OK, a decision has been made to build a baja for the Finke Desert Race 2014. Any info help, advise?? Or if you have done it , share your knowledge.

Plans are to find a 69 beetle, run 091,not sure of motor yet (advice), a arm front suspension , modified IRS rear, full tube roll cage/chassis and the list will no doubt keep growing.

I think you would be better off with a beam front end. Something like a class 5 Baja would certainly do the job.

I'm not sure of class restrictions but I reckon a 2110cc (90.5 x 82) type 1 would be a good balance between reliability and power. A type 4 can be made into a bigger engine but would add another 50kg in weight. You could go water cooled also but you would need to run a radiator then as well.

My advice is buy one that is all ready built. Will end up saving you heaps. Not many baja racing anymore that I know off.

I was going to work with my sons 58 baja starting with a full chromoly frame but I have to check CAMS/ FIA specs to check tube diameter etc. I also need to check on different classes for finke/condo/goondiwindi and if I win the lotto australasian safari/ dakar. The chances of ever finding enough money to send a team to dakar ($200,000 +) is extremely remote I've given myself 13 years to get there. But finke and some of the other smaller races are quite affordable for non-sponsored privateers. Anyways, I was thinking of trying bay kombi front and rear ends, strengthened and modified for more travel. Anyone done this before? I was thinking a strong 2332cc but I will have to do some more research as far as class's go. Wouldnt care if I finished up the back somewhere as long as I finish (40% of the field usually dont).

Hi Guys
I'm new to the forum but not new to vw's. And I've been involved in Offroad racing all of my life.
Starting out in very basic baha's to more hi tech turbo charged water pumper powered with long travel coil over suspension. We now campaign a two car pro buggy team at the national level.
The Finke desert race is a tough race to do but is very rewarding if you manage to finish and get a railway spike as proof.
If you need any advice just ask. We probably have some bits and pieces lying around that might be of use.
We still have a race Baha in the shed that we will bring out for a play this year.
Cheers
Michael

Hi guy's , welcome to here.

Certainly interested to see how you go with the efforts to campaign the Finke.

and Michael, hi, show us some pics of your old baja......not a Taylor are you?

Sounds good stock59 I will be in touch.
This will do though

have a chat with the dudes from SORRA site there is a few bajas still competing there if no luck talk to bob mowbray of hunter rivmaster he will point you in the right direction, then if no luck most of the elders on this site have had there hands on a class 4 at one time or another,John Westaways 477 was a great baja that the pells and stokers siding garage did alot of work on. someone with the tech will chime in!

Hey Matt, you guessed it. I saw u on here yesterday and was gonna message you. You might be able to help me with my newest project. One owner 59 beetle that I just want to tidy up and drop and pretty much leave as original.
As for pics I don't have any on my iPhone but I'll get some and post them up.
Cheers
Michael Taylor
Ps
If you do a search on YouTube for Team Taylor Rockstar some videos of our current cars will come up.

Hey Michael, I've got plenty of pics of your OLD baja's.. well lets just call it the 444 baja. Should scan some if I knew how . Your project sounds like one I recently bought and have been improving, she's a '59 too.



I've seen the Rckstar Taylor videos from a couple of years back, on tele and all too, included the Finke I believe.
I'm running Bob Mobray's engine in my baja




Rivmaster have supplied a lot of the hardware for this build too

Just watched these Team Taylor Rockstar vids. This is what the front runners are in at the Finke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnL-ZDDXD4U&feature=related 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I43czRl8_iQ 

Yere goodo, privateer here, NOT unlimited funds. My whole aim and goal is to finish on my first attempt!

I've looked at what the front runners are driving................Years wage on the chassis, somehow I think the little lady might bite a bit hard on that!

All info still welcome. I've got a 56 oval but can't see myself cutting for a baja. AND I know the wife won't let me cut her 66 up.

Gee that takes me back. 444 was a good old girl. She was our last Vw powered racecar, nice strong 2180 in her.
Nice 59 too, that's about the stance I want on mine, I see ur mobile number on ur post. I'll give u a call tomorrow if that's ok?

I can highly recommend Offroad racing at any level, you will have the time of ur life but be careful it is VERY addictive!!
But worth every cent.
I personally would consider something already built or part way there. They are out there.

That motor of Mowbray's is a sweet motor!!

http://www.offroadracing.com.au/index.php?option=com_marketplace&view=ent...

Check out TheSamba web site ,lots of us teams build wild prerunners cars , would be well built and a quick step , into a car .

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1239433 

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1253037 

Yeah Michael, give me a call, no worries.

VWtriker, just seeing what level your at, as you can see there is a wide scope as to desire, budget and dreams......like, I'd love to have the suspension that Team Taylor run.........

oh, Rod Penrose had a mega baja for sale before christmas!...........

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=92454&page=1#pid860074 

Pete's ontoit....that first one on Samba is a steal.....$3500 to get here and your ready to play

Try http://www.race-desert.com  go into the classifieds and check out race cars, pre runners and also Offroad vehicles catagories.

Yea I'm with vwtriker, theres always a budget with everything and privateers would LOVE some of the gear that those frontrunners have but I'd be lucky to be sponsored by the local servo Plus theres a certain amount of satisfaction from building something yourself and still finishing races (hopefully).

Back when I started racing we built our own buggy. took 4 yrs to build but it was great fun and well we had no money but where still able to compete against the big boys. It depend alot on the track. You could race all weekend then park it and not touch it and then fuel and race the next time. I then moved onto a class 8 which is 4wd and I was looking at a repair bill of $1000 after every race. So the lesson is keep it simple and it is a lot more fun and less expensive
There a few old cars sitting around in sheds that you may be able to track down. Rod Sams had one on ebay that didn't sell a few months ago. It was around the $4000. complete car. Worth asking around the various offroad clubs if they know of any or attending the races.

First race of the qld calendar is in Harvey Bay march 3/4. Pretty sure we are taking the Baja and a Pro Buggy for a run. It would be a good race to check out.

Cheers stock59, I have been looking at the table this morning. Planning ion doing all the NQ events to gather as much info as i can. I am in Cairns.

Have a good look at http://www.offroadracing.com.au  classifieds... If you aren't sold on a Baja (which are getting less common now) then there is always cheap buggies on there, begging for an aircooled heart transplant......