In a message dated 12/22/1999, 9:52:59 AM, pfoster@gdi.net writes:
<<<<Yeah, but the true worth of AM is not limited to Nationals. It is a
place
for all the oddball one-offs that show up (or want to show up) at local
autocrosses. I think an unlimited class is must, even if only the few,
the
proud, the truly weird inhabit it.>>
I agree. Autocrossing needs an unlimited class. If you want to increase
the numbers remove the restrictions that kept unsprung or short vehices
such as karts from competing.
Now how do I attach a 600 cc motorcycle engine to the back of a 125
shifter kart???
Paul Foster>>
Hello,
I agree on both points. My brother in law and I are in the design stages for
a (very) low buck A-mod.
Without the AM class, I don't know what we would do. We want to build an
"unlimited" car but don't have the budget to do track racing or a lot of
travelling. We just want to have the freedom of building the best car we can
and compete (and win) where we can afford to. We probably won't win against
the Phantom but we'll give it a run for its money. By that I mean both in
terms of all out speed and certainly in terms of MPH per $.
We have a parts car that will provide us with many of the components. It is
the Formula SAE car we built together when we were in college.
I am a mechanically inclined racer but with no "formal" engineering training.
He is a mechanical engineer, also mechanically inclined.
The car will push the limits of the rules and of modern racecar design in
terms of engineering and ingenuity, THIS I guarantee. BUT it will have to
make do with what we have on hand or can afford at the time in terms of
horsepower, construction materials, and expendables like tires.
MY opinion on how to save the AM class is perhaps not what most people would
think at first. *Take away the minimum wheelbase and minimum weight
requirements.* Those are the two things that are hurting us as far as
competitiveness for our dollar.
With a minimum weight of 700lbs without driver you need to have *HP*, and
plenty of it. All we have is the 600cc engine that was in our FSAE car and
MAYBE a 900cc from my brother-in-law's Honda CBR. Not exactly ArticCat
territory. Reduce the minimum weight (~450lbs without driver) or take it
away completely and suddenly we are competitive again. The extra HP gained
from a more expensive powerplant is no longer such an advantage AND actually,
the weight of the larger package becomes a disadvantage in comparison.
If you take away the minimum wheelbase of 72" rule, suddenly ALL the Formula
SAE cars that are out there languishing in college laboratories are legal AND
competitive (with the removal of the intake restrictor) in AM. There are
hundreds of them and there are a lot of young, hungry drivers ready to pilot
them.
-STEFAN
'86 Saab 900T (GS)
http://hometown.aol.com/stefanv
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