Spec Racer Ford
08-16-2010, 09:46 AM
#46
Race Car
Did several arrive and drives about 15 years ago with SR (first Renault, then Ford) , then did shifter karrts with my boys for several years until they got old enough to race cars. Did SM for about 4 years- fun at first but I too found out it really wasn't that "spec." My boys were pretty good at it and kind of took wind out of the sails when they'd find at the end of the year the guys they'd be running against (and beating sometimes) were running illegal suspensions all year... then when they'd win one, they get protested for some bull**** reason. Sold the SM and got a SRF last fall. Only had time to run it once this year but was a LOT more fun than the SM- more torque, open cockpit, a real racecar, etc etc. Only downer is the engine sound- they sound like a tractor.
Unfortunately with other commitments I may sell it this winter as I don't have the time to race it and justify the cost of just having it sit there, though it is fun to sit in...
Unfortunately with other commitments I may sell it this winter as I don't have the time to race it and justify the cost of just having it sit there, though it is fun to sit in...
if you run long enough you'll appreciate getting beat by pure skills and preparation VS the outright cheating that occurs in so many other spec classes.
I think its a group you would want to run with...
08-16-2010, 09:50 AM
#47
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I think they have good power for the tire. 20 more hp than the Continental and a little bit bigger tire. While the tires are slightly bigger than the FC they are stuck on the 45 compound which isn't nearly as sticky as what you can run in the Continental class.
The transmission was a weak link. Right now they opened up the issues to open source and those problems should be taken care of very soon. They've already gotten better with fewer skipped shifts, miss shifts, neutral stops, etc.
But right now I agree that that SRF is a much better Spec class if you want competition. FE is still growing. Although there are more people going into that open wheel class than any other one. Lots of new people buying cars and starting up next year.
The transmission was a weak link. Right now they opened up the issues to open source and those problems should be taken care of very soon. They've already gotten better with fewer skipped shifts, miss shifts, neutral stops, etc.
But right now I agree that that SRF is a much better Spec class if you want competition. FE is still growing. Although there are more people going into that open wheel class than any other one. Lots of new people buying cars and starting up next year.
08-16-2010, 10:10 AM
#48
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This may be apples & oranges and straying way off topic, but look for Formula F ( Formula Ford) to really take off next year. The new Honda engine that was just approved is really an exciting development, as is Honda's overall commitment to the class, including significant contingencies and sponsorship of a new pro series.
10-05-2010, 12:08 PM
#50
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Last forever 4-5 seasons is not uncommon. 40-50 hard days. As with all engines the push for the last bit of HP gives some people the desire to rebuild more often. However most people run it until there is a noticeable power issue.
10-05-2010, 12:13 PM
#51
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This may be apples & oranges and straying way off topic, but look for Formula F ( Formula Ford) to really take off next year. The new Honda engine that was just approved is really an exciting development, as is Honda's overall commitment to the class, including significant contingencies and sponsorship of a new pro series.
I'd love that to be the case but I just don't see it happening. 50,000-70,000 for a new car with Penskes is what is hurting the class. Sure you can do a DB1 conversion and have it out the door for 25ish but look at what the top cars are bringing in right now and they're 20 years old. Treadway is 50K+. Coello's car last year was 45ish with no spares.
I'd be there though if the engine rule had come out 8 months earlier in DB1 though. I think it's a great class and the runoffs always has a good turnout. Regionally is hit or miss though.
10-05-2010, 12:23 PM
#52
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4500 rebuild and sealed. Only Enterprises can do a rebuild.
Last forever 4-5 seasons is not uncommon. 40-50 hard days. As with all engines the push for the last bit of HP gives some people the desire to rebuild more often. However most people run it until there is a noticeable power issue.
Last forever 4-5 seasons is not uncommon. 40-50 hard days. As with all engines the push for the last bit of HP gives some people the desire to rebuild more often. However most people run it until there is a noticeable power issue.
10-05-2010, 12:45 PM
#53
Burning Brakes
Current engine has ~30 races...some kind of issue with it, so it's going back to Enterprises for a refresh.
You're not twisting the nipples off these engines...shifting at 5500-5700...as long as you don't have regular zingers, you can go years on an engine.
10-05-2010, 12:54 PM
#54
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10-05-2010, 12:57 PM
#55
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Doh, I did mean races too. Mine's about 30ish races and isn't giving anything up. Stupid typing and chewing gum foils me again.
10-05-2010, 01:11 PM
#56
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Didn't see this the first time.
