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Peter Coomaraswamy

Peter Coomaraswamy

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Just throwing this out there, I have a notion to build an e9 coupe into a Baja vehicle to eventually enter into the Baja 1000. I'm not sure of the class it can compete in but in the 80's I did some very unsuccessful racing in the SCORE circuit in a SAAB in class 6.

I would need a full shell with as little rust as possible but it will basically be dismantled and thoroughly strengthened so I'm not seeking anything pristine. If anyone knows of a "shell" that might be suitable for such an adventure please let me know.

As a side note, I think they are allowing all classes to mount machine gun turrets to the vehicles :)
 
Peter Coomaraswamy said:
Just throwing this out there, I have a notion to build an e9 coupe into a Baja vehicle to eventually enter into the Baja 1000. I'm not sure of the class it can compete in but in the 80's I did some very unsuccessful racing in the SCORE circuit in a SAAB in class 6.

I would need a full shell with as little rust as possible but it will basically be dismantled and thoroughly strengthened so I'm not seeking anything pristine. If anyone knows of a "shell" that might be suitable for such an adventure please let me know.

As a side note, I think they are allowing all classes to mount machine gun turrets to the vehicles :)
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Check with Mario about the turkey carcass
 
Peter, if you name the runner after one of the Drug Cartels they will probably offer $$$s, decals, and safe passage. Go for it!!
 
or..

I could become a target for a rival gang:?: But you got me thinking!:cool: You know, it's been such a long time I forgot how much planning actually has to do into something like this.:)
 
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OK, so I PM'd the chap in Reno, if it's still available I will probably need a good divorce lawyer. Actually, my wife loves the desert so maybe if I build the off road car she'll actually go somewhere with me, but truth be told, I usually see her point-

The Baja 1000 is in November and not sure I will be able to make this year with an entry, considering I don't even have a car, but you never know-I'll probably at least attend for a couple of days and get reacquainted with the process.

The cool thing about the Baja races is that you can go race "on the cheap". There is no sense spending tons of money on sophisticated parts because they WILL break before the race is over; many a car returns with a plastic gas tank strapped to the hood, fuel being gravity fed into the carb(s). E-brakes are really important because they're often the only means of slowing the car, and forget about trying to make it look nice. I have seen cars that were driven over for hours before anyone could get to the driver to pull it out and try to repair it to finish the race, which I think it did.

All-in-all its fun just don't forget the tequila!
 
Peter Coomaraswamy said:
OK, so I PM'd the chap in Reno, if it's still available I will probably need a good divorce lawyer. Actually, my wife loves the desert so maybe if I build the off road car she'll actually go somewhere with me, but truth be told, I usually see her point-

The Baja 1000 is in November and not sure I will be able to make this year with an entry, considering I don't even have a car, but you never know-I'll probably at least attend for a couple of days and get reacquainted with the process.

The cool thing about the Baja races is that you can go race "on the cheap". There is no sense spending tons of money on sophisticated parts because they WILL break before the race is over; many a car returns with a plastic gas tank strapped to the hood, fuel being gravity fed into the carb(s). E-brakes are really important because they're often the only means of slowing the car, and forget about trying to make it look nice. I have seen cars that were driven over for hours before anyone could get to the driver to pull it out and try to repair it to finish the race, which I think it did.

All-in-all its fun just don't forget the tequila!
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Hi Peter , are you sure you didn't entice your wife with "dessert" rather than desert ? :lol:...sounds like a blast ...we have the charity "Sh*tbox Rally" here in OZ for cars < $1k ...quintessentially Australian ! Good luck !
 
I think a Bavaria would make a better candidate for this mission.
 
Do tell, I love both, I'm not married to the e9 for this mission, thought it would look cooler but the e3 may be a better candidate. Is the structure that much better? Certainly more room if I have to bring some cargo back over the border :)
 
E3...

Substantially more robust structure, better balanced, and room for as much as you would ever want to haul along... plus they have the right look and feel for the desert, ala the old Mercedes sedan desert rally cars.
 
Bill Arnold drove a '72 bavaria (with an M3 engine - i presume s54) that won the targa newfoundland (2003 thru 2005)
 
Thinking the Bavaria is the correct choice! Easier to find a running example which means less parts hunting. RS I will look up Bill's car to see if I can figure out some of the things he did. That race you mentioned is reported to be even more brutal than the Baja by some. I think it's a little too cold for me though. The real race is to get my shop cleared out over the winter and find a suitable E3.

OK, so I'm going to let this one sleep for a bit but thanks everyone for the awesome input and I hope to re-reference this thread in a couple months :)

Peter
 
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