Coming across the line at the 2011 SCCA Nashville Road Tour at Nashville Speedway
I got to talking to several folks at Nationals (1200 competitors there, lots of stuff to play with) and it was clear the best fit for me was going to be A-Stock, where one of the cars to have is a Corvette FRC. The regular base C5 model has a hatch and a removable roof, most come with FE1 code suspension (you can get an upgrade with a Z51 package though). In 1999, Chevy produced a revised version of the base model Corvette, which we now call the FRC, or "Fixed Roof Coupe", which has a defined trunk instead of a hatch (less glass, more stability) a non-removable roof, lower height and FE3 supension. They ONLY produced these models in 99 and 2000, while not "super rare" they are difficult to source in good, stock condition. I scoured the country from the start of the SCCA off season and finally in November, I found a 36,000 mile, bone stock FRC. I caught a 4am flight out of the location I was at to get to the dealership, had a friend who is a National Champion come out to test the car for me, and we picked it up!
Shortly after buying the FRC
Now, I loathe the color (it's the color of crappy mid-90's Camry's), but Enzo Ferrari has a very famous quote that goes along the line of:
Race cars are neither beautiful nor ugly. They become beautiful when they win.
I cannot agree with that quote more. This car was purchased for the sole purpose of competition, I dont drive it around anywhere, I only wake it up when it's time to gallop against the clock.
This winter, I called my 7-Time National Champion parts dealer for equipment for the car (you can do SOME mods in stock) and suspension dial in info. The car has a VERY basic setup:
-Koni Sport Dampers
-New OEM rotors with Ferodo pads
-33mm solid front sway bar
-GM allowed update of endlinks (they're plastic on early models, updated to steel)
-Purchased 5 extra sets of C5 base wheels (very light, very cheap)
-Hoosier A6 tires (295/17 front, 315/18 in rear)
The beauty of proper tires
From the get-go, the car has been successful. My co-driver and I competed in the car at the New Jersey Pro Solo and Dover National Tour already, he took top index for both events and won the class on both occasions. I'm having issues adjusting to the car, but it has the pace. I'm very much looking forward to later this month, when I head off to Lincoln, Nebraska, to dial in the car on the surface that the National Championship takes place on later this year in Sept.
In grid at the New Jersey Pro Solo
Awaiting runs in New Jersey
In grid at Dover
Swapping drivers in Dover
In a heavy braking zone in Dover
Home after taking top Index in NJ
