For those interested ...

http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_102244/newsarticle.html

Chrysler Crossfire Takes Category Victory in a Star Studded Field at the Alphera Dutton Rally

10 August, 2004

Peter Gazzard out drove a star studded field in a Chrysler Crossfire to take a category victory in the Alphera Dutton Rally on the weekend. The Crossfire upset a prestigious field including a handful of the high performance BMW M3's, two Ford XR6 Turbos and a Nissan 350Z, to be the overall winner in its class and place an impressive twelfth in overall standings.

Over three days, from August 6-8, Gazzard and his co-driver Kurt Stiles put the Crossfire through 27 different driving tests including motorkhanas, sprints, skid pan work and hill climbs. The car performed well in all of the events and especially shone in the motorkhana events, where a combination of strong braking, sharp handling and quick acceleration was required.

The strong performance of the Crossfire placed the Gazzard team in a remarkable twelfth position overall, out of a field of 72 teams, leaving many pricier Porsches, renowned Suburu WRX's, a Mitsubishi EVO and many other exotic cars in its wake.

Gazzard said that the Crossfire surprised a lot of people. �gIt created a lot of interest both with its looks and even more so, it's performance. The car has a great combination of power, traction, breaking and superb handling qualities. It's an excellent package and outstanding value for money when you look at what they're selling for.�h

Team-mate Stiles said the Crossfire was a lot of fun to drive. �gI think if more people knew about this car there'd be a lot more on the road.�h

The Alphera Dutton Rally brings together motoring aficionados from around Australia of all skill levels, in standard, road-registered vehicles and saw 88 prestige and exotic vehicles compete.

Image of vehicle at http://us1.webpublications.com.au/st...02244_00mg.jpg

 

AWESOME!!! When I started talking about autocrossing my car, last November, there were a few people that thought I was out of my mind. One (also a Crossfire owner, at the time... Now a former owner) tried to tell me that this car would never be a competitive car. I've since proved that very wrong and now they are proving it down-under as well!!! This is Great News!!!

Thanks for sharing it.

 

That is GREAT!!

I see alot more interest in the car at every event I go to, we just keep doing what we are doing and I think you will see the Crossfire take off, Just like Tommy Kindall said in the XF video on the Chrysler web site "If any one is shopping just by the numbers they might miss great car"

So far I am very pleased with the performance and value!!

 

"has a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of $69,990. "

Now THAT's an exchange rate only a Canadian (or apparently an Aussie) could love...

 

isn't he driving a pickup truck now... :P :shock: :P

Keep it up Wes, we who are too chicken enjoy living vicariously through your racing!

 

http://www.duttonrally.com/
Says all the pics of the various cars will be posted around August 16.

 

Is the Crossfire that won the rally a stock one with the 215 horsepower, 6-speed manual????? If it is, it is simply awesome. Especially if it's weak 215 horsepower engine can beat an M3's 333 horsepower. The driver must also get a great amount of credit to be able to make such a small horsepower, great handling car beat high horsepower, established sports cars.

 

Been checking out SCCA Clubs in my neighborhood. There is a club in Tallahassee, I think I'll check out. Might try my hand at Autocross, I've been looking for a helmets on e-bay. Any other Mods needed or recomended to Autocross.

 

See RACING thread...these items have been discussed recently.

OOPsss...this IS the racing thread...never mind...I'll go back to work now...

 

Jimbo... You'll have the time of your life!!!

Make sure when you get a helmet that is has the "SNELL 2000 Approved", or later, sticker inside. It's normally under the padding. If it has a "SNELL Approved" sticker on the outside only it can't be used at a SCCA event.

No other mods are needed. Just add some air to your tires after you get to the event. I typically use 41 lbs. front and 39lbs rear. Make sure you go back to 32 front and 33 rear before you hit the streets. Enjoy!!!

 

For sure Jimbo!! its like the first time playing paintball all over... now all i do is sit in class seeing how i can scamper up money for new tires and for future events!! Its quite amazing! and really pulls you closer to loving this car more and more... even if that $500 Honda Civic just blew your time outta the water ...

 

Thanks for the info - to All.
I agree Boba, there's a lot of "trash," but also a lot of good ideas.
Like I've said before you got the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Just ignore that which you don't like and appreciate to good stuff. :shock: ops: :cry: :evil:

 

LOL! I've noticed at the SCCA events ... I've only been to two.. and I've raced at one... so im not a veteran at all!!

but I love the older rusted cars that the people have worked on for probably years to get it the way they want it!!!

and then that $65k M3 losses by about 3 seconds to a 1970's VW that would run about $700 for a 214k mile engine ...

There was this HOT! Black VW at the last one ... he beat Viper times!!! and he made it look EASY! ... was quite amazing and always impresses me when people take something like that and just use it right!

 

Now Wes, you're a good guy and we've buried the hatchet, but I can't have you rewriting history.

When you and I got into a little tiff last year, I NEVER, EVER said the Crossfire would not be competitive.

What I DID say that in the hands of a good driver, such as you, it could be competitive, and I pointed to YOUR exploits as an example.

AND I said, and this is what set you off, that as good as the Crossfire is (and I always said it was a good handler...it's all there if anyone is so bored as to go back and look at those threads), it would be that much better with rack and pinion. I still believe that, and the past 40 years of sports car design generally fall on that side as well. No matter how many wins in various competitions the Crossfire may rack up, rack and pinion would make it's response in handling that much better.

Most certainly don't want to start things up with you again, like I said, I feel we buried the hatchet, not in each other, and I've grown to respect you. You've become one of the moderating voices on this board in the past year, and as an occasional lurker I have found that helpful. But if you're going to drag out old skeltons, at least recount things the way they happened.

Thanks

Todd