New length rule

StevePond · #1 06-10-2004, 04:51 PM

After considerable discussion, we've decided that the intial length rule of 24 inches will be increased to 40 inches (1016mm) to accomodate 1/5 scale cars. The overall length of the longest body from FG (Mercedes CLK) is 37 inches, so we added a few inches to allow for some custom body work.

The rule was changed to open the contest up to people that want to try running bigger cars. I don't anticipate any other changes to the rules or to the venue. Thank you to everyone for their feedback.

DaFF · #2 06-10-2004, 05:16 PM

Good move !

DFF

Mike Keeney · #3 06-10-2004, 11:33 PM

Works for me, Thanks.

Mike

Speedtester · #4 06-11-2004, 12:00 AM

I was hoping it would have stayed with 1/8 scale cars, aww well.

Craps · #5 06-11-2004, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevePond

After considerable discussion, we've decided that the intial length rule of 24 inches will be increased to 40 inches (1016mm) to accomodate 1/5 scale cars.

Wow!

When you guys cave in, you guys really cave in big to the rule change and it makes me wonder how many changes there will be before the one year waiting period is up????

StevePond · #6 06-11-2004, 12:35 PM

Craps - If you're really not big on this thing, and it's quite obvious you aren't by reading through your posts, then maybe you can just move on and stop sniping about EVERYTHING. It's getting a little old.

thefasttrack · #7 06-11-2004, 05:04 PM

its about time someone said something about craps

DaFF · #8 06-11-2004, 05:54 PM

I understand and agree with what Steve said.

On the other hand, Craps is probably the most knowledgeable guy when it comes to BL stuff.

He always take a lot of his time to respond to ppl in the BL forum and I 've never seen him starting flame war...

I think he is in a very good position to come to this challenge with a BL buggy prototype that he already has and could net some VERY impressive speed.

He's got the knowledge and experience, the good connection and friends and he's got the material needed.

Only very few ppl are at his level.

That doesn't give him anymore right than others, but I mean we need to know the ppl we are dealing with !

Peace on earth and keep-up the good job Steve, I know you'll be successfull with this challenge.

I'll shut-up now !

DFF

Craps · #9 06-12-2004, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevePond

Craps - If you're really not big on this thing, and it's quite obvious you aren't by reading through your posts, then maybe you can just move on and stop sniping about EVERYTHING. It's getting a little old.

OK Steve, you win! It's you're sandbox and you're rules! I'll play nice now!

Let me make it up to you with a steak dinner in Calif, wait a minute, everybody is vegatarians out there! Just kidding, but dinners on me when I get to Calif.

Daff
Thanks for the flowers, but people like Mr. Constructor., NIC, Rotary Rocket and DualBL are a huge source of information too.

Mike Keeney · #10 06-12-2004, 05:31 PM

What about wheelie bars? Do they count as part of the overall length? I hope not as they would be an important safety device to prevent cars from getting airborne. If the car has 4 tires on the ground then the wheelie bar is of no consequence and doesn't contribute to a speed increase.

Thanks,
Mike

racerrandy · #11 06-12-2004, 10:54 PM

I am pretty sure the length rule is total. But I am not sure that at c-note speeds they would do any good.

BPPSupermaxx · #12 06-12-2004, 11:01 PM

Thanks Steve. That will make it more fun.

But how am I going to make my Knight Hauler with a trailer wiht 100 cells in it under 40 inches. LOL. Just kidding...

lerningdriver · #13 06-13-2004, 12:14 AM

I'm not really into this too much, but I think mike keeney has a really good point. the wheelie bar, if anything, will only slow the car down, though not considerably. I think that 1/5 scale cars going at speeds as high as 150 mph (estimating?) could be a great danger to bystenders. making it count as part of the actual car may keep people from using it for safety.

EddieWeeks · #14 06-13-2004, 12:39 AM

Great news.. I will be able to fit my AMT180 turbine on a 5th scale with out
having to shorten the chassis..

btw.. I am serious.. This challenge is not near a technical at the my last one..

http://www.corpcomp.com/weeks1/Rig2/FF/FF.html

Eddie Weeks
http://www.corpcomp.com

DaFF · #15 06-13-2004, 01:16 AM

All I can say is "Wow", here fade away the electric versus gas battle LoL

DFF

Mike Keeney · #16 06-13-2004, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerrandy

I am pretty sure the length rule is total. But I am not sure that at c-note speeds they would do any good.

