The Bay Bottom Crawl

Jims5543 · 10-09-2007, 05:02 PM

An exercise in insanity that would even make Hemingway proud.

This race has been run on the Keys near Key West for over 50 years now. The same course has been used for over 20 IIRC. With times being kept all the way back.

A huge trophy is given out to the FTD and it is a coveted prize. No pax is figured in for the FTD just raw time and how big are your attachments. There is also a trophy for deepst in the drink. You see, beyond all that green stuff, maybe 10-15 feet deep mangroves is water. And yes some end up there. But, if your going in go deep and get a trophy.

This guy is making a name for himself there, he owns a Audi S4 with the 2.7 liter V6 bi-turbo motor in it. Its worked over with upgraded turbos adn I have no idea what else, I remember 3 years ago he was boosting 25PSI through it and I remember hearing 600 to the wheels recently.

The machine:

A video of his run last year:
http://www.hi5.com/friend/video/displayViewVideo.do?videoId=1964107&ownerId=1164987

He is a little sloppy, I would like to see a view of the side of his car as it appears he gets pretty far away from the cones which = left time on course = he is already one of the fast ones and could be the fastest.

I have met Oliver the owner and he is a really cool guy, really laid back and absolutely nuts behind the wheel.

I am sad I missed this year but will be there next year no matter what. I have to try to catch him with my RX7. LOL!! Will never happen. I am not insane.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

I've always wanted to go. I think my car would do well, but it won't float.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

livi · 10-10-2007, 03:12 AM

Looks like a lot of fun! Although I do that almost every day (on Project Gothham).

Ed Bighi · Ed Bighi's Garage

I almost ran the crawl once, but something else came up. It was a while back, early nineties. I think I had to run some event at the old Palm Beach fairgrounds instead. But I always wanted to run the crawl. I used to autocross with this guy who won fast time of day there. I forgot his name. He ran a 911SC with big bore pistons, wild cams and carbs. At the time that was all you needed. If I am ever back in South Florida with my car and that event is running, I might do it.

Here in Arizona, the Southern AZ guys run autocrosses in this old racecourse which is a lot like that road used in the Bay Bottom Crawl. Actually, it's even better. Like the crawl, single car width with trees in close proximity makes it very fun. Then there are the jumps which give you a little sunshine between the tires and the pavement. I consider it the best track in the Southwest. The only catch is the condition of the road which eats tires as if they are made of putty.

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

wow that's a crazy video. Are you sure it's not run as a WRC event? Looks like a complete blast.

Jims5543 · 09:49 AM

I last ran it in 2004, there were some Formula Fords there gunning for the FTD. One of them had a turbo on his 4 cyl engine. My idea was to buy an old Star Mazda and put a Turbo Rotary in it.

Then a guy showed up last year in a Factory Five Cobra and missed FTD by 1 second and it was his 1st time there.

The trick is to have a really fast car that can handle well in the cones. It just needs to beet cheeks to the next set, that S4 has a lot of potential of being a FTD car there, all you need is for the open wheel cars to have 1 bad year and it happens.

A few go off each year the results are not pretty, this is really not for the faint of heart. I would never run my 911 in this. My RX7 I can replace the body on cheaply.

This M3 met the mangroves.

2004 photos:

These guys blew their tranny during Saturday practice and ran back up to Ft. Lauderdale that night picked up a spare and came back and installed it in time for the race Sunday.

This guy comes out every year:

Some pics from another guy on another forum from this year.

What happens to your nice car when you meet the mangroves:

Think you can get FTD? These guys beg to differ...

Jims5543 · 10-10-2007, 05:21 AM

Here is my RX7 in 2004, the tranny is done and decides when I can have 3rd gear (since replaced with a brand new one) and one of the stations is my nemesis I cannot get it right, I always come in too hot.

Jims5543 · 10-10-2007, 05:25 AM

A very fast Civic he ran a 2:31 for reference I ran a 2:30 with my mistake and not pushing hard because I was SCARED!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz_tVatV31o

The Same S4, Might be same video not sure the time here was 2:21 again for reference the FTD is in the 2:17 range.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-YI82NbtQg

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

Now that I think about it, I've seen that S4 before. It was at the Solo national tour in Valdosta, GA earlier this year. It was pretty darn quick through the cones despite it's size. It was fighting for first in Street Mod with a heavily moded 240SX. I can imagine how fast it would be once it has a chance to stretch it's legs.