Any Prius-savvy wrenchers interested in Racing one? (SoCal)

Like the title suggests, I'm looking to enter in a multiple-driver endurance race in a Gen II Prius. It's a high-mileage hybrid "security patrol discard". Yes, I do understand that this isn't typically the type of vehicle that should be made into a racing vehicle, and I understand there exists more than a few people who would be unhappy that I would choose to do this with the 2008 Prius. But I thought I'd post just in case there was someone else out there with similar curiousity and interests as I have and who may want to join up.

I am admittedly clueless (besides what I've read here) on most things Prius but I'm eager to try, but would love some hand-holding help if there may be any available. The goal is to keep it 100% Prius (besides, I've already done the engine-swap stupidity). I'm in North San Diego County and there is of course more than a couple driver slots still open for anyone who wants to get involved.

Some of the more basic issues I need to address are merging 2 high=mileage HV batteries into 1 functional unit, possibly replacing the ABS pump, and whatever else the scan tool says needs attention. Oh, and I need to figure out how to put in a hard mechanical "kill switch" that disconnects all power in the vehicle and will also shut off the car.

Send me a PM or post up here if you or someone you know may be intrigued enough to learn more and potentially assist or join forces.

Thanks for reading!

 

On the futility front: that's sorta the point. It's all for just fun and grins. Anyone can race a "racecar". It's takes something more to race a Prius. (or something like that)

As for steering feel, in the first Prius "racecar" (which was a non-hybrid engine swap) I just yanked out the electric motor from the stock column and it gives plenty of steering feedback. Disconnecting the front swaybar helped quite a bit as well because we'd removed so much weight from the car that it just pushed horribly. Installing some camber bolts and maxing them out plus disconnecting the swaybar actually did quite a bit to help it for our setup. Mind you, it was still not super racey, but loads better than it was.

The hybrid build I'd like to keep it pretty stock for the first go-- maybe put the camber bolts in it and some better tires, but not much else. Heck, I even intend to keep as much of the interior in as I can.

 

Received confirmation that the car's entry to race was accepted based on its application. Now to make it pass the safety requirements. Oh, and run. I guess that's kinda important.

FWIW: This is for 24 Hours of LeMons so no experience is required. If there's someone who just wants to "wrench" or otherwise provide on-site help in the pits, I'll pay your gate fee and feed you all weekend. You'll just need your own transport to the track (or ride up and back with me) and your own lodging (or sleep at the track in a tent/back seat).

 

If anyone is morbidly curious, this is what I'm dealing with.

 

No, haven't picked up an additional engine yet. I actually have 2 Prii (well, 3 if you count the ToyoHog) so there's a "parts car" that I may end up robbing the engine from if necessary. It has nearly 300K miles on it, so it's a little bit fresher than the one int eh video. Trouble is, I haven't been able to get that "fresher" one started because of what I believe to be completely dead batteries, plus it's sat for nearly a year at this point.

Between the 2 battery packs, I'm hoping to put together one set of matched cells which I'll use to diagnose both complete vehicles and use parts accordingly.

At this point, there seems to be nobody interested in joining me in my learning curve so I'll just have to proceed with caution and a flurry of issue-specific posts in the coming month or so. (Apologies in advance).

 

Oh, wow.
Just.
wow.

 

Well, the race is at Sears Point aka Sonoma Raceway. If you'd like to provide on-site immoral support or just learn from our failures, your presence in the pits would be most welcome!

 

The only license you'd need is a valid state driver's license. Seriously. No experience required (which is both a good thing and a bad thing). It's less like "racing" and more like just speeding on the freeway and everyone around you might be trying to kill you.

Here's an overview vid

And this one is slightly less produced

 

I'll be at Buttonwillow in June. Not sure what vehicles I'm going to bring to it yet. Depends largely on what the team of signed-on drivers wants to use. I have built a few different ones but the Prius is so far turning out to be the most challenging build because of my ignorance, the safety requirements for installing a "kill switch", and the HV system.