That's right, it appears that the three SHOs that started the race have become one running SHO and a pair of parts cars, and they've got plenty of wrenchin' company in the pits. Yet some of the cars are holding together, and we saw an ever-shifting cast of top contenders today. When the first session ended at 6:30, the Dirty Some Beaches Honda Civic station wagon was on top. How? Well, any Civic that can keep its head gasket intact will get around the track pretty well, and the Dirty Some Beaches drivers know how to avoid the black flags; we have yet to see them in the Penalty Box. Adding drama to the standings, the #4 car (a Miata run by the same Texans who have been the People's Curse victims in both Houston races so far) started out with a 25-lap penalty and has managed to claw its way out of that hole, now closing to within just two laps of the leader. And what's the deal with that Grand Prix in the top ten? There's no telling how this will all shake out, but it should be 90 degrees and swampy in Belle Rose tomorrow, which means more thrown rods, more fried brakes, and more overall hoonage.

The Ranger we have today has been around since 1998, it's heavily based on the chassis before it, which was heavily based on the chassis before that, this new one is rumored to be n all-new redesign, so we're talking exciting times for compact truck buyers. The new Ranger, dubbed the T6, is being developed out of Australia as a global platform, and because it's in Aussie hands there's a high probability of additional awesome. Part of that awesome will come from the under-development 1.6 liter, direct injection, turbocharged EcoBoost inline-four, a 175 HP, 180 lb-ft version of the 365 HP twin turbo in the Taurus SHO.

According to the boys of at Pickuptrucks.com, the sheet metal we're seeing isn't production intent, though the US market is likely to get a real four-door version of the truck this time. Expect the new truck to be slightly larger than the current model, though it will still stay in the compact truck segment. [Pickuptrucks.com]

What vehicles did the Pinto Engine motivate, other than the Pinto itself? A better question might be: which Ford vehicles didn't get the Pinto Engine? From its introduction in 1970 until the last Pinto-powered Ranger pickup in 2001, this engine was manufactured in displacements ranging from 1.3 to 2.5 liters and was installed in everything from the Cortina to the Aerostar. While many cursed its namesake car, even the most virulent Pinto haters were forced to admit that the engine was actually a pretty reliable powerplant. In turbocharged and intercooled 2.3 liter form, it cranked out 205 horsepower for the Mustang SVO, and those crazies at Cosworth got 224 horsepower out of a 2.0 when selling the RS500 for homologation purposes.
[Wikipedia, image source: Merkurencyclopedia]

We saw plenty of the usual LeMons suspects at MSR in Houston last weekend, with 10 Mustangs, 6 RX-7s, 6 E30s, 4 CRXs, 4 Neons, and 4 Miatas showing up, but we also had our first-ever Infiniti Q45, a pair of Toyota pickups, an Opel GT, and an MGB-GT (which managed to get around the track startlingly quickly, in between lengthy jail sentences in the Penalty Box). In addition to Mustangs coming in first and second, we saw some other world-turned-topsy-turvy events. How about a LeMons race in which four Saabs enter… and all four are still running at the end? Sure, all the Saabs earned the new-for-Houston punishment for hitting tire walls and/or cones (old tires bolted to the car's roof), but they didn't throw rods or send major suspension components skittering off into the weeds in the first 30 minutes of the race! A four-banger Mustang finished second, a Saturn came in third, an 80s Dodge Daytona managed to contend, and the majority of BMW E30s raced for two solid days without exhibiting the usual maddeningly undiagnosable electrical woes (blown head gaskets and axle failures, certainly, but we didn't see the all-too-common cruel drama of E30 crew members weeping over multimeters and wiring diagrams).

This time I'm going to include each team's best lap time, so y'all can see for yourselves how "fast" does not equal "win" in the 24 Hours Of LeMons. Those of you contemplating horsepower-enhancing cheats would do well to note that the four-cylinder Mustangs performed just as well as their V8 siblings, and you Miata and E30 guys can go ahead and keep thumping your chests about those absurdly quick lap times… but remember, your favorite cars got stomped by a Saturn! Those of you wanting obsessively complete lap info can go here; keep in mind that a few cars may be showing too-low best lap times due to having taken what the corner workers dubbed the "Neon Bypass" (in honor of the oft-penalized Blueballs Neons) off-road shortcut around the chicanes.

