Meet the Car

Class 11 is restricted to pre-1983 Volkswagen Beetles and allows for minor modifications to the engine, transmission and suspension. Cars can be prepared for $10,000, but truly competitive cars cost quite a bit more. As one racer told us, “The secret to winning in a stock class is to be as un-stock as possible.”

Here are the stats on the car, which, at various times, has carried the numbers 1101, 1102, 1107 and 1146 (It is currently 1107):

Model -- 1969 Volkswagen Beetle
Engine -- Air cooled, four cylinder
Horsepower (est.) -- 72-76
Compression Ratio -- 10:1
Displacement -- 1600 cc
Top Speed -- 90 MPH (est. downhill w/a tailwind)
Transmission -- 4 speed manual
Fuel -- 110 octane race fuel
Fuel cell -- 15 gallon front mounted
Front/Rear Suspension -- Bilstein prototype "Ensenada" race package
Chassis -- Standard reinforced VW chassis
Body Length -- 153 inches
Body Width -- 65 inches
Height -- 65 inches
Weight -- 2,150 lbs. - fueled
Gear Ratio -- 3.80 to 0.88:1
Wheel Base -- 94.5 inches
Wheels -- Steel 15" x 9.5"
Front/Rear Brakes -- Drum w/brass-lined brake pads
Front/Rear Tires - B.F. Goodrich Traxion 700x15 (hot knife grooved)
Front clearance -- 14 inches
Rear clearance -- 13.75 inches
GPS - Lowrance Baja 540C w/a Garmin Rino 530 backup
Radio - Kenwood TM-271A VHF radio
Sat comm - Prototype satellite communications system from EMS Sky Connect w/a backup Iridium phone
Tracking - Mandatory IRITrack GPS unit (for Baja 1000 only)

Suspension:
- Front axle tubes may be cut, rotated, re-welded to increase ground clearance or front torsion adjusters may be installed.
- Shock tower may be gusseted and supported but gussets may not extend more than 2'' above the torsion tube.
- Stock front spindles and trailing arms must be retained.
- Any rear suspension torsion bars, spring plates, and torsion bar adjusters may be used and installed.
- Rear torsion tube may be supported only by that tube meeting a part of the roll-cage.
- Lower shock mounts on 1969 and older models may be shortened by no more than 1.5''. - Only one shock absorber per wheel is allowed. -Cooling fins and resevoirs are allowed.

Engine and Drive train:
- Must be of VW Type 1, 1600cc components and dimensions.
- Cylinder heads must be single port.
- Stock carburetor must be used, with maximum venturi size of 24.10 mm.
- Must use stock fan shroud.
- Air cleaner may be of any manufacturer and any size; location is open.
- Transmission must be a stock Type 1, four-speed Bug.

We also own a race-ready 1967 VW Beetle (No. 1117) that we use for practice driving and promotional appearances.