The Cal-look Lounge

I have had the idea of doing something street car related at Cal look drag day next year and have talked to a few people who have shown interest, So I am thinking along the lines of what I recently did in USA, at the moment I am just looking for input of how you all would like the format to be if you are interested in competing.

Idea is to have some sort of cruise Saturday evening of 20-25 miles with a stop about half way to let everyone re group, then either a random pairings eliminator or just quickest ET on sunday? with prizes for quickest 100% as you drove it on cruise pass [ so street tyres, fan belt on, muffler etc] and also quickest with track changes including slicks, belt off and stinger/open exhaust whatever you like but must still look like a street car ;). if there was enough interest and cars for both then maybe 2 separate classes.

Thoughts please?

cheers Richie

Edited Title as dates confirmed for 2017

I like the idea, pump fuel or race fuel at the track?

Depends on what we get, the group that allows slicks stingers etc would not have any restrictions on fuel either for sure, peoples opinion on the race it like you drove it group appreciated?
Personally I think whatever you want as gets silly if we have to check every cars fuel on every pass

cheers Richie

sounds fair enough,  you can use any fuel weather you are running in the "as you drove it" or changing stuff at the track after the cruise.

When is cal look drag day 2016 and where?

As far as I know its not set in stone yet, they are talking to both tracks still to see who will offer the better options an dates and track etc, it will be in May again, be good to see you their Angus :)

If attending i'd like to take part, just with regards to the fuel, if you're going to have 2 classes, one with out the race changes and one with. Pump fuel for the none race changes class and what ever you want for the race changes. Is there a need for checking fuels? I'd hope the people involved would have enough integrity to police themselves, it's bit of a hollow victory to have to cheat to do it.

Also if you can get a wooden spoon award ready it would be appreciated  ;D

I appreciated the lack of policing at our event in Vegas. The fact that Richie ran that car of his on methanol on the street with no cooling was pretty impressive to me. Do I consider that car a practical street driver? Probably not, but it made the 20 mile drive and fit the rules for the class so no one argued it. There was no need to whine because we new what we had gotten ourselves into when we entered the class. I know that just about every type of fuel was represented at our race that day, from 91 octane pump gas, to  E85, to C-16 to methanol. No one cared what the others ran, we were just there to have fun. We all knew that there were at least 2 9 second cars in our class, while most of us were in the 11 second range. Ironically both of the big dogs broke, and left us with a very well matched field. It was a great event, I know of only one of two cars that competed in full street trim, the other 10 or so of us swapped tires. I honestly don't think much fuel swapping happened. 20 miles of cruising isn't going to burn too much fuel. I think most just absorbed that cost to avoid the hassle at the track the next day.

Obviously I won't be participating out there, but I think to many rules kills the fun. Knives can actually win gun fights  ;)

Rob,
I totally agree it would be cool to have a totally street legal class, then a separate one for those that want to push it more but still have streetable cars, thing is as Chip wrote its easier to just let everyone run what they want, I remember the bitching about race engines competing in Street cars in the old Volksworld street car shootouts, and do we then allow E85 in the street class as its a legal pump fuel, although only available at limited petrol stations, it wouldn't be worth someone risking there race engine for 15mins of fame surely ;) Even if no one actually did it there is still that opportunity for bitching about it if its a rule, remember less is more in Cal look world :D

I do think cars like yours and Hans 67 are really what we should be aiming at so don't be putting yourself out just yet, again Chip is right, the reliable cars win, not the fireworks :o ;D

Chip, Hot rod drag week should show its a practical street car still  :o ;) wont be on methanol due to lack of availability on the drive but E85 with a shroud should do it :) as I could have done on the cruise at Vegas but didn't feel the need, it actually runs a little to cool on the freeway as it is right now :o

Keep the comments coming 8)


cheers Richie

Chip/ Richie there's clearly much much more to this racing malarky than meets my eye, and as I'm greener than grass, i'm still learning, especially the levels of bitching and skulduggery that seem to occur ;D

Having a cruise out on the Saturday definitely gets my vote, and a great way escape the tent, even if it is only to a McD's.....or pub with a fine selection of pies.

