(Words and Photos by Ridetech) The first Goodguys Autocross of the year is fast approaching and we can’t wait to drop the hammer on both team cars — the 48 Hour Camaro and its evil twin, the Track 1 Camaro. First, however, we need to have two complete running cars. The first event is the Spring Lone Star Nationals in Ft. Worth, TX at Texas Motor Speedway. We won here last year in the 48 Hour Corvette. In fact all three podium finishers were RideTech-equipped.
This year, we have a different challenge: Finish the Track 1 Camaro with time to spare for the 1150 mile haul to Texas. Can we make the deadline? Sure. The good news is that you can watch part of the thrash on Facebook. A bunch of us are at Smitty’s Custom Automotive turning wrenches. As the car has been under construction for months, the home stretch is all about final assembly. There are a few surprises, of course. Follow along on Facebook as we stream live during the coming days. Be sure to join us in Texas March 9-11 for the big debut.
WATCH THE VIDEOS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
We started the final assembly project with a bare, painted shell with roughly seven days to make a car. All fabrication and pre-fitment was completed prior to paint. The color is PPG Stealth Gray.Here are some of the major sub-assemblies prior to their installation. The SDPC Raceshop LS7 makes approximately 700HP. The Currie Turn 9 rear end features MillerBuilt full floater housing ends. The OE Camaro subframe features the entire range of Track 1 suspension components including Instinct Electronic shocks.The Track 1 Camaro is running two sets of Forgeline Wheels in 2018. The orange/gray wheel is Forgeline’s GF3 Open lug model, while the black/black wheel is their GA3 model.We’re running Wilwood 6 piston Aero 6 series calipers in conjunction with 14″ two piece rotorsmounted to RideTech’s billet modular spindle. The heavy duty wheel studs are from ARP. With BF Goodrich Rival S tires and Instinct electronic shocks, the Track 1 Camaro will stress the brake / hub / spindle assembly more than ever. The Track 1 Camaro is running a Bowler six speed manual transmission. We have used this transmission extensively in RideTech Motorsports team cars. The design is super reliable and easily configured for a variety of installations.The tubular inner brace of our new 2nd-gen Bolt-On 4-Link system looks great against the PPG Stealth Gray floorpan. The brace takes advantage of the rear bulkheads strength in multiple planes and locates the forward mounting points of the upper bars.The Track 1 Camaro uses a Quarter Master 8.5″ twin disc Extreme V clutch assembly. Check out the engraved SDPC Raceshop logos on the ends of these signature, CNC ported cylinder heads.Mac’s Custom Tie Downs makes this rock-solid Pivot Plate engine tilter tool. It’s bolted to their ingenious Engine Adapter system that bolts to the sides of your engine. The adapter shown here is made specifically for LS engines. See if they have an adapter system for your engine HERE.We come prepared for war. BF Goodrich Rival S tires are available exclusively from the Tire Rack. in Indiana. With 14 races on the 2018 schedule, we plan on going through 2-3 sets. The narrower 275mm wide tires at left are for a different project.Here is our last and favorite shot of Day 1. The Track 1 Camaro is literally packed with performance. From the Track 1 Chassis to the SDPC Raceshop / Chevrolet Performance LS7 and Vintage Air Frontrunner system, to the Wilwood 14″ brakes and Turn One steering, the packaging and detail are framed nicely by the one-off RideTech Tiger Cage down bars.
We started Day 2 by installing the C and R Racing Aluminum two row 1″ tube double pass aluminum radiator. The dual electric fans are from C & R Racing as well. Vintage Air AC condenser is shown in the background.There is nothing prettier than an under construction hot rod with exposed hardware. While the car was coming together, the carbon fiber bodywork was being painted to match the body.B.F. Goodrich Rival S tires feature a Goodguys and DriveAuto-X legal 200 treadwear rating. They offer extraordinary grip for a treaded, street legal tire. The Track 1 Camaro is running 335mm rear and 315mm front tires. We bring two sets of wheels and tires to each event.You can see the massive 335mm BF Goodrich rear tires in place as work progresses. The stainless steel Tiger Cage looks sharp against the PPG Stealth Gray paint job.Team Ridetech likes to use Momo leather-wrapped steering wheels on all of our cars — street or race. Made in Italy, the look and feel great. Diameter is 350mm.Mike Ballard worked diligently to get the RacePak SmartWire, Holley Dominator and RideTech Instinct wiring harnesses in place, connected and shielded. There must be hundreds of connections. Were using Davis electronics traction control and an Optima Yellow Top battery.We’re running Racepak’s IQ3 digital dash mounted to a VFN fiberglass dash. Vintage Air controls and billet vents have been mounted as wellRideTech’s Instinct electronic, adaptive shock absorbers utilize carious sensors and an ECU to adjust shock compression and rebound in real time and individually for each corner.The Track 1 Camaro is using this custom fuel tank by Rick’s Tanks in conjunction with a dual pickup Cadlillac CTS-V electric fuel pump and II Much Fabrication fuel vent.We started out Day 2 of the assembly project by prepping the carbon fiber body panels for paint. The panels reduce weight and improve weight distribution significantly.
