New ASCS Midget Class
 

From the NSSN Website:

Comment under Chris E's new column :

A rare Midget headline Posted by speedsport at 2008-12-16 12:58
Just a slight correction to the article.
The Chevy Midget engine that GM Racing has been developing in conjuction with TSR and Kistler Engines will be available to anybody that wants to build one. It is USAC legal and designed to dethrone the Toyota and Mopar engines that are currently competing in the USAC National Midgets. The RRE Ecotec midget is designed to fill in the lower level of competition for the weekly racer and was announced as the engine of choice for a new ASCS midget class that is scheduled to roll out to several regions in 2009.

Sincerly,
Jeff Kettman
GM Racing
===========================
"A new ASCS Midget class for 2009 " Verrrrrry interesting.

Emmett Hahn strikes again !

Tom

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

There is supposed to be one of the Ecotech midgets on display at PRI. I have seen it and it doesn't look like too bad of a piece. Reported numbers are about 100 more HP than a Focus with the ability to go higher after some simple mods. It was definitely a lot simpler and cleaner in the plumbing dept than the Focus was.

We shall see how they are received in the racing community.

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

"Emmett Hahn strikes again !".

...Nope not this year!:moon:


"The RRE Ecotec midget is designed to fill in the lower level of competition for the weekly racer and was announced as the engine of choice for a new ASCS midget class that is scheduled to roll out to several regions in 2009".

I don't believe this engine or class has a chance in California. But who knows
some individuals or promoters might try to kill all of midget racing still left in the sunshine state...lol!:usacfan


"This week at the PRI Trade show in Orlando, Revolution Racing Engines is rolling out the All-new RRE / Chevy ECOtec Midget engine."

I thought I read this engine will be tuned to put out 240 hp. You really need a reliable
280 and then you would find everybody racing in that class. Fast enough
for a "expert" and challenging enough to a begginner.

Larry "O":applaud:

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

The response we received to the new Revolution Racing Engines / Chevy ECOtec 2.4L has been outstanding. As far as California is concerned, we expect to do well there. Already, we have been written into the rules for the new Capital City Midget group out of Sacramento and members from that group have ordered engines. In addition, we were just informed today that our engine is legal for competition in BCRA and we expect to have several engines competing with that group.

Things will start happening fast now. Anyone interested in keeping up with developments is encouraged to email me and ask to be put on our e-newsletter list. We will keep everyone posted through the newsletter. Also, our new website is just now going live and we will be rapidly adding content to that. Finally, anyone wishing to discuss the program is welcome to call me personally at any time.

Sincerely,

Keith Iaia
Revolution Racing Engines
keith@revolutionracingengines.com
www.revolutionracingengines.com
805-467-3424

"THE REVOLUTION STARTS NOW"

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

Larry "O", you are such a PITA.

I thought you gat banned here ages ago.

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

Keith,
Since your the guy running this program, I know it will work. I just hope you can keep the sanctioning bodies from screwing up a good thing. Some of them are very talented in that department.

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

They will have that engine up to 400 HP in no time......:O: yeah, a few more inches here, a few more inches there...

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

Just needs a little more unobtainium to make it right!

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

A series that will be perfect for your team and here you are ramming it down the sewer already.

Stay positive, Don. We all need your bright beacon of hope.

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

I am sure ASCS won't allow more inches here and more inches there until Kieth and GM conducts private testing and witholds all of the information/results. :O:

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

Facts don't lie. Start naming all the cost cutting moves for midgets announced by midget orgs in the last 15 years. I'm waiting...................... and waiting............ and waiting..........



Still waiting..................

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

i just don't understand why you want to be a part of something that makes you so miserable. if owning a midget is so painful then sale out.

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

Give us a thrill and post on the subject for once.

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

For the last few years all I have been hearing is how all these new series were goin' to come in and take over California. Like, Emmet Hahn or ASCS has a better idea? Won't happen!

But all I have seen is the statis "Quo". We have our Winged 410's up North/Golden State Challenge and our Non-wing 410's down south USAC/CRA. There are a few
tracks up North that run Winged 360's...ie. "Wright Construction 360 Series" ,
near Monterey, Ca...ie...Watsonville and the "Civil War" Series at Chico, Ca.

Down 'south' we have a few Non-wing 360 series....ie...'Ventura Racing Association', in Ventura, Ca and the 'Bandits'...ie... Hanford, Santa Maria, CA.

In the Midget Classes we basically have BCRA Midgets up North and the USAC
Western States that run in a little in both Regions and a few other states....ie..
"Western States'.


I really don't see anything wrong with any of these series. And I feel in the South
the FF Midgets do an Excellent job at getting people interested in "Open Wheel
Racing". I'm sure the BCRA lites do the same up North and I know that
Capital Cities Midgets up north tries to do the same thing that USAC FF Midgets does down South.

