S
steve
Guest
This spring I found out that Toyo Tires is replacing the Proxes RA-1 with the R-888. I was told that the compound is the same but the construction is different. We should not have any problem getting RA-1s this year but will want to change the rules to also allow R-888s next year. I would recommend that we stay with the Toyos as they are a durable consistent tire.
I have also looked at other possible rule changes. I hoped to find changes that were cheap, durable and gave a significant improvement.
The people from California that I have talked to think that the rule changes they made helped keep interest up in the class. After careful consideration, I think we should make our rules similar to those of the California Sports Car Club Region of SCCA.
Basically the changes are to allow 205-60-13 tires, 7 x 13 inch wide wheels and a weight reduction to 2300 lbs. The minimum wheel weight is 13 lbs (Diamond $59, Circle $87). Lighter wheels (down to 9 lbs) are allowed with a weight penalty of 2 lbs for each pound of difference between the specified weight (13 lbs) and the actual wheel weight. I don't think this was intended as a performance advantage but was to allow cars with heavy drivers a way to be more competetive.
To help meet the weight reduction they allowed removal of door windows and regulators (11 lbs each), the heater core, blower fan and motor (? lbs), and the headlight, buckets and motors (22.5 lbs each). The battery is free and its location is behind the passanger seat. A 24 or 24F battery weighs 37 to 39 lbs. Braille makes the B14115, 11 lb, 8 oz ($150) that I have been told works fine with a big block V8. They even have the B106, 6 lbs, 6 oz ($140). Another possible place for weight redution is the rear window glass. Replacing it with 1/8 inch lexan ($126 materials + cut and form) saves 23 lbs. We could allow the plastic rear window instead of allowing wheels lighter than 13 lbs with a higher minimum weight - everyone could make the 2300 lbs and the total cost would be the same.
The new tires in combination with the weight reduction will result in a car with the same ability to accelerate, a slightly higher top speed and much improved cornering. (Going to taller wheels would require greater weight reduction or a diff change to avoid slight reduction in ability to accelerate.)
Additional possible mods:
4.10 diffenential ($558 + installation) - 4.9% improvement in acceleration - same top speed as now.
4.444 differential ($517 + installation) - 13.7 % improvement in acceleration - slight drop in top speed - ?rpm too high at Spokane?
ITA suspension ($1300)- I am not sure of the performance change - initially doesnt seem worth it to me.
Header/intake manifold/carb - might need brake upgrade - I have heard the headers don't last real well - I am afraid of this one - ususally when engine performance goes up, durability goes down.
Lets discuss this and try to reach a consensus. It will probably involve a meeting (2nd race PR?) or voting by email. I will make rule change proposals (or not) based on the consensus we reach.
I have also looked at other possible rule changes. I hoped to find changes that were cheap, durable and gave a significant improvement.
The people from California that I have talked to think that the rule changes they made helped keep interest up in the class. After careful consideration, I think we should make our rules similar to those of the California Sports Car Club Region of SCCA.
Basically the changes are to allow 205-60-13 tires, 7 x 13 inch wide wheels and a weight reduction to 2300 lbs. The minimum wheel weight is 13 lbs (Diamond $59, Circle $87). Lighter wheels (down to 9 lbs) are allowed with a weight penalty of 2 lbs for each pound of difference between the specified weight (13 lbs) and the actual wheel weight. I don't think this was intended as a performance advantage but was to allow cars with heavy drivers a way to be more competetive.
To help meet the weight reduction they allowed removal of door windows and regulators (11 lbs each), the heater core, blower fan and motor (? lbs), and the headlight, buckets and motors (22.5 lbs each). The battery is free and its location is behind the passanger seat. A 24 or 24F battery weighs 37 to 39 lbs. Braille makes the B14115, 11 lb, 8 oz ($150) that I have been told works fine with a big block V8. They even have the B106, 6 lbs, 6 oz ($140). Another possible place for weight redution is the rear window glass. Replacing it with 1/8 inch lexan ($126 materials + cut and form) saves 23 lbs. We could allow the plastic rear window instead of allowing wheels lighter than 13 lbs with a higher minimum weight - everyone could make the 2300 lbs and the total cost would be the same.
The new tires in combination with the weight reduction will result in a car with the same ability to accelerate, a slightly higher top speed and much improved cornering. (Going to taller wheels would require greater weight reduction or a diff change to avoid slight reduction in ability to accelerate.)
Additional possible mods:
4.10 diffenential ($558 + installation) - 4.9% improvement in acceleration - same top speed as now.
4.444 differential ($517 + installation) - 13.7 % improvement in acceleration - slight drop in top speed - ?rpm too high at Spokane?
ITA suspension ($1300)- I am not sure of the performance change - initially doesnt seem worth it to me.
Header/intake manifold/carb - might need brake upgrade - I have heard the headers don't last real well - I am afraid of this one - ususally when engine performance goes up, durability goes down.
Lets discuss this and try to reach a consensus. It will probably involve a meeting (2nd race PR?) or voting by email. I will make rule change proposals (or not) based on the consensus we reach.