidable when you're racing, as the rules and expectations are somewhat different, but not really the "done thing" on a track day (at least in the UK, it may be different in the US).
Happy motoring
James
Another alternative would be to buy a Smart car and put the Ultima engine in that if you can find somewhere for it. At least you can change the body panel with ease. May l suggest for street use a nice Burberry check and perhaps swap to British racing green with some stripes for the track... 
"The side pods are bonded and riveted in place."
Well, that just about does it then. That idea won't work very well.
As far as trading paint is concerned - it happens - whether you intend to do it or not - it does happen. People have dents, scratches, etc., in their cars at just about any open road course that I have seen.
The intent is not to trade paint, but the reality is quite different especially when sharing the course with in-experienced drivers.
Since, major panels are "bonded" into place - the point is moot!
Doing two (2) might be the only real solution allowing for a pure-track car instead of one balanced on both the street and track. At that point, one might as well use the CanAm for the track, and the GTR for the street. Hmmm - interesting thought.
Thanks for the tip.
Well, that just about does it then. That idea won't work very well.
As far as trading paint is concerned - it happens - whether you intend to do it or not - it does happen. People have dents, scratches, etc., in their cars at just about any open road course that I have seen.
The intent is not to trade paint, but the reality is quite different especially when sharing the course with in-experienced drivers.
Since, major panels are "bonded" into place - the point is moot!
Doing two (2) might be the only real solution allowing for a pure-track car instead of one balanced on both the street and track. At that point, one might as well use the CanAm for the track, and the GTR for the street. Hmmm - interesting thought.
Thanks for the tip.
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