First let me qualify my question. By track I mean a road course.

I am currently more into BMWs (as you can probably tell from my sig) than F-Body cars. But I do own a 1992 Firebird that I am very attached to.

This was my first car. In fact I took my wife on our first date in this car back in high school. In 1996 I sold the car to my brother when I purchased a 1995 Camaro. About 6 months ago I bought the car back from my brother. I have been trying to decide what to do with it. The 3.1L V6 is shot, but the body, paint, and interior are all in great shape.

I am considering making it a dedicated track/race car. I figure for what I'll spend prepping my BMW M Coupe, I could build a hell of a 3rd Gen. I have never seen a Third Gen Firebird or Camaro at the track, though. Can they be made to handle well? I know I can get the horse power shoved under the hood, but it is the suspension I am really concerned about.

So what do you think, can a 3rd Gen become a track rat?

Thanks for your replies,
-bj

 

I competed in the Camaro-Mustang Challenge with a third gen for about five seasons. Just sold the car and went over to the dark side and bought a 4th gen.
My car was dialed in and quick. There are a few third gens in our series:

Camaro Mustang Challenge

and

F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums (Powered by Invision Power Board) for F-body Road Race and Autox board. We f-bod road racers hang out there and can give you some great pointers on how to go.

 

Thanks for the info and links. It's good to know that there is a wealth of infomation on this topic.

-bj

 

No problemo! There are a few of us TGOers on there.

 

A definitive yes. As said above, you'll find them on Frrax.com.

 

So Bill, got any good tips for me for Mid-Ohio? I'll be competing at the first NASA championships there in Sept!

 

Congratulations. As for tips for Mid-Ohio, I don't think I'm very qualified. I've only open tracked twice, once at Mid-Ohio in the rain, plus they've repaved since I ran there.

But here are my observation (from last year), Turn 1 is blind and easy to over power on the exit. The key-hole and the back strait are the most important part of the track to get right, because that is where most of the passing happens. On the old surface in the rain, significant puddles will develop on the racing line at the end of the back strait effecting braking and the turn in for the esses. Madness, has the scariest turn on the course, it's an off camber cresting right turn into Thunder Valley. If you get it wrong there is a cement wall 15-20 feet from the pavement.

I've been told the new pavement is much soother than before and that the curbs are bigger.

 

Thanks for the info Bill, I really appreciate it!

 

Ive been thinking about doing some kinda auto-x thing with my camaro, but i couldnt justify spending $35 to beat on my car. I mean it looks really fun to do, but i'm not sure i'd want to do it in a really nice car, ya know?

What kinda wear and tear are you lookin at puttin on a car by doing an auto-x event one weekend??

 

Auto Cross won't stress your car much. Your time running will total only minutes. You'll put more wear on your car driving to the event.

-bj

 

Autox is cheap! Most folks will spend $500 to get 5hp, they won't spend a dime on themselves to learn driving skills!