Tohatsu in MOD???

[mercguy]

I am just curious as to why the Tohatsu motor was not approved (by the MOD commission) for use in Dmod this season (and going to the ballet for member approval), but still remaining on Probationary status? Seems kind of silly to not have a LEGAL STOCK motor approved for use in a MOD class? It really does screw one guy over pretty good, that bought a Tohatsu to race in Dmod, since there is not Dstock class in his region, but wanted to buy a NEW motor. This takes away a few more boats that would run in Dmod. What seems to be the issue for not putting it to the members to vote on? A good 44mod should not have a problem beating a STOCK Tohatsu, so that should not be an issue...........

[pops67g]

You have to ask!

Motors don't just automatically get dumped into classes. There are hurdles to be jumped to make this happen. The most obvious thing is that maybe no one asked that the motor be put in 750ccMod. This motor is included in the list of accepted motors for 850ccMod however, so that's probably where it's going to be instead.

[mercguy]

Motors don't just automatically get dumped into classes. There are hurdles to be jumped to make this happen. The most obvious thing is that maybe no one asked that the motor be put in 750ccMod. This motor is included in the list of accepted motors for 850ccMod however, so that's probably where it's going to be instead.

give me a break, the Tohatsu has been asked to be allowed in Dmod (750cc) for the last few years and it was allowed in on "probationary status" to run in "stock" condition. Ya, put a stock 698cc (42.6cu) Tohatsu in an 850cc class......that makes sense and sure as hell does not stand a chance of winning against a modified 3cyl OMC!

[bh/]

"hot-sue"

Daren; -is the ignition timing adjustable on the Tohatsu?
Is it locked down now, and/or is there a SORC mandated timing spec ?
I am hearing there is a bunch more power there,
if one could, or was allowed to advance the timing. "

[mercguy]

Daren; -is the ignition timing adjustable on the Tohatsu?
Is it locked down now, and/or is there a SORC mandated timing spec ?
I am hearing there is a bunch more power there,
if one could, or was allowed to advance the timing. "

yes, the timing is adjustable on the Toh and has a set max limit, but if one tried to go another 2-3 degrees you would have PROBLEMS, so the "feeling" of a bunch more available power is just a "feeling"..............

so, would a stock 50hp Tohatsu beat a stock 75hp OMC? Not likely, so how does it make sense of putting the motor in FE (850cc)?

a 44XS is a legal Dmod (750cc or whatever you want to call the class now), so why not a Tohatsu? I keep hearing how people "assume" the Tohatsu in much faster than a 44XS, but that sure has not been provin out here on the West Coast, where DSH is the largest in the country and the 44XS boats are the ones winning the races.....

by the way, the Tohatsu only failed making the ballot in Dmod (750cc) by one vote (as I am informed), so that shows in has been asked for approval...........

[Brian10s]

Darren,
The MORC does not have the power to insert an engine into a class. It only has the power to make it a prototype and place it on the ballot for the class drivers to approve. The process is to have drivers run the class as a prototype, to gather data and show that a) the new engine doesn't crush the existing engine and b) the level of support the new engine has by the drivers in the class. Each Commissioner is to request the summary sheets with lap times of any probationary engine and to submit these to the MORC for reveiw at the National Meeting. This is just the process for a new motor, not a reason why it was not put on the ballot.

I know the Tohatsu was on the ballot the last several years but did not pass the driver vote. I do not know the reasons behind it not going to ballot this year, might be there was not enough support while in prototype status or might be to give the drivers of the Tohatsu an oppurtunity to drum up support. Who knows? You would have to check out what happened with your commissioner who in Detroit to know the real story.

[David_L6]

Almost hate to get into this.......

Why not leave the D Mod class alone? Parts are available to build one.

[pops67g]

Power potential is a factor

Parity is not/should not be an issue in modified classes. Limits on modifications need to be put in to prevent exotic, one off parts that most of us poor guys can't afford to be competitive. Build the best motor you can within the rules and let the chips fall where they may. That said, the modern design of the Tohatsu gives it very high potential that would probably make it more than merely competitive in the 850 class. Somebody needs to build one and then we'll know.

