Making the Jump from Production to Group 5
Production class vehicles are allowed very limited modifications
to the cars such as beefing up the suspension, minor exhaust
changes (after the catalytic converter), adding a limited slip.
But that's about it when it comes to performance improvements
to the car. Group 5, on the other hand, allows almost anything
except 4wd. Basically, any vehicle with less than 5.1 liters
and 2wd can compete in this class. Of course, an unlimited budget
would go along way to making a very fast Group 5 car. For now,
the Prelude will undergo this transformation in several steps.
Here's a list of things we are considering to have completed
prior to STPR in June.
- Throw away the rear interior
- Exhaust Headers and new exhaust system
- New In-Car Video Camera system
- New Intercom system
We are skipping the Maine Rally in July to give us time to
do the major stuff and our next event Ojibwe Forest (Minn.) in
August.
- New Weld-in Roll Cage
- Remove Sunroof and associated parts and headliner and add
roof vents.
- Move Battery to trunk area
- Lighter Weight Skid Plate
- Lexan Side and rear glass
- Remove door trim and window motors
- Lighten Hood and Trunk Lid
- Add cooler Air Intake System
- Improve engine output to about 250 hp. (Anything more than
this may prove very difficult to control wheel-spin. We'll start
here and see how to proceed)
- New Paint and exterior design (and hopefully new sponsorship)
These items may be enough to make the Prelude competitve in
Group 5 along with quicker, consistant, and mistake-free driving.
The competition in Group 5 is very good. Other cars that are
fully prepped to Group 5 rules include the 325+ hp Toyota Supra
Twin Turbo of Ralph Kosmides, a BMW 3-series with an M3 drive
train driven by Rick Davis, and a Toyota Celica Turbo piloted
by Bruce Newey. Throw in a couple other excellent drivers such
as 1996 National Champ Henry Krolikowski (Dodge Shadow Turbo)
and Mike Hurst in a Porsche 911 along with many others make this
class the most competitive in the PRO Rally Series.
