2009 One Lap of America

The RochesterDSM club has formed a team to compete in the 2009 One Lap of America. The team includes Stephen Burke, Mike Hayes, Sean Caron, and Me Tim Harper. Why would we do such a thing? Why not? We’ve been tossing this idea around for a couple of years now and this year a window opened up and we jumped on the opportunity.

For those who don’t know what One Lap of America is here is a little history. The race called the Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash started by Brock Yates in 1971. This was a free for all …“the only rule is there aren’t any rules” race from New York to LA which featured every type of car from Ferrari’s to Rolls-Royce and every type of driver from rank amateur to Dan Gurney. The Cannonball run movies were based on the highlights from real race. 1979 marked the end of the road for the race, at least in its original form. In 1984 the Cannonball was back but this time is was a series of time-speed-distance rallies with some autocrosses thrown in. In 1992 Cannonball transformed once again into what it is a today. The race is nearly 24hrs a day driving with competition taking place as time trials on Americas best race tracks. The event is an exercise in endurance and preparation. There are no support trucks, no pit crews, and you race the entire event on the same set of street tires. The scoring is based on your performance on the track but the real test is the car/drivers ability to traverse over 3000 miles without regard to sleep or personal hygiene. The format is grueling for sure with barely enough time to get from one event to the next. The format goes something like this race, pack the car, drive like hell for hundreds of miles hoping to make it time to catch an hours sleep in a crusty motel, unpack the car, race and repeat.

Here is the schedule.

Start: Saturday May 2nd: Tire Rack headquarters, South Bend, In
Autobahn Country Club
Sunday: Bluegrass Motorsports Club
Monday: Talladega Grand Prix Raceway
Tuesday: Sebring International Raceway
Gainesville Raceway
Wednesday: Daytona International Speedway
Thursday: Carolina Motorsports Park
Friday: BeaveRun Motorsports Complex
Finish: Friday, May 9th: Tire Rack, South Bend

http://www.onelapofamerica.com

The car we are using is a 1992 Galant VR4 which belongs to Stephen Burke. The Galant VR4 is a limited edition 4-wheel drive turbocharged 4-door sedan brought to the States in very limited numbers (only 3000 imported). The car was the start of Mitsubishi’s domination of WRC rally racing and the inspiration for the legendary Evolution series of cars. We chose that car because Steve was parting it out and my track car, 1992 Eclipse GSX, was too small. The Galant is in great shape but was not set up for serious track duty. To get the car ready for that task my track car would be stripped for parts. Some of the big items to be swapped are front and rear suspension, wheels, transmission, and turbo set up. Here is a brief modification list of the VR4.

The motor has JE 9-1’s, crower rods, ported head, 1mm Si valves, 264/272 HKS cams, AGP L1R turbo, 660’s, Cozmo pump, 6AN fuel line, meth injection, FP race manifold, 3” exhaust w/dump, oil cooler, and good sized FMIC.

The suspension is Koni/DSS coilovers with 400f/350r spring rates, white line rear sway bar, urethane front and rear, RRE front castor/camber plates, 17x9 Mustang wheels, 255/40-17 tires, and a Baer track brake set-up.

Our first sponsor is ECMtuning which has graciously donated a ECMlink V3 to do the tuning.

Our goals are simple, a respectable finish and bring the car home in one piece. Sounds simple but given the extreme punishment we’re going to put on the car and ourselves we think it sounds about right. A web site will be up soon and we have some lofty goals for live streaming so everyone can tune in and see what we’re up to. This year the event is going to be covered by Motor Trend magazine so keep an eye out for the June issue.

Sometime before the start of the race we are going to be reaching out to the DSM community to help us set up a network of friends along the route just in case we might need a little help along the way. It’s not like you can get parts like injector clips at Wal-Mart.

If you are interested in sponsoring us, lending a hand, or want to be part of the route network drop me a note.

The RochesterDSM One Lap of America Team,

Tim Harper
Stephen Burke
Mike Hayes
Sean Caron

Now that is cool as hell!!!!!

Goodluck guys!!!

let us know If you guys need anything. We are more then willing to lend a hand or parts.



-Em

Or an evo?

What do you mean? The galant VR4 is an EVO...its just first. Not that we are expecting miracles here but its not stock and should be very competitive against EVO's and Sti's.

Werd, I was trying to hook you up here.lol

I am very jealous btw.

The team had a productive weekend. We finished swapping the front and rear suspension from the Eclipse to the VR4. That will give us fairly new wheel bearings, urethane bushings, good ball joints, and most importantly 5 lug hubs. That will allow us to run my 17x9's off the Eclipse and the 255 wide tires. A little bit of work is needed to finish up the suspension but for the most part its done. Next up on the agenda is swapping my L1R turbo, FP exhaust manifold, and my home built intake manifold. That way we can start fabbing up the exhaust and intercooler pipes.

Freaking awesome!!!

So what going to happen to the GSX?? Are you parting it for good or just disassembling it for the year???

Didn't the GVR4 have a decent sized turbo on it already???

I was just going to ask this.
This is sweet.

The plans for the GSX are up in the air. The VR4 was being parted out/sold before we decided to transform it. Right now the plans are to swap the parts, run the event, and then swap the parts back so I have something to race. But nothing is written in stone so the VR4 might be sold afterwards or I may buy it for myself.

The VR4 has a BR57 turbo from Bushur racing in it with a T3 maninfold with a turbonetics delta gate. The turbo is in great shape but I think its too big. I am guessing but I think its a 60-1 compressor with a stage 3 exhaust wheel. I think my L1R is a better choice for what we are doing.

I would also suspect that as the go fast parts come off the VR4 they will be put up for sale which is another reason we don't want to use to many of Steve's parts for the trip.

I can appreciate the time and energy you will be pouring into this Onelap trip and would be more than willing to help where I can. Being sleep deprived and rushed from track to track isn't for everyone but I know you guys will make us proud!

You guys need the fender roller? Stop by and grab it....

-Em

The pace of the preperation has been going pretty slow right now. Lots of planning and just trying to understand what we are doing. But in the last day or so things are picking up quickly so we will need some help pretty soon. The ECMlink is on its way and we are going to need a hand tuning the car. Have to get it running first!

We may need more like a sawzall unless we get those wheels to tuck in.

That's what I was thinking. holy tires. put some 4" bump stops on it

Nah, no sawzall. Just some sweet love with a roller, a gentle caress of a 5lb sledge, and the delicate touch of a pnuematic cutter.

with the roller you might be able to stretch the fender that much....

I bet they can at least split the difference by flaring the fenders out about an inch. Sticking out a little just makes it more aggressive looking and I'm not sure they are worried TOO much about sending debris picked up by the tires down the side of the car when on the track.

I know I only speak for myself but who gives a rats ass if a little tire sticks out. This is going to be a track monster not a show car.

Also, if you look at that picture the alignment is all out of whack. The ride height is at least an inch too low and the camber is positive. I went back and adjusted as much negative camber as the Tein plates would allow and its better. The real solution is going to be when my Koni's and RRE camber plates make there way to the VR4. I'll get another picture with the ride height and camber where I want it.