Season 3 IFCA Trans Am Relay Challenge

That's right folks!  We are already testing for season 3 and flipping the script by going old school on yo rear-end!  Just wanted to give you some details ahead of time so you can know what to look forward to.

Season 3 will be Trans Am cars i.e. American Muscle with a limited car selection of perhaps 3-4 cars.  The cars will be built without down force or racing transmissions but will have a sport trans for final drive adjustability.  

Often when other leagues have done a Trans Am series they attempt to replicate the car exactly like the real car hoping it produces a car that acts like a true Trans Am car, but what usually happens is you get a car that is either overbuilt and is more like a new car, or you get a poor handling car that isn't much fun to drive.  We believe that there is a happy medium if you place the emphasis not so much on the car parts list, but on the actual feel of the car on the track in testing.

In reality, a Trans Am car was a 3200lb 500hp small block beast with major racing structural reinforcement making it as rigid a chassis as a production based muscle car could be back then.  But, the tire technology was lagging behind by a fair amount, so, while the cars chassis was agreeable, the tires were not.  This produced a very scary fast but slippery car at the limit.  Our intent is to go down a similar road but taking into consideration that we want to make the car fun to drive too.

Another new thing we will be going to is a revised ratings handicap system that plays a more effective role.  Currently there are 4 tiers or build levels, but we will be going down to 2 instead.  Those above 1950 will be on lesser tires, and those below 1950 will be on the better tires.  The reason for this is so that our slower drivers get an even better chance to compete than they do now with the big boys.  Because the ratings spread is so great between 1800-2600+ and because the vast majority are actually rated in the 1900s, it makes more sense to close the gap up a little so that our original intent is more strongly felt by everyone.  Meaning that the slower drivers can be closer in lap times, and the faster drivers can show us their real skill trying to stay in front. The difference will be small but slightly greater than it is now which is a good thing for the slower drivers.

to be continued...

1967 Corvette
1966 Corvette
1970 Corvette
1965 Mustang
1969 Mustang
1970 Mercury Cougar
1973 Porsche 911 
1971 AMC Javelin AMX
1977 Firebird Trans Am
1973 Firebird Trans Am
1969 Firebird Trans Am
1970 Camaro
1969 Camaro
1979 Camaro
1970 Dodge Challenger
1971 Plymouth Cuda
1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4
1967 Lamborghini Miura

1969 Mustang 415hp 368tq 2984lbs
1969 Camaro 513hp 483tq 3250lbs
1971 Plymouth Cuda 448hp 448tq 3185lbs





That's right, just 3 cars to keep things super simple.  All "pony cars", well one is a fish but you guys understand.  


Yes, it's true I usually go crazy and test tons of cars, and make no mistake, I did it again this time. lol But, instead of throwing them all out there at once, we will save the bulk for later seasons and see how things go. In the meantime, these are your cars and it seems appropriate to start off with cars from the "Big 3" of Detroit.  That way everyone has a chance to drive their brand.


The cars have been heavily tested and are remarkably equal even though they all have different engines and handling characteristics.  As for the handling, though different for each car, we are talking not in a big way but in small ways.  They all handle alike in other words but have their own unique feel.  


As with many of the cars using the 6.2L V8 option proved to be a better way to go both for power and handling.  It is essentially a 383cid upgrade.  It isn't clear whether the Chevy 383 is different from the MOPAR 383.  As many of you know, in real life the Chevy 383 is a small block stroked from a 350, but the MOPAR 383 is an actual 383 Wedge engine with a shorter stroke.  Even so, the MOPAR tends to always bring more torque if not more power even though it is heavier. 


A 383 (6.2L) is also available to the Ford presumably from a stroked 351 Cleveland block, but was not needed since the Mustang has essentially the correct Trans Am legal motor which was a 302cid making it the lightest of the trio with the smallest V8.


The Camaro comes stock with a big block 396cid which is heavier than the 383.  While the Cuda comes stock as you know with the even heavier 426 Hemi, and not great for road racing.


I could have made the Cuda and Camaro equal to the Mustang using the stock blocks but perhaps not as precisely equal as with the 383 upgrade.  From what I can tell the 383 upgrade is an iron block with aluminum heads and fuel injection.  It's lighter weight offers better weight balance and transfer and more tuner flexibility.  What you get is a better handling car that is closer to its real car counterpart.


I'll post the actual builds for both the 1950.000 and 1949.999 levels soon.

Just for fun and relatable understanding, we will designate the 1950.000 builds as the "Privateer Build."  Anyone with a 1950.000 rating or higher is only allowed in a "Privateer Build."  Anyone with a rating of 1949.999 or less is allowed factory support with a "Factory Build."  

The difference is similar to real life racing except instead of the best drivers getting the best equipment, the slower drivers will get the better equipment.  Meaning that with a "Factory Build" you will get lighter wheels and better suspension components that only the factory has the money to supply. lol  In real life it is quite the opposite as you all know.  The factory has the bucks to build the best cars and recruit the best drivers.  But not here! lol

pending...

This sounds like it's gonna be pretty awesome. Can't wait.

ThatGuyRacing wrote:This sounds like it's gonna be pretty awesome. Can't wait.

I will second that