CMS Historic Trans AM Series

**markspeed** · 11-10-2011, 01:52 PM

Does anybody have an interest in running in a Historic Trans Am series? I've been having lots of fun with Trans Am cars in the D Class PI 350 category. These cars are mega fun to drive. And although many of them don't meet the true to life spec for Real Historic Trans Am SCCA spec, some of them are very close, and or adequate.

I've got a whole bunch of them already setup in the D and C classes, PI 350 and 425. If we were to spec them up to full with around 450 or so horsepower each, they'd probably be in the middle of the B class. Many of the ones I have are around 350 to 425hp depending on the car. I've driven a bunch in the 350 PI around Road Atlanta and they all hover around a 1 minute 45-46 with the Z28 302 Camaro rocking the top time of 1'44.4 I think.

I have been having creating liveries for each car. So far I have a #2 AMC Motors Dealers Javelin(a Mark Donahue Penske car from 71 I believe), and Sam Posey's 77 Dodge in Lime Green. I'm gonna be working on the #42 Cuda next. I've been making stickers for various manufacturers, like Holley, Fram, and STP as well as others. They are as they appear on the cars. I have some pictures of these cars from real life. And have been trying to duplicate them as accurately as possible.

I plan to make a livery for every muscle car in the game, Trans AM or otherwise. We could primarily focus on the Trans Ams but we could include all the muscle cars, perhaps we could limit the years that can partake, say 65-79. And work on balancing all the cars.

Rules can be organized, as well as classes. Perhaps we could include some of the under 2 liter cars like in the Real Trans Am. I've been meaning to do atleast one of the liveries for the Alfa Romeo. Afterall, Jochin Rindt won the first race at Sebring in 66. So perhaps we could get a full grid with a nice mix of cars, as balanced as we can make them.

I could gift everybody my liveries when I'm finished, to are already up and free at my storefront, so have at them and enjoy. We could set it up so that everybody rocks a particular car for the season(say 10 races?) or we could swap rides so no one gains an advatage if one or two cars can't be balanced with the rest.

Lemmie know what you all think. All comments are welcomed, as well as ideas, and hints on balancing.

There's so many good muscle cars, and other cars that fit the Trans Am theme, that there's just no good reason not to get this sorted out. It's just too dang good.

Oh and lets not forget the tracks are all here. Laguna, Road Atlanta, Road America, Sebring, Sears Point(oops Infineon Raceway) the Indy Roval, Sunset Peninsula(love that track) Sedona, Maple Valley(a favorite). We could even run at Silverstone cause Brits love muscle cars too I find. They get huge cheers anytime one shows up to run up the hill at Goodwood.

So lets talk about it!

**davidan** · 11-10-2011, 01:59 PM

I think it's a very good idea, and one we should explore. I know Jeff was also talking about a similar concept to this. Mark, would you and Jeff be able to help be the primary admins for a series of this type with Forza? If so I think we could probably figure out a way to pull it off. I just can't the be the primary admin as I oversee all of CMS and I stay spread pretty thin as it is, but the idea you have together here sounds way fun. I think we'd want to make an effort to recruit and do some marketing though. Seems like we have about 10 core drivers here intersted in running forza races, it would be good to get 20 or so -- so that we could get a full 16 car field most weeks - David

**markspeed** · 11-10-2011, 02:04 PM

I will be willing to work with Jeff, I think he friended me last night. If not, than we get hooked up in no time flat I'm sure. There's plenty to work on, the car spec, tracks, rules, points, assignments and such. I think I would definitely need help with this. And I think we'll need some volunteer drivers, other than myself to work out the kinks in the car spec. Balancing will be key.

Also, was a public poll a good idea? It wasn't what I thought. I thought this was just to show the results publicly, and not be hidden. Didn't realise it would show everybodies name in which choice they made. But since this isn't political, and slightly silly as polls go, I suppose I'll take a mulligan on this one.

**smokee** · 11-10-2011, 02:14 PM

Mark, I would definitely be interested.