Since this isn't a drag style race I don't think a wheelie bar would be necessary to get up to speed. But, it would help keep a heavier car like mine from rotating far enough to get airborne. 50 to 100 lbs moving at 150 mph won't leave too much time to duck, and would certainly hurt or kill someone if they got hit.

I think, for a multitude of reasons, I'll rig up something that will fire the chute if the car gets airborne.

Mike

racerrandy · #17 06-13-2004, 11:05 AM

No problem Mike, I was just giving my .02. Thats the cool thing about this contest, you can build it any way you please!
Later,Randy.

Mike Keeney · #18 06-13-2004, 01:19 PM

No problemo at all. I think you give much more than 2¢. I enjoy reading your posts.

Safety is such an important issue and I think we should have lots of discussion about it. Perhaps it should have its own thread.

Mike

StevePond · #19 06-13-2004, 10:31 PM

Mike, any part of the car is included in the overall measurement, wheelie bars, wings, parachutes, etc. BTW - you probably already know this, but turbine engines must be directly connected to the drive wheels via a transmission of sorts. Thrust power is verboten.

Mike Keeney · #20 06-14-2004, 12:14 AM

Thanks for getting back to me about this. I still think that a wheelie bar for this type of event is more of a safety component than a performance enhancement. If the car raises off the front tires at full speed there is only one way to get it back under control, and that is to slow down. A set of wheelie bars might give a split second more time to get the car under control before it goes ballistic. The concern I have is that once any car gets airborne it can take off in any direction. If it's going fast enough it could easily hit someone diving to get out of the way. There's no way to be sure where it will go.

I hope this is something that we can continue to talk about later in the year when we've done some speed testing. If there is no safety benefit then I wouldn't put them on anyway. They're just added weight.

Thanks to Randy for starting the safety thread. I think we should continue this conversation in that thread.

Cheers,
Mike

EddieWeeks · #21 06-14-2004, 12:38 AM

Steve:

My plan is to have the exhaust gas from the turbine blow into the
hot section of a turbocharger. Instead of the turbo turning a compressor
it will turn a gear witch is connected to the wheels..

The remaining gasses will be directed straight upward...

I am fairly sure this IS legal but I want to double check before
I build this thing..

Thanks

Eddie Weeks

colinradford · #22 06-14-2004, 01:10 PM

40" seems a bit long to me, but makes it very easy to beat the record. (apart from time, money and being on the wrong continent!)

1 1000cc GSX-R 1000 or YZF R1 motorbike engine (150hp or so)
Maybe a turbo kit if you feel like it
1/5th scale front end and steering gear
Go Kart rear axle and chain.
Custom frame to join it together.

Should be easy to fit that in 40"!

Mike Keeney · #23 06-14-2004, 07:35 PM

If this were just a contest about horsepower then I'd say you've got a good shot at the golden ring. But it's not all that hard to overpower a vehicles ability to stay on the road. That's what I think will be so exciting and challenging about this event. I'm going to bring a mini V8 powered car, but I couldn't begin to guess what will be the top dawg.

Cheers.
Mike

Grant Tokumi · #24 06-14-2004, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevePond

Mike, any part of the car is included in the overall measurement, wheelie bars, wings, parachutes, etc.

Parachutes?? Just for clarification, are you saying that parachutes in their deployed (open) position needs to be within the overall 40" measurement limit as well? Or are you saying just the packed parachute on the vehicle needs to be wiithin the overall measurement?

RC-scientist · #25 06-16-2004, 03:18 PM

This throws a big wrench in my plans.

This is turned into the fastest thing under 40" with radio control. The differnce? Well at 24 inches you really have to use traditional RC motors to make it work. At 40" I think I will make a frame that can carry 16 inch champ car wheels and pull apart my brand new ZX-10R and put that motor in it. It is good for 180hp or so. I hope you have increased the insurance on you liability wavier. I would think it would be a good idea since with this set up I should break 200mph. hell with that power it should hit 250mph. I have not been to Irwindale but I have a feeling the track wont know what hit it...

Is this getting out of hand? Either way I plan to win, and if I set a new track record so be it, I just hope everyone realizes what this means.

150 lbs with 180hp? Geared to hit a top speed of 300mph? Hold on to you hats folks...