Either way, I'm not writing this JUST to call you an **. I've heard that you know a bit about racing and tuning. This is a question about applied racing. I'm planning and prepping a 1988 Honda Accord LX 4-door for a rally car. The car choice comes from the fact that it's available and fixable. The standard hp is between 100 and 115. I'm planning on putting in 1,500 dollars into the engine, then 1,000-1,500 into the suspension, and then 1,000 dollars or so into the tires and brakes.

The upgrades will be added gradually as money is available. I was planning on starting out running it stock until I get a handle onn it. I need to drive it daily as a car to get from home to school and then out to competitions. I was wondering on your opinions on a few matters, like what upgrades should be considered first, how I should approach it at first, that sorta stuff. I'm going to be driving in the SCCA RallyCross series in the New England region. They hold races once a month all year long.

I'f you think I'm an ** and want to ignore me, please do. If you want to help me, I'll appreciate it. If you want to take my advice, oh, nevermind. Anyway, have a nice day.

The answer is simple, dealing with ignorant kids with no will to learn when offered that espouse that ignorance as loud and certain as any other zealot. I have offered plenty of advice in the past... but there is no point in using soft persuasion against people that need bricks to the head to learn.

Either way, I could care less if someone calls me an **, let them attempt to overcome whatever bar my presence sets, be it writing, knowledge or anything else, then let them enter into conversation as an equal entity. I don't demean, if the facts weren't true, no one would take offence and if people put the energy into actually researching the particulars, there would be no problem on their behalf.

To answer your one valid question... the smartest choice, well actually the only first choice for a progressive build up of a rallykhana or rally car is a full footwork upgrade. Based on the tuning base you have presented I would imagine that the only available aftermarket support would be one-off items made and prepared by a suspension shop well versed in the sport. Not living in America I couldn't begin to suggest where that would be. Secondly, in any rally car stripping of the interior is important for safety and lightening the car, you'll need to do that and you should have plenty of fun sitting in your car stripping out sound deadener with a heat gun and spatula... should only take about 3 or 4 hours.

Wheels and suitable dirt tires are a must, harnesses and safe seats are always important... don't forget small things like bushes, performance clutches, replacing worn gearbox linkages and syncros, replacing the diff.

Rally is amoungst the most expensive of privateer sports... Australia works Subaru driver James Courtney spent half a million in ARC each year... personally I know clubman competitors spending 20K a year. I would be assessing your budget very closely.

And, although I am not of the area, I heard a while ago that the SCCA was shutting down thier rally involvement

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