Thanks for the update, Ted. When do you anticipate having a more concrete set of rules (that one could actually start building a car to)?

Keep it up

 

I would say in October or November.

 

1)stay away from kuhmo's..great stick but constant supply problems...that's why we dumped them for toyo 2)so now i am quaifed out? this is not particularly good news...

 

why are you quaifed out?

 

because thats what is in the race car since 02...post says only torsen l/s

 

The series shouldnt limit the use of the Limited Slip Differential. Other than that, this looks promising.

My only other concern would be the flashing.. what is preventing somebody from buying an SCT package and re-flashing their computer to however they want?

 

the obvious answer would be to "seal" the ECU somehow. perhaps submit the car's ECU to the vendor and they will put some sort of seal on it after they apply the appropriate program??

 

Since it will be hard to check everyones LSD. It will remain open. Ford just want to use the Torsen. But it is best that it remains open.

The SCT Flash units will remain with NASA. I believe it will be very difficult to reflash an ECU that doesn't have the OEM info in it. Cars will be checked after each race.

 

The series shouldnt limit the use of the Limited Slip Differential. Other than that, this looks promising

FWIW, the Quaife warranty is bulletproof (including racing), whereas the Torsen...is not so great. They work exactly the same - why not allow both? I know FR sells the Torsen, but unless they're willing to warranty it, it doesn't seem quite fair.

My only other concern would be the flashing.. what is preventing somebody from buying an SCT package and re-flashing their computer to however they want?

Couldn't you scan the ECU immediately after a race? Just impound the points-scoring cars until they can all be scanned, then release them.

 

Couldn't you scan the ECU immediately after a race? Just impound the points-scoring cars until they can all be scanned, then release them.

That is what will be done.

 

FWIW, the Quaife warranty is bulletproof (including racing), whereas the Torsen...is not so great. They work exactly the same - why not allow both? I know FR sells the Torsen, but unless they're willing to warranty it, it doesn't seem quite fair.

I'm sure it will be open to all LSD. But FYI the Torsen and Quaife are not the same. The Torsen is better for road racing then the Quaife. All three of the Top Focus Touring Car teams use the Torsen.

But since it will be tough check for the LSD. it will remain open.

 

also it would be nice to see ford racing take into account those of us who spent their own money, time and sweat to build a focus race car.....that should count for something...

 

also it would be nice to see ford racing take into account those of us who spent their own money, time and sweat to build a focus race car.....that should count for something...

It will count, but the most important part is to have a level playing field.

 

I'm sure it will be open to all LSD. But FYI the Torsen and Quaife are not the same. The Torsen is better for road racing then the Quaife. All three of the Top Focus Touring Car teams use the Torsen.

But since it will be tough check for the LSD. it will remain open.

Fair enough, and better overall.

The Torsen and Quaife are virtually the same design, and function on the exact same principle. As for which one's 'better for road racing,' that's a long discussion that isn't necessarily proven by who uses what and who doesn't.

Moot point, however.

 

also it would be nice to see ford racing take into account those of us who spent their own money, time and sweat to build a focus race car.....that should count for something...

It will count, but the most important part is to have a level playing field.

agreed..add weight...or handicap..in some of our enduros we have handicapped starts...track record for your class, not your car in particular, is the basis. same thong could be done for previously modified car..see how much weight handicap has to be added based on testing.

 

For the benchmarking, I assume you'll be using one "Spec Driver"? Don't compare times between different drivers and different cars. Even better, have a number of drivers compare a number of cars. That will give the best results.

 

For the benchmarking, I assume you'll be using one "Spec Driver"? Don't compare times between different drivers and different cars. Even better, have a number of drivers compare a number of cars. That will give the best results.

Yes, The same driver and the same tires will be testing both cars.

 

Please go with what ever tire last the longest and is the cheapest.

 

That is the Idea. That's why the Toyo's are on the top of our list.

 

Even better, have a number of drivers compare a number of cars. That will give the best results.

Yes, The same driver and the same tires will be testing both cars.

Any chance that you could test *multiple* drivers in the same cars? A single driver could skew the results too much in particular directions, but different drivers with different abilities & backgrounds will give you a much better representation of what works best overall.

^ As always, said with support & respect...we all want SF to be great

 

I don't know if we'll have time to do multiple tests. But, it will be fair, because I will be doing the first two test. I have no reason to skew the results too much in particular directions.

After we do these time test. Then we'll have multiple drivers race these test cars. We also might be doing a Endro race with one of them in December with Multiple drivers.

Once we get it close. then will be able to set the rules, and play with weight to even them out. I expect that all of 2006 will be that way.

There is no perfect way to do this (Unless you have a tone of money), and I believe this is the only spec series in NASA, to do any pre-season testing at all.

There is a chance to do some more testing in Jan. but that would only be for fine adjustments for weight.

Even if we do try to even these cars out, I expect some models to do better at different tracks.

 

I have no reason to skew the results too much in particular directions.

Oh no, that's not what I'm suggesting. It's more that different drivers perform differently with different changes / parts / etc. Simple example: You might be faster with a 25mm sway bar, but for me - I might be faster with a 22, and find a 25 undrivable... That's all I was getting at.

After we do these time test. Then we'll have multiple drivers race these test cars.

Perfect.

There is no perfect way to do this <snip> Even if we do try to even these cars out, I expect some models to do better at different tracks.

Of course not. The pre-rule testing is a great start, for sure.

 

Oh no, that's not what I'm suggesting. It's more that different drivers perform differently with different changes / parts / etc. Simple example: You might be faster with a 25mm sway bar, but for me - I might be faster with a 22, and find a 25 undrivable... That's all I was getting at.

I understand that, but these first couple test or more power tests to even out the models. The handling part will be more fixed. There will be no difference in suspension between the models. So, driving style won't make a lot of difference in these power tests.

I'm glad you're making these suggestions. It always good to get ideas from an experience race car driver like yourself.
Thanks for your support.

 

The handling part will be more fixed. There will be no difference in suspension between the models. So, driving style won't make a lot of difference in these power tests.

I didn't necessarily mean suspension, as differerent drivers can deal differently with gearing and powerband, but...yeah, we're on the same page.

It always good to get ideas from an experience race car driver like yourself.
Thanks for your support.

Well, 'experienced race car driver' would be overstating things by a ton, but nevertheless - I'm glad you're open to conversation. Rawk on.

 

yes, the only experience in race cars he has is in breaking my car........he is very good at that....