Like David said Jeff was also talking about a muscle car series, and it seems to be very popular in the community as well. I can help with the administrative tasks, I have a lot of interest in helping to admin some Forza events since I just love the game and know David has his hands full already. My time is fairly limited at the moment, but I can definitely help with the more secretarial type tasks, recruiting, writeups, fliers, etc.

**smokee** · 11-10-2011, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by markspeed

Also, was a public poll a good idea? It wasn't what I thought. I thought this was just to show the results publicly, and not be hidden. Didn't realise it would show everybodies name in which choice they made. But since this isn't political, and slightly silly as polls go, I suppose I'll take a mulligan on this one.

I love the poll, its hilarious

**markspeed** · 11-10-2011, 02:27 PM

I've also created near replica of the Official SCCA and Trans AM series decals as they appear either on the car, or at their website. I was not planning on putting these on my storefront. I'm not sure if the Forza community at large can handle the awesome responsibility these logos command. But any CMS or No Grippers who would like to have them, need only to friend me and I will gift them. But I caution you all to take the same care as I do. They should be placed where they seem appropriate, and not on a Drift Spec Civic, or something that wouldn't be a part of the Sports Car Club of America.

**davidan** · 11-10-2011, 02:33 PM

I just sent the 3 of you a PM to hopefully connect you all and see if you can get together for some planning to see if this could be developed. I like the idea, sounds like it would be really fun, just need your help to oversee it and help get more drivers for it to be a winner - I think we have a good base of drivers to start from.

**markspeed** · 11-10-2011, 04:00 PM

Wow, chalk up the Nova '66 as another barn stormer to seriously challenge the Z28. I just did a 1'44.353 on my third lap, to best my third lap in the Camaro by maybe a tenth. I really like the idea of these cars running in the D class. Cause it makes the build on each car very light, meaning there's not much you can do to sort them out. Forces you to deal with true muscle car handling. The problem is there's less to room in the D class to build balance between the cars. I do wish Turn 10 would adopt one of the more brilliant ideas Polyphony Digital came up with for GT4, by allowing the addition of ballast weight. That's the eastiest and fastest way to balance a group of cars. Add some weight to the quicker cars until their laptimes match the middle or slower ones.

I think that we should limit the drivetrain to sport transmission or less, cause I think these cars should have the muncie 4 speed vintage feel. And that reminds me, I should make a Muncie vinyl, along with the other gearbox suppliers.

Anyway, most of my D class muscle cars have only sports suspension and the like. The only adjustable parts are tire pressure, Final drive ratio in some cars, the LSD, and the spoiler settings. Several cars in the C class PI 425 have much more adjustability, and I know for some people(myself included) this is their "Thing". But I'm not sure if this should be allowed. I know the real cars are somewhat adjustable. But I wonder how much we should allow this. I can't make up my mind on how much adjustability there should be, to preserve or enhance the Vintage feel this series should have. I'd like to get together with some heads on this. While I'm fine with taking the lead on this idea, since I first supposed it. But I would like and need as much help as I can get. Cause this would be my first organized racing endeaver. I think there are much more experienced people here who can at least point in the right direction on how this should be sorted out.

As I said before, all imput is welcomed. I've an Ironclad constitution. So criticism is welcomed.

**smokee** · 11-10-2011, 04:25 PM

I like the idea of the lower class cars and keeping the vintage feel. I would need to test, but you are right, once you get into race suspension, transmissions, and sticky tires you lose that feel.

I will set up a group and get the ball rolling on topics like rules, dates/times, etc. I think your driving skills make you the clear pick to lead the car discussion, I will try to help where I can on testing. I am not totally sure I have you on my friends list, will have to check tonight, but anytime you see me on feel free to hit me up and we can mess around.

One thing to keep in mind is that in a series it will be much more difficult to enforce things that are not options when you make the room. For example, I don't think there is a way to say sport transmissions only without having a race review committee looking at the replays and telemetries.