166 replies to this topic

[Danny Steyn]

Ron, yup Craig nailed it, we are poking the big bad bear! In all seriousness, Bench's consistent voice is one of the reasons that the 1.6 Parity issue did not get buried, and after a lot of deliberation, the SMAC recommended the changes to the NA1.6 that we are seeing today. So for that, all owners of 1.6 and the Spec Miata class in general owe a debt of gratitude to Bench, but that wont stop us ragging on him either. Its just too easy 

 

At the WGI Majors, to see Ralle Rookey take his 1.6, run down and pass Selin Rolan, one of the most consistent performers all season, in a really strong 99, indicates that a good 1.6 in the hands of a good driver is definitely an effective weapon. Sure he didn't catch Tyler who was long gone at by the time Ralle made his way through the traffic after a poor start. Remember that WGI is at a track with significant elevation changes and where Torque is a tremendous advantage. But the ability to carry entry and mid corner speed can mitigate some of the lack of torque, as long as you have clean track. 

 

Will be really interesting to see if a strong driver takes a strong NA1.6 to the Runoffs at Mid Ohio where handling is a key ingredient to success.

[Danica Davison]

How hot was it at the glen that weekend?  Any sign of the 1.6 having a heat soak issue anymore up north? 

 

The 1.6s down here with david Johnson and John wilding in the sebring short course ran the same times as us Qualifying, and for the first few laps in the races, were able to hang with us pretty well.  But then after a few laps, us 1.8s checked out and left the 1.6s. It was very hot so I am not sure if they are having they were still experiencing the heat soak issue or if we were just more consistent or what, I don't know.  The 1.6s are pretty strong with all the new upgrades which I think a lot of them are happy about! 

[Jamz14]

Ron, yup Craig nailed it, we are poking the big bad bear! In all seriousness, Bench's consistent voice is one of the reasons that the 1.6 Parity issue did not get buried, and after a lot of deliberation, the SMAC recommended the changes to the NA1.6 that we are seeing today. So for that, all owners of 1.6 and the Spec Miata class in general owe a debt of gratitude to Bench, but that wont stop us ragging on him either. Its just too easy 

 

Will be really interesting to see if a strong driver takes a strong NA1.6 to the Runoffs at Mid Ohio where handling is a key ingredient to success.

A sad statement that the secret to get adjustments is nagging and bitching. Explains the NA 1.8.  Too bad that there isn't an impartial review advisory board that consults with the organizations on behalf of all years.

[Jim Drago]

 

 

At the WGI Majors, to see Ralle Rookey take his 1.6, run down and pass Selin Rolan, one of the most consistent performers all season, in a really strong 99, indicates that a good 1.6 in the hands of a good driver is definitely an effective weapon. Sure he didn't catch Tyler who was long gone at by the time Ralle made his way through the traffic after a poor start. 

It could also suggest that it is more than an effective weapon?  I think we can all agree that Tyler and Selin are more accomplished racers at this point, both proven multiiple time majors winners in majors winning equipment. Ralle certainly talented in his own right.  "Should" Ralle be able to pass or run with them? I dont know. Maybe he can/should, maybe not? We have no idea and can't make that case from the info we have IMO. That does little to sway the parity discusion either way IMO other than maybe to quiet a few and get a few NB drivers complaining.

[DrDomm]

How hot was it at the glen that weekend?  

 

 

Mid-80's.  No humidity, slight breeze.  Beautiful!

[John Wilding]

Mid-80's.  No humidity, slight breeze.  Beautiful!

That weather report sounds a lot different than the mid to high 90's and 100% humidity that we had in early June, the head index was 100+. I am looking forward to seeing how the 1.6 benchmarks against the 1.8's in the cooler months of Florida.The changes to the 1.6 have surely made racing my car more fun again. Thanks to the SMAC for the love!

[tburas56]

Can someone post the new 1.6 rule changes? I am sure it was in one of these post but I can not find shit if its not on the topic board to the right anymore.

