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Post by DerElf on Sept 18, 2003 7:44:38 GMT -8
Hey guys, just a note to tell you all to read your SPORTS CAR magazine. In this month's issue you will note that the board is considering MANDATING the use of STOCK VW STARTERS.
Gee, wonder who put this before them?
Trouble is that starter is about to be DISCONTINUED and will ONLY be available as a REBUILT unit. Ask Mr. Chuck about this, he will give you the straight dope.
Could someone please explain to me how a Starter with NO actual performance benefit that I can see, that is of newer manufacture, generally available and more RELIABLE (starts every time, doesn't burn out) violates the "spirit of the rules"? Is the spirit of the rules that the class is to remain locked in a dark cabinet away from the light of REASON?
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Post by robert on Sept 18, 2003 13:48:18 GMT -8
I just stumbled upon this board a couple days ago, and intended to only read it since I am not from your area.
However . . . .
DerElf makes pretty (really) good points. Sounds like $50 more now, may save much more than that over time, if the VW starter is a high maintainance item. As far as weight goes, I know that a lighter starter will lower the CG by a small amount, and will have an effect . . . but how much? I defy anyone to measure any performance gain.
The rules don't dictate CG height anyway, so lighter drivers can add weight very low for a true advantage over heavier drivers.
Unfortunately it seems to me that FV is destined to remain little changed, up to its death.
robert
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Post by Bruce on Sept 18, 2003 17:48:09 GMT -8
Robert, You need not be from our area, since Formula Vee is a national class. You can help keep us informed of any other news we may miss. This forum will soon expand to include the all of the west.
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Post by DerElf on Sept 18, 2003 18:13:29 GMT -8
Robert (or should I say Mr. Pump);
All folks interested in all things Formula Vee are welcome here! In fact I wish you would post a link to your site so the crowd could see the progress on your car.
My "dander" is down a bit since I first posted, in fact I have already switched back to my old "BOSCH PANZER STARTER". The competition board chose to act on this WITHOUT member input so there is little we can do but bow to the wishes of (one individual) and take a step backwards.
The thing I find somewhat entertaining about this is the protest was based on the "Spirit of the rules". I would amend that to say "MEAN Spirit of the rules". It is funny to me that this came down at the behest of a driver from outside his own region, that the region he comes form gets 3 or four cars (If they are lucky) per race weekend and the region in which it was files averages 4-5 times that number at every race. Does this give us an indication of why the numbers are down in that other region?
So what can we do? We can soldier on, not let the turkeys get us down and continue to support the class we love. The death of Formula Vee is often spoken of, and has been since the class was twenty years old, but it never seems to come about. Maybe it has something to do with the resiliance and dedication of the people who run in the class and try and keep it alive.
As much as some folks would like to pretend this is Formula One, it ain't. So fly your protest flags, do your back door politicizing and paint yourself as a self styled "keeper of the flame". Those of us who work hard everyday (not only a certain number of weekends per year) to keep the class going, keep the words flowing and tend the flame in all sorts of weather will shake our heads, roll our eyes...
...then our boys will put on the heavier starters and beat your ass again.
There, I feel better.
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Post by Bruce on Sept 19, 2003 16:35:20 GMT -8
As long as we you Marty, we will never parish. Oh yeah today is talk like a pirate day, so keep doin em the dirty.
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Post by DerElf on Nov 19, 2003 18:05:56 GMT -8
The Vee Competitor who started all this Curambulage with his protest has posted that he did, in fact, not withdraw his protest as I reported in earlier posts. This being the case I would like to apologize for that bit of mis-information.
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Post by DerElf on Dec 18, 2003 15:45:00 GMT -8
It is offical, reduction gear starters are now ILLEGAL.
I want to thank all the guys who wrote letters to the comp board, both of you.
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Post by brian on Feb 19, 2004 12:00:57 GMT -8
May I paraphrase the first line in the FV rules in the GCR, "based on standard Volkwagen 1200 series Type1, U.S. model sedan (imported by VW) components". This statement precludes using any innovative component not expressly permitted by subsequent rules. If you are using some killer, light Bosch starter from a "Peruvian Ghia" tread lightly. You could be found illegal. If you want the starters to be "free", write the CRB and request a rule change to permit it. If you wish to write the CRB to support or oppose a suggested change, take the time to write something brief, in your own words, and e-mail it. A flood of form letters does not impress. If you care enough, take the time and write something yourself.
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Post by robert on Feb 20, 2004 6:38:35 GMT -8
I'd like to hope the CRB would take the message to heart, and not dismiss something because they recieved "form letters".
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Post by DerElf on Feb 23, 2004 7:21:04 GMT -8
Robert;
It is already dismissed. We are required to run Bosch replacement starters.
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Post by brian on Feb 23, 2004 10:07:38 GMT -8
At the bequest of a steward, a rule clarification was issued regarding the starters. As I stated before, if you want to change this rule, submit a request, have some folks that agree with you write in. The requested rule change will go out for member input in FAST TRACK and let's see. But don't wait, there several required steps to be taken and it takes time.
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Post by DerElf on Feb 23, 2004 16:51:28 GMT -8
I have to talk about reduction gear starters one mor etime I will lose my will to live
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Post by Bruce on Feb 27, 2004 21:07:44 GMT -8
I just sent off an e-mail to the board for the use of the gear reduction starter and gave two reasons. The first was they denied the GRS because of weight advantage. I told them there are many starters that are being used that have been lighten as to make that an non issue. The second is a safety issue. The GRS do not need the bushing in the trans case so failure due to that will not cause a stalled car on track to be a danger. You could either restart the car or use the starter to move the car to a safer place. We can still get this done if people write to the comp board. Being passive will only let others rule you.
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Post by brian on Apr 10, 2004 9:04:01 GMT -8
As I posted in the other thread, the starter issue is going out for member input. Be sure to pass the word and get the, perferably brief and electronic, responses in.
Note for Robert: We read all responses, but when you have to handle hundreds a month, it does make it easier for the volunteers when they're brief and in electronic format.
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Post by DerElf on Apr 13, 2004 15:13:15 GMT -8
Does anyone know:
1) The appropriate E-mail address for the Club racing board?
2) What sort of SPAM filters they u...just kidding
I do need that e-mail address though
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