The one class that we are getting into that combines a little of both wings
and intro to midgets is the "Micro" Midgets and I also feel this is an excellent
series with ton's of potential at a very reasonable cost. We run the 600cc
mulit-class.

2009 should be an Excellent Year for Racing in California, mainly because
the people who want to race or can, will be racing. And those that can't will
have to wait until economic times are better. It has nothing to do with the cost racing. It has to do with the fact that nobody has any work/jobs.

When America starts working again people will start racing again. In the
mean time "no new series or engine" will change things. Everything and
every series already exists in Califorania for every budget.

All we have to just is just race and if the people like it they will show up at the track, buy tickets and maybe even get interested in buying and driving a car
themselves.


Sincerely,

Larry Otani

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

Wow... here we go!

First off, Pethel you dog, you know that YOU are the ONLY guy I withold information from... :rolling

This project is so exciting for us on so many levels. The 2.4L ECOtec is capable of making just about however much power you want, as evidenced by 450+ natually aspiratid gasoline versions that already exist (and 1,400+HP blown versions).

I have absolutely NO interest in developing a "National" motor. We don't need more overpowered, super expensive National engines and I HOPE that the powers that be DO NOT allow this platform to be developed for that purpose (sure as heck, now that I've said that, they WILL).

My whole deal is about harnessing modern technology for the purpose of lowering costs and providing a better product. That is what we did with the last project, only to see costs allowed to skyrocket on everything else besides the engine. Don't get me started....

We have a mantra here at RRE (hey, this IS California...)
More Power
More reliability
More features
LESS MONEY

Every aspect of this new engine is put to the above test. Nothing goes onto the engine that does not pass. The result... well the result is what our good friend Emmet very simply describes as "Affordable Midget Racing".

Our website is now live and although there is not much content yet, we will be adding info almost daily. As always, feel free to log on, write, or call.

Sincerely,
Keith Iaia
Revolution Racing Engines
keith@revolutionracingengines.com
www.revolutionracingengines.com
805-467-3424

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

ok???? who out thereis going to want this motor if it only has 240hp??? u cant run it with the ff!! and you for sure wont want to run it with ARDC, BADGER, POWRI. So i dont understand why not have it cost a little more and make it 345 to 350 hp like the ST and then you have somthing

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

Florida is the Sunshine State, California is more noted as the Land of Fruits & Nuts:O:
The Ecotec is an excellent engine that was developed in Europe. The stock bottom end can easily support gobbs of reliable horsepower. This sounds like a really viable engine for widespread midget racing at a small percentage of the cost of sprint racing. Non winged affordable midgets on 1/5 & 1/4 mile tracks could make a lot of race fans happy.

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

OFFY - thanks for te encouragement.
Speedy - just wait and see. I think this thing will surprise you. The recent Salt Lake City test (and Turkey Night run) of the new EFI Sprint motor turned a lot of heads, and proved that a "smart motor" can be very competitive, even with less peak power, than a "dumb" (mechanical) motor. This is because we can make a much more driveable engine when we have full control. And, we can make much better "power under the curve". We did not develop this engine to run head to head with existing Midget divisions but I expect that unlike our ford product, these engines will wind up competing successfully in certain clubs.

K

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

Oh come on Keith...tis the season to be Merry, tell us all about it.

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

BTW and off topic, you're right our friend Larry O. was wrong and as usual out there somewhere. California is certainly not the "Sunshine State" nor does it fit your description (though I sometimes wonder), but more accurately known as the "Golden State." :)

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

I have to ask this and I am going to do so in a public forum so someone can go to your statement and be assured. I am honestly not trying to bait you or put you in a situation.

How do you plan to avoid the delivery time problems you had with the Focus program? The Focus series is often rediculed for the costs of the cars, but the motor costs went up as well.(Not terrible but where around $1000 more than first offered) Also: After you sell the first 50-100 motors,how do you plan to turn engines around in a timely matter for the Avg. Joe Racer who cannot afford two motors, but doesn't want to miss a race. The Focus motor was reliable, but there where some problems and definately some turn around problems. Also, what happens if GM goes away or is in bankruptcy?

If they can run for $1000 to win and be reliable and be able to get them when you need them, then I think it is a good program.

I feel these are fair questions and if these can be addressed, I say go for it.

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

:rollingOk you guys are really vasilating now. Focus.

1) :headbang Since we all live in America and believe in Free Speech,

Don't you think BCRA should now allow Ford to play this game also?

a) How about that Duratec 2.3 liter fitted with mechanical fuel
injection, belt driven, higher compression ratio 14.5-1, forged
rods, steel crankshaft putting out 320 HP at 7500 rpm. Cost
12-15K. 280 hp at 6100 Rpm.


b) Where's Gerry Dedonis, when you need him...lol@!


