MY VIEWS on tail tanks, Bladders and Fuel tanks in general. We have run a tail tank for many years now because they make the car look like a real midget (That was Bill Felkers Thoughts). We started out with 600cc cars and generally started the race with 4 gallons of VP sloshing down in the bottom of this big old 27 gal tail tank tank. We moved up to the 1000cc cars and started the race off with 5 gallons of Vp sloshing down in the bottom of this big old tank. Now we have gone big time and start the race with up to 7 gallons of pure methanol. My fuel bill went way down with the change to methanol.
Back in the day of the 1200cc cars and mechanical injection I guess it was common to start races with up to 15 to 20 gallons of methanol in the tank. We have come very far with our new fangled stuff and have cut our fuel millage in half.
Some of us however have clung to the theory that we still need bladders. If we still had 20 gallons of fuel in there I would also recomend them, However with such small amounts of fuel present I think Bladders are a $1000.00 overkill for our sport left over from another time. The little plastic tanks under a fiberglass tail work fine as well.
I left another group several years ago threatning to protest some racers without bladders in their tail tanks. I never went back however these guys had to go spend the extra money for new tanks and bladders looking back I'm not too proud of that. I also purchased a bladder because I was the guy throwing stones. I dont feel a bit safer with this thing because I still don't have to fill it to the top or for that matter even to the ledge.
MMSA has left the bladder "recomended optional" giving the racer an option. Unless we start running longer races I see no need to require them. It might be a good time to go back and reconsider this rule also.
Times are tuff racing is expensive and that thousand dollars would go a long way in paying for fuel pump controller (about $50.00).
---------- Post added at 4:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 3:51 PM ----------
Originally Posted by openwheel44:
First off......I deal with OSHA on a daily basis. If they ever show up for any reason, we are toast.
25# is 25# to me. Like you said before...."What is so hard to understand?" Understand this........ Where is the positive proof alky is the do all end all fuel compared to gas that warrants any weight difference? Pretty simple question. What would everyone's attitude be if the roles would be reversed? Or if someone figures out a way to get E85 to make substantially more power by spending a little more money on parts to maximize output HP and the "powers" think we all ought to "go green," save the planet and mandate a weight advantage for the E85 cars? You think the gas guys won't have a hissy fit? Imagine how stupid us alky guys could get then!!! LOL Besides......I think you could look a lot farther past the alky issue if you want to save the "new guy"money if you think fuel related costs might deter entrants. Please don't get me started.........
To be honest......I wasn't necessarily thinking of a National Series with points and such. I was just thinking of a "standard set of basic rules" to use at major events to start out with. A way to attract the maximum number of entrants. Look at how the Illinois deal went over. I haven't checked it lately but it appeared to me quite a few are NOT planning on going next year due to this fuel issue and somewhat due to the weight concerns. I don't see the need for an bonafide Organization at this time.....just aggreed to general rules. Then see how it goes. Groups are talking now and comparing their rules....get it better organized is all I am saying and consistant. If people want a 970-1000# car.....fine. I don't. I will do something else or I will continue to simply race where I do now and forget the ocassional traveling idea. Pretty simple.
If OSHA shows up we have already "toasted someone"
Come on over and run MMSA with us we weigh over a 1000 lbs and I havent seen too many people we can't out run on a good night.