2008 predictions

[Bill Marsh]

Re: 2008 predictions

Just for funnnnnnn!!!!!

Have Ckeck Mater get into the GOLD

AND

finish the entire race running.


THATS A SUTTE WISH.

[MRussell]

Re: 2008 predictions

I'm going to predict that all the race merlins stay together this year. The win going to Race 4.

I'll see your 4 and raise you to a 7!

[grampi]

Re: 2008 predictions

I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but the Merlins just haven't been able to hold together in recent years at the required race power settings. And with Dan and Tiger applying "full-smash"!!!!

I wonder if Bear could hold together at the speeds Dago was running in '03 (500+ MPH), which I believe she can still run. Heck, I wonder if Bear is capable of those speeds period.

[grampi]

Re: 2008 predictions

I'm going to predict that all the race merlins stay together this year. The win going to Race 4.

I agree. I don't think anyone can beat Dago unless she breaks. Healthy, Dago is the fastest unlimited on the planet!

[Peashooter]

Re: 2008 predictions

I agree. I don't think anyone can beat Dago unless she breaks. Healthy, Dago is the fastest unlimited on the planet!

The Bear's gonna play some trump cards this year....

[MRussell]

Re: 2008 predictions

I wonder if Bear could hold together at the speeds Dago was running in '03 (500+ MPH), which I believe she can still run. Heck, I wonder if Bear is capable of those speeds period.

It would be a mistake to ever doubt the Bear. What was it Skip said on camera? "If anyone thinks Rare Bear is not the fastest plane out here, they're nuts." (or something like that)

Separate question: Which has the more exotic propeller... Strega or Dago ??

[David E. Wells]

Re: 2008 predictions

Separate question: Which has the more exotic propeller... Strega or Dago ??

IMHO Strega's runway shortened prop, +/- 12" in dia is a detriment to her performance, it's a harmonic issue...Dago has THE correct cuffed Ham-stan propeller...D.

[TOMW]

Re: 2008 predictions

It's the return of the Mustangs!
1. Strega
2. Dago Red
3. Various round motors belching fluids trying to keep up!

[MRussell]

Re: 2008 predictions

IMHO Strega's runway shortened prop, +/- 12" in dia is a detriment to her performance, it's a harmonic issue...Dago has THE correct cuffed Ham-stan propeller...D.

Didn't RRIII pick up an instant 10mph or thereabouts when they borrowed the Witch's semi-scimitar prop? I assume that's still not a scientific comparison?

[David E. Wells]

Re: 2008 predictions

Didn't RRIII pick up an instant 10mph or thereabouts when they borrowed the Witch's semi-scimitar prop? I assume that's still not a scientific comparison?

I don't think we'll ever know, he didn't finish. Dan Martin could get an instant 10mph out of a board...D.

[grampi]

Re: 2008 predictions

It would be a mistake to ever doubt the Bear. What was it Skip said on camera? "If anyone thinks Rare Bear is not the fastest plane out here, they're nuts." (or something like that)

Separate question: Which has the more exotic propeller... Strega or Dago ??

Well, it's pretty tough to argue with hard numbers and no other plane (including Bear) has ever come close to running the 507 MPH lap speeds that Dago ran.

[Red]

Re: 2008 predictions

I can't argue with those numbers for sure. Afterall they are "official" and were done with all the proper verification. Go Dago!

However......I know some would argue that Tsunami '91 and some of the others (232 1/2 lap etc...) are/were capable of such speeds, but no one has been able to put it all together. There realy hasn't been any need with only one or two true contenders on the course at a time. Second place sets the pace.

As far as coming close to those speeds.....compare some of the old times and convert those to the new course measurement. You will be surprised how close to those speeds a few planes have gone........

[grampi]

Re: 2008 predictions

I can't argue with those numbers for sure. Afterall they are "official" and were done with all the proper verification. Go Dago!

However......I know some would argue that Tsunami '91 and some of the others (232 1/2 lap etc...) are/were capable of such speeds, but no one has been able to put it all together. There realy hasn't been any need with only one or two true contenders on the course at a time. Second place sets the pace.

As far as coming close to those speeds.....compare some of the old times and convert those to the new course measurement. You will be surprised how close to those speeds a few planes have gone........

Could you possibly explain this whole old course/new course thing, because I don't understand it? Isn't 507 MPH 507 MPH regardless of the distance or layout of the course?

[flyingjibus]

Re: 2008 predictions

Could you possibly explain this whole old course/new course thing, because I don't understand it? Isn't 507 MPH 507 MPH regardless of the distance or layout of the course?

If it takes you 6 minutes to travel 10 Miles your average speed is 100mph

If it takes you 6 minutes to travel 11 Miles your average speed is 110mph

The old course was a slightly different length, therefore the speeds seemed slightly slower.

Regardless of the actual line the racers fly the number of miles used to determine the average speed after the course "change" was different.

Therefore Dago 507mph was calculated with numbers that were not used for all previous course times.

In conclusion Dago is very fast, Strega is very fast. Rare Bear is very Fast. September Fury is Very Fast.

As to who is faster, see above post

It would be a mistake to ever doubt the Bear. What was it Skip said on camera? "If anyone thinks Rare Bear is not the fastest plane out here, they're nuts." (or something like that)

Hope this helps....

[Red]

Re: 2008 predictions

I wish it were a straight conversion.

A few years back RARA "optimized" the the way the course was timed. Instead of the typical pylon to pylon shortest distance method being used, a line was projected that represented the actual flight path and the new timing represents this. This artificially increased the averages somewhat.

So...there is no direct correlation between the old and new times. There is an accepted "fudge factor" one can use to compare the two, but I don't know what that is.

There are some who feel that the change negates all the old averages, and it was made to "enhance" fan appeal