38 replies to this topic

[Bench Racer]

Where's David Dewhurst when you need him?

Blake, you rang from afar. Mr. Burras will have this 1.6 stuff all covered. Untill the Runoffs. No disrespect intended.

Kyle, this site has no PopCorn, only

I hope every generation has a shot as well as the runoffs!

Charlie that ^ would be a dream come true.

[Keith Andrews]

Actually 2012 should be really FUN for everyone. Its gonna be all new for every model....

• How will the 1.6 do with the extra weight?
• How will the 1.6 deal with the extra rolling resistance of the Hoosiers?
• Will the 99's weight loss compensate for the horsepower loss?
• Will the '99 become competitive at tracks where weight used to kill the tires?
• Will the '01 emerge from the darkenss to be the sleeper many of us think it is?
• Will the '94-97 end up being the overdog that everyone is secretly thingking?
• Will the Hoosier close the field or open it up?

So many new things to work out - kind of exciting if you ask me! Traqmate will be your best buddy. Learning curve is gonna be steep

I'm guessing the 01+ will take over the role as car to have.......

[Panic Motorsports]

I'm guessing the 01+ will take over the role as car to have.......

That'd be a shame

[Jim Drago]

I'm guessing the 01+ will take over the role as car to have.......

The fear of the unknown

[Blake Clements]

The fear of the unknown

I think the 01 has a very good chance of surprising a lot of people. And the rules has made them look more attractive and will become more plentiful, and then we'll have 4 different cars to balance!

[Keith Andrews]

That'd be a shame

The fear of the unknown

Trouble makers

[Jim Drago]

I think the 01 has a very good chance of surprising a lot of people. And the rules has made them look more attractive and will become more plentiful, and then we'll have 4 different cars to balance!

I keep hearing this? Why is the 01 any more attractive in 2012 vs 2009? 2010? 2011? The difference between the 99 and the 01 has been the same since then?

We have always had four car to balance?



Jim

[Blake Clements]

I keep hearing this? Why is the 01 any more attractive in 2012 vs 2009? 2010? 2011? The difference between the 99 and the 01 has been the same since then?

We have always had four car to balance?



Jim

Yeah but they weren't overly competitive before, and the rules appear that they will be now?

Why are you building another if you tried once and were not happy with result?

[Jim Drago]

Yeah but they weren't overly competitive before, and the rules appear that they will be now?

Why are you building another if you tried once and were not happy with result?

I guess I don't understand what you are seeing? The 01-05 "weren't overly competitive before' , the car loses 50 lbs like the 99, it also loses 3 mm of plate like the 99, but with the same changes it went from not very competitive to very competitive? The only reason the car will do better is that people may start building more of them as the price of the donors has come down some. But they gained no competitive advantage within the rules in the last four years. Actually took a hit in NASA rules from last year. So anyone could have built one during that time and had the same advantage or disadvantage that the car has under 2012 rules.

As far as me building.. I have been pretty open about my reasons..

Our 99's are 4-5 HP better now than when we tried the the last 01 we built, that should translate...
I think the car may race better than it dynos
The main thing I think that could benefit the 01-05 is that it pulls really good from 5-6000, I think we spend the entire back straight there at Road America in 5th gear. I think it may have an advantage there? but have no proof. A lot to wager on a hunch.

I don't think me building a car changes the competitive advantage or disadvantage of a car that has been left the same for basically the last four years?

[Blake Clements]

I don't think me building a car changes the competitive advantage or disadvantage of a car that has been left the same for basically the last four years?

When you have a direct impact on the rules, I think you might be surprised what people think. You are kinda a big deal for this class.

[Jim Drago]

When you have a direct impact on the rules, I think you might be surprised what people think. You are kinda a big deal for this class.

As far as being a big deal.. I have to refer back to Bennetts line.. Outside me , you and 15 other....
nobody gives a &*(!! Besides only one more year and i will be a normal schmo, just like you


You see the build blog for the car I plan on racing, a 99/00... You see the blog on the 02 I am building now.( Which is for sale by the way) Look at the start dates. I did not own the 2002 until after the 2012 rules were out and published(intentionally) for all to see and to make the same decision if they so desired. You and every other competitor have the same option and time line to build any car you chose? If it doesnt pan out, it will become my STL car

It is human nature to read more into a situation than there really is. You have yet to point out the advantage the 01-05 has in 2012 has that it didn't have the last four years? Basing an opinion of a cars competitiveness on me or anyone else building one doesn't have much merit IMO.

