When my car is done, (but without the body shell) I want to do some shakedown testing before painting the frame and installing the bodywork. Testing to me means checking for parts falling off, fluids leaking out, general handling quirks, determining if the sway bars and springs are too big or too small, and finding out what bracketry I've left off... that sort of thing. It could all be done in a day.

Since I'm in Southern California it's proving tough to find a place... there aren't any abandoned airfields like our friends have across the pond. I've contacted the local racetracks and they've been somewhat helpful, though one place has me annoyed. When I asked what their rules are for testing a car that doesn't have a body shell, their reply was, "why would you do that?" Grrrr.
Anyway, I'm just thinking out loud, wondering what others have done. Like I said, I don't think it's likely I'll find an empty shopping center parking lot around here... Regardless, I'd have to trailer it there, knowing there's a good chance it may break...

[Edited on 19/8/03 by kb58]

Kurt, what about an autocross?

There was someone doing exactly the same thing (running a rolling chassis only) at a local event on Sunday....

As long as the safety requirements are met they will find a class for it...some even have extra days just for testing...

That might be what I'm forced to do, but I don't care for it. The "return on investment" is lousy because I'd being paying $30-40 for what, 2 minutes of "test time?" I really think I'd need hours. A open track day is what I'd really like.... but I'll take what I can get.

When I lived in the Uk and made kits (20 years ago) we had "trade" plates...basically a unversal license plate you throw on anything......we would often test drive rolling chassis on ordinary streets (and legally....)

Those were the days.......

Now see... there you go... about "that place" over there, where it's Sports Car Heaven with a track in every county and where people know and understand sports cars.

I don't need to hear this, nope, (covers ears) "blah blah blah."

This is a tough question. I was going to try the local community college parking lot on a weekend late in the afternoon.... yes?

Couldn't you go to one of the open wheel test sessions they hold at tracks. They usually aren't that busy. I guess the only problem may be that you need a race license.

How about posting a notice on the NA list?

Maybe someone can get you into a closed business/industrial lot on a Sunday.

kb 58:

quote:

---

I don't think it's likely I'll find an empty shopping center parking lot..

---

If it's got any kind of handling abilities the US police cars wouldn't be able to keep up with you on a normal road....

quote:

---

Originally posted by Metal Hippy
If it's got any kind of handling abilities the US police cars wouldn't be able to keep up with you on a normal road....

---

Yeah I'm aware about taking it to some lot, but I don' think it would work out. It'd have to be trailered, so there's little chance of running off quickly if the property owner shows up. And it would be awfully hard to say "I didn't think you'd mind." Southern California just doesn't work that way... overcrowded, expensive land, and too many lawyers... a bad mix. And lastly, because of 9/11, otherwise quiet parking lots now all have some sort of secuity. It isn't like it used to be.

I just asked to see what others have done. I still think the only practical solution (around here at least,) is to take it to a track.

You could talk to security at your local mall and see if they would mind if you drove around after hours. Most don't care, and will wonder why you even asked .

I was doing something similar one day, and a security car came up, and asked what I was doing. I told them "driving around" and said okay, and drove off.

Didn't seem to care one bit.

quote:

---

Originally posted by MattWatson
You could talk to security at your local mall and see if they would mind if you drove around after hours. Most don't care, and will wonder why you even asked .

---

skip asking a mall.....they normally don't want to have people hanging out testing cars in the parking lot......maybe find a place for sale wiht no real owner....back roads work good too. ask around to some large fab shops or other car rich places where they might let you play a bit for them to look it over on a weekend and and have a little BS session. hehehe mount a wing on it and take it to a airport...."I go as fast as I can but it still won't lift off the ground..."

nick