Recent content by Wilson

We've used line locks in our 5/1600 in the past and have stopped doing so - we've had several fail so that we could not release the lock without disassembly. They all were found to have swollen "O" rings after less than a year while using the recommended brake fluid.

2011 SoCal 250

Gonzo Racing's first race - the 2008 SCORE San Felipe 250 2008 SCORE San Felipe 250 2008 SCORE Primm 300 2008 SCORE Primm 300

It's been a few years since my "rocket scientist" days but I believe that you are referring to calculated predictions rather than empirical data..... Predicting performance via a software package may be convenient but the results will only be as good as the test article modeling, the...

Yes, I agree that winning is the goal. A technological "arms race" almost always ensues in pursuit of that goal - generally only limited either by a rule set or the money available to throw at a given problem. Early in the "arms race", improvements usually come fast and cheap (bypass shocks...

Exactly. Down force is used in other forms of racing to increase traction for cornering issues (and for other issues as well); those types of racing generally utilize smooth, prepared surfaces - is down force necessary or even helpful to us in desert racing? My personal belief is that down...

That 100 gallons of fuel provides about 600 pounds of down force when the car is on the ground at "1 g" but none when the car is airborne at "0 g"; it doesn't provide any down force at all when you might need it the most. Additionally, unless you plan on not burning that fuel, the down force it...

If the CV's were clicking (binding) at 18 deg. and you ran them at 22 deg., they may well be damaged and grinding themselves into dust at this point. Take them apart and have a look; you'd have to remove them anyway to get the trans. out, so just go ahead and disassemble them before you look...

reare head notching looks great, nicely done! Everyone at McKenzie's has been really helpful for us over the years, Steve in particular. Can't go wrong there in my opinion. Running with the Negrete's at the '500 is a great opportunity to learn about 5/1600 racing. If they don't know it, it's...

Looks good ! That looks like the same rack we use - SACO Magnum? You're allowed to clearance the frame head up to 1" for the tie rods to clear...... That allows you to lower the rack to get the inner tie rods closer to their "sweet spot". Some racers have clearanced way beyond what's...

Haven't seen a 5/1600 with electric power steering - most use a Char-Lynn with a center steer rack of some sort. It works, is simple, reduces/eliminates all the negative "feedback" to the steering wheel and takes very little HP. The down sides are that there is little to no "feel", it's hard...

Here's another view during the 2010 SF 250: Thanks to Cactus Video! They seemed to be there every time we made a mistake.....

the 2010 SF250:

We also thought at one time that there must be some engines that were "more equal" than others in class 5-1600 given that we went through a similar period of getting passed regularly when we were "flat out". That no longer seems to happen much even though we are running the same engine we...

No, I don't want to see fewer cars but I also don't want to throw the existing rule book in the trash. The original intent of the rules was to "level the playing field", to make this a "driver's class". Allowing cars that have clearly been built outside the guidelines of the rule set to...