[John Wilding]

Can someone post the new 1.6 rule changes? I am sure it was in one of these post but I can not find shit if its not on the topic board to the right anymore.

 

Remove driver side corner turn indicator, wrap the intake to prevent heat, and clean the inside welds of the manifold. Cheap upgrades!

[Jim Drago]

Remove driver side corner turn indicator, wrap the intake to prevent heat, and clean the inside welds of the manifold. Cheap upgrades!

To clarify...

It is not wrap the entire intake. It is the pipe that brings air to throttle body, not the actual intake manifold

[Bench Racer]

To clarify...

It is not wrap the entire intake. It is the pipe that brings air to throttle body, not the actual intake manifold

We need to be clear for everyone. (I've read a couple times, you don't let your 1.6 driver touch a wrench.) The plastic tube between the AFM and the throttle body that intake air passes through.

 

But then one of y'all from Texas took out yer slide rule along with heat transfer education and said ain't no air heating up between the AFM and the throttle body.     I know full well I'm a Yankee, BUT I do know how to use a thermocouple as do others who turned in their data to the SMAC. 

[MPR22]

We need to be clear for everyone. (I've read a couple times, you don't let your 1.6 driver touch a wrench.) The plastic tube between the AFM and the throttle body that intake air passes through.

 

But then one of y'all from Texas took out yer slide rule along with heat transfer education and said ain't no air heating up between the AFM and the throttle body.      I know full well I'm a Yankee, BUT I do know how to use a thermocouple as do others who turned in their data to the SMAC. 

Where is this data?  At this point i want to start testing on my 1.6.  I understand the basics of heat transfer and plastics and I want to play with this wrap.  Would like to see this data to see if it matches my data. Or did we give the 1.6 two things to cool the intake air and only one of them really works.  

[Bench Racer]

Michael, your not the Texan the comment was aimed at.

 

It doesn't mean squat what my data or others is, some people believe only their data. Have at it, pull the parking light/collect data, then wrap plastic tube/collect data after your data tell me wrapping the plastic tube doesn't have value.

[MPR22]

How was the test performed?  On a dyno  or on a track?  Real time data logging?  Did you test the wrap before you pulled the turn signal or did you do both at the same time.  I need to know these things to validate prior test results and to develop a hypothesis of what is going on.  If you go touch the plastic intake tube after a race it is not unbearably hot and it cools very rapidly.  I am not saying it is impossible for the temps to rise from the box to the plenum because of heat transfer but it seems unlikely.  I have seen cars that dyno so-so and you get them on the track and they are pure rocket ships so I do believe there is some magic in this thing we call racing.   

[MPR22]

ps.  sorry this thread has jumped the shark

[Bench Racer]

All my data was collected with parking light in place therefore how can my data be valid. I'm bailing out of this discussion because it's a no win (for me) situation. I know what the end results of your data collection should be, if you perform the process correctly.

 

Thank you to the 1.6er's who believed the rule changes blessed by the SMAC are valid and made the changes. Great job SMAC. 

[Todd Lamb]

In all seriousness, Bench's consistent voice is one of the reasons that the 1.6 Parity issue did not get buried, and after a lot of deliberation, the SMAC recommended the changes to the NA1.6 that we are seeing today.

This may be the funniest thing I've read all week. Danny you must have been on mute!

[Todd Lamb]

This represents 60% of 1.6 drivers today, sadly.

Can someone post the new 1.6 rule changes? I am sure it was in one of these post but I can not find shit if its not on the topic board to the right anymore.

[Chris Ashcraft]

Glad i am in the 40% Todd, if you cant find the rules i mean how did you get your license and how do you expect to have any chance. We got nearly 5hp just by grinding the welds in the exhaust manifold..talk about cheap HP 

[Tom Scheifler]

Only 5? You're not doing it right!

[Steve Scheifler]

If anyone got 5hp from the allowed header changes alone then they had serious issues before that. Just no way possible if your car was well tuned and the header didn't have a big turd stuck in it. But I can match that with just a little carelessness (btw, that's less than negligence) in operating the dyno.