I'd love that to be the case but I just don't see it happening. 50,000-70,000 for a new car with Penskes is what is hurting the class. Sure you can do a DB1 conversion and have it out the door for 25ish but look at what the top cars are bringing in right now and they're 20 years old. Treadway is 50K+. Coello's car last year was 45ish with no spares.
I'd be there though if the engine rule had come out 8 months earlier in DB1 though. I think it's a great class and the runoffs always has a good turnout. Regionally is hit or miss though.
I'd love that to be the case but I just don't see it happening. 50,000-70,000 for a new car with Penskes is what is hurting the class. Sure you can do a DB1 conversion and have it out the door for 25ish but look at what the top cars are bringing in right now and they're 20 years old. Treadway is 50K+. Coello's car last year was 45ish with no spares.
I'd be there though if the engine rule had come out 8 months earlier in DB1 though. I think it's a great class and the runoffs always has a good turnout. Regionally is hit or miss though.
The Treadway and Coello cars are among the most successful FFs in the country, representing the extreme high end of the market, (and maybe white elephants since they are Kent based) I think you could buy a VD '00 for ~20K and do a conversion yourself for another $15K, not a bad way to race open wheel.
I commented in the thread mostly because with Honda's high level of interest and commitment to the class, FF may once again see real growth, and spec classes are not for everyone...
PS: Mike Scanlan built his DB6 Honda for <$30K and did great this season, just out of top ten at sprints and runoffs, podium at the Glen...
10-05-2010, 02:21 PM
#57
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Another car with possibilities is the Thunder Roadster, which is a spin-off of the Legends cars. It's a full space frame car with a retro ('50s Indy Car) look and Yamaha motor.
They sell used for under $10K. At this point, they do not seem to have much of a road course user base.
They sell used for under $10K. At this point, they do not seem to have much of a road course user base.
10-05-2010, 02:39 PM
#58
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Another car with possibilities is the Thunder Roadster, which is a spin-off of the Legends cars. It's a full space frame car with a retro ('50s Indy Car) look and Yamaha motor.
They sell used for under $10K. At this point, they do not seem to have much of a road course user base.
They sell used for under $10K. At this point, they do not seem to have much of a road course user base.
10-05-2010, 04:23 PM
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MyGale is building a honda-specific chassis for the US market, initially ~$50K with data, supposedly complete, we will see. Piper is same price. Carbir is showing a prototype, and Firman is supposedly working on one. I think this is exciting not because $50K is cheap, but because mfrs are finally building cars again at all. The Pipers and VDs in the class are all re-commissioned FC cars that as you say are 15-20 yrs old.
The Treadway and Coello cars are among the most successful FFs in the country, representing the extreme high end of the market, (and maybe white elephants since they are Kent based) I think you could buy a VD '00 for ~20K and do a conversion yourself for another $15K, not a bad way to race open wheel.
I commented in the thread mostly because with Honda's high level of interest and commitment to the class, FF may once again see real growth, and spec classes are not for everyone...
PS: Mike Scanlan built his DB6 Honda for <$30K and did great this season, just out of top ten at sprints and runoffs, podium at the Glen...
The Treadway and Coello cars are among the most successful FFs in the country, representing the extreme high end of the market, (and maybe white elephants since they are Kent based) I think you could buy a VD '00 for ~20K and do a conversion yourself for another $15K, not a bad way to race open wheel.
I commented in the thread mostly because with Honda's high level of interest and commitment to the class, FF may once again see real growth, and spec classes are not for everyone...
PS: Mike Scanlan built his DB6 Honda for <$30K and did great this season, just out of top ten at sprints and runoffs, podium at the Glen...
Also the fastest car at the runoffs was an 11K dollar RF92 so you can go fast in the older cars and cheaper cars. However I still see the problem of 50K entry when you can get into FE cars for a little bit cheaper and FB cars for a little bit more. I'd rather race without the wings but there are many who want and like the car to look fast and with wings.
I still love the RF98 (which is what you have) and almost picked one up for 9K a couple years ago but couldn't swing the second car at the time.
Another car with possibilities is the Thunder Roadster, which is a spin-off of the Legends cars. It's a full space frame car with a retro ('50s Indy Car) look and Yamaha motor.
They sell used for under $10K. At this point, they do not seem to have much of a road course user base.
They sell used for under $10K. At this point, they do not seem to have much of a road course user base.
http://www.sccaenterprises.com/SRFCu...e%206_2010.pdf
