Orlando Ministocks

[ovalracer44]

I would tend to agree with you, although a very crafty machinist could find a lot of horsepower in one of those heads and no one would know how. At least with a stock head there can be some kind of control kept on the modifications. I have talked with a friend of mine from NC that I know has spent over 150,000 on r&d in 4 cylinder engines, about what to do to keep the costs down. Tracks up here have instituted rod weight rules. Has to weigh as much or more than stock. We have a lift rule of .450, and a flywheel and pressure plate weight of 25 lbs. Counts have drastically increased since these rules were instituted and the more open rules were cut out.

[M_Seay10]

all I know is that something has to be done or car counts in the class will continue to drop. unfortunately no one seems to have the answer.

just curious what do they pay to win up there?

[Boneman]

I suggest modernizing the rules to allow newer engines, EFI, multiple valves, whatever is available on the street, but keep them much closer to stock. As it is, we are spending more and more to get increased power from a carburated dinosaur of an engine.

We should look at 6 cylinder engines too. Add a weight penalty and run a 6.

[ovalracer44]

Pay up here ranges from 200 to 250. I do believe we need to stay away from EFI. There is a class called UCARS up around here that is factory stock and EFI is allowed. That has already turned into some serious bickering and money being spend. Good intentions, hard to keep fair. I have no clue what could fix it, but if you two are at the track on the 5th I would be glad to give my share of imput from being on both sides of the fence on rules. We have even had a restrictor plate rule up here. That really cut rpms so motors last longer. Problem is hard to pass.

[M_Seay10]

GOOD luck geting them to allow EFI

[M_Seay10]

when you won last week did they tech your car (total weight or left side %)?

[Todd McCreary]

We should look at 6 cylinder engines too. Add a weight penalty and run a 6.


you're an evil, evil man.

[Boneman]

Not evil, just practical. It is a way to take some money out of the engines that mini stocks run. The fact is 6 cylinder engines are plentiful and inexpensive compared to 30 year old 2300 CC Fords.

Structure the rules so that some fabrication is allowed to convert a FWD engine to RWD. Or just run a FWD; its fine with me. I think we all agree that racing is better when everyone runs different stuff.

As much as I like modified mini stocks, I am no longer very positive about their future. High dollar, 4 Cyl. LM look-alikes will be the end of the class IMHO. I suggest a different direction anchored around stock-based, modern engines with minimal modifications.

BTW I have no problem with tube frame cars. I prefer them, they are easier to fix in general.

[OrlandoGraphix]

I Don't Believe It...

I can't believe I just read and entire thread with three different opinions and there was absolutely no name calling, finger pointing, track bashing, etc...

And some thought it was impossible...

What a great thread... well thought out opinions... respectable arguments... hell even Boneman had some non-sarcastic posts and not even one photoshop'd picture...

I have seen the light...

[ovalracer44]

I have no problem racing against tube chassis cars. Its that it makes it more intimidating for newcomers to want to build a ministock to run with us. My car its self is a stock chassis. Although the way we build them makes them as easy to repair as a tube car, and handle just as good.

I guess all divisions are struggling all across the country. Not just ministocks. Although the v8 stock divisions are having higher counts, and those big monte carlos and novas are even harder to find than a mustang.

I think part of the problem with ministocks is the unreliability of the engines. At 7600 rpm they are pretty reliable. But we learned several years ago those who turn high rpms and still make the horsepower tend to win. Thats why I said I like my engines to turn 8400-8500. Once you start getting into those rpm ranges reliability goes out the window. When you start looking at by the rules a $2,800 bottom end is legal, not too many are going to put up with that.

Like I said I dont know the sure fire answer to fix the class. I do know however that it is broken.


Oh yeah and to answer a question further up. They did not tech me the second race. it was after midnight and they were trying to get everyone out.

[M_Seay10]

there use to be a ruer that added 200 lbs to a tube frame car but it was never enforced. is that rule still around?

[ovalracer44]

Nope, you get a 50 lb weight break for having a stock chassis. its 2250 weight for a tube car with the 2.3. 2200 for a stock chassis with the 2.3

[M_Seay10]

its 2250 weight for a tube car with the 2.3. 2200 for a stock chassis with the 2.3

2250 for a tube car? is that weight for orlando? it was 2300 back when i ran

[ovalracer44]

Its on the fascar rules. Ive picked them apart

[LM18]

Just to clarify a few misconceptions, Our motors do not cost anywhere close to $10,000. As far as the motor rules being out of hand, these engines have stock block, stock crank, flat top three ring pistons, stock heads (no porting or polishing), stock size valves, stock intake, and a 500 CFM carb. However, we do buy our engines complete carb to pan, and they are very reliable. I think this is cheaper than building multiple hand grenades at home.

Also, please do not insult the integrity of our tube framed cars by comparing them to stock chassis cars that run the 15.6 to 15.8 lap time that was referred to. I personally have qualified our race car at a 15.009 at Orlando Speedworld (first Mini Stock Challenge race of the year). If there are any questions, please contact me, Jared Allison.

P.S.
If they offered a purse for the Winter Series, we would be there.