Before you go check out our 95 Texas racin' machines, I've got a video that true 24 Hours Of LeMons fans ought to find quite entertaining. First, we've got one of the hairiest Integra-jumps-BMW-wheel bits ever caught on film, courtesy of the Unintended Acceleration Audi's in-car camera:


Zerin Dube, editor of Speed:Sport:Life volunteered for judging duties at the race, and he also did a good job covering the goings-on at his site. You'll enjoy the Penalty Box Punishments and the rest of the SSL race coverage.

Thanks to Zerin Dube, TheEastBayKid, Myke Toman, and a whole bunch of race team members for many of the photographs below.
When you're done here, be sure to check out the participants of previous LeMons events, including Arse Freeze '08, Texas '08, Toledo '08, New England '08, South '08, San Francisco '08, Arse Freeze '07, and San Francisco '07. I'll put up some more LeMons stuff when I get back to my normal weekend schedule, too. And now, the racers of the 2009 Gator-O-Rama:

We really like the Ranger, even now with its 13 year styling run, but it's getting on in years, and it's living on a platform with design roots from about the same time as the 3.5" floppy disc was just coming into vogue. We're not advocating it should go upmarket, or bigger or get a more luxurious interior, but we'd love it if Ford brought it into the new millennium. Given the current state of the auto industry, the request will more than likely fall on deaf ears. To make the point we've assembled an array of of all the different Rangers since it's last major refresh in 1993. See if you can tell them apart.

Oh and, yes, we know the 2008 model year Ranger press image is the same as the one for 2010. But someone really needs to tell Ford.

Years after AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC) debuted on the Explorer platform it spawned, the 2010 Ranger will finally get the same stability program, which makes rollovers nearly impossible. But that's not all! It also gets dragged, kicking and screaming into the new millennium with side airbags deploying to the torso. Yes, all of this is very shocking, we know, Ford does still sell the Ranger. Sure would be nice if they updated our one-time most favoritest compact pickup ever.

This whole press release reads like something which should have come out in 2004:

2010 FORD RANGER: AMERICA'S MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT PICKUP ADDS NEW, STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES

• America's most fuel-efficient pickup – the Ford Ranger – will add as standard equipment this summer a segment-exclusive safety technology – AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control). This unique technology helps prevent skidding and dangerous rollover conditions
• The new 2010 Ranger also adds new combination side air bags – offered standard – designed for head and torso protection
• With 2.3-liter I-4 engine, the Ranger is the most fuel-efficient pickup truck with an EPA-estimated fuel economy at 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway
• Ford has more U.S. government 5-star safety-rated vehicles than any other brand and more IIHS "Top Safety Picks" than any other automaker.

DEARBORN, Feb. 6, 2009 – The 2010 Ford Ranger, America's most fuel-efficient pickup, comes to market this summer by adding unique standard safety technologies, including Ford's AdvanceTrac® with RSC® – the world's most sophisticated electronic stability control system that helps prevent skidding and rollovers – and combination side air bags.

Industry-exclusive AdvanceTrac with RSC goes a step beyond stability control systems found on competitive models with a gyroscopic roll sensor that determines both the vehicle's body roll angle and roll rate.

If it detects the vehicle is about to roll, the system automatically applies additional countermeasures – such as reducing engine power 15 percent and/or applying brakes to one or more wheels – to enhance vehicle rollover resistance.

The new Ranger's head-and-chest combination side air bags provide enhanced head and torso protection in certain side impacts. The side air bag system is designed to cushion the head, minimizing lateral head injuries in case of collision, in addition to acting as a barrier between the occupant and the side of the vehicle,

"The 2010 Ranger's Roll Stability Control and combination side air bag technologies will help occupants stay out of harm's way," said Steve Kozak, chief engineer of safety systems, Ford Motor Company. "The Ranger has been America's most fuel-efficient pickup, and now it features a combination of safety features not offered in any other small pickup."