If Hanz brings his grey 67......I'm screwed I have a small chance against his blue one :D

great idea

i may be a bit too optimitstic here, but if you can call an good sense and sportmanship towards one another, people will sure sign up in the right class and not cheat as there is only bragging rights involved.

set up some basic rules ( i even think you have some ideas on how that can be done). but first create a big enough field of intrest and enthusiasm, i am sure critics and comments will come one way or another.  ;)

you can't do anything wrong if you don't do anything, but what is the fun in that right  ;D


BRING IT ON!

I would love to give it  a go mine will be street car spec only as I don't even have a stinger and can't afford race fuel never mind slicks  that will probably smash my gearbox again count me in

P's do you have to get to the end of the track with the fan belt on?
As I usually set off with but rarely end up with it still on at the end  lol😃

I guess my point was that finding Methanol filling stations might be a little rough, E85 is a different story though.  Like I said, no hard feelings at all, the car fit the rules 100%.  I can't wait to see how drag week goes!

 :D  Don't think anyone will mind that, we only need to keep it in the spirit of it

I know, was just messing with you ;D      it was just that lost in translation thing of the internet from me I think. I just do it to have fun, not everyone will take that attitude but not going to let that stop me :)

cheers Richie

Think it will be SP as it looks like shakey will be turned into a housing estate now planning beens granted :(

http://www.stratford-herald.com/44931-long-marston-housing-plan-approved.html

I am led to believe Shakey will have one more year open, but who knows right now :(

I wasn’t aware of that! If this is the last year at SCR I for one would really like to race there again in 2016, assuming the track is open as Richie has said. SCR has long been my favourite track as I think the layout is great with the racers actually getting to see some racing from the fire up road. I know the facilities are not all that, but it’s never bothered me and as much as the actual track is not as good as SP at my level that has never been a problem either.
It will certainly be a sad day when it closes one way or another.

Anyway back on topic.

I think this is a great idea particularly in terms of the drive out.  Firstly to prove the cars are street cars (don’t start!), but more importantly for a bit of fun and to add a new element to a VW show which at least in the UK has not been done before.
In years gone by it was far more common to see a few ACVW’s rolling around but not any more, so a trip into town to the local town for a burger or similar with a load of other hot ACVW’s sounds like a lot of fun.

As several have suggested above the emphasis should be on the fun whilst racing too. I think any rules  should be sufficiently open to encourage participation. What we don’t want is the proper street cars, which are inevitably slower put off by the race car / street cars.
The reality is that there will be such a range of ‘street’ car combinations running on, radials, DOT’s, slicks for example, not to mention fan belts, stingers, turbo’s, NoS and engine size etc we could not hope to make a competitive race class of it.

If anything I think we could just pair up similar speed cars for a fun close race and whoever wins any given race gets bragging rights for that race and have a rematch if you fancy one.

I'm not at all convinced its necessary but there could be leader board based on times to confirm where we all are in the overall scheme of things, and if you want, there could be two leader boards one for the proper street cars and one for the race car street cars (I’ll leave you all to decide if that is necessary or desirable or not), but the reality is no matter how many classes / lists you have it would all be fairly meaningless given the variety of cars and setup.

Any leader board if adopted should just be a talking point over a beer and burger in the evening, no prizes necessary.

If you are faster than me on the board I’ll just blame my small engine, fan belt, tires or whatever it is that you have and I haven’t and I would expect people to make similar excuses if I’m faster than them!  Hopefully that can be the same for everyone and just make for a bit of fun and piss taking over the barbeque.

Having said all that if we do need any classes at all I would suggest we have one for blue 61 sedans driven by a bloke’s called Pete so I win. Particularly if there is a prize like a nice cup of tea, oh and perhaps a cake from Jo. 

