Scotty G wrote:
k5083 wrote:
They have a 4,500-lb. weight minimum now that is intended to prevent new technology from out-competing the warbirds.
August,
Do I detect some attitude against the rules at Reno?
Yep.
Scotty G wrote:
I think it's a good idea to prevent lighter racers from competing with heavier unlimiteds. We now have the Sport class for that, and 4,500 is the dividing line between the two.
Nope. Sport class is for homologated (at least 5 produced) kit-built airplanes with a 650ci engine displacement limit. That is not a dividing line, that is a huge gulf. If you've got an engine between 650ci and 1,650ci or a one-off airplane, you've got no place to race it unless it weighs over 2 tons.
Scotty G wrote:
Not sure how much the Pond Racer weighed, but it must have been around 4500 pounds.
Max gross 4150 pounds. Reno rules require EMPTY weight greater than 4500 lbs.
Scotty G wrote:
You want to get caught in the wake turbulence of a Sea Fury in the Pond Racer. NO WAY for me.
Reno doesn't even pretend that's the reason for the rule.
Scotty G wrote:
The rule is not to prevent new technology from out performing warbirds. In fact, the class is open to a one-off design that would be easier to make go fast rather than a chopped up Mustang.
It is exactly for that. Tsunami would barely qualify under the new rule. Even if you had a P-39 you'd have to be careful not to strip it down too much. The Thunder Mustang at gross is 3,200 lbs empty is 2,200 -- less than half what it takes to get into unlimited class, and it's a big airplane for a racer, about the biggest that can squeeze into Sport class. If you want to take one or two race car engines and build the fastest plane you can around it/them, you're going to be around 3000 empty, maybe 3500. And if you did somehow bulk up a homebuilt to meet the weight floor and get into the class, Reno has sent clear signals that they would make up some other new rule to exclude you. They probably would still let in a Tsunami because it's so much like a warbird, but that's it.
People like to watch warbirds go around the pylons. Reno is about what people want to watch, even if that means turning their backs on innovation. That's fine, it's their race, even if "unlimited" is a joke. I would love to see what someone could do with 20 years more advanced technology than what Rutan had for the Pond racer, but something else besides Reno will have to provide the incentive.
August
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,admittidly it would require some slight modification. 