In addition, Ranger also provides high levels of safety and security with Ford's Personal Safety System®, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system, all included as standard equipment on all models.

Also standard are four-wheel anti-lock brakes, driver- and front-passenger air bags, safety belts with front pretensioners for outboard seating positions and side-intrusion door beams. Ford's front-passenger sensing system helps ensure air bags are not deployed on the passenger side when small children are detected. Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child-seat mounts are provided in the front-passenger seat on all models.

Further adding value to the Ranger is its class-leading fuel economy and low cost of ownership. With EPA-estimated fuel economy at 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for the 2.3-liter I-4 engine, Ranger is the most fuel-efficient pickup on the market today. Plus its 7,500-mile service intervals for routine maintenance, such as oil changes, help Ranger historically rank among the lowest cost of ownership among all compact pickups studied by Edmunds.com.

[Source: Ford]
(2009 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road pictured, not that you could tell the difference)

A P71 Crown Vic in the top 10 is always good to see, and the Tinkerbell Rosso car got 9th place… and the coveted Fastest Yank Tank trophy.


We don't need to say much about this fine car, other than the fact that these guys really get it. Inside word was that the afterthought tinfoil octo-headlights cost them the People's Choice award; remember, you've got to get those details down!


These guys came really close to grabbing the Most Heroic Fix trophy (which is one of the most prized LeMons awards) after their all-night engine swap on Saturday night, but they blew that chance by heading out onto the track with an audible-at-500-yards rod knock on engine #2 and proceeding to oil down half the track when the engine blew minutes later.


Lesson to future LeMons racers: don't claim that a car you bought new is worth $500. As Justice Lieberman explains, that will get you an all-time 2,100 penalty laps (and the newly-created Mega Cheaters trophy, welded up for the occasion by Christina The Arc Angel). That said, we love SHOs at LeMons, because they sound so great out there.


It's the People's Curse Winner! You Crown Vic fans will be pleased to know that this car- equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, monster brakes, and an engine that seems to make way more power than the one in my P71- knocked off the best lap time of the whole race (1:31.474, in a race in which the winner's best lap was 1:36.298) … after having its doors, hood, and trunk torn off during the Curse. Chief Perp Lamm felt that the Blues Brothers didn't deserve the Curse, so he had the Executioner take it easy on them. Looks like we'll have another ex-cop People's Curse survivor out there now!





Putting 800 pounds of particle board on your Mustang isn't crazy- it's the ticket to the People's Choice trophy! The Bipolar Express' best lap time was a glacial 2:10, but so what?


Here's proof that you don't need to go fast to contend in the 24 Hours Of LeMons (yeah, we keep saying that, but just watch the lunacy when the green flag waves). This Escort came in 5th place with a best lap time of 1:44.649, which made it one of the slowest cars on the track. Had any of the cars in front stumbled, it might have won. Don't break down, don't get penalties, and you can win this race! Winner: No Prayer Of Finishing Class.


We've seen this Mustang at Altamont (in pink paint) and at the first Arse Freeze (in PCH colors). Now it's a Shelby! And, hey, its blazing best lap of 1:33.958 really was Shelby-esque.


We've seen several Rangers at LeMons events, and this one acquitted itself quite well on the track: 39th place. We liked the free ice cream the team members were giving away in the pits, and the ambient temperatures of 36 degrees meant that melting wasn't a big problem.


Another P71! These guys had to hack off their Mad Max style front bumper prior to the race, because everyone is already sufficiently scared of the Crown Vics out there.


Winners of the first-ever LeMons Junkyard Scab-enger Hunt, Team Huey Newis And The Lose spent the entire weekend giving me bad high-school flashbacks with the 80s soundtrack blasting from their pit. Their 64th-place finish was pretty respectable for the first time out.


