SCCA Grand Touring 1 (GT1) Cobra

[1795]

I am reposting this with a new title to hopefully get some responses. I am checking on the viability of doing a cobra race car build in SCCA. I know that the car will be up against some serious modern race car designs and may not be as competitive as other cars, but it would be fun and if I can keep the cost down it might be worth it.

I was looking at the Factory Five Challenge car website and it stated that the Challenge Cars roll cage is built to SCCA specs and the car could qualify under the GT1 category. Looking at the SCCA General Competition Rules (GCR) for Grand Touring cars it states that these cars are "custom made cars that are highly modified replicas of production cars." The GCR then goes on to list a variety of production cars that would qualify for this category and lists the Shelby Cobra with a 90" wheelbase as one of the cars. The cars can differ significantly from the production car under the skin, but must have the outward appearance of the production car that it replicates.

Has anyone built a replica to race in the SCCA GT1 category? If anyone has, how competitive was the car and what did you select as a drive train and replica model? Now that I have my SCCA full competition license I am considering trying to race a cobra in road race competition without being bound by the Factory Five Challenge series rules. Besides, the Challenge series does not race on any tracks close to me.

Thanks.

Jim

[xlr8tr]

random thought, if you could get a competition version of the JBL Cobra built again (IIRC they stopped building them for some reason?) that would be your best starting point. Its not a "true" replica from a body dimension perspective, but would give you an excellent foundation. They have done a coupe body as well.

on edit, not sure if JBL would meet the wheelbase rules.

[Mark IV]

Jim,

the MGB doesn't cut it anymore?

I don't think you can really make a competitive car in GT1 with a "Cobra" The wheelbase and aero are against you. If the Daytona coupe was homologated you might have a chance but SCCA does not recognize the coupe (it was an FIA loophole that allowed it)

But if you just want to go fast and make noise, go for it!

[1795]

Rick,

I am learning the ropes with the MGB and enjoying it, other than eating a lot of rust removing parts from the parts car I am anticipating that I will be desiring a little more speed in the near future.

The Daytona would have been nice and more aerodynamic than the cobra, however, there were not enough of them produced to be considered a production car. I probably would be competing against people with much deeper pockets than mine. However, we can always dream about being a low budget guy who competes and does well despite the odds

Too bad they do not list the GT40 as an option, now that would do well...

[Morris]

1795

The Cobra is not able to compete in the GT-1 Class.... however it needs to be moved down to the GT-2 Class where the times would be competitive.

KMP259 has run in NASA and the times compared to GT-1 time at Road America and Gateway were off by a lot .....The main reason is the GT-1 Cars are Technology Driven and are extremely fast now days. At Gateway St Louis a short track the times are GT-1 1:00:54 verses KMP259 at 1:04:50..... if you go to Road America, a long track the times are GT-1 2:01:5 verses KMP259 2:16:50 minutes...... The suspension is just not good enough... yes we could pass them on the straight away.... but the corners were just not there....

If you could get the Cobra Qualified for GT-2...then they would be very competitive..... Gateway GT-2 is 1:06:10...... KMP259 is 1:04:50.... and at Road America GT-2 is 2:18:00 verses KMP259 2:16:5..... So yes they would be very competitive in GT-2....But changing and reclassifying the Cobra to GT-2 would be next to impossible..... been there and done that....

So Save your money and buy a car already built for the class you want to run and get one right off the track at the runoffs..... that's the way I sold 2 of my cars ..... right from Impound to the other guy's trailer....that way you get all of the good stuff.... trust no one.....

Hope this helps out.... in case you don't know who KMP259 is here's a good photo....

[1795]

Morris,

Thanks for your input. I do recall following some of your other posts about KMP 259. I would definitely have to add some of the aerodynamics that you have placed on yor car. I can check into GT2, but I am not sure that it would be possible. I agree with the issue with modern technology and suspensions as compared to older systems. The winner this year in GT1 drove a Jag and posted 196 mph heading to the finish. That is not a viable speed for most cobras.

i wil keep my eye out for available cars, that is how I bought the MGB that I am racing now.

[awickline23]

Hi--FF mk iv daytona coupe just about done after 6 years. looking to get car classified into GT2 for SCCA. any recent thoughts? Want national option....not SPO.
andrew
315 527 1221

[1795]

Andrew,

Not sure if that will work. I will take a look at the GCR and give you a call. I have to look it up, but I did receive an email from SCCA national tech person and I will give you his contact information.

Jim