Class 5 only

[VIGILANTE]

I agree 100%. No limit on Motor size. It's 5 unlimited leave the motors unlimited. Im not sure when BITD changed their motor rules for class 5 but last year it was ANY size four cylinder air or water cooled ANY make. Did not have to be VW. I thought that rule would bring some cars to the class but apparently it didn't.
I like the idea of any four cylinder unlimited mods!
If it has four cylinders bring it!

It seemed like BITD had that change of rules only for 2011. During 2011 we bought our Ecotec thinking it was legal. Some say a miss print, who knows. We made many phone calls and typed lots of emails back and forth to BITD asking if the any 4 cyl. Motor would b ok, and they said yes. That's obviously not the case anymore. We have now designed our car around the Eco.

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[down4glamis]

2012 Mint had 10+, 2011 MORE Toys for Tots had 10+, 2011 MORE 500 had about 9 or 10. As i recall the 2010 MORE 500 had close to 20 5cars. The cars are out there, you gota watch the entry lists and sometimes everyone comes out to play. to many people racing for thier own agenda. A coalition is a great idea, but a pipe-dream. Maybe 1 or 2 shoot out races a year? Last year (2011) MORE drew 17 5-1600s out to the Balls out 250. Maybe if we get MORE and some dedicated contingency we could have a big money race.

No sure where you are getting your numbers but: Mint 400 less than 10, MORE T4T less than 10, MORE 500 15 showed up... just wanted to get that out there. Im codriving at the SS300 in one of the 2 cars entered, not too exciting know its 1st or 2nd guaranteed.

[QurtysLyn]

It seemed like BITD had that change of rules only for 2011. During 2011 we bought our Ecotec thinking it was legal. Some say a miss print, who knows. We made many phone calls and typed lots of emails back and forth to BITD asking if the any 4 cyl. Motor would b ok, and they said yes. That's obviously not the case anymore. We have now designed our car around the Eco.

I have the same problem, all my designs are using a Subaru motor. So I'm building it anyway, I don't want to redesign the whole back end of my car, and I don't want the bill that comes with a Type IV. Maybe all of us with other motors will just have to get together to race.

[tapeworm]

I used to have a type 4 in my DD till it blew up. Definitely a better sounding motor than anything else out there. I miss that motor a lot. I would love to race in this class some day and I think the rules are fine the way they are. A big type 4 will out drive the ecotec all day long. If an org does let the same ecotec engine that the 10 cars run into class 5, people will start complaining about the power disadvantage and want to hot rod the eco. I would very much like to see the class stay air cooled. Don't build a car the way you want it and tell everybody else to conform to your car, build it to the rules already on paper. Should the class be opened up to any wheelbase and a-arms as well?

[Bryan J]

No sure where you are getting your numbers but: Mint 400 less than 10, MORE T4T less than 10, MORE 500 15 showed up... just wanted to get that out there. Im codriving at the SS300 in one of the 2 cars entered, not too exciting know its 1st or 2nd guaranteed.

9 for the mint and 9 for T4T, sorry for the miscount

[VIGILANTE]

I used to have a type 4 in my DD till it blew up. Definitely a better sounding motor than anything else out there. I miss that motor a lot. I would love to race in this class some day and I think the rules are fine the way they are. A big type 4 will out drive the ecotec all day long. If an org does let the same ecotec engine that the 10 cars run into class 5, people will start complaining about the power disadvantage and want to hot rod the eco. I would very much like to see the class stay air cooled. Don't build a car the way you want it and tell everybody else to conform to your car, build it to the rules already on paper. Should the class be opened up to any wheelbase and a-arms as well?

I don't know if you read my previous quote but some of us did build our cars based on the rules and then they were changed. My plans are to run a stock seeled or tagged Ecotec motor. Even you just said a type 4 would run away from that, so what's the problem? I'm not trying to call you out or be a dick I'm just telling where in coming from.

[ksmith]

I don't know if you read my previous quote but some of us did build our cars based on the rules and then they were changed. My plans are to run a stock seeled or tagged Ecotec motor. Even you just said a type 4 would run away from that, so what's the problem? I'm not trying to call you out or be a dick I'm just telling where in coming from.

The only organization I know of that HAD the rules allowing ANY four cylinder was BITD. Just to clarify no other org that I know of would allow anything other than a VW air cooled. Although I think SCORE allows a water cooled VW based motor now.

That being said we didn't build our car to class 5 specs because where we race there are NO class 5's that means we race Class 1, Class 3000 or sportsman.
I am fine with that and leaving 5 Unlimited air cooled is not a problem for us. We have been racing class 1 in the Vorra series for 3 years now and we have finished on the podium in every race since we built the car. Sure, everyone has more power than us in the class but we FINISH and have a ton of fun doing it.

Like Texas Baja said earlier, It sure is nice having a civilized conversation on the internet. No internet bashing. What a concept I sure am enjoying seeing all of the pics and learning more about what cars are still out there and who's racing where. Keep up the pictures guys.

[ErikIrvine]

I agree, I am enjoying reading this thread, and like hearing all the other class 5 guys chime in. I have a class 5 legal car I am running an 091 and 2.4L type IV, economy style!. Overall I think it should stay the same but I do agree with a lot of the counter arguments too. Best quote IMO is this one;

Don't build a car the way you want it and tell everybody else to conform to your car, build it to the rules already on paper.

[bajabird]

Just finished norra in the 1970 convertible with type 4 and 091.
pictures later.

Great thread going on.....

Class 5 open is on the trailer to go home for baja 1000 prep, norra car to return to prerunning in baja south.

[steve0we]

Originally Posted by tapeworm

Don't build a car the way you want it and tell everybody else to conform to your car, build it to the rules already on paper.

I agree and disagree. Silverstate this weekend is a perfect example of most races. 2 racers at the event. Most race promotors put on races for racers. Casey would listen to us as a group if we decided to make changes.

1. We have established that the fastest guys in the class dont feel that the ecotec or the ford motor are an advantage in the class and would stay with the unlimited air cooled motors.

2. If we allowed SEALED 4 bangers that would fit into the class 3000 / 10 rules, and keep unlimited air cooled as is in the class, that would give many of us the option to run multiple classes. It would also allow the people wanting to run the ford combo the option of making a few bucks from Ford, who is the only company truely supporting desert racing at this time.

3. Its pretty simple for Casey and others to change the rules for lets say 2 years. If after 2 seasons, the car count isnt up, we dont like the changes we do a rule change and put it back to todays rules. Any of the cars that wont meet the backdated revision will run other classes anyways. This class isnt like other classes, the guys that already have cars can run either motor. If your building a car, not much is going to change, and it wouldnt be that difficult to convert a car in either direction.

What do we have to lose by change? NOTHING! up the car count, let me have pump gas and lets go race. If not, myself and others will continue to race, just in other classes. We all love the class and want to see it grow, some of us dont have the $$$ in this economy to keep it the way it is.

Thoughts?