Dodge Aries K-Car in autocross

This is ME driving a 1987 Dodge Aries LE, 2.2L, TBi, 5-speed manual, in a soaking wet midsummer Solo-II (autocross) event in Ottawa Canada. This video was recorded by my friend. (He shared the car's expenses with me. We had big plans for the car but they never came to pass). This is the K-car's only competitive event. My friend's brother is riding shotgun with me. This was my first (and only, so far) time competing in an autocross.

It ended up being a fun run because the rain wrecked the timing system so the competitors were told to "just go have fun if you like, we're not keeping time"; so clobbering the pylon was no loss. The car was bone stock, no modifications at the time.

I finally found the date: June 25th, 2000, approximately 11am.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Dodge
• Aries
• LE
• 1987
• 87
• 5-speed
• manual
• transaxle
• k-car
• autocross
• solo

[SteelCity1981]

look at that no anti lock brakes no stability control or any of that BS, just pure driving skills.

[dpkeys]

@SteelCity1981 LOL! Ya that car had like 90hp, not enough power for any real skill to be needed (I only broke traction off the line because it was raining)... but you do have a point, it really irks me how technologically advanced today's cars are. The only "RACING" I do nowadays is Gran Turismo 5, I love driving the old Jap stuff and turning off all the "assists" - brings back memories. ;-)

[crickettsdodge31]

I want a 5 speed k car so bad.

[dpkeys]

@crickettsdodge31 Dammit so do I! I'm starting to miss this car alot now. Want to find a good clean shell.  If I knew then what I know now (particularly welding) and of course had some more spare cash I would have kept the car.

[dpkeys]

It actually handled suprisingly well. It had stiff, heavy duty springs and sway bar up front. The brakes and rear suspension were pretty much standard though. Car had lots of potential had the rust not killed it.

[SteelCity1981]

@dpkeys yep the more safety technology they put in cars like ABS, ESC Traction Control the less people are aware on the road. Think if there were no such things as any of those features and everyone had to drive a manual. Be a lot less time for texting on the phone whne you are shifting and more time paying attention to the road.

[NSracing1]

My RACECAR K car handled really well so thats not suprising that yours handled that well

[atom2009]

I bought an 89' aries k from old lady at retirement home for $600. 95k miles cold ac mint condition. I never knew people were doing so much with the K car.

[subarukid89]

dodge omni GLH had more potential. too bad the aries was ugly.

[streetvan1]

I love seeing those underdog cars kick ass. Too bad it didn't become what it could have!!! Those cars can be really amazing.