Originally Posted by cbaumeyer48:
With some private discussions taking place, I believe it might be a good time to have a "Clean and positive" discussion on offering some nites for Div II Midgets to run with wings. With car counts of both Lightning Sprints and Div II midgets being a constant issue and discussion. I believe this would be a good time to open the floor to a new chapter within our state. Please note: I like watching both, I know here in our state, it's currently been midgets are a non-wing class. Unfortunately, the cars above and below offer not only the fans, but the drivers the option of both types of racing...... Floor is now open to discussion (I just ask those who comment to please, approach this with an open mind!)
Chris
We started out with wings on top. Some people call them the great un equalizer>>>However I have noticed the same people keep wining with or without the things on>>so I am not to sure of that complaint against them.
On small tracks like Little Salem the wing airfoil does not offer much benefit. BUT them big old side boards sure make a difference. The same or more advantage could possibly be gained by mounting a 4' x 8' piece of Lexan on the right side of the car. On larger track with more speed wings have the advantage when and if we can find enough HORSEPOWER to over come the down force and inherent Drag.
It looks as if the D II Midget thing has aroused a bunch of anticipation in many Mini sprint racers. We have been racing Mini Sprints for 25+ years now and have watched the class grow and then fall back only to grow again. We have never enjoyed the popularity of the Sidewinder but in many respects that is possibly a very good thing. There are 10 times more 600cc motorcycle imported than 1000cc bikes. Because of our engine size and level of performance we have managed to keep expensive motors modifications and glittering Bull$hit parts at bay>>> our 600cc brothers have not been so lucky, they have been convinced that they have to spend large sums of money just trying to out run a guy that has much more ability in set up and driving then they do.
Perhaps the D II Midget class needs to remain distinct from the Mini Sprints>allowing the Motorcycle cars to compete with them also as a way of bring up their car count. If the motorcycle racers prove to be superior to stock automotive Midgets then we will see a change in power plants over to Motorcycle.
Now about wings>>>>I like them but not for the reason that they make our cars faster than cars with much more horsepower. I like them for their safety factor and the fact that they make a car much more stable for a driver just starting out in racing at these speeds.
One racer noted that Midgets and Kenyon cars do not come equipped with spuds to mount a wing. This could be remedied with clamp on aluminum spuds. A wing would also be a very expensive piece of equipment if only used a few time a year. Perhaps a rental deal could work out very well to solve this problem.
Now back to my concern for safety. When we first started racing I liked to call the wing our "Five hundred Dollar Crush Proof Box" I knew that if Doug got on his head that old wing was going to crumble up like a piece of aluminum foil, and it sure does. In the process of doing this it absorbs a whole lot of energy and make for a less violent reaction. Cars without wings tend to bounce like they were super balls and in fact 4130 bends and rebounds making the car bounce longer and harder.
Now if some ingenious wing maker would design a box 6 to 8 inches tall the same size as the top of the roll cage and secure it to the car with a light weight 4130 super structure spanning the roll cage between the wing mounts and hinge it in front for easy entry and exit >>>I think we might create the "Perfect Country Western Song" Excuse me I mean a much safer open wheel racer.
Honest Dad himself
