Unlimited Weight Rule

[morss]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

gp-5 -very sleek

[Sky Critter]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

I think this may have been mentioned last year but, how about a super sport or light unlimited class? Dump the CID limit and place an upper weight limit of 6000 lbs or so. With more NXT and TM kits finishing this year and next and another couple of light custom racers, there would be enough to start the class.

That's my .02

[Reno_Steve]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

I think this may have been mentioned last year but, how about a super sport or light unlimited class? Dump the CID limit and place an upper weight limit of 6000 lbs or so. With more NXT and TM kits finishing this year and next and another couple of light custom racers, there would be enough to start the class.

That's my .02

I agree that the only sensible option is to come up with a light weight unlimited class.
What is the minimum weight for the current unlimiteds ?

[MMPerk]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

Uh, I've been tossed around in the P-3 while in a 747 wake turbulance on short final. That's not fun either.

I've been tossed pretty good in a C-130 while flying in formation. We got into the prop wash of a couple of birds in front of us, not a pretty sight.

Lonnie

[W J Pearce]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

I guess the best way forward from here would be to see what Dave Morss has to say, although I'd also like to see if Bill Pearce could get a read from John Parker on the topic as I'm interested for a couple of reasons.

Ed

John Parker wants to race as an Unlimited. If I remember correctly, he felt that the wake turbulence was no bigger an issue than with any other aircraft. Dave Morss said the TM did better than the P-51 and on another post way back I think he said it did better then a Yak as well. I have no clue about the NXT and others.

John Parker registered for PRS in 2005 as an Unlimited. The 4500 lbs rule came out 1 week before PRS (I think). I did a little research assuming we could go 355 mph around the course and found we would have done quite well in the Unlim Bronze. I think we would have won it 2 or three times in the past 10 years. Now this is far from scientific but it was interesting. This year, if we could have kept up the 370, we would have done very well in the Silver. We all know that 33 and the NXTs would be right there too.

I just think they want to keep the classes separate. They do not want the little planes battling with the "Heavy Iron". And how would it feel for a Sport racer to take home the silver, or place well in the Gold? I don't think 400 mph laps are far off (about 355 days?) I still think Unlimited should be Unlimited. If the plane is fast enough, and the pilot competent enough, let them race.

[Sky Critter]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

There was a post on WAP back in May that eluded to a proposed rule change in the Sport Class for 2007. I don't know if it was adopted or not but here's what was mentioned:

1000 C.I.'s
Any pumped fuel available by sanctioning RARA
Nitrous O.K.
No A.D.I. % mix limit
4500 lb's max empty weight
ONLY FOR SUPER SPORT RACERS!
Beginning 2007

Anyone know if this ever came about? I think it would be great if it did!

[Sky Critter]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

I was on a business trip several years ago departing from LAX in a 737. Just after take off and over the water, we got violently rolled about 60 deg to starboard. Most everyone on the plane screamed...the rest of the flight back to Tucson was dead silent. The pilot came on shortly afterwards and said it was wake turbulence. I was gazing out the window at the time and remember looking nearly straight down at a really nice sail boat!

[Apteryx]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

...This year, if we could have kept up the 370, we would have done very well in the Silver. We all know that 33 and the NXTs would be right there too.

.
Bill-
And let's not forget that was on the tighter coarse. Not having to pull as many G's, speeds should be higher. Dave's also said the Thunder is more comfortable in turbulance, then the Yak's.

Let demonstrated ability be the deciding factor, not politics.

Paul

[Matt Jackson]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

I have read many comments about the weight limitations and Sport Class Racers in the Unlimiteds. I for one have always been a supporter of new and innovative ideas. Lets look back to the 30's when the fastest planes were the home builds. Now some 70 years later we are running around near 500 MPH on one race venue. We call it the sand box.. RARA owns the sand box and they make the rules. In the interest of safety they have determined that Sport Class racers should not race with the Big unlimiteds. It is their decision not ours. My suggestion is for the Sport class to continue their efforts on going fast. I made a promise earlier this year to a Sport class racer "if he can run with the big guys for eight laps show me. Demonstrate you can remain on the course in traffic safely and I'll see what I can do to change Rara's mind. I have flown most all the Sport class model aircraft with the exception being Jon Sharps aircraft model. I have the opinion that no sport class airplane matches up to heavy weights as of yet. The Thunder Mustang is an impressive aircraft. I do not agree we should compare it with a P51 Mustang. With all this being said my offer to the Sport class goes like this. Show me you can stay on the course with all the big guys and be competitive and I'll go to bat for you. Who knows someday someone will build a Sport class plane capable of flying my fat ass around the course, but it will have to be fast so I can fly that low line in smooth air. Unlike you Dave I can't see those little pylons if I get too high, even with a lot of practice.

Matt J

[morss]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

Matt please define competative. Id take almost any sport gold racer and lap the wildcat. At this point I dont think any sport class racer has a chance out of the bronze,or bottom of silver. What I dont think is fair is a group of guys spend 16 years building a plane to have fun and run in bronze with no intent of winning the gold . they have a plane that wont qualify for sport and now cant race because they dont weigh 4500 lbs. They know they cant fly behind a seafury and dont want to.
dave

[Relentless]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

With all this being said my offer to the Sport class goes like this. Show me you can stay on the course with all the big guys and be competitive and I'll go to bat for you.
Matt J

Start warming up my friend , I accept your offer!!!


Wether or not we race in Unlimiteds or not, we are the next big thing!!!! Sport Class air racing is growing and most importantly understands it's obligation to bring in new money if it wants to rise in Reno. We have and we are!

[SpinB]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

I'm having a hard time walking around all these Milled Billet, Spiked and Heat Treated GAUNTLETS laying around!!!!!!!

[morss]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

some gp-5 pics
dave

[MLenoch]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

Did I mention that I walked around for a few weeks with a stiff back after I flew behind Curt Brown in the SeaFury a few years ago. That is definite, strong wing rock!
(Hope this adds to the original thread.)
VL

[Lowell]

Re: Unlimited Weight Rule

Wether or not we race in Unlimiteds or not, we are the next big thing!!!! Sport Class air racing is growing and most importantly understands it's obligation to bring in new money if it wants to rise in Reno. We have and we are!

Kevin,

Is there any talk about where and when the first non-Reno Sport Class race may take place? I can hardly wait to start seeing some races pop up around the country. I wish Sun n' Fun could at least do a version of their Sun 100 race for the Gold Sport Class racers. What about Jackpot, NV adding a true Sport Class race to their yearly event?

Any rumored venues for 2007?