https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/blog.php?6-vnmsss Builder community site for Factory Five Racing. en Mon, 04 May 2026 10:39:35 GMT vBulletin 10 https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/images/misc/rss.jpg https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/blog.php?6-vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?807-To-the-track Thu, 13 Sep 2012 02:13:02 GMT Well, she's all done. Been a great build process, and I am eternally grateful to Rick Anderson, Hank Lopez, and Russ Thompson for their creative talents, as well as their extreme design and craftsmanship in the process.

Fellow Coupe builder Jacob McCrae (Pittsburgh, PA) is picking up the reins in creating the supplementatl Competition Coupe build manual. He is buiding a Coupe as well, and has been documenting his build alongside of ours. He will be using the pictures from our build, along with Hank's and his own, to create an online resource for people wanting to build a Competition Coupe for the track, or just for increased safety on the street. I will post a link to the finished manual when it's complete.

Thanks for the support and encouragement everyone!!

Karen

Kit Delivered: October 18, 2011
Build Begins: February 5, 2012
Build Complete: August 3, 2012
Monterety Rolex Motorsport Reunion: August 15-18, 2012

1st Track Session Test & Tune: September 8, 2012



]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?807-To-the-track https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?761-Competition-Coupe-Spy-Shot Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:01:24 GMT Thanks to the overtime efforts of The Body Shop (painter Miguel Santos and shop owner Cynthia Connors) in Santa Rosa, CA, and the hard work of Rick... Thanks to the overtime efforts of The Body Shop (painter Miguel Santos and shop owner Cynthia Connors) in Santa Rosa, CA, and the hard work of Rick and Diane Anderson and Hank Lopez, the body is painted and on the Coupe. We've been working double overtime to get her ready for her unveiling at the Monterey Motorsport Reunion, just three weeks from now.....More photos coming, but for now it's back to work!

]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?761-Competition-Coupe-Spy-Shot https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?741-Grinders-and-Sawzall-s-and-Resin-Oh-My!!-(Body-fitment) Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:47:47 GMT With the chassis and cage modifications complete, and the clock ticking on the build, the time had come for body fitment. The addition of the door... With the chassis and cage modifications complete, and the clock ticking on the build, the time had come for body fitment. The addition of the door bars creates the need to modify the inner door area for fitment around the bars. Additionally, the rear body section requires relief and modification to the section behind the seat which follows the radius of the rear wheel well.

Rick Anderson has been at the helm of the Competition Coupe build from the start, and his fabrication skills and creativity in designing and problem-solving the mods to the Coupe have been nothing less than amazing. Working closely alongside, and there every step of the way, has been "The Never-Ending" Coupe builder and forum master Hank Lopez, whose design and problem-solving skills have been key in our progress to date.

Forum guru and Coupe builders extraordinaire, Russ Thompson and our own Hank Lopez made the trip up to Heladsburg last weekend (and Hank came back and spent this weekend as well) to assist with fitment of the nose and the sculpting of the doors. I think any of us that have owned previous iterations of the Coupe bodies (black or gray) would agree that the "new" red bodies are a thing of beauty in comparison to the older bodies. The smoothness of the gelcoat and the overall better fitment make the new bodies so much nicer to work with. However, all of the improvement doesn't mean that the pieces just slip into place. In fact, in spite of the fact that we made virtually no modifications to the chassis in the nose area, when we went to fit the nose section, it still required sectioning out and modification in order to fair up correctly. The issue was that the nose section sat too tall on the "pontoons" by approximately 1/4" in the latch area. After considering all of the options (and praying to the fiberglas gods), it was decided the only answer was to section out a horizonal piece from the latch area and then re-fiberglass the section back into place above the lip.



As you can see in the photo above, the doors have also been fitted, and the door hinges and latches have been installed and adjusted to close fully and with ease. Fitting the door over and around the SIB's requres major relief of the inner door section to accommodate the door bars, however, when done accurately, we believe provides a very clean look.









Special BIG thanks to Russ Thompson, Hank Lopez, and Robert Walter for their skills, guidance and expertise in persuading the body into shape. We are very fortunate to have each of these build experts lend their many talents to our build!! ]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?741-Grinders-and-Sawzall-s-and-Resin-Oh-My!!-(Body-fitment) https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?710-The-Heart-of-the-Competition-Coupe-DSS-Racing-331 Fri, 15 Jun 2012 23:25:10 GMT Here she is......Still need to add the Edlebrock upper intake (EFI plennum) along with remote oil filter adapter, and some other goodies......Engine... Here she is......Still need to add the Edlebrock upper intake (EFI plennum) along with remote oil filter adapter, and some other goodies......Engine installation slated for the end of next week.....



]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?710-The-Heart-of-the-Competition-Coupe-DSS-Racing-331 https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?539-Competition-Coupe-Update Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:36:27 GMT Back from an entire month of events celebrating the 50th Anniversay of our cars and instructor driving at a couple of track days in between....Whew!!... Back from an entire month of events celebrating the 50th Anniversay of our cars and instructor driving at a couple of track days in between....Whew!! Laguna Seca, Infineon, Pomona Historics, Willow Springs, AHA Show, Huntington Beach, and the big gathering at the San Jose Mercury News last weekend....350 She*** showed!!!

Been busy with plumbing and wiring, and the aluminum panels are going on.....Fuel cell and lines are done too.....1/8th inch aluminum side ntrusion plates on both side done as well.....Motor arrived a week ago, and assembly today.





]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?539-Competition-Coupe-Update https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?401-Chassis-Prep-Complete-The-quot-Build-quot-Begins Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:39:47 GMT With a solid Por-15 base coat, we followed up with two layers of Wimbledon White top coat, and finished with a coat of clear finish. We allowed the... With a solid Por-15 base coat, we followed up with two layers of Wimbledon White top coat, and finished with a coat of clear finish. We allowed the chassis to cure for two days in the beautiful California sun, and began parts installation on April 1, 2012.



















