OFFICIAL: NicoClub's Pikes Peak 240sx v. 2012 by FMR

[PEZi]

Well everyone, looks like it time to start the hyping for 2012! A lot of changes have occurred at FMR and we're looking forward to some big things in the new year. We all met up at SEMA back in November and got meet with some great contacts regarding some of the key components needed in our rebuild on the engine.

For 2012, we going a tad more conventional with the turbo system and ditching the rear mount. Thanks to the guys out at Dent Sport Garage, we'll be getting a one off intake manifold, and thanks to our boy Roy with ODR Fab, we'll be utilizing a brand new custom turbo header modified specifically for the tube frame front end we have. We'll also be ditching the goofy trashbag NASCAR splitter for a custom time attack style carbon fiber one. On the driver side of things, I have to say that my personal favorite addition for 2012 is the electric power steering column we snagged from overseas out of a Vauxhall Corsa C.

On the engineering side, this is the first year that some real seat time will be able to be spent in the car before Pike's Peak for change. Once the engine rebuild is done and the car is all back together, it is getting shipped out here to my new crew chief and I to get the ball rolling on a proper suspension setup. We'll be using it at several SCCA events as well as some allotted time on in the Peak itself. By July 8th... this thing should be a beast ready to go!

We'll be updating things as we go, but don't forget to find us on Facebook and Twitter (Links in my sig).

[PEZi]

This is the official hole cover made up to end the era of rear mount turbo in the P1 car



This is our fresh shipment of epic steering column straight from Ireland...



As some of you also know, starting in either 2013 or 2014, we will have a second car running in the unlimited division. Both cars will feature re-worked matching pink wraps, and this is the current mock up of the new design from our boy, Travis.

[PEZi]

Sorry for how small this picture is, but I also received the email the other day confirming that not only will the Pink Car be on the mountain for sure come July 8th and the 90th running of the PPIHC, but that I will be the one behind the wheel. I want to take a second to say thank you to everyone at NICO for all of the support on this car, and getting me to where I am as the driver for the upcoming year in the Time Attack Class.

Car #989 (Click to enlarge)

[(Yoshi)]

Awesome man! Congrats!

It's a wonderful opportunity and we are all jealous of you haha.

[Razi]

Is the turbo going to be up front now?

[PEZi]

Awesome man! Congrats!

It's a wonderful opportunity and we are all jealous of you haha.

Thanks man, but this all only possible thanks to NICO!

Is the turbo going to be up front now?

Turbo is going to be between the shock towers and firewall thanks to a custom header.


Today we also got word that Wiseco just supplied us with a set of pistons, so the engine machine work will start next week out at Dent Sport Garage. Once the block is all complete, it gets shipped out to Dallas where it will meet its new fully ported and machined head. The ball is rolling quickly now!

[IanS]

Awesome deal for you Ant. Getting to drive Pikes Peak has always been a dream of mine (slightly less now that the dirt is gone), but still, you are one lucky guy. I really hope I can make it out to the event this year and help support you guys. I cant believe Kenno talked Weisco into getting you guys internals. PPIHC gets so much publicity, its great for those of you competing.

My friend Cody Loveland will be running his turbo NSX in unlimited this year, and its incredible how much attention he is getting. All the big boys are coming out to play now that its tar all the way to the peak.

I cant wait to hear the new engine roar.

[PEZi]

Thanks Ian!

Today we got a surprise out at the CA headquarters... AEM sent us some goodies. We're goin' CDI and coil on plug

[IanS]

I hate (read envy) you so much right now. Seriously, quit hogging all the awesome.

[PEZi]

It helps that our tuner, Brice, is in good with AEM. He's an amazing tuner, and they literally want him to have their products. His name is the primary sponsor on the car... and thus we reap the benefits. Brice is awesome. Plain and simple.

[GhostDriver]

I remember being excited when I saw an S14 racing up the mountain when I went to Pikes Peak. That was one of the coolest racing events I've ever been to. Good luck!

[PEZi]

Just dropping in for a bit of an update. We had a bit of a setback when the suspension was taken off the car. It was sent out to AST MOTON for a rebuild, only to find out that with how trashed they were it would be around the same cost to just get a new set. Good news: Brand spanking new MOTONS! Bad news: If you've ever tried pricing out MOTONS, you know the bad news.

For those of you that follow the PPIHC, you already know of all the drama involved with this year. A fully paved hill has brought in a lot more interest in drivers wanting to tackle the road. Great! That means the dirt being gone is not the worst thing in the world! Problem is, too many entrants are currently entered forcing a lot of veteran's to the climb of whom made this race what it was are being turned away. A lot of people are fed up and it is only January. Along with that, the normal entry deadline of June 15th has been tossed, and the new deadline for entry is Jan 31st. Yes... JANUARY. There is also the possibility of qualifying for race day to make sure that the race can be completed in the one day it is allotted. It's a clusterf*ck, and, once again, people are angry and it is only January.

