Your Chance to Make Changes!!!!!

[STEVE FRENCH]

Mike,

If there's still time,

D-Stock classes:

To include the early 40/44 D-motors as legal in this class. 55H already is legal so this would cover it and the other 40/44 CI. powerheads through the introduction of the XS.
Also include the use of the XS/APBA tower and the 55H style tower with these motors in this class.
Allow an adapter plate to accomadate the tuner plate for the early bolt pattern motors on the APBA/XS tower.

Consider: looking at the Bass tower with through-tower exhaust/foot for these powerheads.

Reason;

To boost the ranks of the D-Stock class buy bringing back some of the motors that where lost when there was a surplus/availability of the X/S motors that where promoted 20 years ago.

Race sites/Directors that want to accomadate both Stock and Classic and have the time to do so, can list the classes seperately on their race circular?

The APBA/XS tower could make it easier to find and possibly less costly to build a early 40/44 motor for this class. Last I understood, the APBA tower was under $400? Tuner plate $200-$300?

The APBA/XS tower would also let a racer use/run one tower for both MOD and STOCK powerheads on same rig.
You COULD run your D-MOD with one powerhead on Sat. Then bolt on your STOCK powerhead (or pull the pipe(s) on the MOD if stock legal) for Sun.

At race sites where open pipes are not allowed, this would allow the D-MOD Racers that have a Stock powerhead available to still support/attend a race site.

We no longer have the luxury of an excess of motor suppliers that where offering motors 20 years ago.

The only production, 2-stroke, "fish'n" motors (US) are the E-Tech OMCs' and at $8-$10K (or more) I don't think many will be willing to make RACE motors out of them.

Thank you for your consideration,

Steve French 19P
TRORA board member.

[Mark.Wheeler]

The classic powerheads won't bold to the APBA adaptor. They have a different bolt pattern.

[crankbearing]

quick fix

Hey Mark,

A quick fix with no mods to the tuner plate is 1/16" stainless plate with a hole in it to line up with the water hole in the old style blocks. You remove the back two studs from the old style powerhead and put a gasket above and below.

Works like a dream and you are not changing a thing for driveshaft issues as we currently use a plate between there now to support the cowl (bottom pan) this would actually be a cool way to run an old style 500 under a 44xs shroud and the early silver recoil from the 60's 50 was a bolt on they same as the 44 less the one front mount has a wider stance then the current housing to bolt the crankcase.

So it will work with no mods to either and just requires the same but different plate..

I said that we could use that housing a any motor fits universal tower. We did this with two old style mod blocks this year for new guys in region 2. Worked famously..

But honestly the it is my feeling that the Super Thunderbolt class be a separate class anyhow, we will most likely have over 16 boats at crystal lake in 2006 and driver conflicts as now one driver drives both D classic and DSH.

you have a bunch of guys in main with these motors and no where to run them, or ad vintage to your race circulars and allow them there heat under vintage rules.

Makes sense, more entries, more $$ happier and more members.

Regards,

[STEVE FRENCH]

Mark/Dave,
Revised my proposal above. Please review and thank you for your positive/corrective responce!

19P
Steve French

[crankbearing]

55H - 44XS towers

Steve it will most likely cost you more to find and complete a 44Xs tower then to find a 55H tower for the class. I did respond to your e-mail regarding the deal. Do you not receive the reply e-mails.

Regards,

[STEVE FRENCH]

Dave , Have looked for your E-mail. Haven't found yet. Send your phone number through private message here or post. Will call tonight. Going out now to try to get pics of trailer >LOL. We just got back from 4-days at lake. Temp Sat morning went from 55F at 6am, to 28F at 8am and heavy snow . Guess a cold day at the lake still beats work'n----A?

Also edited both proposals above again (last time Mike-promise!). Take another look and see what ya think. I think they are worth considering--------A?

