[Tom W]

My Turtle is in the shop for winter surgery. While I bought the Turtle mk I four years ago, it was transformed to the current configuration (mk II) in the last 2 years. Now it's time for more fun.

My race class was created 2 years ago and only 2 of us have been racing regularly for that time. Last year a number of cars were built to run next year and more are coming this winter. I've been 350 lbs overweight (yep, a pig of a Turtle) and decided if I'm to be competitive next year the weight has to go. In addition the stock 5-speed gearbox was giving me fits (difficult to shift from 2nd to 3rd and crummy ratios compared to the competition). So, the only way to fix it is to have some more mods done (i.e, to throw money at it).

We're getting rid of the sun-roofed roof, removing the bolt-in cage that was welded in, removing the wiring and starting from close to a clean tub. I'm not having it dipped, it doesn't seem that the undercoating that would not be scrapped off is worth the price differential. I am having a G50/32 put in (it's in route from Germany now). A Fabcar shifter will replace the stock mechanism too. A new wiring harness will be put in and MoTeC data acquisition with a dash to replace the factory gauges. The side and rear windows will be replaced with Lexan (front was already done).

The target weight is 2100 lbs. We are starting at 2446 lbs. Today's box of stuff removed (90% wiring related) was 71 lbs.

I promise pics soon with more as it get put back together (yes, this post is simply a teaser 'cause we all know it's no good without pics). I forgot my camera tonight... but the folks at the shop took some, I just don't have them yet.