The current setup for qualifying is that you need to be within 115% of the fastest qualifier in order to race on Sunday. This means that if Rod Millen goes up and sets a 4:45 qualifying time on the bottom section, I would have to go 5:27 ish in order to race on race day. Not a huge deal, but in reality it is. What if something breaks on the car? What if there is oil down for my run and I have to drive slower? What if I simply push it to hard trying to make the field and go off? There are a lot of variables, and as a privateer, grassroots team, there is too much money on the line to justify going. The announcement from the PPIHC will be made after the closing of registration, so only a week or so left before we know how the organization will handle the large field. We are hoping they rid of the 115% rule, and go with something more along the lines of a certain percent of the field gets in. The reason is, if they say 80% of our time attack class will get in, I can make that happen and we can feel safe doing it. We will race. If they stick with the 115% rule... it is far too risky. We are hoping that the organization realizes that the 115% rule is archaic, as the class is anything but a spec class (our 400's hp 240 can't keep up with the Red Bull Genesis with a professional driver and 800's for hp... let's just be honest). Stay tuned, as once the announcement is made, we will report back to say whether or not we will pull our registration and save the money to make the car better for 2013, or if we will stick it out and race this road like it has never been done before. Keep pulling for us, guys!

Also, feel free to voice your displeasure about how the organization is driving away the grassroots teams by their decisions this year on their Facebook. They're listening! Whether it helps or not will only be told once the announcement is made in Feb. http://www.facebook.com/pikespeakhillclimb

[ska69]

is that a corsa PAS rack? will you be installing one of these in conjuction http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220927729842 ? Would love to see a write up or installion pictures of the rack

[PEZi]

It is indeed the Corsa rack. We already have one of the rally control units ready to go, everything will be going in with the help of ODR fab in the very near future. As far as a write up, go ahead and share! We always love new info!!!

[ska69]

lol I don't have one, I was hoping you could shed some light on the installation into the s14

I have an 2nd gen MR-S EHPS, but this Corsa rack + rally control unit seems much nicer!

[PEZi]

Gotcha, well I'll have to see what kind of info we can get for ya. Considering that there isn't much S14 left as far as the steering is concerned, especially internally, I'm not sure how much will translate over.

Big news in today, as well! We just made the announcement that we will be testing up on Pikes Peak on June 3rd to help get the car fully setup for race week, which is the first week of July. Expect a lot of video feed from that one for homework purposes!

[Razi]

Yaay!

[ska69]

+1 Yaay!

[PEZi]

My wallet hurts, but you guys will be pleased to know that we will be making voyage into an epic new era of this race. A lot of new things are coming this year...

[PEZi]

Well guys... registration is officially closed! The final list of cars and drivers is still to come, as some of the people getting their registration in at the last minute are still being approved etc. This is the official listing as of yesterday, however. The key things are that we have the FMR representation with myself in Time Attack, car #989, and Lee Kent in Quad Modified, rider #888. Beyond that, we also have our trusted friend and basically family member, Dave Carapetyan, running in Unlimited, car #959, the Rally Ready Evo. Stay tuned, as I will be back to update you when the final listing of drivers is made

[Razi]

Woot woot!
Kick Millen's butt.

[PEZi]

I'll be doing a lot of studying. My crew chief and I will be grabbing an annual pass to go up the peak and literally take notes on every corner. I'll probably have a good 50 or so looks at it before June when we go testing

[PEZi]

For all of you electric power steering junkies.... the custom install is well underway

[S133P3R]

i like where this is going, ill stick around a bit.
good luck Nico Team!

[ponchs13]

I agree

[alms24sebring]

awesome I cant wait til July is right around the corner. Nice score on parts too

[ska69]

PEZi, that looks amazing! And it's even height adjustable?

are those some wilwood custom pedals as well?

[PEZi]

Indeed they are. Nice and grippy just like the tape on skate deck as well. Perfect for some flawless heel toe action as your foot won't slip off of the brake.

Here is another pic from a few days ago, as well. With myself as the new driver at just about half of the weight of the previous driver... some mods are in the works. The steering wheel is adjustable, as you noticed, and the seat will slide to accompany prime foot action for anyone who steps in the seat. Overall badass!

[kenno470]

More cool stuff coming soon.
Fabricating the new seat brackets tonight and I'll also work on the bracket to locate the hand brake.

We should have the new motor back from Dent Sport Garage in just a few more weeks and as soon as it's in place the car will head down to SoCal for a new one-off turbo manifold from Roy Tomkins at ODR Fab.

Stay tuned.

[kenno470]

Progress: Finished the seat brackets, steering column brackets and the adjustable clutch pedal stop.

Clutch pedal stop:


The last steering column bracket is on the column:


Finished and welded in seat brackets:


Today I'll be working on the front wheel tubs and planning for the new sub-frame that will house the new Mishimoto radiator and intercooler.