Another multi-race veteran, the GI SHO car had a good best lap time of 1:40.332. If only a SHO could hold together for an entire race… but there's always Reno! You can check out the team's photos here and here, then read the insider account:

One cold and dark November, we stumbled upon the website for the 24 Hours of LeMons. No that is the correct spelling.
On a whim we sent in our idea - take one of our beat up parts cars and turn it into a race car called the GI SHO. We would gut the car and paint it in camo to match the name. Unbelievably, our idea was accepted, and we had 6 weeks to turn a non-running pile-o-parts into a caged running race car.
The car we chose was a non-running 1989 SHO with about 270k+ miles on the clock. At one time, someone loved this car, but that was at “one time”, and a long time ago. When we bought the car, the Craigslist ad read something like this:
1989 Taurus SHO: 270k miles. Does not run. I am tired of changing parts to fix it. It has Koni struts and a nice stereo. The clear coat is shot, there are dents in the body, the sunroof leaks, and it looks like two wolverines mated in the front seats. $300.
He was not kidding. There were chunks missing of the front seat. We bought the car with thoughts of saving the Konis and a few other parts, but the car ended up “aging” in my pasture for three years.
Three years of aging on “The Wolverine Car” was a biological experiment. Here is what the car looked like just 6 weeks before the race.
With a LOT of work, a used crank sensor, used water pump, and some new rod bearings, the car was up and running. Then it was off to DGE Motorsports for a quick roll cage. This cage was built in two days. Once the cage was installed, we added a spare racing seat and a 5 point harness, and it was off to the paint shop. Kadels Auto Body let us borrow the paint booth for a couple hours since it was raining hard outside. Four guys with rattle cans, four flat colors, an hour later, and we had the GI SHO.

We survived the whole race and had a blast. We did have a few Black Flag incidents, including one penalty for “aggressive driving”. The penalty was a flower pot full of raw eggs screwed to the hood. It reminds you to drive more carefully, so the eggs don't splatter all over your windshield. A nice thought, but the eggs still splatter. The paint damage on the hood and the screws are still there from the “flower pot incident”. We thought about painting the hood again, but decided to leave it in case the car ever became a collectors item – OK we were just lazy.

The cool thing about the car is this. Even after 270K miles and a pretty nasty past, the car handled like it was on rails, and it could pass just about any car in the race, at any point in the track. This car has inspired one other local club member to resurrect an otherwise beat up 89 parts car and turn it into a gutted daily driver/track car. It is a beautiful thing to have a car that can perform this well, and you do not need to worry about dents, paint, or even washing it.

Summer 2008
The National SHO Convention
The 2008 National SHO Convention was in Seattle. SHO lovers from all over North America gathered together to see the best SHOs in the world. Obviously, the GI SHO made an appearance. The car went in full race dress (as-is). We did remove the flowerpot for aerodynamics, but the egg goo, mold and road dirt went along for the ride. Since the car is still street legal, it made the drive. There is something about a beat up camoflaged family car that gets looks. Funny thing is, everyone wanted to drive it. It even served as a track car for two drivers with car troubles at the Pacific Raceways open track day.

2008 Thunderhill LeMons
Here we are preparing for the 2008 Thunderhill LeMons race. We replaced last year's drivers that had black flag trouble. We have three returning drivers and three new drivers.
In all honesty, we really did have only $500 invested in the car for the 2007 Thunderhill race. To help the judging (and keep us from losing $300 worth of laps like last year), we respectfully ask you to establish the residual value for the car. We are thinking $300-400, so we still have some money to add some camoflage, weaponry, and banned F1 technology to the car. We have not added any other value to the car since last year. The moldy egg residue is still on the hood. I think every body panel and bumper took at least one hit last year. We popped out the major dents and used a crow bar to get the doors to open and close better. We are removing some of the excess weight and “snag hazzards” by gutting the doors.

The concept was just unveiled at the Thailand International Motor Expo and features styling inspired by chunky power tools and the kind of practicality that can only come from a reasonable size and frugal engine. But, this isn’t just a reskinned Mazda B-series, this vehicle is said to hint at what the next generation Ranger could look like.

