With the amount of older style thunders making up 90% of our field, i hope that they don't kill the class by opening up too much. Just a few ideas: 1. gear rule, 6.90-7.00 this will hopefully keep some of the older or home built engines together and keep the availability of gear ratios for guys still running the metric rear ends.
2. 47% rear weight, this will keep the "new gen" cars from being fabricated with a 50% rear weight ratio and give the cars the same handling properties as the older cars!
3. increase cam lift rule to .420/.420, a little more power but keeps the cost down
4. manual transmissions, 3spd cast iron. low maintenance and cheaper to buy than a complete glide set up. also no oiling the track down. easier to adjust to run other tracks also. 50lb weight penalty!
5. allow 3" exhaust 18" from manifold out, let the engines breate a bit more and a cheap addition!
6. stay at 7" ride height, 6" only helps camaros and older chevelles. metric cars have to change mounting points to make the car work properly.
7. 602 crate engines, they are cheap, last forever and are choked off with a 2bbl carb and stock manifolds, making them a great alternative for people that can't afford 10k on an engine!
There are alot of cars out there, the people can't afford to build a new 20-30k thundercar and these subtle changes are relatively cheap and i believe will even out the field somewhat also making us more competitive at invitationals. we have to evolve a little but not outprice the thunder division which is happening! i like speed and all that but its no fun racing 2 or 3 other cars and the lower budget teams would then be able to run up front. therefore making for a more interesting division. just a few ideas!
I like the gear rule, and maybe even a rev limiter. The frank-kimmel-series does it. Save motors as you say, as well as keep the big dollor motors from being able to rev where they can get good engine brake and massive acceleration.
I like the rear weight idea to. To much effort is put into gaining every pound you can get into the rear. Also, the light rear ends would make the cars a bit harder to drive and put racing back in the drivers hands.
And I think the minimum weight should be lowered, there are still cars with 500 lbs of led in them, and not just mine! Make it 3,000 lbs across the board or even less, the late models can get them down 2,850 lbs, and yes that is with the *BIG BOYS* in them like Baker and Inglis.
These are all things we can do without going BACKWARDS, like saying *no floaters, after we already have them*
Jim, you just won a championship and most nights beat a high dollar next gen car. Sounded like you were the guy to beat on any given night, just curious why you would want any changes?
I like most of the rules Jim, but leave the exhaust alone....many of your rule changes are to save money, the exhauust rule makes everyone one spend 600+ dollars....and I would prefer any hydraulic cam on built motors.....why make the change for 10 thou of lift?
$600.00 for exhaust? Is it gold plated???