Ahhh - but DOT/EPA approval, minimum production number
cars not required cars are now allowed in Prepared. Also NOC.
With that broad of a range, and the vast number of kit bodies
from F40 to Countach and everything between available for the
Fiero, betcha I could find a loophole or 2 and gain an advantage.
Of course, I ain't that stupid. I have been trying to keep up with
the rules for 5 years now with this car, and can't. Don't feel inclined
to spend thousands more only to be regulated out or put somewhere
else (see my original letter about attrition and it's causes).
Using the same criteria as you used to tell me how competitive I
should be, check out Lee Miller's results by comparison - he is
running a tad more power (at least he CLAIMS 250hp) than I in his
AP Fiero, has a double wishbone rear with 12" tires, and may be
further developed than I was ('til now) - -how did he do against the
Babb's, or Shomberg (Lee has chased Barry all throughout the
CenDiv for years), or Bruce in the Cobra (not to mention the "new
rules kit-car" Cobra and it's potential - -most Cobra kits are on tube
frames - - ) last year?
For that matter, ever see a competitive Fiero, as classed, since the
CS (pre-Miata) days? Only because they have been mis-classed (or
out-classed in the class they were assigned, however you wish to
look at it) ever since.
I chose not to compete in the Nationals last year, - and probably won't
this year either ( I will be there again this year, just as last, but as a
spectator to visit my son and watch him run in FS). And I am truly
thinking of quitting this sport - - for drag racing. Maybe my heart would
get back in autox if the politicians (yes, you read that right) in power in
Denver would leave classes and classing alone that weren't broke, and
fix those that are.
G
----------
> From: Gemery@aol.com
> To: quad4fiero@webzone.net; autox@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: The REAL screwing (AP)
> Date: Monday, June 21, 1999 3:54 PM
>
> George Ryan writes:
> > Kit cars? [...] Which class I end up in would be determined by
> > which body I emulate, but I am positive a Fiero could beat the rules
> > with a kit car re-body simply because there are so many kits made
> > for that chassis.
>
> I'd expect you would also need the correct engine for the replicar--
> generic "no-name" kit cars wouldn't be allowed. That's probably open
> to interpetation since it wasn't explicitly written in FastTrack where we
> got an intention, rather than a rule.
>
> > Regarding the 4 cylinder/238 hp multi-valve against the 425hp+/427
Cobra,
> > (fully prepared) with only a hundred pounds difference, throw math at
me
> > all you want - - I would lose.
>
> Here's where we gotta talk some more. I've not seen enough 427 Cobras
> with the required restrictor plate (only a 35mm hole, remember!) to
> know what sort of HP they'd make. However, if you compare their
> 35mm restrictor plate to the venturis you're using (if you have 48
> DCOEs, you've probably got 40 or 42mm venturis)... the 427 is
> SEVERELY choked down.
>
> If we look at 1998 Nationals results, the only 427 Cobra there was 2 sec
> per day behind the leader... Bruce Cambern, the driver, hadn't competed
> at Nationals since 1985 when he won BM. I've a good feeling that no
> corners were cut in building his car and he's got acceptable credentials
> as a driver, so it's likely that his 427 Cobra is similar in power/weight
to
> the Elan. I sincerely doubt that the Cobra is making twice the bhp/lb
that
> the Elan is making, which is what your estimate of 425 HP indicates--if
> it did, you'd see results more like AP vs. BM in favor of the Cobra!
>
> > George, I will openly invite you to drive my car, - - which until
allowed
> > open fuel injection has had everything done to it that can be legally
> > done in it's class - - powertrain and chassis - - against any of the
> > above cars. I'll even pay your airfare (I work for an airline).
>
> Being a car slut and willing to embarass myself for the greater good,
> I'll gladly take you up on the offer! We'll discuss details in private
and
> post the results?
>
> In general, any fuel injection is allowed in Prepared--many people forget
> to read rule 15.10.C.3! The caveat is you must weigh 10% more than
> the specified weight from Appendix A (15.10.C.3.c & d). Certain stock
> fuel injection systems are allowed without the weight penalty.
>
> Your particular Fiero configuration, with the quad-4 swap allowed
> by GT rules, makes matters more difficult. I'd guess that interchanging
> Solo & GT rules isn't allowed and thus FI is not permitted, but I haven't
> really dug through the rules concerning this allowance.
>
> > BTW - - using your math - - how WILL my car do in bracket racing??
>
> Now that I would not know... I can only estimate for autox. :-)
>
> George Emery
> gemery@aol.com
> http://members.aol.com/gemery
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