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Re: Rotary Factor - Rule Change

To: "Mike Manghelli" <mmanghel@hughes.net>
Subject: Re: Rotary Factor - Rule Change
From: "Jonathan Amo" <webmaster@landracing.com>
Date: Fri, 05 Jan 2001 19:24:34 -0700
I beleive the Burklands had thier liner power by a rotary at WOS.

Jonathan


Mike Manghelli wrote:

> Dave and List,
>
> Ok, I have been working on the yard for two days moving rocks (Keith are fake
> rocks lighter than the real ones?) and return to find 195 emails.  Most of
> which are on the rotary factor rule change.
>
> Dave keeps asking why there is no comments to his thread from the SCTA board
> members, Rules committee members and the folks on the LSR list.  Let me set
> some things straight.  First, I have been Emailing Dave (not via the list) to
> try and resolve this.  Second, Other than my other volunteer, Dan Warner, I am
> the only SCTA board member that is involved with the rules on this list.
> Third, I think most folks on the list have given you an answer, they are not
> that interested.
>
> Now let's explore a few things. When the SCTA made the factor of 3 for
> rotaries it was made based on performance of the rotary and other racing
> organizations factors at the time. At that time the rotaries were competitive
> with this factor, they held several records at both Bonneville and El Mirage.
> Obviously, the small block Chevy and foreign mulitvalve engines have come a
> long way since this factor was created and rotary development has not.  If it
> had, we may not be having this discussion.  So we come to today.  Rotaries are
> now at a disadvantage, should we change the factor.  Let's consider a few
> things.
>
> (this is an excerpt from an earlier Email)
> Currently:
> So the SCTA uses a factor of 3 and gets
> 10    982 X 3 = 2946cc   F class
> 12    1146 X 3 = 3438cc   E class
> 13    1308 X 3 = 3924cc   E class
>
> You want 2.1?
>
> 10    982 X 2.1 = 2062cc   F class
> 12    1146 X 2.1 = 2406cc   F class
> 13    1308 X 2.1 = 2746cc      F class
>
> So all rotary engines will run in the "F" class under your proposal?
>
> The E/BMS record at Bonneville is 260.809 (ref pg. 78 2000 rule book) set by
> a blown rotary engined car.  What do you propose we do with this record?
> Note it is faster than the AA record in this class. If we move it to "F" I
> think the record will stand for a long, long, long time.  Or do we "handy
> cap" blown rotary cars one class?  Obviously the blown rotaries can make
> plenty of HP!....  Not sure where to go now....
> (end of excerpt)
>
> Let's look at a few Facts:
> 1.   When the SCTA/BNI rules committee makes rules changes that affect
> specific records, those cars are either reclassified or loose records. e.g.
> when blown cars ran against unblown cars with a 2 X handicap.  When the
> records were split out if a blown car had taken the record away from unblown,
> the record was returned to the unblown car. (what do we do with the E/BMS
> record at Bonnneville?)
> 2.   The committee looks at the big picture:
>       a.   How many records does this affect?
>       b.   How many people are running these motors?
>       c.   Are the people running this at a disadvantage?  How much.... (The
> E/BMS record says NO)
>       d.   etc...  The rules committee spent 2 complete Sundays discussing
> this and other recommendations.
> 3.   This was presented to the Rules committee by Dan Warner at the first
> meeting in October.  The rules committee recommended to the board that the
> factor not be changed at this time.
> 4.   The SCTA board voted on recommendations from the rules committee at the
> December board meeting.  This must be done to get the rule book out in a
> timely manner.  I (your elected SCTA President) failed to accomplish voting on
> all of the recommendations at the December board meeting.  Because of this the
> rule book will be late this year (mid March), but it was needed to resolve
> some other issues that effect several hundreds of competitors.  The final
> rules recommendations will be finished tonight (Friday, 5 January 01).  We
> will not reopen this issue since it was voted on by the board at the December
> meeting.  The board voted to accept the rules committee recommendation and not
> change the factor.
>
> What can you do now?
> 1.   Write a letter to the Technical committee (Steve Batchelor) requesting
> the change for 2002.  Include your technical dissertation on why the factor
> should be changed.  Include all of the other racing organizations that allow
> rotaries with their factors.  Include recommendations for existing records.
> Stick to the facts, leave the sarcasm out.
> 2.   Best way to get everyone to take notice is to have 10 rotary powered cars
> show up.  Tom Bryant said it best, "rotaries should have their own class"  and
> not be factored.  Best way to accomplish this is to have participation!  ( I
> have not seen a rotary powered car for several years at either venue)
>
> I know this is long, I hope it will help.  I want to say one last thing, THANK
> YOU Dan Warner for all the time and energy that you put into our rules
> process.
>
> Mike Manghelli
> SCTA President
> (BTW even though you all think I do not read my Email, I do and my be a
> lurker, but I do respond every now and then when appropriate)

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