Hi all,
I've been reading up quite a bit on this forum and the DSR forum over the last couple of weeks, as I'm considering picking up a used sportsracer for an interesting project. First off I figue a little bit on my background, and then I'll get into the questions.
I started off doing auto-x and rally-x about 9 years ago, and after a couple seasons really found my interest to be sliding around in the dirt. Living in Colorado, a progression into hillclimbing is the natural direction, unless you had boatloads of cash to get into true stage rally. I've also found it fits my 'driving mind' as you get a couple shots at the roads to set a fast time, and you're all running the road separately...similar to the auto-x that I got started in. After a couple seasons running mid-pack in a back-marker car (Mazda 323GTX), my wife & I decided to upgrade to a newer car and chase down the fast guys. Over the past two years we built up a pretty competitive Lancer Evo and recently completed our third run at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.
For those of you who haven't been following this race, its in a state of flux at the moment. The road as seen in famous videos like Climbdance is no more. Thanks to a suit by the Sierra Club (BOO!), the city of Colorado Springs has been forced to pave the road. Currently they're about 1/2 way done (2008 roof cam video), but have plans to add a mile or two of pavement every year. So, at this point, I'm sure most of you can guess where I'm going with this.
I've been out to HPR and have watched a couple local guys rip around the track in a Prosport and Stohr, and IMO, the N/A motorcycle engines look like they offer plenty of power. Looking at my experiences with our Evo, I know that these motors just won't give me what I need up on the mountain. My Evo at PMI will hit over 150mph on the main straight despite being setup on off-road suspension and brakes that aren't really up for the task of road racing. However, once at the 9,400ft PPIHC startline, I'm itching for even more power and the brakes are more than adequate. I figure the same would apply to any other type of car. So, on to the questions.
Are there any turbo radicals roaming around the US?
Are they allowed to race, or are they limited to 'open' track days? Maybe a regional 'catch-all' class?
What sort of power output is acheivable with a motorcycle powerplant? (suitable for road racing...not looking for what guys on drag bikes can make)
What is the upper limit of what a chain drive system can handle? Rear Diffs?
If these use motorcycle transmissions, is it possible to have reverse?
Thanks for any input/insight!
Dave
I've been reading up quite a bit on this forum and the DSR forum over the last couple of weeks, as I'm considering picking up a used sportsracer for an interesting project. First off I figue a little bit on my background, and then I'll get into the questions.
I started off doing auto-x and rally-x about 9 years ago, and after a couple seasons really found my interest to be sliding around in the dirt. Living in Colorado, a progression into hillclimbing is the natural direction, unless you had boatloads of cash to get into true stage rally. I've also found it fits my 'driving mind' as you get a couple shots at the roads to set a fast time, and you're all running the road separately...similar to the auto-x that I got started in. After a couple seasons running mid-pack in a back-marker car (Mazda 323GTX), my wife & I decided to upgrade to a newer car and chase down the fast guys. Over the past two years we built up a pretty competitive Lancer Evo and recently completed our third run at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.
For those of you who haven't been following this race, its in a state of flux at the moment. The road as seen in famous videos like Climbdance is no more. Thanks to a suit by the Sierra Club (BOO!), the city of Colorado Springs has been forced to pave the road. Currently they're about 1/2 way done (2008 roof cam video), but have plans to add a mile or two of pavement every year. So, at this point, I'm sure most of you can guess where I'm going with this.
I've been out to HPR and have watched a couple local guys rip around the track in a Prosport and Stohr, and IMO, the N/A motorcycle engines look like they offer plenty of power. Looking at my experiences with our Evo, I know that these motors just won't give me what I need up on the mountain. My Evo at PMI will hit over 150mph on the main straight despite being setup on off-road suspension and brakes that aren't really up for the task of road racing. However, once at the 9,400ft PPIHC startline, I'm itching for even more power and the brakes are more than adequate. I figure the same would apply to any other type of car. So, on to the questions.
Are there any turbo radicals roaming around the US?
Are they allowed to race, or are they limited to 'open' track days? Maybe a regional 'catch-all' class?
What sort of power output is acheivable with a motorcycle powerplant? (suitable for road racing...not looking for what guys on drag bikes can make)
What is the upper limit of what a chain drive system can handle? Rear Diffs?
If these use motorcycle transmissions, is it possible to have reverse?
Thanks for any input/insight!
Dave
