Unfortunately some of us are limited by funds, and this is the most affordable class to participate in, but the engineering side has alot more to it other than the engine. With that being said, while the purpose is to put everyone on a level playing field, it should not stop anyone from thinking of legal ways to create more power. If someone decides they need to purposely cheat, that's one thing, but If I can create horsepower simply by using an oil that anyone can go buy, there is nothing wrong with it, it's just a matter of doing homework.
Fact of the matter is the 602/604 crate program is severely flawed simply because DIRT and the tracks running them believed the seals would make it easier for them (AKA, less work). I think this sport has proved over and over again that if you don't keep an eye on what the racers are doing, soon the inmates are running the asylum and tracks lose control. Fulton started checking engines last year and as soon as a couple people got tossed, other tracks started paying attention. While it can be managed, tracks need to step up now and start doing what should have been done from the start. There are other ways to effectively seal these engines, the problem is without a solid sanction anymore, tracks have to work together, and getting that to happen is like pulling teeth in many cases.
While I agree that IMCA has a good model, it won't work here, because as soon as you do it, there will be someone who decides not to, and everyone will go race at that track. At this point it becomes more expensive to change verses grabbing the reigns on what you have and controlling it.
As for the Accord deal, they want to bring guys back who have been priced out and say there are a ton of the older open engines sitting around. Ok, good in principle, but here is the thing... In the end it won't be any cheaper. The only thing different is the fact they won't have a full body on it, saving somewhere in the neighborhood of $800ish. You still have to have tires, one of which is a mandated tire by the track that will have to be bought new. Shocks... Not really sure what the intent of that rule is as they all have oil in them. Then you have to run on pump gas. Good idea for the crates since that is what they are designed fore, but some of those open engines sitting around will require some work to make that possible. So where does the savings come in? It's a class for guys who can't compete in the regular class anymore, or people who refused to buy crate engines when they became mandatory. Honestly, we don't need any more classes, we need rule books written with common sense in mind to help control costs and keep racers active instead of forcing people out because they can't afford to keep up with the people who can afford all the new toys and can cheat their stuff up at will.
If it's undetectable, how do you know if you got all 25?? Isn't that like saying you got a better air guitar???
LOL
I just have to wonder... Since they are using the word, "undetectable", I have to think these would be illegal methods by the rules. So why would a respected publication want to ad more fuel to the fire by telling everyone how to cheat up a crate engine?
It must not be completely undetectable, some body found a way and somebody else found out about it. I don't imagine that Dick Bergren is publishing this to show anybody how, but to get people to stop and make it a fair playing field like it was intended. PS, I am not a crate advocate.
LOL
I just have to wonder... Since they are using the word, "undetectable", I have to think these would be illegal methods by the rules. So why would a respected publication want to ad more fuel to the fire by telling everyone how to cheat up a crate engine?
I would imagine they are just "reporting" on what is already going on anyway. By letting more people know about it, they are in a sense "leveling the playing field".
As for the Accord deal, they want to bring guys back who have been priced out and say there are a ton of the older open engines sitting around. Ok, good in principle, but here is the thing... In the end it won't be any cheaper. The only thing different is the fact they won't have a full body on it, saving somewhere in the neighborhood of $800ish. You still have to have tires, one of which is a mandated tire by the track that will have to be bought new. Shocks... Not really sure what the intent of that rule is as they all have oil in them. Then you have to run on pump gas. Good idea for the crates since that is what they are designed fore, but some of those open engines sitting around will require some work to make that possible. So where does the savings come in? It's a class for guys who can't compete in the regular class anymore, or people who refused to buy crate engines when they became mandatory. Honestly, we don't need any more classes, we need rule books written with common sense in mind to help control costs and keep racers active instead of forcing people out because they can't afford to keep up with the people who can afford all the new toys and can cheat their stuff up at will.
I agree that there are too many classes. There are also too many classes that look alike. This is especially true at Accord since they have modifieds, sportsman, and spec sportsman (crate), all running on the same night. The new body snatcher class will run on a different night. It would have been better if it replaced one of the existing sportsman classes. At least it will look different.
I also see they are doing away with the sail panels. Love them or hate them, it was something to change them up a little, Now you truly have 3 identical classes of cars. I remember back when I first started going to Fulton I hated the sail panels but they grew on me, and to the casual fan, it was the only thing different between Mods and Sportsman.
On the Accord bodyless division: ............In theory, if you take away the downforce of the bodys, wouldn't that make HP less important and put more of a premium on handling?
That would be correct. Definately changes the game a little bit.
Being from Vt I am used to crates, and all the things that will gain HP WITHOUT actually opening them up. I have seen MORE than a 25 HP gain on a dyno just messing with headers, legal carbs, etc.
Put one on a chassis dyno and you will gain even more. Crates often like different things to make extra HP than open motors. The stuff you find with a chassis dyno doesn't show up a lot of time on a dyno in the motor shop
I have found that in some ways crates are no different than open motors, no 2 are alike and what gains HP on one will lose on another, even though the motors are supposedly identical. There is no magic formula, especially for those who don't work hard at it
Why dont they just weld the whole f-ing motor together and when they blow up they get tossed?
What's the recommend filler metal for welding cast aluminum to cast iron?
This isn't about crate motors, its about selling magazines. Look at the original post then scan down through the list of Speedway Illustrated writers and editors.