IXNAYXJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Wherever the next race is.
For the last six months, I've been plotting and schemeing a unique venture: Take a Jeep Cherokee endurance road racing. Let me explain. About three years ago, a brand new race series popped up on car junkies' radar, the 24 Hours of LeMons. Basically a take off on France's famous 24 hour race, LeMans, but with a twist...it's for cars not to cost more than $500.
Ever since I read the first reviews and stories about this race, I had the idea that an XJ could actually be a decent competitor. Light weight, powerful, sturdy, cheap. Perfect recipe for an endurance racer, and it would be something the 'sports car guys' would never see coming, until it was in their rear view mirrors.
Well, the waiting is over, building is (almost) done, and we hit the track in 6 hours for practice at ThunderHill Raceway in Northern California. We used a Richard Petty 1970 Plymouth Superbird as inspiration for our theme, and took the name Team Petty Cash. Additionally, we have partnered with Team Seattle Racing, a group which has been participating in endurance racing as a vehicle to raise money for Seattle Children's Hospital. Every single penny we raise will directly benefit the charity, including
's $200 donation. Nearly everybody who has been approached to sponsor the effort has been enthusiastic, with companies like Toyo Tires, Rubicon Express, Master-Pull, Crane Hi-Clearance, Microsoft, and dozens of others you probably haven't heard of stepping up to the plate, Team Petty Cash stands a good chance of doing some real good.
Here is our 1989 2WD XJ the team purchased for $200. As of two weeks ago, it was virtually bone stock...it would not be an exaggeration to say we built a race car in a ten day period. We started out with this:
Got it running in a couple hours:
After many hundreds of hours of careful engineering and calculations, prep work finally began:
Cage going in:
Opie (XJ_Ranger) helping out, bending some tube:
Painted:
We hit the track in the morning for tech inspection and testing, then it's raceday on Saturday and into Sunday. We still have to bolt on the wheels and tires (Toyo Proxes 4's and Allied/Raceline Daytonas) and weld up some exhaust, but she's almost ready! I'll keep this updated with pics and news as it occurs and I have time and internet access. Wish us luck!
-----Matt-----
P.S. Big graphic goes on the front bumper in the morning. 
Ever since I read the first reviews and stories about this race, I had the idea that an XJ could actually be a decent competitor. Light weight, powerful, sturdy, cheap. Perfect recipe for an endurance racer, and it would be something the 'sports car guys' would never see coming, until it was in their rear view mirrors.
Well, the waiting is over, building is (almost) done, and we hit the track in 6 hours for practice at ThunderHill Raceway in Northern California. We used a Richard Petty 1970 Plymouth Superbird as inspiration for our theme, and took the name Team Petty Cash. Additionally, we have partnered with Team Seattle Racing, a group which has been participating in endurance racing as a vehicle to raise money for Seattle Children's Hospital. Every single penny we raise will directly benefit the charity, including
's $200 donation. Nearly everybody who has been approached to sponsor the effort has been enthusiastic, with companies like Toyo Tires, Rubicon Express, Master-Pull, Crane Hi-Clearance, Microsoft, and dozens of others you probably haven't heard of stepping up to the plate, Team Petty Cash stands a good chance of doing some real good.Here is our 1989 2WD XJ the team purchased for $200. As of two weeks ago, it was virtually bone stock...it would not be an exaggeration to say we built a race car in a ten day period. We started out with this:
Got it running in a couple hours:
After many hundreds of hours of careful engineering and calculations, prep work finally began:
Cage going in:
Opie (XJ_Ranger) helping out, bending some tube:
Painted:
We hit the track in the morning for tech inspection and testing, then it's raceday on Saturday and into Sunday. We still have to bolt on the wheels and tires (Toyo Proxes 4's and Allied/Raceline Daytonas) and weld up some exhaust, but she's almost ready! I'll keep this updated with pics and news as it occurs and I have time and internet access. Wish us luck!
-----Matt-----
P.S. Big
graphic goes on the front bumper in the morning. 
