Can Ams on flat tracks: Experiment = Mini Brute motors for these races
As many will know, Herman and I both elected to run Mini Brutes in our Can Am/Flat track race last month at Motown. We had both independently tested them without the knowledge of the other. In a discussion about new rules, "switchup" races, etc the night before the race, Herman suggested to me that it might be good for the program as a whole to mandate the MB for Can Am on flat tracks. As most won't know, this has been suggested in the past by another of our best racers. On race day, Herman and I were talking and just said "hey...lets try it" So we did. Herman finished second to Tracy and I finished fourth to them plus Rocky. We both thought that was a successful test.
Moving forward, I will test the MB again at FTH. Others are invited to do so as well, however, I will not mandate it. The goal is to see whether everyone feels that this might be a good path for future rules.
These are cumulative opinions so far..............
Pro:
- The MB is roughly 0.1 - 0.2 slower but much easier to drive.This always equates to cleaner races.
- Many racers will do more laps with the slower motor on flat tracks.
- A RH on our twisty flat tracks really needs a controller choke and/or super low gearing, and still needs an excellent driver
- For those that do not have controllers with a good choke, (or) an effective freestanding choke, this will level the field somewhat.
- A MB on our flat tracks can be run exactly the same as you run it in your F-1 and probably much less added weight vs. the RH
Con:
- The MB is roughly 0.1 - 0.2 slower but much harder to drive.
- Some racers will think that the MB is just too easy to drive and therefore boring (at least to them)
Experiment with a new/different motor for Pro Coupe:
I'm going to embark on some testing in the hopes of re-leveling the playing field and injecting some life in our lowest participation class. This going to be done to pursue several goals.
- Find a good motor that will fit the anglewinder chassis that everyone has.
- Find a good motor with a lower cost/technical building factor than the built Big Dogs.
- Find a motor that is easy enough to drive that an inline chassis with a coupe body will be more competitive than it would be with a Big Dog.
- Find a way to control what I suspect is an influx of illegal poly neo magnets into this class. It is difficult to tell with closed Pro Slot cans.
Planned experiment so far: I'll be testing a JK Hawk 6 in my coupes in the coming months. Idea being allow the H6 or the RH.
- $16 motor out of the bag & $25 pre-blueprinted from Alpha
- Fits our existing AW chassis with no problems where a RH may not.
- Should be close enough to a RH in speed that an inline chassis can run a RH (or) H6 and be in the hunt.
- Would make this class raceable on our flat tracks where it currently really isn't.
- Open can that comes with Poly Neo mags therefore possible to tech easily.
is not necessarily needed or even desirable. Since I don't care one way or the other about "sealed" I don't see any advantage in the PS/4002 FK over the JK H6. FWIW.....most of the racers that have suggested slowing or toning down the motors are our top racers, most of whom have national or even international level experience. Thus, it's not as if the slower guys are trying to slow down the faster guys.
