Don't let Region 6 kill Sidewinder

[Apachemax]

Brandon,
What are most peoples thoughts on this? Can the restrictor be tweaked? Does it need to be? Or is it ok the way it is?

Mike

Mike the issue is not the advent of a new engine, that would be welcome if they made something that would be competitive. You cannot restrict a 20 in. to compete with a 15 ci. The torque of the 20 ci is too much to overcome.
Here in Wisconsin, we've had fewer than a half a dozen participants in the B class, all long time Hot Rod racers, they will probably move to 250ccM Thus eliminating the B class from the Wisconsin lineup.
Just an unfortunate situation. Its more of a dilemma than politics.

[kev29p]

When was the Hot Rod last available as a new motor? 20 years ago? Just curious. Someone out there must know when the last one was produced.

Seems like a losing battle trying to preserve or promote an extinct engine when there is a similar new available one available.

[Apachemax]

When was the Hot Rod last available as a new motor? 20 years ago? Just curious. Someone out there must know when the last one was produced.

Seems like a losing battle trying to preserve or promote an extinct engine when there is a similar new available one available.

Like the 1955 chevy small block, a modern variation can be bought today. I dont see any reason why the Hot Rod couldn't be advanced into the 21 century also.
The Hot Rod is a very well designed engine. With minor modifications; it could be similar to Yamato in the way of performance and durability.

[kev29p]

So, you are saying that we should take the Hot Rod design as in bore, stroke, cylinder volume, exhaust housing, and gearcase,, and fix some of the short comings? Using a Yamato as a reference is an excellent idea. So, lets give it a one piece crank, reed valves, and a split crankcase for starters. Those Hot Rod press in rotary valve cranks are awesome pieces of engineering, but lets face it they are not for less than "wizard" mechanics. Kind of pricey to buy too... The split crankcase should probably be beefier like the Yamato, and so should the block. This way we won't have to use muffler clamps to hold the thing together. Hmm, seems to be a problem with adding the carburetor to the traditional front of the crankcase location. If we extend forward from our new crankcase with a reed plate and and intake to mount the carb on, we are going to have to redesign the pivot point of the exhaust housing. Hmm, maybe it would be easier to mount the carb on the side instead, then Hot Rod owners can still use their exhaust housings. Wait, didn't some company already go through this process???

[Apachemax]

So, you are saying that we should take the Hot Rod design as in bore, stroke, cylinder volume, exhaust housing, and gearcase,, and fix some of the short comings? Using a Yamato as a reference is an excellent idea. So, lets give it a one piece crank, reed valves, and a split crankcase for starters. Those Hot Rod press in rotary valve cranks are awesome pieces of engineering, but lets face it they are not for less than "wizard" mechanics. Kind of pricey to buy too... The split crankcase should probably be beefier like the Yamato, and so should the block. This way we won't have to use muffler clamps to hold the thing together. Hmm, seems to be a problem with adding the carburetor to the traditional front of the crankcase location. If we extend forward from our new crankcase with a reed plate and and intake to mount the carb on, we are going to have to redesign the pivot point of the exhaust housing. Hmm, maybe it would be easier to mount the carb on the side instead, then Hot Rod owners can still use their exhaust housings. Wait, didn't some company already go through this process???

Hey! That would be dandy!
**** if it worked right..

[kev29p]

Try one yourself yet?

Ever buy a new Hot Rod? i have, 1989. It was nowhere near competitive. It was 3mph and gobbs of acceleration off. Fortunately i had wizard friends who taught me their ways...

Be a part of the solution. Save up, get a Sidewinder and figure it out.

[Apachemax]

Try one yourself yet?

Ever buy a new Hot Rod? i have, 1989. It was nowhere near competitive. It was 3mph and gobbs of acceleration off. Fortunately i had wizard friends who taught me their ways...

Be a part of the solution. Save up, get a Sidewinder and figure it out.

Never bought a new Hot Rod. Ive bought a new 302; brand new motor, clamped onto a boat, put on 3 different props, and could only achieve 52mph on a runabout.
I understand new stuff doesn't work properly in every scenario, but constant tuning every day seems a bit outrageous, right? Aren't people still having troubles with the A Sidewinder on a runabout?
Back to the B class. You noted that the Sidewinder has the same Bore/Stroke of the Hot Rod, why do they need to restrict a 20ci Sidewinder when they already have a 15ci B Sidewinder produced and ready to run?

[bill boyes]

Didn't a SW just set a record at Yelm in A runabout?

[Racerkyle20]

Didn't a SW just set a record at Yelm in A runabout?

Also set multiple straight away records at West Virginia and other circle records in Dayton.

Here's the running tally:
https://social.apba-racing.com/discu...winners-circle

[Apachemax]

B class

I heard elsewhere that the A Sidewinder wasnt doing well in ASR, good to hear that they got any kinks worked out.
Back to the B class.
Why do they need to restrict the 20ci Sidewinder when they already have a 15ci B Sidewinder produced and ready to run?

[kev29p]

Maybe because the B class is meant to be a 20 cube class? Also, as is with the wonderful Yamato engine, it gives the racer more bang for the buck having an engine that can compete in BSR, 25ssr, BSH, 20ssh, and 25ssh. Maybe I am wrong, but didn't the 15ss hot rod fill the B void due to so few 20ci hot rods left in the early 90's? Well, now there are only a few hot rods left, and the 20ci Sidewinder is there to fill the void since NOBODY stepped up to keep producing the hot rod.

[kampkurz]

And to add: Sidewinder first place at Top'O, not that Top'O is a test of durability or anything.

[Apachemax]

Maybe because the B class is meant to be a 20 cube class? Also, as is with the wonderful Yamato engine, it gives the racer more bang for the buck having an engine that can compete in BSR, 25ssr, BSH, 20ssh, and 25ssh. Maybe I am wrong, but didn't the 15ss hot rod fill the B void due to so few 20ci hot rods left in the early 90's? Well, now there are only a few hot rods left, and the 20ci Sidewinder is there to fill the void since NOBODY stepped up to keep producing the hot rod.

The B class for the past twenty years has been a 15ci class. So the fact that the B class has a history of 20ci motors is a poor excuse to dump a 20ci engine in a class where the current motor is a 15ci. I do support being able to run it in multiple classes, but eventually it starts severe parity problems.
Has the 15/B Sidewinder encounter any success in the B class the past few years that it has been approved?

[pav225]

20 vs 15

I think they found that the restricted 20ci ran better than the unrestricted 15ci, so the 20 became the motor of choice.

Hopefully, someone who owns one (or both) can chime in on why the 20ci seems to run better.

Mike

[kev29p]

The B class for the past twenty years has been a 15ci class. So the fact that the B class has a history of 20ci motors is a poor excuse to dump a 20ci engine in a class where the current motor is a 15ci. I do support being able to run it in multiple classes, but eventually it starts severe parity problems.
Has the 15/B Sidewinder encounter any success in the B class the past few years that it has been approved?

You are missing the point. Let me try this way... the Hot Rod is like Ash wood is to baseball bats. The ash trees are becoming extinct and those who love ash baseball bats will have to find a close alternative if they would like to continue to hit the ball in the way they have become accustomed to. The alternatives are close, but just not up to the characteristics of ash bats.

There IS NO SUPPLIER of Hot Rod motors! Be part of the solution and either figure out how to run the class with what ever motor you choose, start a company and produce a Hot Rod motor to sell, or stop stirring the pot over a motor that evolved into something people stopped buying new over 20 years ago!