Peter

Hope to be there had a Great time last year, and wil cruise it from the netherlands an back  ;)

So far majority of feedback I have got is for

Class A total street cars, must be pump fuel, have muffler/silencer, Euro kite mark tyres and run same as they do on cruise, but for Goose fanbelt can be removed before or on your pass ;) I actually think allowing the removal of fan belt on some cars is good idea as not everyone will have a welded fan and we don't need any fan explosions :o

Class B Everything else, but must complete cruise

Then trophy for quickest in

Class A Normally aspirated
Class A Power adder[turbo, nitrous, supercharger etc]
Class B N/A
Class B Power adder/adders 

And finally the Big trophy/cake for the person that has the most fun ;D

I have talked to people on this forum and others for years I still have not talked to much more than three people in person  at most I would love to talk to people o  a cruise,  and take their advise experience  etc and try it out their is potential in my car more in me chit chat beer and racing is good for me that would be the winner from for me               all change on the start line lol

Also never been to shakey so it gets my vote

Pete, from what I've read elsewhere Shakey has definitely got 2016 - the Hells Angels have got Bulldog Bash already booked and I can't see anyone cancelling on them...

Been told today that its 100% ok for 2016 and they started planning for 2017 according to Jerry Cookson[ who runs shakey] last night so seems reliable source ;)

Downside to Shakey is I wouldn't want to run anymore than a high 9sec car their, the run off is just to bumpy so you are unlikely to see any real quick cars mine included :(


cheers Richie

Just to let folks know, we are busy beavering away trying to nail down the track and the date I can only apologise it's taking as long as it is, it's getting more difficult every year and looks set to be even harder with the imminent demise of the much loved SCR.

I for one cannot wait for the street cruise, this is set to be the highlight for me personally of the upcoming Cal Look Drag Day, and while I always struggle to actually run a car at CLDD as it gets quite hectic, I am going to be making sure that we have enough marshals helping out to allow me to take part in my own cal looker this year.

Thanks for stepping up Richie!

I AM SO UP FOR SEEING THIS!

Holding you to that Jamie, no excuses like I didn't get time to wash it :D  You are going to be there with your own car :o 8)


And no problem getting this going, all positive so far and response looks like we will have enough cars to make it worth the effort 8)

I got a few ideas on making it more fun and better for all involved including photographers but some of it will be affected by which track its at so will wait till that is finalised

cheers Richie

Nicolas,

So you going to come in the fasty and join in? 

cheers Richie

Put me down for class A Richie,
I will run mine on treads see what it does with muffler etc
Lee

Nice, I will be interested to see how much ET drops like that as well

But I expect I will do one run in street mode, get bored and go race mode :)

Sounds like fun....count me in.

Totally agree with you. All for a bit of fun and getting cars out on the strip/street.
The class A. B thing is the easiest and just post up your time to see how you faired against everyone else. I'll be up for this. Cruise could be done in the late afternoon/early evening perhaps to make the most of the track time that's available.

I'm guessing in the bug and not the 850? ;D

I love the idea of this.     My car is properly a street car and still has all seats and seatbelts in the back (for the kids).
I do however, drive about everywhere with a stinger on.   So would this count if I leave the stinger on for the cruise and then race under "As driven on the street" spec?

Steve


how do you get mot with stinger on? If its legal then yep I cant see a problem, would have thought the noise and nothing protruding past bumper would get you though?

cheers Richie

Rich

I am thinking leave within 30mins of track closing on Saturday afternoon/evening, you have done this type thing with street eliminator, is that enough time to get everyone ready?

Was hoping it would appeal to you ;)

cheers Richie

Good man, we know you bring something entertaining to watch :o ;D

Might get the passenger seat back in as well :)
Richie, would a cruise to a burger place/takeaway be an option?

Gives me 6 months to get my shit together.  Count me in !!

I'm sure Dude & Graham will be up for this as well.

I slip in one of those baffles.     To be fair tho' the Protruding issue should be a fail.   I don't have any bumpers tho' and even if I got a Mondo style muffler, the u-bend protrudes past the body anyway...     catch 22.   

Only answer appears to be a sidewinder I think...

