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From: Carl Dreher[SMTP:focusrsh@arn.net]
Sent: Friday, November 12, 1999 7:48 PM
Cc: land-speed@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Electronics vs. old way
I've been wandering if the day isn't coming when the supercharged
classes are going to be dominated by the electronics managed tubocharged
motors and us guys who just don't want to go their are racing amongst
ourselves. I watch cars like Krugels CBG/Alt put the record where AA cars
dream of going. It would appear that if you have the money and the inkling to
use electronics to manage a tubo'd motor it is possible to pull hundreds more
HP than you can with mechanical means. I guess I wander if one day the
records will be split between electronics managed motors and non. Kind of give
us our own XO classes, maybe NE class (no electronics) or will we just kind
of disappear from the scene?? I admit I'm stuck in the 60s but I like old cars
and the way they were made to run back then and besides I will also feel great
if I can get my Hilborn to work properly. Anybody else feel the same way? I
know that either way you do it, It is a great challenge with satisfying
results and electronics is here and now and the future, I just feel its two
different ball games, maybe its okay if we go the way of Vintage racing
someday. I've been crewing on Bob Ragsdales 53 stude CBG/alt for the last few
years which he has really worked to get the record in the class. In l996 we
qualified on an open record just in front of David Parks tubocarged early
Camaro, we broke and he set the record at 225, fought on for a couple of years
and along comes Krugals awesome car which puts the record where no Studebaker
is likely to ever go. So its to D class last year and along comes John Rain
who sets the record at something like 247, about dreamable max for Bobs car
with its now near state of the art dialed in injected, intercooled 671
supercharged chev with electronic surveillance. So off to another class hopping
some super sleek tubo'd car doesn't get to the line before he has a chance.
I hate to see cars like this disappear like the flatheads and GMC six cars
almost did. Keep an eye on the situation in
of us can get suggestion forms at the timing stand and take action to keep this
style of doing things alive. Regards Kvach in N.Idaho
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