However, I think Saul (Mark) has suggested the simplest and cheapest way to at least reduce the degree to which the 1.6 falls even further behind late in the race. To quote from his post in another topic:
-The 1.6 slows down as a function of high air temperature and heat soak more than the other cars. The 1.6 runs at higher IAT compared to ambient than the other cars. You may notice the 1.6s fall back in hot weather or at the end of races, versus setting blistering qually times in the cold and falling back LESS on cold days.
-The straight intakes are, to some extent, hood-up "dyno queens". With the hood down, they suck hot stagnant air from the master cylinder area. I think the overall efficiency of the EFI and the engine can also be why the 1.6 slows down as it gets hot, but I can't quantify it or prove it.
-A special 1.6 intake to suck cold air would be expensive - but allowing a provision for cold air to be funneled and insulated to the master cylinder/air filter area would be cheap and "DIY-able".
Is there any support for this as an immediate way to at least help the 1.6 maintain what power it does have throughout the race?
What pitfalls do you see, and how would you word it to reduce the ways people could abuse the rule for other gains? For example, could it be as simple as allowing the left front headlight assembly to be replaced with a mesh screen, and maybe add a heat shield between intake and exhaust?