Got an idea if its at Pod with plenty of parking, but what we don't want is to be sitting around waiting while someone waits for there food and everyone else is ready to leave

I think all the cars should have a passenger seat in but I am not planning on it being a requirement :)

Awesome be good to see it back out again and Neil [I know he likes me calling him that  ;D ] and Graham's cars are 2 more perfect cars for "real street"  :)

cheers Richie

From my experience even without bumpers the law seems to be ok if it would fit inside them if they were there or just not taking the piss ;) Am sure you could come up with a lightweight bumper if you had to ?  If you are going to run it on street and race it with baffle in then that's ok with me, I think everyone should have a muffler of some sort just to keep in spirit of it :)
Unless anyone else has a problem you running it like that you are good  :)  but a proper exhaust would be better ;)

Yes you are probably right.   Just hasn't been top priority.   :-)  I've hit my OWN shins a fair few times, so probably not the best for the street. :-)


Rear seats too?   ;D

I deffo be up for this, count me in Richard.  :P

At the moment (and I'll probably change my mind as I want to go faster), but I really like running my car as a street car, belt on, pump gas (probably optimax), treaded tyres, and street legal exhaust.

Neil (or Dude  8) )

I deffo be up for this, count me in Richard.  :P

At the moment (and I'll probably change my mind as I want to go faster), but I really like running my car as a street car, belt on, pump gas (probably optimax), treaded tyres, and street legal exhaust.

Neil (or Dude  8) )
[/quote]

I don't think either of us will be in the real street class Dude (or Neil ;) ) as we both run DOT's.

I don't care.  I've got no desire to "win" anyway, but, i'm definitely gonna be there to take part.  This sounds like the best weekend race weekend of the year is going to get even better.

In fact thinking about it, I think we should all just run in 1 class, no rules.  I'd happily run against the quickest cars sometimes it's great going as fast as you can (and scaring yourself in the process) and then looking up & seeing the lunatic in the other lane going 3 seconds quicker & 30mph faster than you.  ;)

I don't think either of us will be in the real street class Dude (or Neil ;) ) as we both run DOT's.

I don't care.  I've got no desire to "win" anyway, but, i'm definitely gonna be there to take part.  This sounds like the best weekend race weekend of the year is going to get even better.

In fact thinking about it, I think we should all just run in 1 class, no rules.  I'd happily run against the quickest cars sometimes it's great going as fast as you can (and scaring yourself in the process) and then looking up & seeing the lunatic in the other lane going 3 seconds quicker & 30mph faster than you.  ;)
[/quote]

Stretch

I am  thinking DOTs will be allowed, reason being they are legal in a lot of countries in Europe and we want to encourage as many people to bring cars from all over and join in as possible so we shouldn't prejudice against them if we can help it. Oh and Neil promised me 1st dibs on his gasburners if DOTs are ok :o ;) :D   

Two classes should actually make it simpler to keep control of when at track, in theory the "real street" cars should be able to run whenever but the others will need time between runs to get stuff done and I think from spectator point of view seeing comparable cars going down track is more enjoyable ?

Thoughts?

cheers Richard ;D

Yep, and Richie's also accepted my offer of 2k for the cab delivered to Wales!!   ;D

Dude  8)

I'm in, sounds great to me!  Just waiting for the gearbox to be fixed.

New one? I am not sure it would make it driving it all that way?  or me either :D

 8)  Time to start chasing?

Yep calling tomorrow!  ;-)

Ah, the good old 'what's a street car' deal!  ;D

To work, it needs to be easily policed – OK, you may piss off some people but tough on them.

I've never quite understood why there's so much debate over what determines a street car. Easy: MOT (a proper one), street-legal tyres (you're running in the UK, so DOTs are not legal), no race gas (not legal to use on the street because taxes haven't been paid – same as folk using 'red' diesel in their cars is illegal) and no stingers (no matter how lenient your local MOT station might be, they are not legal in any shape or form). On the cruise, everyone has to fill up with unleaded at the same petrol station, and then their tank is sealed (taped up with the signature of an observer on the tape is sufficient) so they can't drain it overnight... and then race with that tank of petrol. Your car can't run on ordinary unleaded? Too bad. You'll have to run in the unlimited class – which is for cars which aren't street legal in the form in which they are racing.

