[Fot] What alternators are you using on a Spitfire?

[Mark Bradakis]

Back in the days of IVR running events at Wendover, I switched to a 
single wire alternator in the Killer Spit.  I had to fab some brackets 
to make it fit, but it worked well.  The first event I ran at Wendover 
went very well, I was pleased.

The second event was a bit different.  First race I was doing fine, 
getting passed bt the Mustangs and Corvettes and RX-7s as usual.  I came 
to the hairpin before the main straight, hit the brakes and nothing 
happened.  Well, it seemed the car doubled its speed when the brakes 
failed.  I of course missed the hairpin entirely, and coasted along the 
concrete for quite a ways.  Got back to the pits, popped the bonnet and 
immediately saw the problem.  The single wire between the battery and 
the alternator had come undone from the alternator.  The wire was tied 
to the chassis with a nylon tie a foot or two from the alternator.  The 
O ring on the end of the wire had limited range of movement.  What kept 
it from shorting out on the chassis was the brake line to the left 
front.  It bounced around.  Ever hear of EDM, electric discharge 
machining?  Well, the wire was still attached to the battery on the 
other end.  Every time the O ring bounced on the brake line, it sparked. 
  And soon enough the sparks had eaten through the brake line, and all 
the fluid drained out of the system.  No fluid, no brakes!

mjb.