Re: PVGP new pics
My plan is to convert mine to semi-stock (suspension wise) and get the racy carbs dialed in so that it's comfortable to drive, and leave it at that. Then I'll get a 'dedicated' racer (in rougher shape). However, I've discovered (after competing in a few national autocross events this year) that if you want to be nationally competitive, you pretty much have to have the right car for the class you're in and it has to be a car dedicated to autocross. If you're not interested in national competitiveness, then you can have a hillclimb/autocross car that's reasonably competitive nationally and plenty of fun besides (because you can compete in FSP w/ the midget in hillclimbs/time trials with only a roll-bar and a few other mods).
However, let it be said that I've done the math. In F street prepared, they recently put all A-1 chassis VW's on the same line (meaning they can update and backdate between all models of A-1 chassis). This allows those VW racers who formerly had to stick with the best compromise car (a scirocco) to put a cabriolet engine in a rabbit, and make (with standalone fuel management) an estimated 120 Wheel HP in an approximately 1600 lb car. Once someone actually builds one and wins nationals, I expect they'll promptly undo that stupid rule change. However, let us compare the local (former nationals winning) VW Scirocco. Completely rules legal, it weighs about 1850 lbs and makes 95 WHP (documented). It's currently for sale at
https://www.phillyscca.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1695 I have no vested interest in the car, but the details are readily available (and having been beat by about 3.8 seconds at last Sunday's autocross, I can vouch for it's speed).
Unfortunately, out of a 1500 or 1275, we're unlikely to see more than about 75-80 WHP within the Street Prepared rules (I'll verify this with Vizard's book soon). If we look at the listed weight for a 1500, it's 1850 lbs. Assuming the curb weight is exactly accurate, we're down approximately 20 hp and with no weight advantage. The CG is probably a bit lower. However, if we consider a MkI or II sprite/MkI midget, they weigh in the neighborhood of 1450 lbs and you can update to a 1275. This would make for a competitive (although a bit lower) power to weight ratio, but a much more attractive CG height, as well as front to rear weight distribution, etc.
While we're probably not going after nationals right now, this will probably be the car I campaign when I get the time and money to put such a vehicle together (and prepare it properly). It just helps to keep everything in perspective when we're considering extensive modifications to an already heavy car.
On the other hand, if you want to go for road racing, perhaps the car can be made competitive. However, the GCR (unless it was changed in the last two years) states that the 1500 must run with a single 1.5" carb (SU of ZS). This is a big disadvantage on top of the already significant bottom end issues (and therefore max RPM limits) as compared with a 1275 spridget. Just my 2 cents.
Hi Guest!
Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
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Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
