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Re: Of rears and horsepower and speeds

To: Richard Kensicki <richk@sparta-junction.com>
Subject: Re: Of rears and horsepower and speeds
From: "Thomas E. Bryant" <saltracer@awwwsome.com>
Date: Thu, 06 Jan 2000 08:06:14 -0800
Richard,
Yes, the Bobby Unser of Indy fame is the one. He was driving the
roadster formerly owned and built by Ron Benham. It was purchased and
prepared by the Leasing Company that Ron Hope is connected with for the
express purpose of getting Bobby into the 200MPH Club. This is the same
company that ran the same car, while Ron Benham still had it, pulling a
U-Haul Trailer.

So far as the gear discussion goes, I don't know of any hard facts and
figures on HP loss through these various units. We run a Halibrand
Championship unit with a 4.11 ring & Pinion in our car. I have always
run the quick change rear axles for the convenience. I'm sure that I pay
a price for this, if I was to build another car it most likely would not
have a quick change, we don't really change the gear that often anyway
except changing back and forth from Bonneville and the Lakes.

Richard Kensicki wrote:
> 
> The land-speed mail is getting exhausting so I've got some new questions
> 
> 1. How much HP is lost through the rear end? An article about a
> competition coupe (early 90's) used a 7.5 rear gear because it took 10
> less HP  to turn it (compared to a 9) and the salt is too slick to hook
> up the rear and overload it. I would think a 9 inch rear would be needed
> to run the paving at Maxton.
> 
> 2. Noticed that no one seems to use a quick change rear (what I've seen
> at least), is it the cost or drive train loss?
> 
> 3. Anyone want to estimate how much HP would be needed push a D/GMR to
> 225? I see that the record is from 93 at 223 by B. Unser. Is that the B.
> I think it is? This record is very close to C/GMR of 225. Was this just
> a hot setup that worked and made the record difficult to break?
> 
> 4. I'm waiting on a rule book but wanted to know if going to fuel or
> blower bumps you up a class without a cubic inch change? Thought I read
> that somewhere but can't verify it.
> 
> Rich

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