Vee Sports Racer

[Scott]

I have been kicking this idea around for a few years of building a sports racer based on the mechanical components of a FV. Then Formula First came along and the concept seems even more viable. The larger engine, wider wheels, disc brakes, rack and pinon steering, that are allowed in FST would make an even better foundation.

I know that the suggestion of adding another class could be grounds for banning me for life from any future forum activity but I decided to throw it out there anyway.

I guess my basic question is what do the rest of you think?

I think that VSR (Vee Sports Racer) could be a fun, relatively low cost class, that would encourage creative thinking, safety, and close competition.

Here are the basic rules as I see them:

• 1600 CC engine built to the FST specs
  
• Must run the engine fan for cooling.
  
• 13" x 6" wheels
  
• American racer CF spec tires
  
• Ball joint front end
  
• FV/FST transaxle
  
• Disc Brakes
  
• Minimum weight of 1150lbs
  
• Flat bottom, no tunnels or expensive diffusers
  
• Rear wing
  

Basically, it is a Formula First with a full body.

OK, I will duck and cover now.

[brian]

Does the name Sports Racing Ford by SCCA Entrerprises sound familiar? I always wanted to make a FVSR and run the enduro at year end. I think your idea is too close to the SRF.

[Scott]

Hum................ spec racer ford, or whatever it is called......................... I believe that I have heard of those. The difference is in the word "spec"

I want a car that I can tinker with, not one that is exactly the same as the next one. I want to see how other racers would design and construct there version of a VSR. Kind of like the way that DSR use to be before it went nuts.

I figure that it would cost 12-18K to construct a new car. About the same as building a new FST.

[Scott]

Here is a picture of a VSR that Chuck Tatum made back in the 60's

[smsazzy]

I would not support making this a class, but I'd be willing to bet that you could sell a few kits so people could run their cars in an enduro. You'd just need a brake light, fenders and some body panels I would think. I think there is a regional FSR class or something like that already that you might be able to shoehorn them into.

Rather than making it it's own class, see if you can shoehorn them into another class and build some kits. Who knows....

[EShippert]

having worked on sports racers almost exclusively for the last 5 years i'd like to paraphase my friend john ennik.

"formula 2000 is sandwiches and good times. sports 2000 is bodywork and yelling."

that is all.
-ethan

[sweenrace]

Scott,

I tend to agree with Ethan that more bodywork = more headaches. That said, sports racers are very cool and i would love to own/drive one. If i was going to buy or build one, it would be around newer, cheap technology (think 600cc bike engine) though

Ian

Ian

[Scott]

The 600cc M/C engine is a great idea. The FF guys should have done this years ago. Now it looks like the F5 guys are going to. That Kent/Pinto engine is well past its prime.

[btatum]

I would build one! The MC engine is already in DSR and you can see where the cost of that class has gone.

[brian]

The mc engine is not the problem. Allowing serious mods and tunnels have raised the costs. FB requires a stock motor, very smart.

[sweenrace]

C'mon Brian,

you wouldnt expect the guy who has practically single handedly kept fv going in Norpac to suggest anything other than a vee motor, would you! Beside, he knows his Dad would disown him if he did!

Ian

P.S. I do agree with you Brian, the F1000 guys are doing a better job of keeping the mods and costs under control.

[brian]

Oh, I'm not going to get drawn into that one! I'd love to get a FB or frankly, anything faster than a vee, but I understand the costs. When I traveled with Dave Kaiser, 4 time DSR champ, expensive engine rebuilds every 1.5 hours were not unheard of; and that's not figuring in blow ups! Turning 65 this year also makes me think about the g forces and my old neck.

[qposner]

Jun 1, 2009 9:17:45 GMT -8 brian said:

Turning 65 this year also makes me think about the g forces and my old neck.

Dont forget just being plain old!

I think mc engines have to be the future. What we need is a low cost, basic class with mc engines (think FV way back when). If that happens, Im in.

[DerElf]

Personally, speaking as a guy with most the bits to build an Fisrt car in his (ex-wife's) garage, I think it is a great idea. I remember Mace and I talking about this back in the early eighties. Personally I could see a couple of things.

1)Re: Bodywork--Expensive, like Ethan says, unless someone was to come up with a STANDARD body (think Phenix Body with enclosed wheels) that everyone could use. Also specify no tunnels and a flat bottom.

2)Drivetrain: A first drivetrain would be nice, cheap, sturdy and still a lot of years old. Motorcycle drivetrain? Well as far as I have seen "F1000 guys keeping prices down" is a relative term. Have you priced those things? At the same time if you specified something like a GSXR 1100 motor and MADE IT A CLAIMER then you will keep the costs down.
Personally though I would like to know what model Mass produced front wheel drive Japanese sedan was standard for the longest time? Drop that on the back of a tube chassis and BANG (and you don't even have to swap the ring gear!).

So rather than a "Stanadardized car manufactured by SCCA to line the pockets of the club and some of it's insider buddies" we start with a real FORMULA car, like Vee or STAR sailboats.

$e*