Need Advice

[Caddishack18]

Which rig do I take to the Hammers. My original plan was to run the Campbell rig, Its light and fast, one did OK last year. Dont carry a spare, keep it light and in race form. OR bring the Caddi, Its not as fast but it will go better in the whoops, the four link is just more forgiving. If I have trouble I will have Kelly there to help fix stuff. The both need more cooling on the water side. Dont be a smart ass give me some thoughts!

 

[InDaShop]

Re: Need advise

It would be a shame to not see the Campbell rig running it, but for that race, I would run the Caddy.
Thats just me. Bigelow will say different I believe but here are my reasons, which you touched on.

You have to be self sufficient between pits. No chase/support
1. Spare tire (It that dude hadnt given Shannon the tire off his truck Shannon would not have finished)
2. Tools
3. Navigator, Spotter, Support. Not knowing the Hammers, GPS is going to be a Necessity. I got my Lowrance BAJA, and its nice but the screen is kinda small, and no way could I watch it, zoom in/zoom out, and be carrying the rig at speed.

Get a GPS unit, and install it in Kellys truck. Make him use it for everything. Grocery store, shop, school, work, runs down the highway, etc..... Then when you put it in the buggy he it way proficient.

But you brought up better handling and ride, those are great ancillary benefits.

 

[P]

Re: Need advise

Id go with Caddy if I were in your shoes, I think its just better suited to this type of race and agree with what Wyatt mentioned.

 

[DavidsCJ7]

Re: Need advise

I would have to go with the Caddy. The only reason I say that is for the ability to carry spare parts. If it were me, I would carry an on board welder also.

 

[BamaTJ]

Re: Need advise

Man I would run the piss out of the campbell rig. Faster, easier to navigate around broke rigs, and it is badass. Your run tires with strong sidewalls, cambell builds sorted out rigs that WORK. Started at the dead end like you are being able to pass disabled rigs in the rocks will be VERY important. I think the Campbell rig gives you a better chance to win IMO.

I think you will have the easiest time in navigation also since you are starting almost dead lat. Just follow the broken rigs!

 

[John Galbreath Jr.]

Re: Need advise

Started at the dead end like you are being able to pass disabled rigs in the rocks will be VERY important.

Carry cash to buy any needed parts from disabled rigs.

 

[P]

Re: Need advise

Matt I'd agree if it were going to be the same or similar race as last year... I honestly think its going to take a 2 person team to win it. Its supposed to be "longer" its going to be higher speed ( everyone is prepping like that anyway ) I think spares and a helper is going to be premium.

Your there alone in the single seater, and kill a tire with no spare. Game over. Shannon got just as much lucky as he did showed how skilled he is. And Im in no way tryin to take away from his skillz.



EDIT: JohnG laughing1 LOTS of Cash got that bribe money ! laughing1

 

[BamaTJ]

Re: Need advise

I just don't like your chances in the Caddi, it is not as reliable from what I have seen as the campbell rig. I don't see much more rock trals than last year, hell they ran them all. More desert this year but you can get right with the GPS before those long desert sections instead of trying to look while you are driving. Add a spare to the back and carry what tools you can. But if you have a huge failure you will be out of the running anyways IMO. If you are going for the win, the Campbell rig gives you the best chances as the race is won in the rocks and for you there will be dead vehicles all in your way.

 

[InDaShop]

Re: Need advise

Near 100miles, and most of it will be desert.

I am drilling and wire-tieing every fastener on mine. That chassis will build up enough heat to make the Nylocks loose their ability to clamp. Expand the chassis enough to let other fasteners fail. Hell after just 10 miles in Disney damn near everything was loose on mine or I had lost it. It was a great shakedown for distance. I lost all of my clevis's, thats one for each winch, and two on the rear axle. My swaybar came disconnected.

And in talking with guys that raced it last year. They said when they got back everything was about to fall off their rigs or had fallen off and knocked them out of the race.

Its all going to be in prep, and a lot of luck.


No way to add a spare to the Campbell chassis. You stick it on the rear and it blocks your radiator. Anyway to strap like a 33" or 35" on the roof?

 

[Cole]

Re: Need advise

Man I would run the piss out of the campbell rig. Faster, easier to navigate around broke rigs, and it is badass. Your run tires with strong sidewalls, cambell builds sorted out rigs that WORK. Started at the dead end like you are being able to pass disabled rigs in the rocks will be VERY important. I think the Campbell rig gives you a better chance to win IMO.

