when is a car too heavy?

[thgear]

So my dad is thinking of chucking the old VW out, it failed it's emission test and will cost more than its worth to fix

it served our family for the last 13 years @ 320,000km

i'm thinking, perfect for me, not only do I know how to work on this car inside and out but I also know it’s entire history from day 1, so no nasty surprises.

The only problem? It’s a 2000 MK4 Golf, which comes in at ~2750lb stock

Even if I do a complete ice-race diet on it, I can’t see it diving below 2300.

is this too heavy to be competitive?

[Guillermo]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

I have seen large old American cars do well ice racing and seen Volvo wagon win a few races. The golf will be fine. In fact it will be less delicate then a ciic since contact between cars does happen usually not on purpose.

[dusty66]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

I say race it, if you are not happy with it, it still brings the same for scrap.

[max attack]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

If you can't pick it up its too heavy

I say run it,whats the worst that can happen...you get hooked?.

[thgear]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

If you can't pick it up its too heavy

I say run it,whats the worst that can happen...you get hooked?.

the worst that can happen is that feeling of defeat when someone rockets away from you on a straight after you've caught up with them in a turn.


for me it's important to know whether I need development or if my car is dragging me down,

I have fun developing my skills, but i'm tired of being that "he's pretty fast in that bad car" guy.



having said that i'll probably do it anyway... because racecar!

[max attack]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

A well set-up/well driven heavy car will be better than poorly driven/ poorly set-up light car imo.Also depends on rubber or SS especially for the coming year as the new SS tire should work well for both light and heavy cars compared to last years tire that worked better on heavier cars imo.
With rubber the tire choice/prep for thr conditions has more to do with it than the actual car.

[woodchips]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

Tires, Tires, Tires.
All in the Tires.
Heavy is relative - there has been lots of Golf / Rabbit combo's out there and the ones with the good drivers and Good Tires always run at the front.
You know the car - Go For It !!!

[andrey7474]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

the worst that can happen is that feeling of defeat when someone rockets away from you on a straight after you've caught up with them in a turn.

i've been in such situation and tried to communicate that idea on a facebook but it seems way too complicated for some people to comprehend.

i'd buy what's proven. there was one or two late gen golfs racing for the last two years. they were always at the back of the pack.

[andrey7474]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

Heavy is relative - there has been lots of Golf / Rabbit combo's out there

first gen Rabbit weighs approx 1000 lbs less than mk4 golf.

[andrey7474]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

last years tire that worked better on heavier cars imo.

im sure you've got that impression because of running R13 tire that has much less studs and stupid stud pattern. i tried both R13 and R14 and the difference is huge.

my older post:

"btw, the difference between RC01 in R13 and R14 in terms of grip is huge. 15 more studs and 5 blank blocks of rubber vs. 11 make R14 much faster."

[Pappa168]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

Run it and enjoy the fun!

EVERYTHING is NOT ONLY about winning for most of us..

It is more about FUN and learning your racecraft

I have run last and first and enjoyed and learned from them both.

There are a lot of people that will help you, and make you feel welcome, EITHER as a back pack car or winning car.

If hot cars were so much better, how come 3 cylinders Justy's with a LOT less horseys do SOOO well!

If you want some guidance on prepping, I am sure all you have to do is ask.

Get her prepped, pick a class and come and have fun!!

Jus my 5 cents ( no cents anymore!)

[thgear]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

If hot cars were so much better, how come 3 cylinders Justy's with a LOT less horseys do SOOO well!

um, the justy IS a hot car....

[HYUNDAI 113]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

Andrey, ANY car has the potential to work in ice racing. When I first started I ran a 4wd Subaru XT6. That was a big and heavy car. It took me 4 years to learn how to drive it to its potential and I did pretty well with it. So to thegear I say bring your car out and you will eventually learn how to make it go fast. It may happen right away, it may not but you will still be having fun regardless.

[Pappa168]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

hey Gear...

LISTEN to Hyundai.. He KNOWS of which he speaks.

[max attack]

Re: when is a car too heavy?

im sure you've got that impression because of running R13 tire that has much less studs and stupid stud pattern. i tried both R13 and R14 and the difference is huge.

my older post:

"btw, the difference between RC01 in R13 and R14 in terms of grip is huge. 15 more studs and 5 blank blocks of rubber vs. 11 make R14 much faster."

Yes I know,had both 13" and 14".I also know the rc01 offered less grip overall but it seems to be a larger difference on lighter cars,same effect as on my car in 2012 once the dirt dulled the studs.