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The Paddock / Re: Lotus Europa 16V Gordini
« Last post by Mecky on Today at 06:00:47 AM »You are right that the classification system in my race series is far from perfect for me. From my point of view there are two major issues:
1.) The corridor of allowed build-years in my class is huge. It spans from 1947 to 1981. In reality, there was never a car older than from the mid 60s. That makes me one of the five oldest cars of a field ranging from 40 to 60 cars overall. The big corridor stretches over a significant turning point in FIA tyre regulations. Cars built from January 1st 1972 onwards are allowed to use slick tyres, older cars are not. That means that there is the possibility that cars in the same class have to follow different tyre regulations. I prefer a level playing field on the tyre front. No matter, whether slicks are allowed or forbidden. But the same should be apply for everyone in the same class.
2.) The minimum weight requirements in each class are based on average continental-european touring cars with steel body from the 80s. 1960s Lotus cars with polyester body have trouble even reaching this required weight of 740 kg in 1600 cc class without fuel and driver. Thus, I can't use my weight advantage to equalize my disadvantage in power.
Of course, I have chosen the racing series myself and knew about these shortcomings of the regulations. Thus, mea culpa. But I was not aware of the extend, in which this 1588 cc Toyota Celica is superior in engine power. I thought, it would have up to 180 HP, because its DOHC construction is more modern compared to my OHV engine. I'm afraid that my engine doesn't have a lot room for improvement left. Maybe I could gain a handful of horses with a different exhaust and/or intake manifold and I will try that. But at around 165 HP there is a ceiling, even Salv Sacco told me that.
Every Renault 807/843 crossflow engine, which has more than 165 horsepower, is very likely to be an 1800 cc (or more) engine. But I won't be taking that route. This would mean a step up into the 2000 cc class, which has minimum weight of 810 kg. Even with increased power output, that amount of weight would be deadly for the Europa.
1.) The corridor of allowed build-years in my class is huge. It spans from 1947 to 1981. In reality, there was never a car older than from the mid 60s. That makes me one of the five oldest cars of a field ranging from 40 to 60 cars overall. The big corridor stretches over a significant turning point in FIA tyre regulations. Cars built from January 1st 1972 onwards are allowed to use slick tyres, older cars are not. That means that there is the possibility that cars in the same class have to follow different tyre regulations. I prefer a level playing field on the tyre front. No matter, whether slicks are allowed or forbidden. But the same should be apply for everyone in the same class.
2.) The minimum weight requirements in each class are based on average continental-european touring cars with steel body from the 80s. 1960s Lotus cars with polyester body have trouble even reaching this required weight of 740 kg in 1600 cc class without fuel and driver. Thus, I can't use my weight advantage to equalize my disadvantage in power.
Of course, I have chosen the racing series myself and knew about these shortcomings of the regulations. Thus, mea culpa. But I was not aware of the extend, in which this 1588 cc Toyota Celica is superior in engine power. I thought, it would have up to 180 HP, because its DOHC construction is more modern compared to my OHV engine. I'm afraid that my engine doesn't have a lot room for improvement left. Maybe I could gain a handful of horses with a different exhaust and/or intake manifold and I will try that. But at around 165 HP there is a ceiling, even Salv Sacco told me that.
Every Renault 807/843 crossflow engine, which has more than 165 horsepower, is very likely to be an 1800 cc (or more) engine. But I won't be taking that route. This would mean a step up into the 2000 cc class, which has minimum weight of 810 kg. Even with increased power output, that amount of weight would be deadly for the Europa.
and am going to repair and modify the original. Will post progress on that when I get to it - should give us all a laugh!
My fabrication skills are much improved now, but that has worked well and looks good from the top side. Made of cheap plywood and covered with poor-quality vinyl. I'd use better quality materials now. The arm pad though is covered with leather, and I like it.