TORA FM4 Stuff

I have a Shelby Series One spec build ready to race... but for me its been three years since I did a Miata series. It was the first series I ran at TORA, even though I had no clue what I was doing at the time. 

In user created public lobbies, the Miata has always been the biggest draw, provides great racing, and with SCCA Spec Miata, has a great real world US tie-in.

Don't get the wrong idea Mike, I'm totally up for it. Just suggesting for the next series maybe we try something off the wall....

I've done Spec Miata in the past also.
I think even in the IFCA.

EZT MAKO 6669 wrote:

Don't get the wrong idea Mike, I'm totally up for it. Just suggesting for the next series maybe we try something off the wall....

+1

After Miata: Falcon XB? Fiat 500? Dodge Charger Daytona?

I'm sorry I didn't get this week's Trans Am sign in opened until Saturday morning... but we've only got 5 confirmed IN so far. 

Thanks guys for letting me bring the Heavyweights to TORA. While my luck has been a little shy of good, the series has been a success.

Thanks goes to you Mikey, for hosting the event! This has been an outstanding series, with a lot of good racing. A good group of guys, as usual.

EZT Coot wrote:

Thanks goes to you Mikey, for hosting the event! This has been an outstanding series, with a lot of good racing. A good group of guys, as usual.

+1!!! 

Time and day for the next series will have to wait to see what my new employer schedules me for. Got laid off for a week or few at the end of the day today. Stopped by to visit an old friend at a better business, and got a job offer out of the exchange.

Everything happens for a reason. I've seen lots of proof, this is just the latest example.

Thanks again for the honor of bringing the Heavyweights to TORA. 

Sorry Mako for the hit going into T1 on lap 1. Things got all bottled up and by the time I reacted to that all I could do was lock up and hope for the best. I forgot how slow that turn can be in the opening laps. 

Hope to race you all again very soon 

It's all good Mikey, I could never be mad at you! Besides, Coot was the better driver this time around and deserved that podium spot more than me anyway, so it all worked out in the end.

On behalf of the team, and myself personally, thanks for bringing this series to life. I knew it would be great if given the proper forum, and it was!! Despite some tough outings for some of us, in the end it really was a ton of fun, with some GREAT racing along the way.

I don't know how much longer we can wring the blood outta FM4 - but at some point, not necessarily the next series, I'd sure like to give those Shelby Cobras a try. :-)  They're a handful, but Mako and I had a blast testing. I tried to match the build to the original specs. 

As far as this series - Outstanding! 

EZT MAKO 6669 wrote:

On behalf of the team, and myself personally, thanks for bringing this series to life. I knew it would be great if given the proper forum, and it was!! Despite some tough outings for some of us, in the end it really was a ton of fun, with some GREAT racing along the way.

THIS ^^^^ 

I have a Shelby Series One spec build that is "not" a handful to drive. Matter of fact, it is rather pleasant and forgiving to drive... two character traits that can provide very close and intense racing as that formula puts everyone in a very tight pack.

Just a thought.

On the other hand, I've toyed with the idea of the original Shelby for a long time. As long as we can find some grip in a sport suspension package I'd give it a shot, as I like to keep tuning to a minimum in spec series.

I have a "what if?" for you guys...

Instead of Spec Series, what if we raced a season of classic (mid 60s) NASCAR next?

I've got the cars, the builds, all set. Was to be on Saturdays, but I'd almost rather see a more mature, more American crowd for this.

A little more info would be really good, Mikey!  

Builds are still being tested to make sure the cars are as even as possible.

But I can give "some" info:

1964 Ford Fairlane 
1965 Pontiac GTO
1967 Dodge Coronet
1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

Upper A Class
Forza Aero
Race Tires
Race Rollcage/Brakes/Suspension
"Possible Spec builds"

Three ovals
Two road Courses
One "Roval"

still toying with: transmission, HP and weights.

This could even be the promo video

An image showing the era...

You've got my attention.......

OK... after much tweaking and retests, an on and off process since July of 2013, I now have what I feel is a balanced build for each car.

565PI
450-500 HP
3200-3300 Lbs

I'll be sending the builds in (almost) default trim to you guys, for further testing as well as gauge interest in such a series.

Edit: one track that we'll likely skip is Sunset Superspeedway, as that seems the only place where there is not parity.

As long as Annette can be the starter!

Builds sent. Please keep final drive ratios in mind before hitting the track, especially in the 3spd cars. When done right, the lack of shifting can actually help some driving styles (mine, LOL)

May actually go Spec Miata first, then... hoping Throwback NASCAR.

Flyin Mikey J wrote:

...Throwback NASCAR.

What oval tracks you want to run? I did not tune either of the 3-gear cars. Tested them as sent. Sedonna and Sunset would both be excluded unless the gearing can be changed to run at those tracks. Again, I didn't do anything but run the cars on various tracks. I like the Chevy and Pontiac. They are cool and fast with the Pontiac faster of the two. At least that is what I found at Sunset.

