slngsht

I keep wanting to try iRacing or some of the other realistic simulators, but I'm afraid I may get sucked in and lose time off driving the real deal.

damn. I'll try to not post in this thread every day. yesterday Frankn7 overheated in unusually HEAVY traffic. This is not normal, as even with the V8, she has no trouble keeping it cool even in the hotest days. so... I determined it was a failed electric fan, which is blowing the fuse. Sad... the fan, radiator, and headlight brackets are the only original Rotus parts left. Well, new fan is installed tonight, and she's ready to go again.

hell yeah! I read the WHOLE thing. awesome. very happy for you

All, I'm stepping down as treasurer. I will continue to administer the forum. I think it's important to have members step up to become officers of the club, as new blood brings more vigor, fresh views, etc... It also helps the long term potential of the organization compared to when the same people run it year after year. It will be odd not being involved in club operations, but will be rewarding to see it grow due to involvement of others who share the same passion. -Mazda

Bob, that was awesome, thanks.

many moons ago, near the beginning of the Clinton administration, I was doing natural gas / propane conversion. Business was decent, and with gas prices "high" (like a buck thrity), and Clinton pushing for alternative fuels, future seemed bright for our business. In addition to the normal conversions, we picked up some bigger contracts and some research projects including one with a forklift OEM. Fast forward 3 years... gas was back to 98 cents a gallon, and the pubs damn near killed the Dept of Energy. With the federal government failing to meet its own fleet conversion goals, most states and utilities cut back to, and we went belly up. I learned my lesson.

Andrew, that definitely has a hot rod kinda feel to it.

lol

Well, I don't know what does work. Clearly if nothing is done, things will progress until the brink of collapse (i.e. actual - not artificial - oil shortage). The auto industry has fought every standard along the way, arguing that they will make whatever consumers demand. Consumers have demanded gas thirsty cars, because the cost of operating them is inconsequentional in their budgets. Gas tax just results in bigger government. There is no self control there. The problem is more than just about SUVs vs minis. It has to do with how far people commute to work. It impacts the cost of all the goods we buy, etc... There are down sides to every way of slicing these things. I haven't heard anyone propose a solution other than: Mandate higher standards Raise some sort of tax (consumption, guzzler, etc...) Let supply and demand work its magic Normally I'm for the last option, but I can see in this case things can get desparate before the supply / demand dynamic starts correcting things.

I think we'll manage just fine. I would have preferred a market solution than a government mandate though.

drat. i can't stop. bought a new set of springs yesterday for $160

You can't waterboard Chuck Norris. Under his beard, there is another fist.

Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I already gave you my present on Saturday

hell no

nope. Mercedes cut their loses a while back and ran away

Keeping our fingers crossed. Have the laptop handy, and if you pass, post on this thread right in front of him

I agree with this guy's point of view. http://www.autosavant.com/2009/02/24/how-about-some-restructuring-in-the-auto-retail-arena/

They'd be hard pressed to find a major brand that wants to pick up a Chrysler rejected dealership in the next few months. Even Toyota is taking a beating right now.

that's where I am with autox too... I just wanna run.

no worries... wasn't implying anything. it was quite a heated discussion back then.

This was discussed in length here: http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=267

well, I for one, side with Chrysler on this one (not with government, even though they are one and the same nowadays). Chrysler is in Bankruptcy and that's how it works. One of the reasons they are in that boat is that the managements' hands are tied in restructuring parts of the business (labor and distribution channel) . They have wanted to thin down the distribution network for ages, but the state governments have prevented Chrysler, GM, Ford from being able to adjust to market conditions. If Chrysler (also a private business) could operate under the same principals this man is complaining about, there would have been far fewer dealers - and the closing would have been gradual and orderly. So, in a way, the protectionism of franchises has contributed to where we have arrived today. It does suck to be him though.