The official press release follows:

"We know Ranger is tough and durable, and Ranger Max adds to those qualities. The show truck does not follow a trend; it sets a new tough style direction for compact trucks," says Paul Gibson, the chief designer of the Ranger Max show truck.

"Ranger Max is genuinely tough, and it is a truck that gets the job done. This high-impact show truck also has the bold visual presence that looks great on the urban scene."

A team of Ford truck specialists in Thailand worked closely with Ford's Australia-based Asia Pacific and Africa design team, led by Gibson, to create Ranger Max.

Ford's design team incorporated design cues into Ranger Max that may be seen in future-generation Ranger.

"The Ranger Max is not just about creating show excitement," Gibson said. "We have a great opportunity to test design themes that may make their way into production. Ranger Max says exciting things about the possibilities for truck fans in Ranger's future."
Tough Style

Ford Ranger Max ConceptGibson and his team of designers concentrated on exploring the limits of tough style. "Ranger Max wasn't meant to be elegant or pretty. The robust nature of Ranger means that it is the dependable workhorse, and with Ranger Max we wanted to create a show truck that is cool as hell."

They took inspiration from things many truck owners know and appreciate. The distinctive contrast between Ranger Max's hardcore orange paintwork with matte black accents is inspired by the functional design found in some modern power tools – just like those used by many Ranger owners every day.

Ford designers recognize how absolute function and durability inspire these industrial tools and make them more appealing.

Industrial shapes such as the cog-like detailing in the body accents and wheel arch mouldings extend Ranger Max's theme of tough style as the ultimate power tool.

Ford Ranger Max ConceptPushing the power tool inspiration a step further, the Ranger Max design team noted how power tools and similar objects incorporated words into their design to convey instructions or warnings. Ranger Max uses 'words' in this same style to accentuate its robust 'industrial feel'.

Ranger Max is full of details like this, such as the word GRAB‚ imprinted subtly on the bold, black grab handle in the side of the sportsbar linked to the cab.

Every letter is precisely shaped in a 'truncated' font that complements the toughness and utility the overall truck design communicates.

Several power tool brands have inspired Ford designers. Other inspirations for Ranger Max have come from active sports, such as rock climbing, and the tough, technical products used by active sportsmen.

The orange high-energy colour - named Mango Hit - is a creation of Debbie Pascoe, colour and trim manager, Ranger Max design team.

Ford Ranger Max ConceptAdding more dynamism to the profile is the sportsbar, which attaches to the pickup bed and arches across the vehicle. It is shaped to create the visual impression that Ranger Max is always on the move.

"The sportsbar makes a big statement," explains Max Tran, a Ford designer who played a key role in developing the vehicle.

"It adds a feeling of movement and dynamic character, and incorporates some great design details, including twin air scoop shapes on top."

Built into each side of the crossbar is an integral grab handle. Finished in matte black plastic, the grab handle design is all about purpose.

The dark shape of the grab handle visually extends the perceived shape of the Ranger Max side window shape, accentuating the feel of functionality and space of the Ranger side-access Open Cab.

The grab handle is labelled – like instructions on power tools and on aircraft – with the word GRAB. Similarly, the side door of the Ranger Max is distinctively yet discretely labelled AXCESS. These functional callouts also extend to the Ranger Max fuel inlet, which is designed to intersect one of the bold wheel arches, labelled FUEL.

Ford Ranger Max Concept"There's no mistaking the purpose of labels like these on power tools," Tran explained. "On Ranger Max, they fulfil the same role. It's the style of purpose."

For example, the vent on each front fender uses hexagon-shaped details and discrete chrome badging with the word RANGER. MAX adjoins this Ranger badge to reinforce the show truck's name.

Other design details in the Ranger Max profile include incorporating the side repeater lamp into the side mirror. The lower bodyside, with two-piece interlocked sidestep look, was inspired by rock-climbing carabineers and other outdoor gear you trust with your life.

