Flares........ should I?

[Tyson Schmidt]

Scrappy's lithe figure is in peril. I need to flare her if I want to run the Toyo Cup 911 Spec series with PRC.

As you see, I've got some flares.



And a victim:



Scrappy is going to be my dedicated racecar. Full cage, fire system, etc.

The question is:

1. Weld them on, and paint to match, making it pretty, but less track-only appropriate.

2. Bolt them on, for easier replacement, and easier repair possibilites, but uglier.

3. Use fiberglass flares with quick-release fasteners (dzus) (sp?)



Please keep in mind that one way or another I AM going to flare the car. That much is decided. Also know that much has already been modified on the car, to the point that I won't be cutting up a pristine early car. She's already got late-model everything, from wiring harness, drivetrain, suspension, and even power brake system from an '86 Carrera, so don't shed any tears for her in that regard.


I'm just on the fence as to whether I need to keep her "R-Gruppe" pretty, or go for the purposeful look that is required when wheel to wheel racing.

Can I do both? Race wheel to wheel, and keep her pretty, or will that end up costing me in the end? Sooner or later, accidents happen.

Your thoughts?

[makaio]

Dzus fastners for anything that goes to the track! Just MHO.

[87coupe]

IMO, you should go with the lightest setup (I'd think fiber / quick release) for your track car.

BTW, welcome to the Bay

[Tyson Schmidt]

Thanks Brandon!


Matt and Noah, I figured this would split people up.

If it makes a difference, remember I've got the tangerine '72 as my pretty, stock(ish) R-Gruppe hot-rod, so this car's main purpose is going to be serious track work.

But, I'm still split myself. Removeable flares look very "racecar", but are pretty fugly. I will be driving the car to the track, so it still does kind of matter to me what it looks like.

Aw crap, I should just flip a coin already.

[jmz]

just weld them on and keep her somewhat pretty. with your skills and resources it should be no big deal if you crunch her in the rear quarter. ...hec if you do then maybe you do the dzus/rivet look.

[Tyson Schmidt]

Originally posted by jmz
just weld them on and keep her somewhat pretty. with your skills and resources it should be no big deal if you crunch her in the rear quarter. ...hec if you do then maybe you do the dzus/rivet look.

That seems logical. It doesn't help with ease of working on the car though, but it does make sense.

[dean]

I think you should weld them on, then turbo the thing. Doh, am I bias or what.

[SandyI]

Originally posted by Noah
But consider this: driving a nice-looking race car makes you faster, because it provides a psychological advantage in the form of increased pride and confidence. It's the difference between showing up at your high school reunion with a stunning woman on your arm, or Thelma from the Simpsons.

Let me say the exact opposite.

When you go into a corner, wheel to wheel, with only room for one on the race line... And Mr. Pretty in his pretty car with the pretty paint sees your serious prison ugly six inches from his shiny door handle, he knows you're not backing off because you CLEARLY don't give a f*** whether a bit of paint or a lot of paint gets traded... Pretty backs off. Evil triumphs.

And because I've had the spincter-tightening experience of getting a ride from you at Big Willow, I know you don't care about showing up with Thelma from THE SIMPSONS or THELMA AND LOUISE. Only winning counts.

(And the Winner goes home with whoever he wants. Just ask my new idol Flavio. )

[Don Plumley]

Superglue?

I'd go with the purposeful look - Dzus fastners and fiberglass. As you've said, you have the pretty RGruppe car, you have the 964, so make it a real track beast.

Don

[BReyes]

Just make her fat.

Follow your overall plan.

If you are just doing it for a specific reason, then go most cost/effective route.

But how much are those red quater panels going to? What kind of bumpers are appropriate? Are you just going to make plugs? What about widening the front fenders?

[mede8er]

Weld it.......but I'm old school....

[Tyson Schmidt]

Thanks for the input guys.

B Reyes, those flares are from a C2, so I'd have to do some metal work while welding them on.

I can't really flare the front. I'm set on tire and wheel combo since it's a spec rule.


I think if I go the bolt-on, I'll get some 'glass flares. Makes more sense. I don't think they're that expensive, are they?

I guess I need to call Dave at TRE, (I can't belive how weird that sounds coming from me) and order some 'glass flares up. Then I can sit and think about before I bust out the saw.

[klaucke]

As much as I think welding the flares is the best choice in almost every situation, for a complete dedicated track car, Dzus fastened fiberglass flares do seem fitting and the logical choice. If you want a classy look you have your 72.

Chris Streit just put Dzus fastened flares on his 71S race car, maybe I'm just habituated to the idea.

[ischmitz]

Originally posted by Tyson Schmidt
Can I do both? Race wheel to wheel, and keep her pretty, or will that end up costing me in the end?

isn't that what Jack was/is trying with BBII. I think the events speak for themselves..... It can be done (with compromises) and you'll pay $$$ keeping it pretty down the road.

Howz' silicon valley treatin' ya?

Ingo

[Tyson Schmidt]

Originally posted by ischmitz
isn't that what Jack was/is trying with BBII. I think the events speak for themselves..... It can be done (with compromises) and you'll pay $$$ keeping it pretty down the road.

Howz' silicon valley treatin' ya?

Ingo

Ingo, that's a little different. Jack doesn't run in any particular class, so he doesn't have to worry about compromises. And Jack rarely does wheel to wheel.

I'll be running in a spec series, which means very closely prepped cars, and very tight groupings on the track as a result.

The money thing is, I think, the real clincher. I really would rather put the money into new tires, rather than paintwork.

[ischmitz]

if cars are grouped tight that's even more reason to NOT compromise. I guess in some dark corner of your evil mind you already know that you'll get yourself some nice fiberglass flares and send the steel one my way

[Tyson Schmidt]

Originally posted by ischmitz
if cars are grouped tight that's even more reason to NOT compromise. I guess in some dark corner of your evil mind you already know that you'll get yourself some nice fiberglass flares and send the steel one my way

Oh, i thought you were arguing for the welding flares and re-paint approach. I mis-understood.

It's that thick German accent of yours.


I'll make you a sweet deal on these if I don't use them. Think how nice your car would handle with 9's in back, and the wider track.

[jpnovak]

Tyson, consider this option.

First, mount the flares with Dzus fasteners. There will be at least an inch of stock QP left as a mounting flange for the fiberglass flares. In the event you run a few events and don't like them, just cut that section off and butt weld the steel on. This way you can try both.

I think the dedicated track car should get the removable panels.

[Tyson Schmidt]

True!

[SC Schrauber]

no welding - tracking!