One thing that has always been lacking in my previous projects is a set of goals. I have always done things as I saw fit and without ever really going anywhere. Sure the car got faster, perhaps more fun, but since I never had a goal, the modifications were made without an overall guiding principle. While the appeal of “whatever I think it needs most” modification is real, this time around, I am actually going to have a goal.

Competition Car Preparation by Simon McBeath talks about goals and planning in great detail. I have tried to take to heart all that he has written and here is my list.

1. A safe, reliable car. While this may seem obvious, when planning a mongrel, it is easy to overlook. Having a car that doesn’t make it to or through events is not worth anything. So, while the temptation to make the car as impressive as possible will always be present, the Occam’s Razor will be applied at full force.

2. VIR Full in under 2:10 to start. This is quite fast for that course, and while not near fast enough to guarantee FTD at a THSCC Time Trial event it will be good enough to put me in the fastest group. Plus, I don’t drive often enough to get everything out of a car, so the time has to be balanced by what I can actually achieve. One day, under 2:00 flat. That will take cubic money and talent I don’t have, but that is the dream.

3. My friend Les Davis made 293 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 309 lb/ft of torque at 4250 rpm in his bone stock 2004 GTO (5.7). I would like to better those numbers with my 5.0. Needless to say, I hope to do so on a much lower budget than would be required of swapping in an LS1.

4. To run the car at a hillclimb. Actually, more than one, but hillclimbs just have a particular appeal to me and I intend to have a go at one. Once item 1 is fulfilled, I have no excuses really.

5. To try land speed racing. ECTA runs a standing mile speed trial about 90 minutes south of where I live. While I have never been a power junkie or particularly interested in top speed type events, the proximity and the challenge is intriguing. Since it is relatively simple to do and I want to broaden my horizons a little, I plan to try it.

6. Get my kids involved. While obviously the driving part is not within their grasp, there is no reason why my two children cannot help out at various stages of the project. While this might result in an entertaining paint job, I think it will be worth it.

While this all 30,000 foot stuff, I think it is a good start. I can look at everything I do and make sure that it goes towards achieving one of my goals.