It's Soooooo Hard to Slow Down

[RowdyBloomquist]

Here is some good info.

http://endlessinnovationsinc.com/index.php?content=39

In a nutshell, you run a 2000lb or so spring in the RF or LF cocked a certain degree to get the amount of travel you want (gap). Then when the chassis travels that amount, it hits that stiff spring and is basically coil-bound. Just another way to coil-bind pretty much.

[scottgarrity07]

Scott,

You cannot tell how fast they are from the stands.

If they are screaming with a nice crisp exhaust note, slightly sideways coming out of turn four, and somebody is on the outside, who cares what the stopwatch says?

Actually, that is my opinion. Perhaps some do.

Never ceases to amaze me how the F1 set is soooooooooo impressed with themselves--and their speed and technology.

IMO, it is more exciting to watch an interstate from an overpass--the cars are closer together.

Oh, I agree. It's good competition (not flat out speed) that floats my boat. I wish all the fans felt that way...

[andre]

''even though they have the 604 which makes 50 HP more''.


ACT run the 603

[scottgarrity07]

''even though they have the 604 which makes 50 HP more''.


ACT run the 603

I stand corrected, Andre. For some reason I always thought that the ACT cars ran the 604 but after closer inspection of the rules it is indeed the 603.
it seems lately that the Ford crate seems to be the motor of choice though. Stands to reason since the GM choice is the 603 which makes just a little more power than the 602 that the sportsman cars run.

[OldSchool+]

It appears that most racers either purchase a crate or purchase a "built" engine.

Further, indeed most probably have more "engine-smarts" than I, but from the responses, it seems that most simply bolt the heavy black thing into the chassis, and the engine builders ain't talkin'.

[Dana Barlow]

i posted b4 about how and why things were both cheeper an had more fan n racers = now we just don't let any one go to the junk yard 4 a motor any more,think about it,there are now alum v8/v6 motors FI that make near 400hp and come from cars the kids now like/just as we liked those sbc powered Camro ect.,but not allowed to do that now=were out of date n behind the ball.
Make it cheep an what the kids like,not super old sbc in bodys that don't relate to anything that cost gazlen$
I loved the sbc n raced hell out of them,there over the hill n out of site cost wise,face it,lets have newer motors an bodys to get new fans,with out that is all abselet not with todays times.................. New rules=liter cars,new alum motors= as much or more speed for much less $ =more fans

[OldSchool+]

Dana, Good ideas for the lower classes, but am thinking that "affordable late models" (possibly the worst oxymoron in the world...) need inexpensive small block chevys, especially to achieve the goal of closely matched cars.

But that's jus' me.

ps--Mr. Bloomquist, thx for the helix info. It appears that the thing kinks the spring on the outside and then when the car pitches over, voila', instant coil bind.

Why those things would be at a track the week after one was discovered under a spring is beyond me. Ditto with expensive shocks that are acting like half-aced springs.

[Imhere]

Rowdy hit the nail on the head with short track local racing. Do away with bump stoops coil bind etc. Go to shock claimer rule. that would go a long way towards helping. As far as cup goes, don't limit motors, do away with front valances and most or all of rear spoiler and the cars would have to lift in the corners. that would show who could actually drive a race car, do away with aero push and have better side by side racing

[bowlegs]

Aside from the engine, one built and one crate, what else is different between SLM and PLM?

[Matt Albee]

Rowdy hit the nail on the head with short track local racing. Do away with bump stoops coil bind etc. Go to shock claimer rule. that would go a long way towards helping. As far as cup goes, don't limit motors, do away with front valances and most or all of rear spoiler and the cars would have to lift in the corners. that would show who could actually drive a race car, do away with aero push and have better side by side racing

The idea that the top teams, the teams with plenty of resources, are winning only because they can spend more and have better equipment is not true. Dick Anderson, in a car equal to anyone else's, is still going to win just as often. Same goes for Wayne Anderson, David Rogers, Jesse Dutilly, and any other top driver.
Consistent winners are winning because they get the job done. Some racers with big budgets grab a checker every now and then, but good drivers and good crews will always win, with or without valances and rear spoilers.

[scottgarrity07]

Aside from the engine, one built and one crate, what else is different between SLM and PLM?

They are identical in every way except for HP. They even run the same tire. SLM can run built motors, 9-1 motors, spec engine, "parts" engine (built-it-yourself spec) and the new "Ricky" motor (whatever that is). PLM can run the GM 604 crate, the Ford 347 sr crate or the Pro Late spec engine.

[OldSchool+]

Matt,

Kind of mixing Cup & short track now, but that aside...

"...good drivers and good crews will [most] always win..."--Malbee

Agreed, but that is not the point here. The point is larger fields and closer racing.

And if they are closer in motor, it only leaves the setup and driving dept.

As you know, driving can only make up for so much motor deficit, especially at NSS, leading to a ho-hum show.

[OldSchool+]

Scott, Is that a new paint job?

If so, post a bigger pic iffin' you feel like it.

[scottgarrity07]

Yes sir, oldschool. Thanks for noticing. Very proud of my crew and the effort they put in to take it from basically a stripped frame with a motor in it to what you see in 1 week (while still going to work everyday). They earned their SUDS on that one! Great shot by the Desoto track photographer-Speed Racer Photos. Check out their other great work at www.facebook.com/speedracerphotos

[OldSchool+]

Nice and balanced bodywork all the way around.

Good body setback in relation to the wheels, good overall rake, swoopy nose, good graphics.

Old racing saying you no doubt know: "If it looks fast, it probably is".