But just think of all the people that would be crying because they got beat by 'that old beater'.

I rejoiced when I beat them with my Rambler. I've even beat LOTS of drivers in the rookie class with the SS/T. I ended up 2nd for the season and I only ran it in autocross for the last half of the season in '98. I started racing it with 500 miles on it. lol

This thread makes me want to enter my Valiant (the Red Brick) in CAM. Are there Northern CA events? Sorry for the hijack.

Of course there is. I believe there's a member who autocrosses his '72? Dart in a Northern Region.

This is the link for the San Francisco region: http://www.sfrscca.org/

Glad to see you got a paid for ride but not so glad to see the "money" doesn't see the benefit in campaigning something other than a brand X machine. "Everyone" runs one of those so getting the attention he seeks for his business is going to be harder than if he sponsored something that stands out from the crowd..... like a freakin' purple Valiant!

Whoever gets this is going to have a proven well set up car. It's been an inspiration to me, as have several other rides mentioned here.

Yeah, but its kinda like college scholarships. You can chose to pay your own way at your preferred institute of higher learning where you may not be good enough to play on the JV team. Or you can score a full ride scholarship at the college third on your list and play on the varsity team.

Well, the third on your list may not benefit you as much in the long term than the first one, all in what's important overall.

Sorry to see the Valiant go, but hope it goes to a deserving driver who can carry on the tradition.

Thanks guys, It's a great little race car, I hope someone can enjoy racing it this year.

Exactly, and no one knows that better for himself than Tom.

Yep, while I'm sad to see the valiant move on, I am equally excited to see Tom move up.

Still have one more race this year, cleaned up the night before...

hope it's still around when my dad's estate settles. Might just be able to make it happen...

Chris you would love it, particularly the 800 lb weight drop!

Wait, I'm confused. He wants to use you as a driver, but you have to sell your car and build one that meets his criteria? Why can't he build his own car and you drive that?

Sorry, but a paid ride doesn't include me selling my car and spending my money to build a car that someone else likes. Maybe if I wanted to attract sponsors, it would make sense to build a car to their tastes, but if he already wants to use you as a driver then tell him to give you a car.

Heck, being that he owns a restoration shop, sounds like the best way to promote his business is for him to build it anyway. One more reason it makes no sense to me.

But a car is just a car in the end, and I'm way too far on the outside to know all of your reasons, so do what makes you happy.

Just feels a little one sides on the investment scale to me. Hope it doesn't turn into one of those deals where you end up with a car you don't like, and spend money you never intended to spend.

Either way, good luck. Enjoyed following your success, helped keep me motivated and excited about my car. Thanks for all the hard work.

I'm thinking it's because the Sponsor would like to use a car they built from top to bottom. Generally speaking, sponsorship gets you stuff cheap or at cost, not free. While we don't know the economics of the deal, none of us really know how good the deal may or may not be.
What we do know is that a chassis I built is up for sale for less than you could build or buy it for, so someone needs to buy this thing and get it going.
If I didn't already have a 68 A body in the stable, I'd buy this thing back from Tom just so I could beat up their next car with it
Its a well sorted, well built car with a fresh paint job and Tom has driven it brilliantly all year to a much deserved Championship. I have no doubt this car has many more Championships in its future, should the next owner desire.

Tom! Sad to hear of your Valiant for sale, but great buy for someone! Good luck in your 2016 venture, and thanks again for "taking us along" on your Valiant efforts. (pun intended) It was nice meeting you and your dad this year, and congratulations on a terrific performance this year. I have a few mods planned for mine for next year, to see if I can change the second to a first.
Thanks again and good luck! Rick

Same here Tom, Rick and I enjoyed watching your car at Crows landing. I made a mistake and bought an 04 ZO6 from my brother in law. I would rather have the Purple people eater. Good luck with sale.

Thanks Dan, Rick, and Joe. Great hanging out with you guys this year as well. The deal on the new car is he gives me the shell and the title, I buy the new parts, he assembles/paints. I'm far from a professional driver so people don't just hand me cars (Dan will attest to that!). The good thing about the new car is it should be a beast, and I'll own it in the end, so hopefully it will work out for both of us. I do have a hope that the Valiant won't sell, and I'll sell my Dads old Vette instead to fund this new project, which would have the added benefit of me continuing to race the Valiant as the new car gets built, and maybe even get my son involved Autocrossing it next year! Anyone know someone looking for a restored 73 Vette?

Ain't no way in hell I'd go for that deal.


Keep the Valiant.