Larry "O"

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

'Edge,

Fair and intelligent questions, and I'm happy to respond;

Delivery: No doubt about it, when the focus program really took off, we had a heck of a time keeping up for a while. The winter before the launch of the Indy region was the worst. Some things, like better (or ANY) communication with the sanctioning body would have helped but in the end, I have to take responsibility. We learned quickly from that experience and soon had distributors in place across the country (Washington, New England, Indianapolis, North Carolina). Unfortunately, the advent of the pavement car took care of our growth problem for us....

Cost:
Have to disagree with you here. The cost of the engine package went up by about $1000 over 7 years. That works out to about $140, or less than 2%, per year. I assure you, the cost of the aluminum that goes into the castings we make rose more than that. We did a good job of holding the line on engine cost. And reliability was excellent.

Turn around time on rebuilds:
Another good point. Although we have been pretty good regarding turn-around, there is always room for improvement. One of the ways I wanted to improve turn-around was through the network of distributors I had set up. Brownfield, Kenyon, Seymour and Briggs would have (and in some cases, did) carried long blocks and would have had the ability to perform basic service, had the program continued to grow. But, you can't keep a distributor in business on the car counts we have now. Thank you, pavement cars....

GM:
If GM goes under, this country has more things to worry about than Midget Racing. I'm just going to go along under the assumption that GM will continue as the worlds greatest auto manufacturer.

In many ways, the new program will benefit greatly from the lessons learned the first time around. First off, we will have a more controlled roll-out period with better communication between manufacturer and sanction. We will set up regional distributors to sell and service engines locally as the program spreads. And this time, THERE WON'T BE ANY DAMN PAVEMENT CARS!

Thank you for giving me the chance to address these issues. Please call if you have more questions.

Sincerely,

Keith Iaia
Revolution Racing Engines
805-467-3424
www.revolutionracingengines
"The Revolution Starts NOW"

Re: New ASCS Midget Class
 

If I'm following you right, you're saying ashfault is the culprit, is this correct? If it is, then I'll have to agree with you, and take my lumps, seems to me, that pavement,and other than Nicecar, and a few other "tin top" divisions, don't draw big car and crowd counts, with a few exceptions, it's a struggle to get any following, and why would it, with races scattered all over the US. Someone ask a few days ago, obout the TQ schedules, and I think it's fitting, to add something to that right here, with the full midget conversations. Don't know if you're involved as a fan or owner or driver, but there is a "pecking order" when it comes to setting the track schedules, and anyone that follows it closely knows, that the first divisions looked at, are the predominate in the area, 9 out of 10 times, the schedule is started with either the Sprints, or Late models, then it's usually Modified's, Bombers, Street Stocks, Super Stocks, the 4 cylinder division, then the "other" open wheel racers, Mini-Sprints, Tq's, but very seldom do midgets rank any higher than bottom, sad, but true, and that's why there are few TBA's listed on all track schedules, to fill in the gaps, as the season takes it's toll on car counts. I'd like to see, the "other" open wheel cars, have a schedule also, but if pavement is all you're interested in, or can't pick an affordable engine combo for the midgets, I don't see it becoming anything more, than what it is now. Before, and after WWll, midgets were KING, then, so I'm told, along came Kurtis, and Solar, and Offy, and big bucks, and the dreaded PAVEMENT, and stock cars took to the dirt, and the rest is spelled out in the track schedules. My personal thoughts, do some research, find a plentiful engine, that everyone has access to, that is strong enough on it's own, to survive an occasional romp in the upper rpm range, and get the ball rolling. This GM engine may be the answer, but the price still may not be, so do some shopping, and do some talking, and put your thoughts together, don't base everthing on a National Series, get the ball rolling here at home, and make it affordable, and enjoyable for fans to come see. Not to be stepping on toes, but here is an engine I think I'd look at, it's none other than the once, Buick 215 cu in aluminum V8, it is still in production, in the Land Rover, so it now has EFI, and lots of strength inside, and the prices, I just looked on Ebay, a fellow has a pr of almost new heads, for under $300.00. Kenebell, and others, still ,make after market parts for these engines, and they could be easily coaxed over 350hp, at bargain prices, that ought to be enough to get the fans excited, and give your purse a break. I realize this may be thinking "out of the box", but if I had a midget, gathering whiskers in my shop, I'd call up some of my buddies, that have parked theirs, and see if anyone is interested, then you gotta fight for some track dates, but if you can supply the car count, and not price yourself out of the park, it just might get rolling. Bob