seven13bt wrote:
The prohibition of "tunnels" was originally intended to apply to undertray downforce generating shapes. It appears to me that calling an intercooler duct that's efficient from a heat transfer perspective an illegal "tunnel" when it has no effect on aerodynamic downforce is wrong. In order for a downforce tunnel to work, the air velocity has to be high. A duct with a heat exchanger in it does not allow a high velocity.
Ron, I posted here because maybe some Dmod or Emod Locost builder would have missed this proposal. Christian has made it an open discussion and it was a concensus of multiple inputs. I like the fact that he posted it for everyone to see from day one. I do not agree with everything, it close the door on some interesting possibilities and kind oversimplify what a Mod car is.
I agree with you about the duct rules, I think someone remembered a Nissan GT500 race car where the duct for the radiator had the opening in the floor and exit at the top of the trunk it with the aid of fans, yes their own version of a fan car.
In the case of a radiator, this will be a open invitation to protest on several cars, if the radiator exit is surrounded by frame tubes is that a duct ? how long is a duct to be considered a duct ?
The goal is to increase participation to the class, there needs to be a discussion on this yes. trying to open the class for the prep cars to be able to simply jump in is not the best approach in my eye, yes there should be a natural progression, but it must require more than just changing class on the entry form, they car needs to be modified more. The problem is that XP cars are stock tub, and have more aero than MOD. there is no way to make an XP car competitive in Emod without major surgery and without major aero change.
Dmod is a different animal, I doubt very much that the progression is possible, but I do think the Locost can be a great source of new recruits. The biggest issue is that the car must be built to the rules and not simply build it then read the rules, and also we both know that a dual purpose car will never be competitive at the nationals, so it needs be build as a dedicated Solo car from day one.
Heck my build log should be titled How not to build a Dmod
I think we need a sticky on Dmod building 101, I, sure Yourself, Paul and Mark have a lot to say on this
Cheers,
Fred