19P

[STEVE FRENCH]

Added Pic of potental B-Stock Motors

Mike, I tried to send this by fax to Tom Johnston but have not been able to verify if he got it yet. This copy has been revised from the one I faxed Tom. I will try to scan and send a signed copy if needed ASAP/today.

01/10/06

To the Stock Outboard Commissioners,

Please accept this proposal to the following Stock classes;

B-Stock Classes;
To allow the Stock, through tower exhaust, 22 CI. Mercury and OMC motors that where voted into the A-MOD class (2004 ballot) and legal 2005, to compete in this class as a probationary motor. These motors where voted into A-MOD using the 1974 Stock specifications at that time. Jeff Williams has the specifications for these motors or I will send ASAP.

They are not competative in A-MOD.

I ran mine (22 OMC on a 25SS Mercury tower/foot) as a prototype at the Spring Franklin race 2005 in BSH with four 15 CI. Hot-Rods and it was "In-the-mix/hunt" placing second to Mike Thierfelder 41P during which we were sometimes "Deck-to-deck".

I did much testing with the OMC motor and my stock 25ss Mercury, with several props that came with the Mercury when I bought it from Sam Hemp and several of my "short-course" 25 wheels. I was consistant in the 61 MPH range on my GPS. Then ran 62 MPH with Archie Lewis' 15 CI. Hot-Rod on the same rig, same day. Boat used was a 2003 Altralite "mold boat".
I bought a new OMC/Hot-Rod tower adapter plate from Dean Sutherland and a stock Hot-Rod tower/foot from Chuck Z. at the Zanesville swap meet 2005. I hope to compare it to my Merc. tower set-up this Summer.

I feel these stock 22 CI. reed valve motors are fair competition with the rotary valve 15 CI. Hot-Rod. These are closer in parity than the (57-59 MPH) 20 CI Tohatsu that was tried a few years ago. I ran the Tohatsu myself several times and liked it, but it just didn't seem to have the potential to be competitive in B-Stock.

There are many of these race ready motors sitting in motor boxes, garages, in collections, and on Lake-Racer's rigs, waiting for a place to compete with us. Let's offer them a place to join or COMEBACK to APBA competition. Many long-time racers were lost with the introduction of the XS series engines. Here is a chance to get them back.

Parts are still plentiful (New and Used). Powerheads are still plentiful and inexpensive. Mercury 22 CI powerheads were produced 1958 through 1982, and the OMCs were produced 1960(?) through 1976. There are literally thousands of them available on old "Fish'n" motors in various stages of disrepair and on E-bay. Drop the "1970 and newer" spec on these nearly unchanged powerheads, and you include a near unlimited source of powerheads/parts supply for these motors.

New towers, foots, and OMC powerhead adapter plates should be available soon from Hot-Rod and would be a plus to that companies marketing avenues.
I am also working on an adapter plate to put the OMC-A foot on the factory--- OMC and Mercury towers, another marketing prospect for Hot-Rod and their OMC-A foot..
The older 22 Mercs (Mark-28/200 series) will fit the A/B/20H towers and the 25SS towers with an afternoon's effort. The Mercury towers are often available on E-bay.
This could also be another chance to market the APBA/XS tower with adapter plates for both powerheads. So consider making the APBA tower a legal/probationary tower with these motors and the Merc A/B/C/25SS/XS foots and the Hot-Rod foot (another marketing avenue for Hot-Rod).
I will make my OMC powerhead adapter plate to the Mercury A/B/20H and 25SS towers available for copying and have a laser machine shop (Corry Laser Inc. Corry, Pa.) working on an estimate for producing the adapter plate blanks.
Tad Olson might also be a prospect for producing adapter plates for these powerheads like other adapters his company produces for the APBA/XS tower.

Consider; looking at the Bass tower with through tower exhaust/foot for these powerheads.

Reason;
This will help boost and sustain the ranks of the B-Stock classes with a low-cost engine and compliment the introduction of the New Hot-Rod and give them several more marketing avenues.

The motor specs are already available with only a few minor changes to consider that are suggested above.
I feel my testing is accurate and unbiased (I would like a new Hot-Rod also).