heh, one of many

From the SCCA Solo Rulebook: http://www.scca.com/documents/Solo_Rules/2009_Solo_Rules.pdf page 218 You will probably fall in BMod depending on your engine/weight. Modified Class A Cars with a minimum weight of 900 lbs, and a minimum 72 inch wheelbase, plus Formula SAE as specified in Section 18.5. GCR legal Formula S and GCR-legal ASR’s may compete in this class. Modified Class B All Formula Cars or Sports Racers legal under the current year GCR, unless specifically classed elsewhere, with the following exceptions (weights shown are with driver): A. Spec tires are not required. B. Minimum wheelbase of 80 inches. C. Sports Racers and All Open Wheel Cars Including Formula Atlantics 1. May use any automotive based 2-valve motor up to 1300cc, any 2-stroke motor up to 900cc, any 4- or more valve motor up to 1005cc. Minimum weight: 1020 lbs 2. May use any 2-valve automotive-based production engines up to 1615cc. Minimum Weight: 1110 lbs 3. May use any four- or more valve engine up to 1615cc. Any 2- stroke up to 1300cc, Mazda 12A rotary with any porting, any carburetion. May use fuel injection without weight penalty as required by the GCR. Minimum weight: 1180 lbs 4. May use any naturally aspirated engine up to 3000cc. Minimum weight: 1285 lbs 5. Minimum rim width: none. 6. Maximum allowed rim width: 15 inches. D. Formula 2000, classed in Formula Continental per FCS 1. Minimum weight 1090 lbs 2. Rim width is unrestricted. 3. Airfoil maximum size per Formula Atlantic rules. E. Aerodynamic restrictions for Sports Racers: The total area when viewed from the top of all wings shall not exceed 8 square feet. The current GCR CSR and DSR 45% flat 219 bottom rule and all other aero specifications shall also apply to ASR. Production cars as recognized in DM/EM running in BM as sports racers must have the tires as viewed from above at least ½ covered. Cycle fenders may be used to comply with a sports racer classification. F. Aerodynamic restrictions for Formula Atlantic (all open wheel in BM) shall follow the current GCR, no additional Solo wing limitations. G. Minimum weights for FSCCCA and SRSCCA, prepared as specified by the GCR (lbs): FSCCA: 1265 SRSCCA: 1365 H. Formula S - Must weigh appropriate Solo DSR weight if engine size is within DSR class limitations. FS shall run to the appropriate Formula Atlantic rules if engine is larger than allowed in DSR. All cars must prepare to Formula Atlantic aerodynamic rules. Modified Class C Modified Class C GCR legal SR, SRF, FF1600, S2000. Within the limitations of the GCR, additional frame bracing, suspension and steering changes, relocation of ancillary components (radiators, batteries, etc.) and their associated mounting brackets is permitted. Nothing in these rules is to be construed as overruling any GCR construction requirements or limitations, except for those safety items which the Solo Rules do not require. The purpose of these rules is to maintain the value of these cars for Club Racing and therefore their market value, and to prevent special Solo-only Formula Fords. Exceptions to the GCR for all cars in this class: A. Spec tire requirements do not apply. B. For S2000, the minimum weight with driver is 1280 lbs FF1600 and S2000 are open only to ‘series produced’ cars. Only cars produced by the following manufacturers are eligible for FF1600 in this class: ADF, Alexis, Caldwell, Citation, Crossle, Dulon, Eagle, Elden, Forsgrini, Gemini, Hawke, Konig-Heath, LeGrand, Lola, Lotus, March, Merlyn, Mondiale, PRS, Reynard, Royale, Swift, Tiga, Titan, Van Diemen, Winkleman and Zink. Only cars produced by the following manufacturers are eligible for S2000 in this class: Bobsy, Chevron, Daedalus, KBHMariah, Lola, March-Apache, Reynard, Royale, Shrike, Swift, and Tiga. The SEB may add to this list at any time, effective upon notification of the membership. 220 Modified Class D Modified Production and GT cars with engine displacement 2000cc and under, as follows: A. The 12A Mazda and 13 B Rotary engines are permitted in D Modified with the following restrictions: 1. No replacement of cast iron engine case segments with aluminum. 2. On the 12A engine, only side and rotor housings from 1974 to 1986 engines shall be used. 3. No replacement of 12A or 13B sections such as side plates with those from other series engines, i.e. Renesis type parts. 