I just had lunch with Miklos and Gary and we had a conversation about the motor packages for F1 and F2. If no one can come up with an agreement for the motor package, as we thought was agreed upon in St.Pete for the F1 and F2 classes, what about a new class for either the Inovation 496 or the 496 with dry exhaust added ?

As some of you may have heard, Extreme will have a F1 boat or a boat in this new class if it becomes available for the 2004 season. Gary D. on Throttles and Gordo Driving.

I for one am all for the Innovation package. $13,000.00 and you have a motor package as we talked about in St. Pete.

Let's get some imput on this so we can all get our motor packages together and start testing for 2004.

Dave Warden

c/c www.Wetpits.com

No new classes!!! Decide on a motor and stick with it for 3 years min with no changes to the rules.

I agree. What is NOT needed is more classes that resemble existing classes (F1 and F2). Put the $13000 engine in F1 and F2. With F1 and F2 presently running the same engines as SVL and SV, there is not much difference other than canopies. I realize there is more than canopies differentiating the two series, Factory and Super. I just think there needs to be more of a separation between the two series and at the same time, bring Factory back to it's original concept of one engine and one drive. It will grow the class again.
Russ Withiam

We had the "E" class and it lasted a year?
Put a 500HP in it and run F1. Allen is working on getting things worked out with LLC, hopefully a firm answer will be coming soon.

Dan

I'm in for the Innovation 496 idea. In fact, what about the HP2?
Russ, I'm with ya !!!

I posted this question in the WetPits also.... Why not go to a open manufacturer spec motor F2 class?? The motors must meet certain displacements specs, and cannot put out over and agreed HP/TQ number. Each different team could run whatever engine they want as long as it complies with the numbers. Certification would consist of putting the motor on a Dyno at whatever facility designated by APBA, running it and checking the output, and if it complies seal it. That would open up the market to alot of guys like Sterling, Eickert (KE not KEPP), Chief, etc. This would also probably keep the costs down. Kinda like NASCAR. Good idea??

But, what would the window be? how tight are we going to keep the horsepower and torque tolerances? Are we going to be pissing off engine builders if their motors don't fall into this window by a couple of HP??
I'm not saying I would be against it, but again, we would be opening things up to a class where the motors are not "equal" and could possibly open a window of opportunity for "imaginative experimentation" if you will...

they have a class for that,its called B class!

Regarding engine options for Factory 1:

APBA has announced that there will be no rule changes for 2004...I would think that would mean engines also.

Currently there are four engines approved for the class; 500carb, 500EFI, 525, Vortec.

The 525 was the winning engine in 2003. It is available, reliable, expensive and arguably too fast for this class.

496HO is available, underpowered for racing, and not race proven.

496/470 Innovation engine is an interesting option but would not be available until late February. Maybe an option for 2005.

Finally, see paragraph one above.

Allen

Hey allen , what engine did the Vortec Extreme have this year ? from what I can recall it was the 496 , could be wrong though ! If it did wouldnt that mean it is neither underpowered or untested in racing ? These are simply questions and are not intended to rile anyone up ! Thanks Mike Fosse