Rich Bonem's BRZ-Camaro Dilemma: Speed Costs Money

Years of construction work meant his hands weren’t what they used to be, but that only meant that Rich Bonem had to find a new outlet. That and a few objections from his loved ones was why he switched from lapping crotch rockets to time trials in Subaru BRZ which, even in stock trim, was already a fantastic driver’s car. Light, agile, and encouraging, his 2017 BRZ Performance Pack served him well that first year, during which he squeezed in twenty track days—and all he did to ensure the car ran well was add a Mishimoto oil cooler.

The modifications came the following year. With a set of Enkei RPF1s wrapped in 255-section Bridgestone RE-71s, the BRZ was surprisingly capable of near-factory footwork. To make the most of that improved stance, he used SPC’s rear control arms and their toe arms to dial in a track-specific alignment. With 3 and 2.5 degrees of negative camber front and rear, respectively, the car could be leaned comfortably, generate the needed mid-corner stick, and oversteer predictably—just what the underpowered BRZ needs for fast times.

Although power wasn’t its forte, the BRZ was able to be livened up some. Rich tried what he could to squeeze a little more from the FA20 with UEL headers, a JDL high-flow cat, an Invidia N2 exhaust, as well as an OpenFlash Tune. It wasn’t groundbreaking horsepower, but 180 horsepower at the wheels in a 2,700-pound car qualifies it as quick.

With a set of Verus brake ducts topping off the short list of mods, Rich had himself a competitive car he could take to 86 Challenge. “What’s really cool about the 86 Challenge is the fact you can take a completely stock car and compete. Every event has had a great turn out, and when you’re ready to add some more upgrades, there’s a group for you, no matter how modifed your car is,” Rich says.

This car and this competition provided Rich with the realization it sometimes takes eager track rats years to learn. “When you’re competitive in motorsports, seat time is the best upgrade. In just one year, I went from being a complete noob to being one of the fastest guys at the track, and this was due to regular lapping days and the way I gained confidence so quickly. Every lap you push a little harder, brake a little deeper, focus on more advanced techniques, and study the features on the track that are so hard to notice when you’re new and uncomfortable.”

Still, that challenge could only last so long. Eventually, he felt like he hit a wall. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t improve upon his personal bests.

Looking into the cost of getting more power from the temperamental FA20 seemed silly; a little research into Kevin Schweigert’s experience with his supercharged BRZ wasn’t encouraging; things started to break things once past the 350 horsepower-mark. For that reason, Rich decided to leave the underpowered lightweight behind and move onto a new platform.

In addition to brakes the size of medium pizzas and a motor over three times the size of the Subaru’s, the Camaro SS 1LE represented a new challenge to Rich. It was bigger and harder on consumables, but unlike the Subaru, it had a robustness and, crucially, a warranty which made tracking it relatively easy on his conscience.

Not surprisingly, Rich was staggered with the car. The braking performance was stunning—seeing a measured 1.3 G in the heavier braking zones was a big surprise considering the additional half-ton of weight. “I felt my soul leaving my body,” he reflected.

The interior offered plenty of space, the gearbox was sweet, and the general reliability was impressive, too. Therefore, the ease of transition was more than just calming—it was inspiring. “The Camaro really made me feel like a superhero,” he added.

True, some things needed improvement—he added an APR GT300 rear wing and some adjustable rear toe links, then dialed in a little more camber all around. Other than that, it was left stock, because it was more than he could fully exploit at the time of purchase.

If it had any flaws in its driving dynamics, it’s that it wasn’t’ not the chuckable thing that the BRZ was. Still, it compensated for the added size with real stability and, obviously, a lot more motor. He increased the front tire width to match the rear 305s, but in its current configuration, the 3,800-pound bruiser still lacks that urgency that he loved so much in his old car.

For Rich, the dependable, reassuring balance, great high-speed manners, and stress-free lapping were the outstanding traits—outstanding enough to forget about its few flaws.

Good manners and an extremely stable platform gave Rich the encouragement needed to push his expensive track toy.

Except one. That ease of tracking and the obvious challenge kept him from ever feeling stagnant or frustrated, but he couldn’t help noticing the damage done to his bank account. Between track day insurance, gas, tires, and brakes, Rich found he was spending nearly twice as much every weekend than he had with the Subaru. Speed and power were fun, but like Kevin Schweigert realized, they’re not everything.

Brake pads lasted only four lapping days, and the tires two—the massive weight wearing out the shoulders extremely quickly. Not surprisingly, he’d only managed half the number of track days in the Camaro over eighteen months than he had with the Subaru in one year.

For Rich, the Camaro is the simple solution that so many track guys are looking for. “It’s a tried-and-true platform that will work, but I find myself already feeling like I want more. I can make it faster, but to upgrade an already expensive car is just crazy. Now, I believe I’d rather start over with a stock BRZ and upgrade slowly to appreciate the differences each upgrade makes. Maybe a K24 engine swap in the future?”

This journey has taught him of all that which is really important in a track car, as well as the cost restrictions and practical limitations that the starry-eyed builder never really understands until they’ve sunk half their savings into a creation. To win requires practice, and to have fun requires a constant challenge and regular advancement towards that goal on the horizon. How does one balance that? That’s up to the driver and their tastes, finances, and abilities.