I'll just go back to my beer.  :)

I really liked cruising in Vegas at night. Can't just have headlights stuck in the buckets, but they actually have to work.

I agree with all of this.    I comply with all bar the stinger so will just have to get / borrow a mondo. :-)

Get a proper muffler, not a mondo :)

I don't know what's a mondo or a "phat boy".
What is a proper muffler?   ;D
It literally has had a stinger from day one.   

I have often been told people shouldn't post on internet during or after alcohol, I see why now :P  


 I don't think anyone is disputing what a street car is, more trying to get a really basic set of rules that allows as many to participate as possible without pissing to many off.

cheers Richie

I'll run in either class, I'm not bothered.  The cruise should be great fun, so should the racing.   :)

Would like to participate, cruise should be fun

This looks like a good starting point, think minimum two front seats, pump gas, normal radial tires, muffler and mot certificate for class a and class a power added. Belt on or off as could be run loose enough to not make much difference

class b whatever turns you on

Ron,

thanks for input and would be good to see you with car their :)

I don't want to go down the mot route, given pre 60 cars don't need one, they are worthless 10 mins after test is finished on cars that do and any foreign cars documentation wouldn't mean anything to me it seems simpler to put emphasis on owner to be responsible to bring a legal car, given we cant check tax discs at track in a practical way, just easier to make sure they got the sensible stuff like lights, indicators, wipers etc and leave it alone.

Belt will be down to driver for sure, not going to worry about checking every car and you make a good point of leaving it loose enough to make no difference ;)

cheers Richie

Pre-60 cars can still be MOT'd though. I'd say that it's a minimal price to pay to help create a level playing field. Plus that whole thing of no MOTs for pre-60 cars is stupid anyway. But, hey, you know best! :D

Fair point on the mot and tax

I'm sure everyone will abide by the spirit of the class structure anyway, should be fun

I'm happy with the way it is as currently proposed, and it is in keeping with the spirit of the Cal Look Drag Day.

Let's keep it simple and rely on the camaraderie of our fellow racers and enthusiasts, which has never been anything other than 100%, as I hope anyone who has attended CLDD to date would agree.

Do we have a date yet for CLDD mate?

No but we're very very close to having it agreed!

Got it in a nut shell Jamie.

 top work richie, love the format and im sure it will be a fantastic addition to CLDD!

Keep usp the good work  ;D

Thinking about it if it's at the Pod earlier is better as you know how jittery they are about noise curfews, do they close the gates at a certain time on RWYB sessions? Street eliminator are given an hour from the last qualifier to being ready to leave from the gate, 30 mins should be enough time to pump the tyres, throw some extra fuel in and check the motor over ready for a cruise. So long as everyone knows when the departure time is they can ready themselves.

Someone mentioned stopping for food, this could be a logistical nightmare, I'd say just do the cruise on it's own and keep it simple. The street eliminator route at for Santa Pod is dead simple nice flowing roads, not done the Shakey one yet ( :-[ ) but can find out if you would like?

Rich,

thanks for that :) and yes can you send me info on both routes please? or post them up is fine so as to get other peoples thoughts as well

cheers Richie

If you only could include a engine size handicap system  ;D

Bring your car and we will figure something out  :o  So you want to handicap the under 1800cc engines as they are to quick right?   :P :-* ;D

cheers Richie

LOL!

This is the route for the Santa Pod cruise, as you see very straight forward including a stop at the BP garage then to the retail park where they do the hot start. It's about 22miles

https://goo.gl/maps/7vAPZHrKEiH2 (https://goo.gl/maps/7vAPZHrKEiH2)

I'll ask about the other route.

A lot of over thinking on the street car thing going on here, i'd just say a muffler and the persons word its legal (insured and will pass a police check to be on the road) all friends anyway and its a friendly event  ;D i'll have to google how far it is from Cornwall!

Yes. I guess the cruise is the equaliser.   
If someone is happy to potentially be pulled over on the cruise because they lied about it being street legal then that is their risk. 