4. On 12A engines, no peripheral porting or J-porting is allowed. Bridge porting that does not cut into the water o-ring is permitted. On 13B engines, 4 and 6-port: Maximum porting permitted is street porting. No bridge porting, J-Porting, or peripheral porting. B. Weight vs. Displacement All listed minimum weights are with driver. Piston engines up to & including 1800 cc 1280 lbs 12A rotary engines w/ porting restriction 1280 lbs Piston engines 1801 to 2000 cc 1380 lbs 13B rotary engines w/ porting restriction 1380 lbs C. Performance Adjustments AWD Add 200 lbs Modified Tub Add 40 lbs D. Weight Bias Adjustment Bias determined by weighing with driver sitting in the driver’s seat. RWD w/ less than 51% of the weight on the drive wheels Deduct 35 lbs FWD Deduct 35 lbs AWD Not affected Modified Class E Modified Production and GT cars as follows: A. Weight vs. Displacement All listed minimum weights are with driver. 221 Piston engines up to & including 3200 cc OHC 1700 lbs. Piston engines up to & including 4500 cc pushrod/OHV 1700 lbs. 2-rotor rotary engines w/ unrestricted porting 1700 lbs. Piston engines unlimited displacement 1800 lbs. 3-rotor rotary engines w/ unrestricted porting 1800 lbs. B. Performance Adjustments AWD Add 300 lbs. Modified Tub Add 50 lbs C. Weight Bias Adjustment Bias determined by weighing with driver sitting in the driver’s seat. RWD w/ less than 51% of the weight on the drive wheels Deduct 50 lbs FWD Deduct 50 lbs Modified Class F A. GCR legal Formula 500 (F5) with the following exceptions (listed weights are with driver): 1. F5 cars manufactured prior to the current requirement for rubber vibration isolation need not conform to F5 specification E.3.C. 2. F5 cars manufactured prior to January 1, 1990 need not comply with crushable structures as defined in Section E.7 of the current FCS. 3. F5 cars manufactured prior to January 1, 1990 which utilize a 73” wheelbase may compete even though the driver’s feet extend beyond the front edge of the wheel rims. 4. Minimum weights: wheelbase greater than 73”, 750 lbs; wheelbase of 73”, 725 lbs. Add 50 lbs for AMW and Rotax 494 (RAVE or non-RAVE) and 493 engines. 5. Rotax powered cars are permitted to use 34 or 38mm Mikuni roundslide carburetors. AMW powered cars may use either the 38 mm AMW carburetors or update to the 38 mm Mikuni roundslide carburetors. In order to accommodate the use of the approved Mikuni VM 38mm sidedraft carburetors on the AMW engine, the use of the AMW intake manifold (part #2736-00) is permitted, as are the AMW rubber attachment boots, gaskets, and or hardware required for the use of this 222 manifold. Competitors using the Rotax 494 RAVE engine are required to use the 494 non-RAVE rotary valve: Rotax part #924509 or 924508, Ski Doo prefix 420, 147 degree designation that opens @ 135 degrees BTDC and closes @ 64 degrees ATDC in their engine. RAVE valves shall be blocked in the ‘full open’ position or left as delivered. No other alterations are permitted. 494 RAVE and non-RAVE parts may not be interchanged between the two engines unless specifically noted. 6. Competitors utilizing the 493 Rotax engine may leave the manufacturer’s specified intake balance tubes in place or, at their option, completely remove the tubes and make the alterations required to plug the remaining holes. No unnecessary alterations are permitted if the competitor chooses to remove the tubes. The 493 Rotax engine is limited to a Y pipe exhaust manifold and single expansion chamber, as are the 494 Rotax and AMW engines. 7. All F440/500 engines may use any water thermostat. It may be modified or completely removed as necessary to aid water cooling. The water bypass may be blocked and alternate water cooling plumbing may be used. 8. F440/500 cars in class F Modified are not required in Solo to have the sidepods now mandated by Club Racing, if they were manufactured prior to the year in which that requirement was added to the GCR (1984). Sidepods may not be removed from a car which was originally manufactured with them. The measurements for the height of, the maximum width of (bodywork), and the distance from the tires of sidepods as specified in the GCR, Bodywork E.9 2nd paragraph, shall have an allowance from the GCR of +/- one inch. It is the intent of this allowance to maintain the ability of the sidepod(s) to continue to hold such items as fuel tanks, battery, and radiator(s), but not to allow sidepods to be used for ground effects to achieve aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle.

unless you have a nascar style roll cage, it's not going to be 150 lbs.