February 2001
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Dennis and Claire Chizma
1973 Porsche 911S
Production Class
Driver: Dennis Chizma
Co-driver: Claire Chizma
Dennis Chizma spent the better part of two years researching and deciding the exact year and the exact model he wanted for use as a Production class rally car. He settled on a 1973 Porsche 911S. He bought his 911 as a tired street car, sight unseen, from a used car dealership in Reno, Nevada, and had it shipped to him in Southern California June of 1999.
The car was stripped down to the bare bones and restored while being prepared to compete in a full national SCCA ProRally season. He really hit the jackpot on several occasions, finding Porsche parts collectors that upon hearing of his project went to the back rooms and found Porsche rally parts from that era. It was an exciting time and five months were spent meticulously preparing the car. Every part was cleaned, resurfaced and restored.
The Tour de France graphics were carefully chosen and artfully applied by Mike French at Airbrushing Unlimited in Woodland Hills, CA. The exterior was an important component to the car’s initial awe factor.
Dennis is a huge fan of John Buffum who also ran Porsche 911s early in his career in the 1970’s. He could not wait to take his car to Maine Forest and run it in John’s event in late July.
There were a few problems with the car throughout the 2000 season. The mechanical fuel injector needed to be rebuilt twice, and since it is the only part of the car that Dennis is unable to repair himself it spent some time with Federal Express being shuttled between Seattle and San Francisco. The rear torsion bar tube housing needed reinforcement after Rim of the World where it caused a DNF. The time necessary to make the repairs caused the team to miss the Susquehannock Trails ProRally in early June.
At Ojibwe the team was forced to attach a catalytic converter to the exhaust to comply with the existing rules. The addition of the catalytic converter caused the engine to run hot and bent the valve stems. (The rule remained from when Production cars could only be a few years old. When SCCA opened Production Class to all years, the rulesmakers neglected to modify the catalytic converter rule to accommodate cars that came without one. It was changed before the next event.) The engine was pulled between Wild West and Prescott and a newly rebuilt engine was put in. In the two final events of the year the car ran the best Dennis could have ever hoped for.
Dennis plans to run a light season in 2001 with this car. He will retain Jeff Hines as crew chief. Co-driving duties will be handed to Ole Holter of Long Beach, CA, while Claire manages the team.
As a 1973 model, this Porsche is too new to be eligible for the SCCA's Historic Class. The cutoff date is 12/31/71.
Dennis and Claire met while rallying in the California Rally Series in 1995. They were later married and now make their home in Seattle, Washington where Dennis is a Porsche Tech and Claire works for the local school district. Their three daughters are named Hilary, Amelia and Rennen.
Claire was the 1999 SCCA Production GT Co-driver champion, and 2000 Production Co-driver champion.
Contacts: Dennis and Claire Chizma - 206.768.1120 or email chizma@uswest.net
1973 Porsche - DIMENSIONS & SPECIFICATIONS Weight: 2550 pounds Engine: 2.4 liter Fuel System: Bosch mechanical fuel injection Power: 160 HP SAE Transmission: 5 speed manual, 915 transmission with rally gear ratios, rally ring and pinion, limited slip diff Suspension: Strengthened front and rear trailing arms
Torsion Bars by Swayaway
front: Bilstein rally struts, rear: Bilstein rally shocksInterior/Safety: Seats: Beard
Belts: Willans 5 point with F1 cam
Roll cage: Motor Sports Unlimited, 12 point
Odometer: Terratrip 303+ (with remote)Brakes: 911S calipers
Discs - front: 282.5mm dia. vented, rear: 290mm dia. vented
Carbon fiber brake pads - F&RWheels/Tires: Wheels - 15 X 6 inch Fuchs
Tires - front: 195.65.15, rear: 215.65.15Elec/Lights: PCI Intercom, PCI radio
Lights - 4 KC Hi-Lites 300,000cp
NOTE: This car was purchased by Bob Olson of Minnesota in 2001. Olson converted it to SCCA Group 5 specs and has continued to compete in ClubRallys and ProRallys.