]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?401-Chassis-Prep-Complete-The-quot-Build-quot-Begins https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?382-Chassis-Coating Mon, 26 Mar 2012 05:57:25 GMT We used the Por-15, 3-step metal preparation and paint system.

Step 1 & 2...Wash and Prep with Marine Clean and Prep & Ready (etching)












Step 3: Cover with Por-15






]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?382-Chassis-Coating https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?379-Tow-Hook-Sway-Bar-amp-Door-Latch Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:24:35 GMT We've decided to use the design fellow Coupe builder Scott (San Diego) developed for the tow hook. The hook will mount to the cross brace and pass upward through the radiator ducting....Thanks for the great idea Scott!







We're also using the new Factory Five Challenge Series sway bar available through Factory Five Racing.







To facilitate the fabrication of the NASCAR-style door bars, we removed most of the stock bars and standard door support structures, which required us to rework the door latch support system:







]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?379-Tow-Hook-Sway-Bar-amp-Door-Latch https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?378-Window-Net-amp-Wilwood-Pedal-Box-(Trial-fitment) Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:41:01 GMT We purchased an SFI-rated window net from IO Port Racing. (www.ioportracing.com) Dimensions: 15" x 18"
**We also added the Top Mount Kit for ease of installation







Test fit of the Wildwood Pedal Box




]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?378-Window-Net-amp-Wilwood-Pedal-Box-(Trial-fitment) https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?377-Fuel-Cell-Cage-amp-Mount-System Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:30:45 GMT We are using a standard Fuel Safe 22-gallon cell set up in the Factory Five Racing configuration (17.5"). Monty Holt at Bits 'N Pieces Motorsports in Vancouver, WA is the "go to" guy for our fuel cell and fill plate configuration. Monty is a racer from way back, and has provided outstanding support to the industry over the years. His shop was originally located in Huntington Beach, CA before moving to the Pacific Northwest. www.bits-pieces.com. (360) 859-3595.









Rick really likes the close miter cuts his new band saw produces








]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?377-Fuel-Cell-Cage-amp-Mount-System https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?376-Fuel-Cell-Cage-amp-Mount-System Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:30:45 GMT We are using a standard Fuel Safe 22-gallon cell set up in the Factory Five Racing configuration (17.5"). Monty Holt at Bits 'N Pieces Motorsports in Vancouver, WA is the "go to" guy for our fuel cell and fill plate configuration. Monty is a racer from way back, and has provided outstanding support to the industry over the years. His shop was originally located in Huntington Beach, CA before moving to the Pacific Northwest. www.bits-pieces.com. (360) 859-3595.









]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?376-Fuel-Cell-Cage-amp-Mount-System https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?358-The-Cage-is-Complete! Sun, 26 Feb 2012 20:31:35 GMT Rick has been making steady progress on the cage, and the last of the bars were welded into place on February 24th. Here's some pics of the finished work:







]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?358-The-Cage-is-Complete! https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?346-Coupe-Challenge-Building-a-Legend Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:07:14 GMT I present to you the first of several Coupes which will be built specifically for racing in 2012. A small, but mighty group of very talented... I present to you the first of several Coupes which will be built specifically for racing in 2012. A small, but mighty group of very talented craftsmen, engineers, and owner-builders have been skunk-working this project behind the scenes for nearly two years, and today is a truly exciting day.



When we began our Coupe project almost three years ago, I could not have imagined the passion for racing that exisits within the Coupe owners group. The heritage of these cars has made the Coupes one of the most sought-after and well-recognized cars in the automotive world. Owning a Coupe is an experience like no other, and campaigning a Coupe in pure competition is indescribeable.

Big thanks to Hank Lopez (Hankl) who has been my "go-to" guy in our Coupe racing effort. Over the three years we've been developing and testing our car for pure competition, Hank has spent virtually hundreds of hours debriefing every event with me; listening patiently as I ramble on with the details of the car's nuances in the turns, or exit speeds and characteristics of the car's handling as it tracks out onto the straights...Slowly, deliberatively, Hank would take it all in, all the while asking focused questions to better understand the car's dynamics. As a person of action, Hank would then take ideas formulated in these conversations, and build, create, or improve upon the car's components......Often, he'd call days later, informing me that a drop shipment of "good stuff" was in the mail.....Simply amazing!

Big thanks to Dave Smith for believing in us, for encouraging and supporting our racing efforts over the years, and for helping make this next generation of race cars possible. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Factory Five's lead engineer, and on-track racing talent Jim Schenck, whose passion for racing, collaborative efforts, and pure design genious continue to serve as the rock upon which all Factory Five Racing efforts are based. We are grateful to the entire team at Factory Five Racing for their efforts to support the racing community over the years...Jason, Sally, Jesper, and everyone at FFR...Thank you!

Fellow Challenge Series racer and truly amazing friend, Rick Anderson will serve a lead fabricator for the Coupe project...He's promised to keep an eye on my welding skills, and I've promised not to hurt him with the plasma cutter..;.) RLA Sheetmetal in Healdsburg, CA will serve as the Coupe's build site, and under Rick's talented skills as a builder, our Coupes will be safe and Very Fast!


After six years of ownership, 210 competition events, 34 race victories, 77 podiums, five championships, 22,000 road miles, and all this shared with an amazing partner, an unbelieveable race team and a truly supportive group of friends......My first kit arrives!!! It really IS like Christmas! Karen
]]> vnmsss https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?346-Coupe-Challenge-Building-a-Legend