I value the opinion of all 6,000 + members of this forum and would like your input on the subject of promoting of the Crossfire in racing events. I've posted a poll to this thread and would like all of you to chime-in as well as responding with your written comments.

I was recently contacted by a DC representative regarding my track activities with the Crossfire and questioned about campaigning the car in SCCA events. He was interested in the potential marketing of a race spec. Crossfire that would "RACE ON SUNDAY, SELL ON MONDAY".

We discussed my minor modifications and the lack of affordable aftermarket performance parts for the car, as well as if the Crossfire could compete on a national level with other cars classed in the SCCA T3 category.

Our discussion was lengthy and in depth and left me with some hope that DC could possibly re-purpose (re-market) the car as a sports racer with additional support from aftermarket performance manufacturers, if the DC marketing department was onboard.

My question to all of my fellow forum members is;
1) Do you feel the car would be more appealing to you if it were raced in SCCA events and broadcast on TV ?
2) Would you be more likely to buy a Crossfire if you thought it was capable of "OUT OF THE BOX" road racing ?
3) If performance / products were readily available for the Crossfire, would you be more likely to purchase the car ?
4) Wouldn't you like to brag your friends, "yeah it beats a Boxter, S2000, M3, Elise, EVO, WRX on a road course ? And I saw it on the SPEED Channel...

We may have an opportunity to show DC that the Crossfire can be a car to be proud of... Let me know your opinion...

 

1) Do you feel the car would be more appealing to you if it were raced in SCCA events and broadcast on TV ?

Not really. However, if it won all events then I might be keen on it.

2) Would you be more likely to buy a Crossfire if you thought it was capable of "OUT OF THE BOX" road racing ?

Yes and I already did. I bought mine last year. Mopar already had the Borla exhaust when I was checking into it. It seemed as if cold air intakes were being made soon to that time as well. I made the assumption that the after market parts was starting to trickle in. Still no cold air intake, even if it didn't amount to much(or any) gain. I understand the cost involved with super chargers. If a vette or viper can get one for 6K installed (with significant gain) then why cant a crossfire?

3) If performance / products were readily available for the Crossfire, would you be more likely to purchase the car ?

Yes. See previous post. It seems that MOPAR doesn't have anything to do with this car, all the other manufacturers are mercedes after market parts manufacturers. I suppose if MOPAR started doing more with the car then Mercedes owners would buy the mopar parts for their mercedes.

4) Wouldn't you like to brag your friends, "yeah it beats a Boxter, S2000, M3, Elise, EVO, WRX on a road course ? And I saw it on the SPEED Channel...

The crossfire has rakish looks. It looks fast. The crossfire has pep, just not on par with the looks. I would love for the performance to back up the looks.

 

Answers are above in red.

 

1. I think it would be great if the car was on TV and was winning races, but I think it may be to little to late.
2. Heck yeah.
3. I think the popularity of the car in general would go up if you could mod it and make it more personable to the owner.
4. Heck yeah.

 

Just tell the DC rep to have the new MB 3.5L AMG engine or 5L AMG dropped in the car and then you can do some serious racing. Personally, I doubt if many people care if the XFire can beat a EVO or WRX on a track. The mental image of most of the cars that you list fall in the poor man's category of racing. Sure, some minor HP boost could be popular with some at the margin, but there wouldn't be any buzz for the manufacturer.

If you truly want recognition, then you have to raise the ante. Take on the Vettes, Vipers and even the CTS. Why screw around if you really want a race on Sunday sell on Monday XFire program?

 

1 through 4, HECK YES!!!

 

FYI the Crossfire is not classed in the same SCCA category as any of the aforementioned vehicles except for the CTS. It is currently classed in T3, but can compete in T2 not GT. Although I'm petitioning the CRB for the GT class... Gimme some time, This is a lengthy process since I'm doing it without the assistance of a mfg.

 

1) Yes. Would be good to see what cars it can beat (given equally skilled drivers) as oppose to hearing from someone that they smoked someone in some highway.

2. Yes. How about rollover protection for roadsters for starters? Why wont these cars come without it anyway especially if they're going to all the trouble of putting a cosmetic one? DC, are you listening?

3. Before i had my taste of driving in a track (laguna seca), no. After, YES!

4. Yes, of course. Especially after i opted to go with SRT6 than Boxster.

Though as much as i'd like the car to be successful, i'd hate to see one in every corner like the PT Cruiser.

Hey HDDP, im set for BW this coming sunday, btw.

 

I'm running California Motor Speedway on Sunday... It's a time trial event... Would you like to join us ? I'll have one of my camera crews with me doing some behind the scenes stuff...

http://www.redlinetrackevents.com/

 

Would love to join but i can't. I've already signed up for the event at BW this coming sunday. I think i got two of my co-workers to go with me so I can't just reschedule.

I'll probably go on the 4th to check it out. I saw that there's an SRT6 running. Gotta root for the guy.

 

With more responses like this, they just might.

 

HDDP... do events like that attract alot of out of state cars???

 

Mostly California, but a few from Nevada and Arizona...

 

I mentioned this thread to the aforementioned couple of people. They said a racing spec XF would rock and they would certainly buy one.

 

I think that any sort of factory supported motorsport programme for the Crossfire would raise its profile and lend some credibility, assuming it is relatively successful; if it was getting beaten by everything then maybe it would just reinforce people's general opinion that its not fast enough!

The aftermarket is generally governed by the popularity of the car - very few companies pump resources into producing stuff for a car that is unpopular. When I bought my Crossfire it had only just been released so I didn't expect any aftermarket activity anyway.
The exception to this is where a manufacturer announces a model and has a race series already lined up for it, like the many one-make championships, Renault Clio Cup etc.

Personally, even though I am a complete car and motorsport nut, the lack of such sporting heritage didn't affect my opinion to buy. I have an old 911 to satisfy that. I wasn't actually looking to buy a new car but I just wanted one as soon as I saw the concept car. I then saw Tiff Needell reviewing the production version on 5th Gear (quite a balanced review as it turned out) and his parting shot was that "In the UK it may have limited appeal, but for some THAT will be the appeal." and for me that is the case, and I also liked the fact that it was engineered by MB. I could have had a Lotus, 350Z or TT etc, but everyone and his dog has one of those and I when they came out I didn't suddenly want to buy one.

As it turns out I am more than happy with the Crossfire's performance as my daily transport, and happy to take it to that track as well. That's not to say I don't think of trying to improve it!

Simon.

 

1-4 are all definitely yes. i'd definitely like to a 5.0 MB motor dropped in this thing, and taking on corvettes would not be a problem.