Sedona, Motegi and Benchmark C (which would be the lone "cosmetic damage/no pit" race as there are no pits.

And yes, by all means lower the gears. I'm using 3.75 gears on the Ford, 3.89 on the Dodge for Motegi and Sedona.

Took Sunset off the table due to the cars being particularly imbalanced for that track, and Indy due to sticky and sticky related pile ups. The "Roval" idea has been replaced, as these cars roll to easy at Sunset Infield, as do most.

Any idea on the road tracks we will race?
I tried the cars on Sedona yesterday and was running around 36.5's to 37.2's with the 4 cars.

Road Courses:

Road Atlanta
Infineon NASCAR
Suzuka East (built for NASCAR in the late 1990s)

I would like to congratulate EZT Mako, TORA's newest Marshal member!

When I heard his name mentioned as Marshal, my response was "EXACTLY the sort of member we need in that role". Very happy to hear it.

Thanks Mikey!! Appreciate that.

Congrats, Mako! 

Thanks Mikey for the track list.

No problem, I'm just hoping that I can get in yet one, well with Miatas two, more successful FM4 series. 

Great job on the vintage cars Mikey!! Tested three of the four (I don't have the car pack for the Chevelle and I'm not about to buy it now) at Sedona. Ran low 36's in all with basic set ups. Already pretty sure what I'll be running. 

Tried out the Miata as well. Great little car! Should be a lot of fun to race. Maybe make everyone get it from your SF and run it as is, no tuning? Already has a good set up. Would be interesting to see who can do what with it.

EZT MAKO 6669 wrote:

Maybe make everyone get it from your SF and run it as is, no tuning? Already has a good set up. Would be interesting to see who can do what with it.

This^^^^^ 

I could full spec it, tune and all. As it is, the only adjustments are brakes, tire pressures an differential, only because people have their personal comforts with each.

One Q: is there a weeknight where we could start at 6 Pacific/9 Eastern? Just checking.

Flyin Mikey J wrote:

...One Q: is there a weeknight where we could start at 6 Pacific/9 Eastern? Just checking.

Why so late?

9 pm is cutting it close for me Mikey. If there are any delays I wouldn't be able to finish the night.

Flyin Mikey J wrote:

I could full spec it, tune and all. As it is, the only adjustments are brakes, tire pressures an differential, only because people have their personal comforts with each.

I found the car to be superb as is Mikey. After running it around for a while, I did a 10 lap race at Maple against the AI. Set a new best time at the track and easily DNF'd the entire field. All using in car view and no driving lines!

EZT Neo 45 wrote:

Flyin Mikey J wrote:

...One Q: is there a weeknight where we could start at 6 Pacific/9 Eastern? Just checking.

Why so late?

Only reason is I am on the West Coast and have had just over a 30 minute evening commute for the past two years. When I'd get off work at 4:30, that left me 15-20 minutes to get the console on, check the connection, reset if need be, and set up the lobby. If my new employer is any further away, or I get a 5PM schedule, then I'd never have a chance to make it in time. Or have time to ensure my NATs are clear.

At this point I can start the series, but if any of the "new job variables" come into play, I'll need to find a new host for the series and at least skip qualifying.

So, is there going to be a spec-Miata series next? If so, could I get the tune/build? Please?

It's on his SF Neo. It's very drive able as is, you'll have fun with it. Let the rear hang out and hit the gas!!!! LOL

I thought I sent it to you Mr. Neo.

edit: maybe not, I may have just Storefronted it for testing.

Yeah, I got it from your SF Mike.

I won't be able to race on Wed. night.

EZT TomCat7 wrote:

I won't be able to race on Wed. night.

So Wednesday's off the table. With Indycar Fridays and Touring Cars Tuesdays as TORA's premier Forza 6 series, that leaves Mondays or Thursdays for Miatas. I'm OK with that.

As for Indycars and Touring Cars, you didn't hear that yet

Flyin Mikey J wrote:

EZT TomCat7 wrote:

I won't be able to race on Wed. night.

So Wednesday's off the table. With Indycar Fridays and Touring Cars Tuesdays as TORA's premier Forza 6 series, that leaves Mondays or Thursdays for Miatas. I'm OK with that.

As for Indycars and Touring Cars, you didn't hear that yet

Are the previously mentioned non-mentioned series US-friendly?

Yes. 

Touring Car Tuesdays will see two series, one for each continent. "NATCC" was what TORA US has evolved from.

Indycars is a TORA US flagship series.

Flyin Mikey J wrote:

Yes. 

Touring Car Tuesdays will see tow series, one for each continent. "NATCC" was what TORA US has evolved from.

Indycars is a TORA US flagship series.

Very cool!