Idea III Tec.
 

Lets post ideas for the tec. inspectors to look for or things you have heard about that may be over the line.
Hidden Balast (how)?
Computor upgrades (how)?
Drive components?
Motor upgrades?

MD

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Mike thats a great list! I remember the tec. inspections in F1 at APBA and thought they did a GREAT job. Paul Abrue is a top notch inspector.
So what are some of the tricks you have seen?
MD

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Fountains actually had to cheat to win? :eek:

Must be how they got so many records... :rolleyes: The times the weren't caught... :drink:

Was the fuel cooling illegal in all classes or just the Factory? :confused:

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Neat stories Mike, I'd love to hear more.

How about internal engine mods? Was anyone that bold?

The other stuff seems like racers were looking for any advantage possible. Internal changes would be outright cheating with no way to remove the objectionable items prior to the race.

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

I witness 2 F1 Boats in Daytona going into the water 100 lbs lighter than what they had to come out. No one ever checked the weights going in.

Why not put all ecm in a box and draw before the race?

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Also Witnessed a team pull 10 gallons of water in 5 gallon buckets from the bow, said it was rain water.

don't ask, I will never tell, I came up with a few Ideas of my own, nothing ever worked I only started becoming competive when the APBA took 200 lbs out of my boat witch still keep us 175lbs over the leaders.

I was really looking forward to the 1,1,1 rule that was being discussed last year.

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Mike, we want more!!!!! but you dont have to give the name of the boat or manufacture.
MD

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Do I see a up and coming story in EBM ???? :rolleyes: Dave

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

What other ways are people hidding weight?

I like the idea of having a 6" inspection plate on everyones ballest tank. The weight issue can be hard to find im sure if someone wants to try and hide it!
MD

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

-How about putting the boat in a BEER COOLER ,at a big distributor,overnight before a race to really cool the fuel off?
-Guys ran illegal ECM's in Factory class early days.
-Shaved skegs still questionable today.
-Weight is still iffy all the time.
-Welding diffrent prop blades on a different hub?

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

I can see it now, "Everything you ever wanted to know about cheating, but were afraid to ask."

Actually, it would be very interesting to read.

I like the beer cooler idea to chill the fuel. Ya gotta wonder if that would actually improve performance or not. I guess someone thought it would.

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Why was this thread started? Seems to highlight dishonesty and makes it sound like this is a rampant problem in the sport. I would like to think inspectors know what they are doing and will catch those who want to reinterpret the rules. I'm not sure Paul, Jim and the rest need a refresher on what to look for. They are real good at what they do.

Publishing an article in any magazine on this topic will further tarnish the sport. I think Ron P. was just kidding.

J

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Jim I think its good to let some of the other racers know what has been tried and were either over the line or are things inspectors look for. If you dont ask an inspector if your idea is leagal or not, you must assume its not and dont just try it and say you didnt know! I dont think anyone in our class is cheating but its good to know that the inspectors are fully aware of some of the tricks. :D
MD

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Randy,

Maybe thats your interpretation and may be the way it is in the other sanctioning bodies. I don't know. What I read in APBA's rulebook is:

"WARNING TO RACERS - IF THIS RULEBOOK DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY SAY THAT YOU CAN DO OR USE SOMETHING, THEN YOU MUST CONSIDER THAT THE ACTION, CHANGE OR COMPONENT IS ILLEGAL."

All I can ask of anyone is what part of this is not clear?

J

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

We wanted to run a reusable System 1 Oil filter to save money. Was told no. Another team ran plug wires from another vendor other than Mercury and got penalized. Seems innocent enough, but, violated the (spec class) rules of "if it doesn't specifically say you can do it...it's illegal". The point is not about cheating, it's about following the rules.

J

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Blue NUTZ Wil & Larry run a Mercury 525 not a VORTEC. FYI

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Guys Im only trying to find ways to keep it equal not start a pissing match again.
MD

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Well if your outta here I am oughta here too... and I was outta here first!!! So there!!

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Jim thats the phrase I was looking for,thanks. What about sealed motor compartments? what does that do for performance? I remember when E class said you couldnt have a sealed compartment,why?
MD

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

That too is already covered by the APBA rules.

"Competitors may not raise their engine hatches from the time they have completed the race and crossed the finish line until the boat is presented for inspection to an APBA-Offshore Inspector. Engine hatches may only be raised during the race to effect emergency repairs. If an APBA-Offshore Official observes a boat with the engine hatch raised after the boat has crossed the finish line, the entry shall be disqualified unless the APBA-Offshore inspection team can verify a case of extreme emergency. "

J

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Jim, I ment sealed motor compartment as in no scoops or air vents. The E class was the 502 stock version of F1. I might just be dreaming it was a while ago.
Will you be in KW with the F1 boat? Have you been running it in CA? Do you like the 525 setup better?
MD

Re: Idea III Tec.
 

Randy,

Gotcha on the seal engine compartment. Our scoop has never pulled air. We have to feed air in through naca ducts. When we were racing against you our engine would get heat saturated mid race. Just did not have air flow into or out of the engine compartment. We'd burn off fuel and slow down. Took us 3 years to figure that one out.

The plan is to go to the Worlds. We are running an Innovation converted 500 to 525. Yes, it's legal in APBA. It runs very well. The boat likes the extra HP and torque as compared to the HP500. At 5200 pounds or about 5900 at the start of a race, it pulls real well. The Sport Master does add some extra handling, but.... when she lets loose, she's going over. No warning. The boat turns tight like the activators with the right driver in the seat.

This is the 4th and probably the last year running the Warlock.

J