The only real determination on F440/500's being raced is the roll bar diameter.....Starting in (I think) the 1998 season the minimum roll bar diameter was required to be 1.375 inches or greater, prior to that 1.25 inches was permitted. Most older cars (prior to 1987) were constructed to rules that permitted a 73 inch maximum wheelbase, in 1987 and later the rule was changed to an 80 inch maximum wheelbase. There are 'long' wheelbase cars still in existence that were constructed with the small roll bars. The 73 inch wheelbase cars can still compete in racing if they have been upgraded to the 1.375 diameter roll bars. There are 4 engines that are currently legal for F500 National competition, The Fuji Chaparral (a reed valve engine I haven't seen at the track for about 12 years), the Kawasaki (engine was the mainstay of the class when it was known as F440), the AMW (a 500cc reed valve engine built by specialty engine manufacturer 2-SI a.k.a. Two-Stroke International from Beaufort, SC) and the Rotax 494, a rotary valve engine, which has been the class mainstay since it was legalized for the 1997 National Season. The Rotax 493 is a reed valve engine that has been legalized for Regional Only competition for the 2003 & 2004 seasons and was legalized for Nationals for the 2005 season with an 850 pound minimum weight. With the exception of the 2-SI engine, all the other engines use the Mikuni VM38 roundslide carburetors with the appropriate idle, needle and main jets for the different engines. The cars use the Snowmobile CVT transmission system. The 'bible' for understanding the CVT system is Olav Aaen's "Clutch Tuning Handbook" that is available from Aaen Performance, 316 Sheridan Rd., Racine, WI 53403 (262)552-8981. While tuning the CVT system can be a 'black art' it is a relatively inexpensive and reliable system. The best place to view the cars that are available on the 'USED' market is in the 'Cars for Sale' section of the F500 Web Site. Occasionally you may see some cars advertised in Sports Car. The going rate for a car that can be prepared to be nationally competitive is approximately $10K. Needless to say there are cars that are more and less expensive and as with any racing equipment 'Buyer Beware'. If you have reviewed the Runoff's results you will note that there were 4 different manufacturer's cars in the first 4 positions., additionally in qualifying the top 5 positions were held by 5 different makes of cars. Any of the currently manufactured cars can be prepared and driven to be a winner. Maintaining an F500 is among the least expensive of all classes racing in SCCA. A set of tires run approximately $550 and, depending on your expectations and pocketbook, can last from 1 to 6 National weekends (the fast guys that are looking for Wins only - use them only one weekend - those of us that don't have a lot of coin to throw around will use them much longer), A set of brake pads run less than $40 per axle set (some cars have 3 calipers and some have 4) and a set of pads will generally last 10 or more National weekends. SCCA mandates that the class use 'Race' fuel that is currently running $4.50 to $7.50 a gallon - I normally use 18 gallons for 2 National weekends. The other costs are maintaining the heim joints and bearings....like any race car you have examine it carefully after every on track session and fix anything you see that is suspect. Like any other form of racing - Crash Damage is extra....your mileage may vary! If you would like the opportunity to drive an F500 before taking the plunge and buying your own I would suggest contacting Jim Elder of Dolphin Motorsports in W. Palm Beach, FL. Jim has a number of Dolphin F500 rental cars available for Schools, Regional's and Nationals. Jim can be contacted at (561) 379-3634. I have been racing this class for the past 18 years in both NEDIV & SEDIV and have been fortunate enough to qualify for the Runoff's nine times and I don't think there is a better group of racers than exist in the F500 class. If you take the plunge - Welcome Aboard. Chuck McAbee SEDIV #16
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Christopher Eveland Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2006 8:58 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [F500] Getting started in club racing Hi all- I've spoken to a few of you off the list, and wish I could have spoken to more of you last week at the Nationals (wasn't there for the 1st part of the week), but I'll take this opportunity to introduce myself to the rest of the list. Currently I race a Lotus Elise in autox, and while I don't want to quit autoxing, I'd like to get started in club racing as well. Originally I'd found F500 by looking for classes that it would be possible to race in both autox and club, but the consensus seems to be that the setups are too different for that to be a viable option in just about any class. (Although if anyone here does that, go ahead and speak up.) Now that it looks like the Exige S won't be allowed into SS next year, I probably have another year of useful life on the Elise, so that's not as pressing of an issue, but F500 still looks like an attractive class to go to the track in. Anyway, my first question is about the SCCA driver's school. I've been advised that it can make a lot of sense to rent a fendered car to do this on the grounds that contact isn't such a big deal. Also, renting I gather gives you support at the track. Sound advice? Is it better to have your first open wheel experience in a school or a race? Also, how hard are the F500s to maintain at the track? Can I run races alone, or do I need to recruit family as pit crew? Secondly, how hard is it to set up an F500? It seems that w/o shocks, one aspect of tuning is eliminated, but the CVT/clutch variables get added in. How much does the chassis matter? Is it important to get the latest and greatest, or is any GCR-legal chassis going to be just as good? Same question for bodywork, if downforce has increased. Although I realize I'll be on a steep learning curve to start, I'd like to be in a class where driver skill is the predominant factor in winning races. Finally, I've read through the FAQ on F500.org, as well as the last quarter in the archives of this list, but are there any books or other resources I should check out? Thanks! -Chris ----------------------------------------- This email transmission and any accompanying attachments may contain CSX privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the intended addressee. Any dissemination, distribution, copying or action taken in reliance on the contents of this email by anyone other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error please immediately delete it and notify sender at the above CSX email address. Sender and CSX accept no liability for any damage caused directly or indirectly by receipt of this email. ________________________________ FormulaCar Magazine - A Proud Supporter of Formula 500 The Official Publication of Junior Formula Car Racing Subscribe Today! www.formulacarmag.com or 519-624-2003 _________________________________ _______________________________________________ F500 mailing list - [email protected] To unsubscribe or change options please visit: http://f500.org/mailman/listinfo/f500 *** Please, DO NOT send unsubscribe requests to the mailing list! ***