[Cnj]

When you have a direct impact on the rules, I think you might be surprised what people think. You are kinda a big deal for this class.

he's not as big a deal as he used to be...

Cnj.

[Blake Clements]

he's not as big a deal as he used to be...

Cnj.

But still bigger than me, AND HE CALLED ME CHUBBY IN THIS THREAD!

[38bfast]

For anyone that thinks you can gain a competitive advantage by being on the SMAC or the CRB I encourage them to submit their resume as soon as possible. Most all on those committees pour their heart and sole into making racing better for all of us. They are also very careful to make sure they set as even playing field for all of us to play on. I for one am very pleased with the job Jim has done and hope that he will reconsider staying on longer. I think all the engineering, research and development he has done and then freely passes it on is very giving. The opposite of seeking a competitive advantage for himself.

Thanks Jim for all you are doing so we can have fun with our toys on the weekend.

[Tom Sager]

Actually 2012 should be really FUN for everyone. Its gonna be all new for every model....

• How will the 1.6 do with the extra weight?
• How will the 1.6 deal with the extra rolling resistance of the Hoosiers?
• Will the 99's weight loss compensate for the horsepower loss?
• Will the '99 become competitive at tracks where weight used to kill the tires?
• Will the '01 emerge from the darkenss to be the sleeper many of us think it is?
• Will the '94-97 end up being the overdog that everyone is secretly thingking?
• Will the Hoosier close the field or open it up?

So many new things to work out - kind of exciting if you ask me! Traqmate will be your best buddy. Learning curve is gonna be steep

My $.02 in order of your points...

1. 1.6 will be a tick slower with added weight
2. Rolling resistence differece should be similar for all cars but 1.6 is only car to have same power as last year.
3. 50 pound reduction will help '99. 1.8 lost 35 pounds in SCCA from late '10 to '11. That made a difference.
4. See number 3.
5. '01 looks great on paper. Did last year too. Would be fun to try one.
6. '94 - '97 loses 2.0 - 2.5 HP and 15 pounds in SCCA trim. Overall that will make car a tick slower.
7. Change to Hoosier in SCCA will probably mean setup and driving changes. They feel quite different to me.

NASA = stability from last year
SCCA = new ballgame

[Ron Alan]

94-97 overdog? Last year was everyones opportunity to mop up...if in fact this was an overdog...which based on the rules change someone thought it was! Ever so slightly slower this year IMO...

[Elliott Skeer]

(root beer only being 17) That would be great to see a good balance between the cars. That many changes in a year might be crazy though. My $$ is with the 01's

[Mike Collins]

yup Kyle - missed it - kinda zoned out of the NASA discussion last year.

Must stay I was not expecting such a drop off. Silly me - the math says I should have anticipated more.

• 41mm - 38mm = 202mm² reduction or approx 8.5% reduction in area.
• 124HP - 117HP = 7HP reduction or approx 5.65% reduction in power (yesterdays numbers on dynojet on an existing engine being tested)

Well if this is what we can expect, then I think there will be a changing of the guard. At Road Atlanta I had nothing for Buras's new 1.6 motor in a straight line, even when in the draft. With a great Rossini engine, with 41mm plate. Would not have been pretty with 7Hp less.

Suspect that we will see several 1.6's being re-comissioned and I have it on good authoirty that the "talented refugee" of whom you speak has given up on the '99 and is re-commissioning his '94.

"Oh what have I done".... says Steyn as he writes another check to OPM for his new '99 build!!!

Been on weight watchers for 2 months, down 16 lbs., 16 more to go. 1.6 car most of the way done. I will have a '99 as a spare when needed!

[Nsparks]

Been on weight watchers for 2 months, down 16 lbs., 16 more to go. 1.6 car most of the way done. I will have a '99 as a spare when needed!

Same here Mike! Well, minus the weight watchers.