Mercedes Benz Diesel Racing League

[CarolinaMBZ]

Are you tired of constantly buying very expensive soft racing tires for your racer every weekend just to have them wear out each race? Tired of maintaining a race trailer to take your car to each race? Tired of the huge expenses of keeping your suspension and engine in top racing condition? Tired of buying expensive Halon fire extinguishers for the enivitable gasoline fire? Has your racing suit grown too tight after the Holidays? Tired of the quest to drill holes in every component of your car or the expense of constantly replacing everything in your car with absurdly expensive ultra-light materials just to save weight to remain competitive? Do you simply wish you had the time and money to be in a position where you actually had these problems with racing in competitive SCCA class racing?

What if there was a way to enjoy the essence of amateur racing without the expense, danger, complexity and snobbiness of the more formal organizations and events?

There is, with interested co-enthusiasts' help. Maybe 4-6 annual informal regional events similar to the basic SCCA events (timed parking lot cone course racing with perhaps some autocross track events).

Proposed rules:
1) Limited to US Spec. 4 speed W123 240Ds (inexpensive, durable and safe car with great uniformity across cars, i.e. "stock")
2) No modifications from factory spec original equipment except factory bundt-style alloy wheels may be installed instead of original steel wheels and tires used must have a treadwear rating of over 400 and not be sized over 205/70R14 (Non factory radios also OK)
3) Factory Battery or equivalent size and weight installed with factory clampdowns.
4) Spare tire in at least same size as original equipment with original jack and tool kit (or equivalent weight of same) must be present. Floor mats can be removed if driver thinks it matters (Remember we're not racing carbon fiber encrusted Porsche 911s but simply having fun)
5) Engine must be original bore and stroke.
6) Original equipment pollution control devices must be installed but correct operation not required.
7) (A pain but important for fairness) Factory shocks and springs or OEM equivalent required.
8) For safety, a SCCA approved crash helmet to be worn (Sharing allowed).
9) A reasonable safety check for fluid leaks (significant ones while engine running only otherwise we would all be DQ'd) along with perhaps brake and steering link conditions.

Just some thoughts I have been pondering lately as I talk with friends who do the traditional "high-dollar" M3 and Porsche weekend racing thing. Why not have all the fun without any of the headaches and expense. Just the essense of pushing a car and changing gears through turns while not having to worry about fires or crashworthiness.

If there are any other "nuts" on board who would be interested in putting this together with me let me know. I won't be able to check back till next week but would be interested in any constructive and/or positive thoughts on this.