Sports Sedan racing weights

[Alfaspeed]

Am new here contemplating on preparing a car to compete in this very interesting Race Class.

My budget will be limited no sponsors yet and am from the other side of the planet.

Need advise on engine size.
I am tempted to go for the 4.5 V8 N.A. engine concept
If I understand correctly the race weight including me will be 975 kg

The engine will be free no limitation on the engine say revs.

[Ricey88]

Hi Alfaspeed
It is important to read the rules carefully, you have found the weight rules so I’m guessing you have seen the extra bits and pieces that go with it, but to be sure I will add that currently 975 is for a two valve engines, RWD, up to 4501cc. Rev limits are set by series sub reg’s, For the Kerrick series you will find the Sub reg’s on this website. If you have any specific questions , this forum is a good place to ask.

[Alfaspeed]

Dear Rice thank you for your reply.
I understand that most people are running the US V8 engines with more than 700 hp.
At a race start weight of 1150 Kg

The rule seems to favour those big engines.
If you look at ie a 4.5 multi valve V8 would do possibly 600 hp with a race weight of
975 plus 75 is 1050 kg
You will never stand a chance to challenge those big high torque engines.
This is something to look into
Another thing.
Hop can you on a budget build a car at 975 tubular spaceframe
You might need to use exotic materials.
It would be good to have a fair look at the rules.
Otherwise it may develop into a 9 new engine series.
It should be applauded that people try to bring diversity.

[Wax]

I personally think the multivalve rule should be thrown out.
Look at the v8 supercars as an example they have multivalve v8s in there versus two valve and it clear who makes the most hp
Head technology is quite high and it not just all about 4 valves a cylinder.
We looked at running a vk56 but it was not worth it with the rules the way they are

[Alfaspeed]

Wax yeah its that development went on and now those Chevy V8 are well engineered with a high volume of air flowing into the heads. The only way to come near those big engines is high revs 11000 rpm.

I can get 670 hp at 10.500 rpm on the 4.5 V8 engine but see the max rev is 8200 which will give 550 to 600 hp max which will not be enough to mix things up with the Chevy v8

If we can go to 975 kg multi valve we may put up a fight with those Chevy powered cars

With a chassis well sorted getting the ballance right will be the way to go

[MrBoost]

The removal of the multivalve rule is very likely in the new rules.
HOWEVER it needs to be kept on for turbocharged cars otherwise you would be allowed to have a 975kg rb26 turbo.....
would that be fair?

It is very easy to build a 975kg car without using exotic materials in this category..... im doing it right now

[Wax]

The reality is you would use an rb25 and make the same power anyway and get under the 75kg rule . However trying too get any turbo engine to make the same power as a v8 and then deal with the weight penalty is a huge ask. The rules do favour the v8 engine and when you combine it with the latest LS series of v8s with the heads that are avliable makes it hard to beat or to hang with them.

[Alfaspeed]

Wax.
I fully agree regarding turbo engines. It would be fair to compare normal aspirated engines.

Another thing not to forget is the unstoppable development and increased performance.
The 1.7 rule came up a long time ago. But can we still say that is current. Over the years the performance of the turbos has been increased less resistance in the bearings etc.

Something worth looking into.
However at the same time not favour one group over another.

It will always be a challenge to get things right.
But I am really impressed with this series. And the atmosphere.

Only hope the 4.5 V8 engines may get a place after all to also compete for the top 3 steps.

[Wax]

I guess look at the results. It's v8s out the front and people struggling to get turbos to work. If turbos are so much better it's not being reflected in the results

[MrBoost]

give me a little bit of time wax

and that car you have involvement in is plenty capable of beating the v8's especially with its new engine.