Just my 2 cents worth: A Cobra and a Lotus Elan may be similar in power to
weight
(in fact, I would guess the Cobra comes out ahead in this department), but the
two cars are vastly different in size, and thus, on a tight, narrow twisty
course, the Elan would clearly have an advantage. Since most national courses of
late have had narrow sections, my prediction the Cobra, in spite of its
reputation, doesn't have a prayer. I hope someone can prove me wrong. I drove a
Cobra for two events, when they were new, and those were two of my most
memorable
trips around an autocross course, much sideways. :-)
--Pat Kelly
PbPied@aol.com wrote:
> Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 16:54:41 EDT
> Subject: Re: The REAL screwing (AP)
>
> George Emery writes:
>
> >If we look at 1998 Nationals results, the only 427 Cobra there was 2 sec
> >per day behind the leader... Bruce Cambern, the driver, hadn't competed
> >at Nationals since 1985 when he won BM. I've a good feeling that no
> >corners were cut in building his car and he's got acceptable credentials
> >as a driver, so it's likely that his 427 Cobra is similar in power/weight to
> >the Elan. I sincerely doubt that the Cobra is making twice the bhp/lb that
> >the Elan is making, which is what your estimate of 425 HP indicates--if
> i>t did, you'd see results more like AP vs. BM in favor of the Cobra!
>
> Sorry to Rain on your parade, but your assumptions regarding Bruce's Cobra
> are quite incorrect. He brought the car out of mothballs just to have some
> fun.
> I believe that the Topeka was the second event for both car and driver in over
> 10 years! I watched it run up at Wurtsmith AFB the month before... based on
> the obviously imperfect handling characteristics it displayed for Bruce and a
> co-driver, it was no where near properly set up. BTW, he bought the car new!
> No, it is not a kit-car.
>
> All that said, I do believe that if Bruce were to seriously prep and compete
> in
> the car, he'd get it up to/near the top of the heap. Talent like his doesn't
> go
> away easily. How many years has it been since a BM set FTD at the nationals?
>
> Since '85? Hmmm.....
>
> Alan Sheidler
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