Sidewinder Testing Yesterday

[Matt Dagostino]

Nice Video..............

Both the 'Rock' and the Sidewinder were impressive on Jeff's boat........

These 'tests' in front of the racing community and a sizeable amount of SORC Commissioners that were present are a big step in gaining confidence and acceptance of these motors into Stock Outboard. I was also super impressed with the way Tracy Trollian ran with the 15H Sidewinder with the new 'lower' cc package. I wish Stillwill was there with our BSH Hot Rod outfits to run with her since it looks like the new and improved Sidewinder 15H is now competitive with the ole Hot Rod in BSH!!!!!!! Way to go Ed Runne!!!

While i have my thoughts on what classes Sidewinders should be legal in, it is great to see the 15H running the way it should. Hopefully the 15H will be the 'motor of choice' in the very near future in BSH/BSR and generate more sales for Racing Outboards LLC.

Matt
Region 4 Commissioner

[Big Don]

Glad to hear it’s running well in 15 also. Donny drove Tim Sidor’s second 15 rig at Depue and said it was a fun ride. The 15 (B) class has always been fun to watch. If we can grow that class it’s nothing but a positive thing. Seeing elims at the nationals in B would be a good thing again. In my opinion the BSR class is one of the best classes to watch.

Probably because I could never figure out how to drive a runabout.

[14J]

Troy,
I assume you mean the current 25ssh height of 1/2" below and my answer is no. I am too scared to go that fast!

As I tested it in the video, it was a legal 20ssh. I even added 8 lbs of lead.
Jeff

The 20SSH height established for the 80 and 302. I'd love to see the data at 3/4" & 1/2". Test it some time.

[kev29p]

jack it up?

Why not leave it low??? Make it easier to control for everyone. More control allows you to run in less than glass smooth water. Countless more positives come with control... Speed and on the edge handling do not equal good racing.

[csh12M]

Hello Kev,

Lower height restrictions in my opinion have become more dangerous than running higher. We have learned to move the motor extremely close to the back of the boat (enough to get the tip of the torpedo underneath it). Then we tuck it about 3/4 to an inch. Moving the motor forward allows you to swing bigger wheels and the tuck effectively turns the gearcase into a ramp freeing up the back of the boat. It works great out front, problem is rough water, you drop the front and can crash hard in the straightaway. The A class is a mess with its setups...now people will be trying it at 65mph instead of 55mph. I was very surprised the parity committee went that route. I don't think they thought it out very well. The should of worked on CC instead.

Race technology has caught up with low height restrictions.

12M

[kev29p]

oh well... good luck!

[Big Don]

Hello Kev,

Lower height restrictions in my opinion have become more dangerous than running higher. We have learned to move the motor extremely close to the back of the boat (enough to get the tip of the torpedo underneath it). Then we tuck it about 3/4 to an inch. Moving the motor forward allows you to swing bigger wheels and the tuck effectively turns the gearcase into a ramp freeing up the back of the boat. It works great out front, problem is rough water, you drop the front and can crash hard in the straightaway. The A class is a mess with its setups...now people will be trying it at 65mph instead of 55mph. I was very surprised the parity committee went that route. I don't think they thought it out very well. The should of worked on CC instead.

Race technology has caught up with low height restrictions.

12M

Dean just because I like to bust your &@!!$....

Really? I can't tell you the last time I saw an ASH crash over here. Or are you referring to if they have a sidewinder on the back of the boat? Do they handle differently? Are you guys having issues over in your area?

When they first started doing the tuck thing it might have caused some hard crashes but I can't think of any lately. No one really knew what they were doing when it first started.

[STEVE FRENCH]

This is a Top-Gun...proven rig........Just for those who want to see this motor succeed, .....Pay attention to this run.........This is a air'd out/fly'n corners, on weight ride.................1 3/8" prop depth?

Jeff, Jack it up to 3/4"-1/2",....Try a small 25 wheel and see what this thing will do..........up front 20ssh........Dana needs some company!

[Jeff Brewster 59s]

data

The 20SSH height established for the 80 and 302. I'd love to see the data at 3/4" & 1/2". Test it some time.

Ok, now I understand what you are asking Troy. For a moment there I thought you didn't understand our rules. Silly me!

Sure I could go testing more and provide those numbers to the SORC in Chicago. But why?
No one will believe me anyway and tell me I am sand bagging the numbers!
Then we can move on and argue DSR weight. LOL!

Being the fool I am, I am sure I will have them for you all anyway.

Did it look like I was out of control in any way at 1 3/8" below to anyone?
By the way, I was tucked 9/16". (i expected that question much sooner)

IMHO if this would become a concern, we could leave the height the same and add the tuck rule that seems to be working in ASH. Couldn't we? I know, just what we need, more rules.


Let's first see if we can get the speed up from 62.4 with props.
With an engine now running reliably at over 7900, the larger props can be tried.
As a very wise man keeps telling me, "baby steps".

[DiGia54D]

I thought it looked like a smooth ride, Not out of control

[johnsonm50]

Its lookin real good. smooth around the turns & aired nice straight.

[Brew56]

One thing I was thinking while watching the video was something I believe Craig Dewald touched on in the past about running bigger boats. I would feel pretty comfortable running that engine on a C or 25 boat. I think a NEW RACER would be too.

Great work Jeff. Let's keep the positive thoughts moving in the right direction and work on attracting new members. We need it now more than ever, especially in TRORA.

[Matt Dagostino]

Diminishing Returns!!

Hello Kev,

Lower height restrictions in my opinion have become more dangerous than running higher. We have learned to move the motor extremely close to the back of the boat (enough to get the tip of the torpedo underneath it). Then we tuck it about 3/4 to an inch. Moving the motor forward allows you to swing bigger wheels and the tuck effectively turns the gearcase into a ramp freeing up the back of the boat. It works great out front, problem is rough water, you drop the front and can crash hard in the straightaway. The A class is a mess with its setups...now people will be trying it at 65mph instead of 55mph. I was very surprised the parity committee went that route. I don't think they thought it out very well. The should of worked on CC instead.

Race technology has caught up with low height restrictions.

12M

Our experience has been 'tucking' the Yamato 80 gearcase does not get you the desired effect that was achieved with the OMC A before the SORC wisely instituted the 'tuck rule'...............i believe that is why the 20ssh class has no issue with people tucking motors in over an inch or more and crashing. Extream tuck does not work with the Yamato 80 i imagine due to the 'club' design foot.

Now that the Sidewinder is legal and has a modern racing foot this may become an issue as you stated and need revisiting at some point!!.............guess time and test results will tell!!

[propnuts]

Let's not go down that road

Tuck rules are a big PITA, let's not do another one. Thanks a million to Jeff and everyone else for doing this testing. I know my driver is looking forward to running a fast runabout with a lightweight motor on it. Best of luck Racing Outboards!

IMHO if this would become a concern, we could leave the height the same and add the tuck rule that seems to be working in ASH. Couldn't we? I know, just what we need, more rules.