2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

[GRNDP51]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

Comparing Jeff's Glassair to Nemesis is a bit of apples and oranges because there was a physical course change and the number of laps changed as well.

And on the subject of apples and oranges, Jeff raised the qualifying record last year and Andy took the race record. In 2017 the course itself didn't change just the (inflated) calculated distance. So when looking at the times you are still apples to apples, and then you can back-calculate speeds.

So in 2014 Jeff qualified with a 1:10.963 lap for a calculated speed of 409.812mph.
And heat 3A was 7:08.403 for a calculated speed of 403.227mph.

In 2018 Jeff qualified with a 1:09.968 for a calculated speed of 407.022mph. Pre-2017 that would be 416mph!
And then for the gold Andy flew 7:00.058 for 402.716mph. Pre-2017 this would be 411mph.

This is how I look at it too, it’s too hard to compare 39, One Moment, and Nemesis as their fastest races were all basically on a different course or with different timing. Pretty soon someone will set a new record on the course we have now with the timing we have now and I imagine that will hands down be considered the fastest yet.

[supercub]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

Some consider 500 mph somewhat of where the bar is set for the unlimiteds.....do we ever see the sport class going thru the 500 mph barrier? Do the current planes ie, Glassairs, Lancairs, Thunder Mustangs etc have the structures to withstand the stresses of that kind of speed, or will it take some new designs?

[Race5]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

Some consider 500 mph somewhat of where the bar is set for the unlimiteds.....do we ever see the sport class going thru the 500 mph barrier? Do the current planes ie, Glassairs, Lancairs, Thunder Mustangs etc have the structures to withstand the stresses of that kind of speed, or will it take some new designs?

That will take new designs and possibly some new rules. The power required to go 500 will be very difficult, if not impossible, with the 1000 cubic inch engine limit.

[CubersWrist]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

That will take new designs and possibly some new rules. The power required to go 500 will be very difficult, if not impossible, with the 1000 cubic inch engine limit.

Agreed. Even the unlimiteds are going to be very hard pressed to break 500 with the speed calculation being reset.

[1:1 Scale]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

Someone get cracking on building something around this engine: https://www.sonnysracingengines.com/...r-1005-2100-hp

[Plane Nuts]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

Look at the dyno graph. The power curve starts at 6700 RPM. The max rpm on aircraft racing engines is around 4000 rpm and are usually geared. $109,000 for that engine plus designing and building gearing equals lots of $$$$ for an engine is designed for drag racing not endurance. My .02.

[Russ Craig]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

The claim of this Sonny Leonard engine being the first V8 displacing over 1000 cubic inches is incorrect.
The Ford "GA" 60° V8 from the 1940's displaced 1100 cubic inches and was mass produced for use in Sherman tanks and other tracked vehicles.

[Race5]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

That Sonny's engine is drag racing specific. It does not have the ability to reject the heat it generates for more than a few seconds at a time. Zero percent chance of it working in an aircraft. Then there is the R&D costs to create a PSRU that could handle that power and torque.

[Plane Nuts]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

Not to mention a 90 degree V8 with hemi heads is very wide, lots of frontal area lots of drag.

[1:1 Scale]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

That Sonny's engine is drag racing specific. It does not have the ability to reject the heat it generates for more than a few seconds at a time. Zero percent chance of it working in an aircraft. Then there is the R&D costs to create a PSRU that could handle that power and torque.

I totally forgot about the lack of a cooling system/water jackets. Everything else could be worked around. Being naturally aspirated, I figured there might be a good chance that it could survive some races without coming apart.

Considering it's at the displacement limit of the class and making about double the power of the current boosted class leaders, while being N/A, it gives us an idea of what could be coming in the future.

[Arctic Cat]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

This fully water jacketed and capable of big numbers and under the ci limit. Packaging would be tuff but if you have the cash for this you can can probably afford to pencil out a new design

https://www.stevemorrisengines.com/engines/engine-development

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

Could the engine be designed to fit in an unlimited new build(deep pockets)?

[CubersWrist]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

New blog post on the One Moment website.

http://teamonemoment.com/2019/05/the-golden-age-of-sport-class/

[Fence Sence]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

New blog post on the One Moment website.
http://teamonemoment.com/2019/05/the...f-sport-class/

Nice post! Thanks for some great narrative. The sport class has certainly been a life line in some lean times. Growing up in the Golden Age of Unlimiteds, I think the Sports are doing a great job of creating their own Golden Age. From day one, I was onboard with the class, and it has exceeded all my expectations and it feels like it’s just hitting its stride.

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: 2019 Sport Gold Synopsis

As one that goes back to the Cleveland Air Races I know of the "Golden Age". The article on the Sports Class was well written & I agree they are the upcoming Class to watch for speed & sound. They are a dedicated group to keep the Reno Air Races alive along with the other classes. All age groups have a so called "Golden Age" so support them all.