I love the two guys at Merrittville who run BMWs for something different. Many of the dirt tracks don't permit CRX's as they're considered sports cars in their rule book (two seats only) ...
The "no sports car rule" was also in the 1st generation Mini Stock rulebook at tracks like Cayuga, Barrie and Varney in the 70s but it didn't stop car builder Peter Schotanus from fielding this Triumph. It that looks a lot like a Spitfire sports car but Peter always insisted it was a Triumph Herald sedan.
In those days we didn't have Google Image search to find out what a Herald actually looked like but the cars were very similar under the covers and Peter had a shop manual to prove that assertion.
I'd have to say a Neon as well. Not just because I am a Dodge guy, but look at the 66 of Mike Smith go in that baby. Plus there are a few from CCS that are real fast as well.
No Dodge just did what all the manyfacturers do....stop making cars that sell....no wonder theyre broke...i bought a brand new civic in 1980 it was crap....but they still make them and they improved them...GM, Dodge and Ford should have done the same with some of their vehicles. Why GM stopped making Safari vans for these gopher looking frontend vans, that can haul squat, is a joke. My 1985 GMC pickup with 350-4 barrel got better gas mileage then the 2005 injected 5.3 i have now.
Mike32 that camaro use to have some pretty go runs with the old owner at the Big O, I remember. I heard he missed a mini stock race at a track once because the track thought he was a street stock.
And last i saw one of the BMW's was for sale if anyone is interested.
you're right Crash-I think current Dirt Track Digest sprint car editor Chris Rhynhold (sp?) was one of the original pilots of the Camaro and last time I saw it at Ohsweken, some spectators thought it was a thunder car until they heard the exhaust noise.
The Neon has alot going for it; cheap, easy availablity and 132HP stock in a 2.0L !!! That by my math gives it a 17 to 1 Weight to HP ratio. (Min 2000Lbs + 250Lb Penalty weight) Not to mention 4 wheel disc brakes.
In comparison a stock mustang by my math would have about a 25.5 to 1 ratio. (Min 2300lbs)
Only thing close would be the 240X with around 18.2 to 1. (2400Lb + 150 Pen.) Also has good brakes and suspension.
I am surprised there are not more neons at sunset. But then again I don't think I would buy/build/race a neon, just not a very attractive looking racecar.