I think you will have the easiest time in navigation also since you are starting almost dead lat. Just follow the broken rigs!

x2

 

[muchado]

Re: Need advise

Take apart that campbell chassis, have them build you a rear engine/2 seater chassis like the one that he ran and then sold Robert Lucero---Robert sold it to Brice Rodgers... That would be the setup... co-dogg for navigatin/repairs, a rig that is reliable and works... BLAM!

They make more money every day so fukkit.


If you have to stop for repairs you're not winnin' anyhow... I'd want to do the race 2up just for the navigation factor though.

 

[doug38s]

Re: Need advise

fuggin run the campbell rig and make the changes we talked about. if your fixen you aint winning or racing. race to win, prep to win.

gps is overrated, follow the tracks in the sand. you dont see tracks, your going the wrong way. Its not that hard. Those that got lost last year with co drivers.....i dont know what the hell they were doing. the only time i missed or got lost was when i was concentrating on driving and didnt look up for awhile and missed a turn.

everyone including me is an expert on the race....until we get there and have to do it.

talking with jeff and dave your body better be in as good as shape as your rig is. I'm 4 mos into a 9 mos plan that finalizes on Feb 27. Race weight will be 225 at a 7 minute mile pace benching 4 bills again. I'll probably break the rig but then I'll get out and race on foot. ;D

All in all I would do what your are comfortable with though. if you feel best in the caddi and you think it gives you the best shot to win i'd rock it and rock it hard. being comfortable and in a good state of mind has a lot of good karma in a race like this.

 

[BamaTJ]

Re: Need advise

Right on Doug. Race in what you do best in, which to me is a no brainer. As I said earlier, starting last makes navigation easier, so there is another reason to run the single seater. I have seen you race in both rigs and you are scary fast in the single seater, plus it is easier to navigate around traffic which you will see a lot of in your starting spot. I would focus a lot on Physical Stamina also like Doug said. Many people will leave this part out, or end up handing it off to the co-driver because they underestimated it. I talked to AC about this and he said having strength, especially upper body is VERY important. I am trying my hardest to get my fat ass in shape, and have been for a few weeks. I want to be under 220 given that I can longshot my way into the race.

 

[InDaShop]

Re: Need advise

Brian bring both, so when I blow the Triple Nickel up on Thursday, I can run what you don't!!!!

 

[doug38s]

Re: Need advise

I did the race at 287 last year and it killed me the next two days. The shot of me in the video about falling off the buggy was because my legs were shot from sitting that long. I'm 238 right now with the next 5 months to get to 225 and in race shape. Dont underestimate the physical aspect of driving this hard. You will be sore the next day and it will be hard to graspe the steering wheel.

I fully expect to piss blood and be in a coma when i'm done from driving and the longer race with more whoops. All that in being in good shape too.

 

[Speeding]

Re: Need advise

If you want to win, drive the campbell chassis.

If you want to finish, drive the Caddi.


What I mean by that is IF nothing happens, no flats, no small problems of any kind, the campbell chassis will get the job done. HOWEVER, in the caddi you will be much more prepared to repair damages, fix tires, winch up and around broken rigs(I don't know if that happens but that's what I would do instead of waiting), etc. Almost everyone seemed to cut tires last year, so that's one thing to pretty much plan on.

 

[muchado]

Re: Need advise

If you want to win, drive the campbell chassis.

If you want to finish, drive the Caddi.


What I mean by that is IF nothing happens, no flats, no small problems of any kind, the campbell chassis will get the job done. HOWEVER, in the caddi you will be much more prepared to repair damages, fix tires, winch up and around broken rigs(I don't know if that happens but that's what I would do instead of waiting), etc. Almost everyone seemed to cut tires last year, so that's one thing to pretty much plan on.

only thing is the caddi's track record especially with a northstar isn't as promising as the 1 seater...

can you have those 2 rigs make a baby and bam you got the best of both worlds...

 

[blacksheep10]

Re: Need advise

take both, prerun both, make a decision on the bed with both in race trim

 

[Caddishack18]

Re: Need advise

Either need some work to be ready. I need to get to work on one or the other. Levi is leaning me towards the single seater, its had no issues, hauls asssss.

 

[P]

Re: Need advise

Either need some work to be ready. I need to get to work on one or the other. Levi is leaning me towards the single seater, its had no issues, hauls asssss.

You've ran well in it and spent alot of time in it . My question to you.

Which one DO YOU feel most comfortable in / know best ???????????????????