[Jeff Akers]

Parity is not/should not be an issue in modified classes. Limits on modifications need to be put in to prevent exotic, one off parts that most of us poor guys can't afford to be competitive. Build the best motor you can within the rules and let the chips fall where they may. That said, the modern design of the Tohatsu gives it very high potential that would probably make it more than merely competitive in the 850 class. Somebody needs to build one and then we'll know.

I don't think anyone is asking to build a "modified" Tohatsu for use in the D MOD class.

I think it is a fair question to ask, If a D stock Merc 44xs (in it's STOCK form ) is a legal "step up" into the D MOD class.

Then why not allow the D stock Tohatsu (in it's STOCK form) to legaly "step up" and run in the D MOD class.........?

Add: seems to me like a good way to increas partisapation in the Mod catigory.

[mercguy]

Why not leave the D Mod class alone? Parts are available to build one.

would it hurt to have more boats in the class? Some regions have a very low boat count in DMH, so some guys do not get to race. Allowing the Tohatsu in "stock form" puts more boats on the water, thus giving the guys that do not get to race very often with their Dmods, time on the water......

[mercguy]

I don't think anyone is asking to build a "modified" Tohatsu for use in the D MOD class.

I think it is a fair question to ask, If a D stock Merc 44xs (in it's STOCK form ) is a legal "step up" into the D MOD class.

Then why not allow the D stock Tohatsu (in it's STOCK form) to legaly "step up" and run in the D MOD class.........?

Add: seems to me like a good way to increas partisapation in the Mod catigaory.

you typed this out before I could.............WELL SAID Jeff!!!

[mercguy]

Darren,
The MORC does not have the power to insert an engine into a class. It only has the power to make it a prototype and place it on the ballot for the class drivers to approve. The process is to have drivers run the class as a prototype, to gather data and show that a) the new engine doesn't crush the existing engine and b) the level of support the new engine has by the drivers in the class. Each Commissioner is to request the summary sheets with lap times of any probationary engine and to submit these to the MORC for reveiw at the National Meeting. This is just the process for a new motor, not a reason why it was not put on the ballot.

I know the Tohatsu was on the ballot the last several years but did not pass the driver vote. I do not know the reasons behind it not going to ballot this year, might be there was not enough support while in prototype status or might be to give the drivers of the Tohatsu an oppurtunity to drum up support. Who knows? You would have to check out what happened with your commissioner who in Detroit to know the real story.

Brian says "
I know the Tohatsu was on the ballot the last several years but did not pass the driver vote"

but, the issue has not made it that far, only to be shot down by the commissioners. If you polled the Tohatsu drivers, I can GUARANTEE none of them would disapprove of the motor being legal in MOD. It gives them another class to race their motor in. Is that so bad? I am sure (well, will definately know for sure next weekend) that the MOD commissioner from my area voted FOR the motor in mod......

[sam]

I think it is a fair question to ask, If a D stock Merc 44xs (in it's STOCK form ) is a legal "step up" into the D MOD class.

Then why not allow the D stock Tohatsu (in it's STOCK form) to legaly "step up" and run in the D MOD class.........?

The Stock 44xs does not get a pass into D Mod because it is a legal Stock motor, it is legal in D Mod because it conforms to all D Mod rules

There are no Stock to Mod "step up" rules, but I think all older Stock motors do qualify to run in their equivalent Mod class under the regular Mod rules - only the new 'Hat and Sidewinder would be the exceptions.

[mercguy]

The Stock 44xs does not get a pass into D Mod because it is a legal Stock motor, it is legal in D Mod because it conforms to all D Mod rules

There are no Stock to Mod "step up" rules

you might want to explain a little more of what you are saying here Sam......enlighten us.

and yes, there are "step up" rules.............(specifically cubic inches).

seems every other stock motor (OMC A (Formula A), Hot Rod A and B (A/B mod), Yamato 80 (Bmod), 25XS (Bmod), Yamato 102 and 302 (Cmod), 44XS (Dmod), so what is wrong with the Tohatsu being a legal motor in Dmod?

[sam]

Please tell me the page, the rule and the number you are referring to