It has to be a win-win prospect for the class, Hot-Rod, present racers and to retrieve some that still have these motors from the past!

Also, if a race site cannot allow open pipes, the 25MOD guys that have a powerhead/tower that meets the stock specs, can pull the pipe and still support the race in a class where they can still be competative.

Finally;
With the end of AFFORDABLE, two-stroke, small fishing engine production in 2005, we as fellow Racers, need to look hard at what is available around us and plentiful TODAY, and utilize it...........ASAP.....to SUPPORT the future of this sport we LOVE!

Thank you for your consideration,

Steve French 19P
TRORA board member 2006.

Examples of motors looking for a place to COMPETE/-BE COMPETATIVE in above proposal.
front-25SS Merc powerhead (there's another one on this web sit for sale now!)
middle-22CI. Mark-28 (1958/59) on a A/B tower. (this was my first 25MOD with parker pipe) (Took 3-hours to convert from fish'n to race'n motor.).
Still has original seal on block!
Left-22 OMC on Hot-Rod tower with adapter plate.
Right-22 OMC on 25SS Merc tower with adapter plate. (This is set-up I ran at Franklin May2005)

Ignore the Yamato 202D that -spun out- and is heading the WRONG way ......

Click on pic

[STEVE FRENCH]

Looks like I need to roll-up my sleeves and find some "lobbiests" of my own to help generate some interest in the above B-Stock proposal. I think if you read it, it was intended to co-habitate and even HELP the competition.

Competition.........isn't that what race'n is all about? Without it I dought Chrysler would of ever built the "HEMI".......Ford the BOSS 302 and 429......
NASCAR-----the "RESTRICTOR PLATE" ...(for the>-- "too-fast".....MOTORS).....
Dirt track/Steet Stock The "CLAIMER RULE"....maybe that's what the SORC needs----Nah, it doesn't work at my local tracks......I know, I tried to enforce it! (still pick'n the tar and feathers off from that ONE!)
1954?-Mercury (IRON FIST) the 20H.......
1956?-THE original HOT-ROD!!!!!.....
1958?-Mercury the 20H conversion/"cornpopper"/"toilet bowl"
1974?-Mercury the 25SS motor Fallowed by the OMC guys (1974/5?) with an adapter plate to put the 22CI powerhead on the Merc towers for 25SSH/R (Iron fist was not happy! )
198?-Merc X/S series motors rewrite 25 and D classes
????-OMC tries the 45ss in D (why didn't a restictor work here?)
2004? Honda 15HP four stroke
2004?-Bass brothers the Tohatsu D
2006?-NEW Hot-Rod

etc, etc, etc, ................

Competition,.......... fed by COURAGE,--------creates.

Dominance causes........bordum/disrespect/contempt/etc. (Especially if your NOT a Jeff Gordon fan....)

Ron and Dean are no strangers to competition or courage. I admire/respect both. But you know what? ....I bet ya a beer, this last week -competition- has the midnight oil burn'n in their shop................ It's kept me up on this **** computer..................

What would happen to the fans/advertisers/sponcers in NASCAR if we only had one brand?............
(Yah, I know...some would watch even if Dale jr WAS drive'n a Ford but....... )

OK ......I'll get off my soap-box before someone Knocks me off. (or falls asleep!)
__________________________________________________ ____________
Is there a limit to how many prototypes you can enter in a class per race for the collection of test data?
If I have a 22 Merc and a 22 OMC rigs entered in B-Stock to help support them, is that OK?
Or should they be split between the two heets?

I understand NO-POINTS. Just need times lap times recorded -right?

Is this any different than when the Old 20 Hot-Rod was brought into the 25ssh/r classes to help support them?

"No-body wants to run em ol'd motors anymore"......?????????????

Thanks,
19P ..."Put me in Coach..I'm ready to play...today.......Put me in Coach I'm ready to play ...today....look at me...I can be......centerfield.........."