The unique, 18-inch deep-dish, six-spoke alloy wheels – with black graphic funnel shapes to their centres – feature large offsets and are combined with P285/60R18 tires with a chunky tread pattern.

The bold wheel arches with cog-shaped detailing reinforce Range Max's stance and its purpose. Dynamic side graphics on the fenders and lower doors are inspired by the high-impact of shattering glass.

"When you look at the front design, the three-bar grille, the overt nostrils and open mouth, you're looking straight into the face of Ranger's evolution," said Gibson.

"There are design elements we are developing and Ranger Max is one possibility. We've crafted the face of the Ranger Max to explore a new look. Elements from it could evolve into the new identity of Ford Ranger."

The three-bar grille is a Ford hallmark design element, conveying strength and quality, integrated with a proud, large badge of the famous Ford blue oval. Ranger Max adopts dynamic, modern headlamps which angle at the top to communicate energy and movement.

The front end is characterized by the dominating power-dome hood with integral hot-air vent, the corporate three-bar grille which imbeds itself into the lower enlarge air intake and the Ranger branding – embossed in the top of the front grille surround.

[Source: Ford]

The striped color treatment, similar to the treatment found on the Focus ST, is all that differentiates this "Le Mans" style Ranger for the base WildTrak. Said Ford of Britain exec Steve Kimber "We are always looking to cater for the pick-up driver who takes style seriously. Performance Blue has become a popular choice on Ford's passenger cars and it looks great combined with the GT-style stripes on the new Ranger."

Looking at this truck it's completely like being on the banks of the Sarthe. We joke, but we sort of wished we lived in a country where a truck could be designed to imitate great racing. On the other hand, a Gulf-liveried F-250 would be awful.

[Ford via World Car Fans]

No serious word on a future replacement as Ford seems ready to cede small trucks (and small profits) to the competition in favor of the F-Series and crossovers/SUVs. [AutoNews via Autoblog]

Talking about energy policy yesterday in the middle of a cornfield, because why the hell not, President Bush said something that caught our attention:

"Someday you're going to be able to get in your car, particularly if you're a big-city person, and drive 40 miles on a battery. And by the way, the car doesn't have to look like a golf cart. It could be a pickup truck."

Speaking In N.C., Bush Pushes Energy Policies [The Chronicle]

Related:
Car Hack's Notebook: Electric, The Silent Killer [Internal]

Ford's 2007 allotment of Rangers is already rolling off the lines at the St. Paul plant, which means one of two things: either the Blue Ovals are predicting banner sales for a compact pickup that became irrelevant sometime during the Clinton administration, or they wanna build the five trucks they'll need and then mothball the plant ASAP. The facility's scheduled for a 2008 closure, but working men are worried that the early start to Ranger production means Billy and the boys are planning to shutter it even sooner. [Thanks to Scott for the tip.]

2007 Ranger already rolling [St. Paul Pioneer Press]

Related:
Quality is Job 1! Ford Resumes Production at Truck Plants [Internal]

Thailand has something like the second largest market in the world for pickup trucks (though it's probably still somewhere behind that of Newton County, Texas). It's also the culinary home of Pad Thai (i.e., linguini with shrimp and peanuts) and is the regional production hub for Ford's one-ton pickup trucks exported to Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Middle East and ASEAN countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines). If you were wondering, that's why (minus the linguini) Ford will introduce its new Ranger pickup at the Bankok International Motor Show on March 22. In appearance, the 2007 Ranger is more closely aligned with Ford's full-sized F-150 pickup than is the current version, and the new model will come with a choice of new, common-rail 3.0L and 2.5L DURATORQ TDCi diesels. At the show, Ford will also roll out its latest 4 Trac concept (below), which is an ultra-stylized version of the standard Ranger, neither of which is slated to come to the states this go 'round.

(Hat tip to Left Lane News)

Related:
Ford to Unveil 4-Trac Concept in Bangkok; The Free Trade Boys Are Clucking: Repeal the Chicken Tax? [internal]