That was my thoughts, also if its people from here or that are known, its pretty clear if someone has a street car or not  ;D
Racing first and the cruise after would be interesting, especially as it could change the leader board if they didn't make the cruise after the run.

Dang, if we had raced first, then done the cruise I think maybe 3 of the vegas dozen would have made the drive! A lot of our group did not go home with happy healthy cars.

 :o :'( 

Advantage of doing cruise 1st is everyone can push a little harder at track but way this is going to work is people will run on Saturday, do cruise saturday eve then run sunday so real test for the cars  :o

cheers Richie

I like it!

So excited about this event. I even did a bit of work on the car this weekend as it motivated me. :)

Dude  8)

Me too !!   ;)

Thanks for all your help on Saturday Dude, much appreciated.

No worries mate. :)

Get cracking on the car now, you get a event to take it to!  ;D

Dude  8)

Love the sound of this and definitely interested  :)  the cruise after racing sounds great..... more worried about the 160 mile round trip there and back after all that abuse   :D

I'll bring the new car I'm guessing, we start building next weekend.

Well its looking like the majority will get there wish on choice of location :), 99% sure it will be at shakey and will take place middle of june, hopefully confirmation in next couple of weeks

cheers Richie

Hi to all- that is a very good idea to make a race like that . I hope we can do an outlaw flat four race too :-)

But the best for all is to run a braket class or try to get the faster ones run with DOT's min . You can not race with a 200+ hp car with real street tires :-(

Udo

Hi Udo,


 good to see your interest :)  the street cars will get to choose what tyres they run on and I agree, a real 200hp in a VW on radials can be a real handful but there are plenty of 100-160hp cars out there as an example that run radials that will run good numbers 8)

As to the other cars,  there will be a separate class/classes for race cars and people that don't want to do the street car cruise and the format has yet to be decided but a Heads up elimination on sunday is a possibility if there is enough interest  :) 

cheers Richie

As to the other cars,  there will be a separate class/classes for race cars and people that don't want to do the street car cruise and the format has yet to be decided but a Heads up elimination on sunday is a possibility if there is enough interest  :) 

cheers Richie
[/quote]
That sounds like a good idea.  :) Open to all?

Yep :)


cheers Richie

We have on street car with us from Dirk Kunold . I hope Karin will bring her car too - first time in the us - but we have it in our 2016 schedule :-)

Udo

Excellent news Udo 8)  If I can help with anything just let me know :)

cheers Richie

I did some work on routes last night and have come up with a good route from Shakey, some normal roads, some dual carriageway and then a main road back into Stratford and over the river back to the track, its 26.5miles total and should give Saturday night visitors to Stratford quite a view to see a bunch of crazy VW powered vehicles cruising through  :o 8)  I just need o figure out a good place to stop to gather up everyone before we drive back through the town



The date will be 11th-12th June



cheers Richie 

OK i let you know . i hope our crew member Klaus will come with us  and our friend who bought the [attachment=1]Ron Barret car :-)

Udo

Look like a lot of fun,see if my car is ready...

We go together then  ;)

For sure hans!

Excellent, be good to see you both there, and Sylvie as well Cedric?

cheers Richie

If were not in usa..and if my car is ready..richie..
Now having belt problems...he is eating belts and a fan noise after loosing the 4 belt... :-\

Sorry were in the states...

so you can be lucky too Cederic a good alternative :-)

Udo

Shame, have fun though :)

I have only just spotted this,  will be my first outing to cal look drag day for a few years and would love to take part!

Any Update on location please? (presuming the dates still hold)

I'm booking up my 2016 show calendar and don't want to miss out on this if it's going ahead?

It will be at Shakey and 11/12th june or not at all, looking good for that weekend at moment  :)  Just some minor stuff to be sorted now and it will be confirmed

cheers Richie

Thanks for that Ritchie 8)

This sounds awesome! Is it an invite only job or open to all?!

Thought I read that this event had to be cancelled?  Is it back on?  Please say it is  :)

sorry guys we had to cancel due to shakey but will be back next year.
It's not invite only, everyone is welcome.

Wont be at Shakespeare then? Is Santa Pod a total no no?

there calendar is full. sorry.