Of course, a 1275 Bugeye'd really open a can-o-whupass on a Honda... ;)
I've got to go with Bill's sentiments here. Since I've got 10 Spridgets in
various street and racing trim, I hope that qualifies me as one with a
semi-quasi-nearly intelligent opinion.
I race 948 Sprites. Favor them. I think they make you a better driver. On
occasion when I was "in between" motors, I have run a race or two with a
nearly stock 1275... which might be easier to drive because of torque, still
isn''t as fast as a good race 948.
948's are significantly more expensive to build. Some parts are now
"unobtanium"... like any cast performance piston. Your choices are 998
Copper pistons (with a different crown height) or go to a custom forged
piston. Good crankshafts are starting to get hard to come buy.
There's no significant structure or weight difference between a Bugeye and a
later model Spridget.
In VSCDA we used to place 1275 Bgeyes in Group 8... but a recent re-org of
classes puts them in Group 2, so all Sprites run together... which is Ok
with me. (We just slap "cheatin' dog" stickers on 'em when they're not
looking...)
2 other 'related" topics...one concerning Sprites, and one in general. Some
organizations take a hard line on fiberglass bonnets on Sprites. I've always
found that funny, since from about day one tuners like Speedwell, etc sold
and raced Sprites with all sorts of different noses and tops. The Works even
went as far as having stock looking Bugeyes at Sebring with nearly all of
the body in fiberglass. So, is SCCA period rules the only thing we go by, or
period FIA or similar cars of the era allowed?
The other thing is, I suspect that the "crunch" (and I mean cash, not
fenders) in vintage racing will be even more pronounced this year, with
attendance dropping even further at some venues. Sure, "old money" will
almost always have it... but the disposable income of the rest of us that
belong to the "great unwashed" is most likely greatly reduced, due to
shrinking portfolios, and corporate layoffs. many race organizers might be
begging for entrants soon enough.
WST
FLounder
Team Thicko
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-vintage-race@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-vintage-race@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of WSpohn4@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2003 12:12 PM
To: vintage-race@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: 1275s in Bugeyes
In a message dated 15/05/03 9:42:41 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
s800racer@earthlink.net writes:
> Imagine Porsche 356's with a 2.4 liter motor or a'57 vette with a 427ci.
> Most vintage groups would not allow those engine swaps. A 1275cc in a
> Bugeye is no different - wrong motor for the car.
>
While I don't disagree with your sentiment, the Bugeye example is a bit less
egregious than you indicate, as the engine is a later version of the 948
(via
1098) that WAS used in the car.
Your examples cite a completely different engine being used than was ever
available for the car - bathtub Porkers never had any version of the 911
motor, and early Corvettes didn't have big blocks (1965 was the first year).
A better comparison would have been MGAs with MGB engines, early Porsche 911
with 2.4 motors, Triumph GT6 with 2.5 engines, Volvo P1800 with B21 engines,
etc.
Arguments can and have been made for limited updating in order to make the
racing affordable, with varying degrees of success.
I doubt that many, if any of the Alfas, Volvos, Ford GT40s, Tigers...are
still running original size engines.
OTOH, I have a lot of sympathy for the guys with Bugeyes. The early engines
would pound bearings out every few races. like clockwork. They could produce
the same power (pretty much) with a 948 in full bore SCCA trim as they could
with a much more mildly tuned 1275, which they wouldn't have to be
rebuilding
every couple of races. I am of two minds about whether they should be forced
to go one way as opposed to the cheaper route. I think most of the agitation
comes from people that can't resist the all too human urge to build an SCCA
version of the larger engine, which will then be even faster that the
original engine ever could be.
Hard choices. Be glad you and I don't have to make them as race organisers -
it is lots of fun pissing off at least half the people with ANY decision you
make, and all for zero pay (been there, done that).
Bill
58 MG
63 TVR
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