New vintage flathead four cylinder class proposed

[JustaRacer]

...

"low cost racing" is an myth, period. We spend more than we can afford to serve this addiction, drugs are for the smart folks.
...

Very true.  However, what is important for good mental health (I don't qualify), is to set a very specific goal, and a budget, and STOP when you reach it.

Much like most Bville entries stopping power, 'braking up is hard to do'...

We exceeded our performance goals by a huge margin, and our budget by 10 fold.  Then we still kept at it.  Finally, poverty fixed the problem.

Regardless of some attitudes you might encounter, there is nothing evil about "informal records".  Oddly enough, some of those who scold folk who aim at informal records, actually know a lot of those kinds of records and recall them with fondness.   I think that is what causes the class "explosion"?  I don't know, but it is often interesting to write down or remember when something ran that was memorable.  

I will remember my informal records far better than the paper ones.  The paper ones are from failed events or on the brakes to avoid an unnecessary tech limit, or with the engine off and chute out beforehand.

However if you want a budget class of any kind, you need to cap engine mods.  There is no serious limits to engine mods.  Even production can run 100% aftermarket driveline pieces.  $100,000 "production" engine?  Sure, if you can afford it, it's allowed. Beryllium pistons are outlawed by F1 due to cost but are legal for SCTA.

If Toyota wanted any existing SCTA record, they could buy it.  Apple could hold all the records if they wanted.  What caps the spending today is the wealth of the car owner, there isn't any major players in most classes.  If Ford wants your record for whatever reason, it's theirs, and there ain't much you can do about it.

[gkabbt]

Set a very specific goal, and a budget, and STOP when you reach it.
We exceeded our performance goals by a huge margin, and our budget by 10 fold.  Then we still kept at it. Finally, poverty fixed the problem.

JustaRacer,

Very well written post and words to live by.....Not only in racing but life in general.

Gregg

[wobblywalrus]

An idea on a entry class is to limit the induction to a single, specific and small carburetor.  It would not make a lot of difference on how much money was spent on the engine.  It would have a limited amount of mixture and that is all it gets.  The specified carb could be just big enough for a well built four cylinder to use all of the mixture, or a moderately built six, or a lightly hopped up eight.  Easy to enforce.  The carb is up and in plain view.   

[RichFox]

No

[salt]

Since when is LSR supposed to be "spec" racing?


Willi

[johnneilson]

other than this question when is budget and vintage used in the same sentence

[V4F STR 60]

Please don't remove RACING from landspeed racing.  This isn't a vintage car show, we are here to set landspeed records.

[Tman]

Spec=lame, just look at bracket racing

[joea]

...for many its the american way...spec racing...spec living...

[Tman]

...for many its the american way...spec racing...spec living...

Which brings my favorite quote. "built to code" which means it was built to the lowest accepted standard, like passing with a D grade!

[joea]

...the same carburetor "throat"..."intake" "income" "energy" etc .for all...lets see who can do the best
...its only "fair"...

[V4F STR 60]

FYI ~  V4F is not a Ford-only class, therefore it is impossible (God Forbid) for it to be a spec class.  The differences between Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet, Plymouth, etc. engines of that era are incalculable, with absolutely no interchangability.

There is nothing broken about the current V4F rules as written.

[38flattie]

I've watched this thread and kept quite, but decided to now weigh in.

First, about the 'spec' style class proposed by  Wobblywalrus- Seriously?

Bobby, while I liked your initial proposal, I doubt it would fly. I think that EVEN if you got it started, there would always be those trying to get it changed, probably going down the same path it is now! To me, the club idea sounds very doable!

Pedro, I follow the Montana Boys's exploits with awe and admiration! You guys have done a helluva job getting those old Dodge 4 bangers moving!

Having said that, however, I have to say that I'm in favor of the rule change, so that electronics are kept out of the vintage class, and the playing field is level.

I know that this will negatively impact some of the cars out there, but I think that if a guy can get these old mills moving down the salt, he can change ignitions.

When I started the build, I figured I'd run a boost referenced MSDbox- after all, the rules said any ignition. I was diligent about running almost all of my build ideas through the tech deptartment, because I was new, and didn't want issues on the salt.

I was told absolutely no way! Ok, they didn't word it like that, but said no. We run a simple magneto now.

At Bonneville this year, I was careful to look at the other vintage setups VERY carefully, especially in impound. Guess what? The playing field is NOT level! Cars set records, and made it through impound with MSD boxes, boost referenced MSD boxes, etc!

So, either we need everyone to be able to run this stuff in vintage, or no one. I vote no one

Good luck with that Dodge. Garry and Craig said you had figured out some issues with the head, so I'll be watching you set new records next year, I'm betting!

[JustaRacer]

...for many its the american way...spec racing...spec living...

You can't have spec racing in LSR.  Don't worry so much.  

I can't believe so many people don't know what it is on a race forum.

[V4F STR 60]

But... electronics already ARE in vintage classes!  Digital gauges, digital ignition boxes, computerized data loggers, etc are all currently approved and readily used.

And exactly what is "vintage" about a Fluidamper, crank trigger, MSD 6AL-2 box, A/F sensor, modern tires, fiberglass tonneau, hydraulic internal throwout bearings, serpentine or Gilmer belt, coil packs, etc., all which are currently approved and in use.

There is NO performance difference between optimizing your timing curve on a distributor with a Sun machine, or doing so in an electronic ignition box.

There are NO advantages with a digital ignition in a class where you already can't run EFI and can't use reactive electronics.

If this is approved it sets a dangerous precedent for changes to any of the other above items to be made on a whim, with no more basis than someone saying "It's not Vintage".  I don't know about you, but scares the crap out of me!