FV Wheelbase

[DerElf]

Please answer honestly

[tvracer]

Marty, I voted no as I think the formula for FV should stay pretty much the same. Same weight limit, same wheelbase.

But I also think this IS a problem for the bigger guys.

I was being facetious on FV Interchange when I said: "Bunny, OK, so I have the solution to all our problems, us small guys stay in FV and the big guys go to FFirst".

But a couple of days later I thought some more about it and have begun to think that for me, there is truth in that. I think FFirst WILL occur and eventually replace FV. I was upset at first because one of the reasons I chose FV (among many) was stability. So here I buy a car and people are trying to change the formula. I already went though that in karting

But lately, after seeing the Mysterian M5 and LM-1, I can see the reason for their existence. At least definitely for the bigger guys who have trouble fitting into FV's. If I was a big guy, I'd want to race comfortably too

So my vote is to keep FV basically the same, bring on FFirst, and then see what happens.

This is just my newbie opinion, I'm not asking others to agree with me. I do realize that for you guys with manyyyy more years in FV than me, this is a more important issue.

Tom

[DerElf]

Tom;

Honesty is the best policy Tom, and you are being honest in all this of course.

My feeling is that FFirst WILL NOT happen as a separate class as the Club Racing Board has already made comments about the number of classes being too high (which I agree with).In regards to the larger guys "going to Formula First, does that mean because of my size I am ENTITLED to spend more money to convert my car? No an arguement I buy into.

I also feel that there will be NO change in the Vee weight rules because of (no offense) pixies like you (and our regional champion, Hi Rick). Nor do I believe that big guys really have anything to complain about in this area. The minimum weight for the class is already high for the amount of horsepower the engines deliver. In our region all you have to do is look at how Blake Tatum and Jim Petric are doing to see what can be done if you are dedicated enough!

Wheelbase is another thing. Wheelbase gives no advantage to a car other than more room in the fuel test portpit. Longer wheelbase has the potentially make a car more stable but an increased polar moment would make them less responsive to steering input (like like most of us could really FEEL the differance!) In Formula Ford they allow the drivers feet to extend in front of the front axle, not in vees (foir valid reason). This is because of bad front end accidents when Vees were allowed to have the ankle in front of the beam.

Allowing increased wheelbase, along with NO increase in the minimum weight, would have no effect on the competitivness of the cars that already exist and would only allow the more lanky amongst us to sit more comfortably, and safely.

[tvracer]

Marty, I see your point even though you called me a pixie ;D

I actually voted no on the increase in wheelbase as in my mind, minimum weight increase would be part and parcel. If you posted as part of the poll a third radio button that said: "Yes, but with no increase in minimum weight, I would have checked that".

However, I don't really know if an increase in wheelbase "WOULD have NO effect on the competitiveness of the cars that already exist". I would like you bigger guys to feel comfortable, though, as I know how I feel when I'm not comfortable.

Tom

[mikebagnell]

The big guy feeling comfortable concept doesn't fly. Look at Dick Gordon, me, Blake, and Der Elf. It is a matter of choosing the right car and setting it up to fit you. I am very comfortable in my car and I am 6-1, 245. The other end of this argument is for us fat guys to get off of our butts and exercise and lose weight. I think Dick Gordon is an excellent example of adapting the car to the driver. He is a medium build 6-5 guy who was smart enough to think outside the box and came up with a great interior design that affords him ample room to feel comfortable and be a former region champ. DON'T BUY A CAR YOU CAN'T GET IN UNLESS YOU ARE A GOOD METAL FABRICATOR.

[tvracer]

mikebagnell said:

The big guy feeling comfortable concept doesn't fly. Look at Dick Gordon, me, Blake, and Der Elf. It is a matter of choosing the right car and setting it up to fit you. I am very comfortable in my car and I am 6-1, 245.

Mike, but you are contradicting yourself, you said you are comfortable. As I would hope you would be

Or maybe what you mean is forget about just feeling comfortable, you have to set your car up to be comfortable!

PS. Thanks for the contact phone # help

Tom