Not a "4x4", but cool anyway...

[Vonski]

The Class 10 buggy driven by Brandon Dawson and Dustin Miller (part of the Ben Hanks Racing Team) just got back from testing in Vegas. Now we can tear it down and prep it for next weeks Parker 425!

Here are a couple pics (Its still way dirty, but you get the idea )

 

[Rusted]

What does a tear down mean to you? How much gets taken apart and rebuilt before the next race? Keep us updated.

 

[mbryson]

I think it needs more travel


Looks sweet !!

 

[Greg]

Wow, that thing is neat! I'd give my... well, you get the idea.

 

[Vonski]

What does a tear down mean to you? How much gets taken apart and rebuilt before the next race? Keep us updated.

Thats a good question...

To be on the safe side of things, you can simply replace many of the "moving" components regardless of wear after every race, but that gets real expensive and most would think it to be unnecessary (but I'm sure plenty of people do it).

Basically, you have to (atleast) take it apart to the point where every tube/weld can be inspected for stress and/or cracks. Also, every rod end and suspension component needs to be checked for wear and possible replacement (if there is any doubt at all, you just replace it). The engine management system/motor performance can be viewed on a laptop, but signs of wear can be found by inspecting fluids (and if a possible internal issue is suspected, you can go as far as taking a sample to a local lab in SLC. You can find out what parts of the motor are breaking down more rapidly than others, detect the first signs of head gasket failure, and more...).

We have actually put together an insanely extensive checklist of things that need to be done, but you probably get the jist of it...

 

[Tacoma]

!!!!

... and what happens to those "questionable" rod ends??????

 

[Milner]

Specs and more pics!!

 

[allterrain]

Specs and more pics!!

Stop surfing and go check the baby or something

 

[Cody]

Stop surfing and go check the baby or something

shouldn't you be paying attention to that guy in your office right now.....

ohh wait, you probably couldn't see him past that INSANELY large monitor you sport.

 

[allterrain]

Were you here today? Got monitor envy?

 

[Milner]

Stop surfing and go check the baby or something

She likes to surf with dad!

 

[Cody]

Were you here today? Got monitor envy?

I was there last week. I was going to draw a jeep on your fancy Bob Ross painting. Michael Green took me on a tour--we're going to try and team up with good ol Rastar on some stuff.

 

[Vonski]

Specs and more pics!!

Due to the very limited time before the start of the season, the buggy pictured here is a used/previously raced unit built by Jimco out of CA. (with a few changes made by BHR).

Here are some of the specs:

Wiks Racing 250 HP Honda V-Tech engine (Class 10 can only have a 4 cyl.)
Fortin 5spd. transmission
King coilovers and King bypass shocks
Robbie Gordon beadlocks
33x10.50 BFG Baja tires
Beard seats
Parker Pumper air system w/ helmets
GPS/race radios
and lots of chromoly tubing and TIG welding...

Marc, You should come check out a customer's Class 1 buggy that we recently started (from the ground-up). The chromoly chassis and all susp. arms are complete and the motor and trans. should show up any day now. We're installing a TurnKey Performance 700 HP supercharged 7.0L Chevy LS7 motor and a 6-speed paddle shift tranny. :greg:

 

[Bart]

I saw the Class 10 buggy yesterday. It is nothing short of totally BAD A%%. It would be a riot to get some seat time on a long dirt road with that thing.

 

[Milner]

Marc, You should come check out a customer's Class 1 buggy that we recently started (from the ground-up). The chromoly chassis and all susp. arms are complete and the motor and trans. should show up any day now. We're installing a TurnKey Performance 700 HP supercharged 7.0L Chevy LS7 motor and a 6-speed paddle shift tranny. :greg:

Maybe Keeley and I will run by....I'll bring a camera too....

 

[Vonski]

For those of you interested in how the rig did in it's first event, I've received a small amount of info... Of course, when they guys get back to the shop on Monday, we'll get the full story.

Anyway, they finished 3rd in their class (overall is unknown at this time). I guess they had some small issues, but nothing major. However, in dealing with a broken alternator belt and a fuel vent problem, it kept them out of a very possible 1st place!

Brandon and Dustin drove the whole 425 miles between the two of them, which is damn impressive! Ben was signed up as a back-up driver just in case either one of them needed a rest, but they toughed it out apparently.

To prove just how hard these races are on parts (and not cheap parts either), all of the beadlock rims are bent and need to be replaced, all of the coilovers and bypass shocks are leaking, and the meticulously built high performance V-tech motor developed a rod knock in the parking lot after the finish.

I haven't seen the stats yet, but if it was anything like my Parker 250 race, approx. 25% of the competitors probably never crossed the finish line.

 

[Meat_]

..To prove just how hard these races are on parts (and not cheap parts either), all of the beadlock rims are bent and need to be replaced, all of the coilovers and bypass shocks are leaking, and the meticulously built high performance V-tech motor developed a rod knock in the parking lot after the finish. ...

 

[Vonski]

Not alot of pics have surfaced this early, but here are two... and one of them is way blurry as a bonus!