Mazda engine restrictors
There's been discusison lately about cutting the power of the Mazda rotories by reducing their air inlet size. At one time the Comp Board agreed and reduced carb venturies. However, a tech bulletin has been issued that reverses that decision. I've asked the Comp Board for a response and when it comes I'll post it here.
In the meantime, this is an area that should be discussed openly and candidly by competitors. There aren't many of us to begin with and the Mazda boys constitute a pretty large percentage of us on any given day. Whatever happens with the issue should be as fair as possible.
John Mikes C/SR Ralt RT5/VW 1600 john.mikes@worldnet.att.net http://john.mikes.home.att.net
max
Unregistered User
(3/19/00 1:29 pm)
restrictions
air inlet restriction is one way to limit power.
Another thought is that in some motorcycle series, they dyno each bike to make sure they are
within a certain horsepower. Could we have something like this? Add weight to those cars with
excessive hp say over 240.
Bill Meyer
Unregistered User
(3/20/00 6:15 am)
CSR hp restriction
If you dyno and restrict HP on the basis of Dyno testing, the Toyota's will be the first to get hit: I have heard that trap speeds at the Runoffs last year showed several cars to be faster in a straight line than the Mazda powered cars.
I can believe this to be true: I could run with or catch any of the Mazda powered cars down the back straight. They were cleaning my clock in the corners (combination of my lack of car development time due to motor reliability and also driver ability).
I think it would be appropriate to be very honest about how much time we, as individuals, spend developing our cars: those who spend the time testing, tuning and tweeking will stand out above those (me as an example) who barely have time to get a safe car on the track.
Re: CSR hp restriction
I've heard that a Lola/Toyota outran Ben Beasely's Mazda cleanly at Road America last year. That could indicate cleaner aero. It could also mean the Toyota has better torque and gets off the corners better. I've talked to a few GT Mazda runners in the past and while they like their top end power they've all said they get smoked off the corners by the piston cars. In my opinion we also need to consider torque when we evaluate engines.
We also need to consider that we race on different tracks. I can see that a top end motor like the Mazda might do well at power tracks like Brainerd and Atlanta, but would have trouble at shorter tracks like Blackhawk and Hallett. If we cut power based on what we see at a top end power venue then are we making it even more difficult for them to compete on the shorter tracks?
John Mikes C/SR Ralt RT5/VW 1600 john.mikes@worldnet.att.net http://john.mikes.home.att.net
Wally Butler
Unregistered User
(3/20/00 4:14 pm)
Choices
I agree with Bill and John on this subject. I feel that the class philosophy is designed to allow those that want to do something different the opportunity to run under a limited rule book. That concept is what attracted me to CSR. The cars are different, the power is different and certainly the preparation and driver ability is different.
I have talked with Ben Beasley numerous times about what he does with his car. If you have the chance to see his car please note the changes he makes from event to event. My challenge is getting my car in the trailer and travelling from Canada to the races! He did much research about Mid-Ohio and determined that if you can get through turn 1 flat out you are probably going to have a quick lap time. He used the regional race prior to the runoffs as a test event for a new front diffuser and different rear wing options. I believe he was able to achieve his goal of better grip leading to remarkable lap times. I think his advantages were more due to preparation and modification than a huge horsepower advantage.
I would like to see Tom Jagemann (Lola-Toyota) and Ben Beasley (Ralt-Mazda) square off at the runoffs! Too bad Tom crashed his car at the Sprints last year because he was blindingly quick.
If I choose I could run a rotary powered car but I choose not too because of an affinity for my Toyota power. A problem started from ice racing. But the point is it is my choice. I like the class because of that.
Wally Butler
#67 CSR
max
Unregistered User
(3/21/00 8:22 pm)
rotary vs piston
The rotary guys could add a gear and stay in their rev range better. Wouldn't that help them?
Comp Board response from Phil Creighton
Received the following note from Comp Board chairman Phil Creighton explaining the Mazda air restrictor decision.
Many thanks to Mr. Creighton for his prompt reply.
"John - We were trying to get Atlantic and CSR on the same spec for engines and did not quite get it right to the dismay of a number of FA competitors. It was decided to rescind what had been done (except for stipulating a choke size in Toyota FA) for a better look for 2001. There may have been justification for leaving CSR with smaller Mazda chokes due to the Beasley performance but in spite of rumours to the contrary we are trying to be logical and consistent. There was also a sentiment about rocking the boat in CSR with the probation. Please try to get everybody to enter an extra race or two - CSR is SO close to
not making it."
John Mikes C/SR Ralt RT5/VW 1600 john.mikes@worldnet.att.net http://john.mikes.home.att.net
max
Unregistered User
(3/22/00 11:27 am)
rotary vs piston
I thought the engines in CSR are built to GT-3 engine specs. I don't see Mazda winning in that
category, (read Toyota power). Do not restrict an engine further for one man's ( B. Beasley)
attention to detail. The same could be said for Tracer.
As soon as some one starts kicking butt in a Radical your attention will turn away from the
rotary dilemma.
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