Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA

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REGIONAL EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Susanna Rogers Marilyn Meacou Eox 276 RD 1 Claverack, R.Y, 12513 Voorheesville,N.. 12186 (518) 851-7168 (518) 765-4351

ASSISTANT R.P. ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR Davr, 1.14L:haysy Jack Hanifan 27 10,evtr1y St.. 39. Ramsey Place Pirtsfield, Mass. 01201 Alhany, N.Y. 12208 (413) 443-4670 (518) 438-3754

TREASVRER COMPETITION CHAIRMAN 7om be II Clark Nieholls RD 3, Pinehurst Dr. 21 Beverly St., Saratoga Springs, N,Y. 12E66 Pittsfield, Mass, 01201 (518) 587-2522 (413) 442-9710

DIRECTORS SOLO CHAIRMAN John Stin and Jim Bishop Steve Wold 17 Kent St, 935 Boosick Rd, Albany, N.Y, 12206 Troy, N.Y. (518) 14'..15-2695 (518) 279-1374

MEMBERSHIP CRAINPOS RALLY CHAiRMhK Joanne Winkelman. Rick Schlierer 3009 Williamsburg Dr.. 48 Harria Ave, Schemetady, N.Y. 12303 Albany, N.Y, 12208 (518) 355-914,7 (518) 438-4666 K1OCK-0Fr OFFICF--box 111, Neu) Baltimore, R.v. 12124 (518) 756-9282

The Knock-Off is published monthly, 12 months of the year, The deadline for articles and advertisements is the first Wednesday of the month. The material in the Enock-Off is that of the author and in no way reflects the official attitude of the mohawk-Budssu Region, Sports Car Club of America or its officers. Agreement or dissenting opinion in writing is welcome and will be published by the discretion of the editors, The Knock-Off ii mailed under third class regulations from New Baltimore,N.Y.

Knock,-Off Staff, Dick Brooks and. Andy Mace. Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA

R.E.'s REPORT

Having made our transition of. Officers and Chairmen in December, it's now a question of pulling together to make a successful year for Mo-Hud. Clark Nicholls will be handling Competition, Steve Wald is Solo Chairman, Rik Schlierer will be in charge of the Rally. program and Joanne Winkelman will head up the Membership Department. I would urge any member, if he or she has any questions or comments regarding any of the above areas, to please approach these folks.. They will be able to help you.

Set in motion so far are the final moments for the Snowflake Rally. By the time this is printed, Bill and Nels will be reporting on the results of this event.

Our confirmed School/Race date with Lime Rock is July 25 & 26, 1980. Chairpersons Bonnie Rowen, John Stim and Tom Campbell are already in gear.

Heading into January, the Knock-Off pursued changing its mail permit. - The Albany Post Office has to take the blame for this hold up. Mail your articles, advertising and art work to Dick and Andy. They will be happy to hear from you. Their deadline date is the 7th of each month.

The Skip Barber agreement and Membership Application has been sent to Skip for his approval and signature. Plan on working Skip's series this season. Give it a try, you will he amazed. It is good racing. You may see our own Don Valente or Dirty Ernie out there. You never know who you are going to see. This Schedule is available with Jack Hanifan, Activities Director. After the Roundtable, it will be. pub- lished.

Dave Hathaway, Assistant R.E., is negotiating for Guest Night and organizing an Auction. 'You'll be hearing more on this.

The NEDiv Roundtable, March 21-23, will be in Corning, New York. The purpose of this meeting is to firm up the 1980 Calendar.and to pass along any SCCA changes, decisions or conversations via Divisional Ad- ministrators and Regional representatives.

We're underway for 1980. Let's all work at making it a good year. Until next month-- Yours for the Sport. Sye Rogers Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA PROFCiLD AttlamENT TO TIRE BYLAWS

In accordanca wito Article VI of the bylaws, a petition Wari submitted to the. Secretary mt the Jannary 2, 't930 vembership meeting to *mend the Constitution and Bylaws of Mohauk-Hudson 'Region, Sports Car Club of America. The proposed amendment would change the current require- ment that both the R.E : and Treasurer aign all checks, contracts, to allow eitr. the R.E. or Treasurer to sign alI checks, contracts, *,,A.,r)1.••• etc. 1 propooed amenAlmant would also yeoulte the R.E. mod Treasurer to be bonded, at club expense. As of this publication quotes have been ottainod for $132 and $16,4 for throe year bonding contracts for two club officers *t $10,000. The board will continue to look to the alternatives, .but it is expected that the annual cost to the club of approval of this amendmnt would he The ppoge of this proposed amendment is to simplify the job Df the treasurer wWle pro- viding improved financial protecqcn to the membership.

The proposed amendment is as follows; (Material in parentheses in deleted, underlined material is added.)

Article III, Section 4,, First Paragraph

"the treasurer shall kave custody of all monies debts and obligations belonging to the club® He shall nale all payments of the club's debts: Re shall collect Regional club dues as required by National policy. All contracts, checks, drafts, notes or other orders for paynent or money shall be signed in the new of the club by the treasurer (and countersigned) pr h1,.1 absence., t the Regional Executive, subject to such other conditions mnd requirements as appear elsewhere in this Constitution. (He) Ilatlithe rregursr ardthe 1.?AsApneLLnxecutin shall give bond (,) at club expens ()(7i7f requ:ired by dht boarZi;c,

The ballot: on this page --shold be fUled t: hy membexs in goad. standing „ titylEt, ;n2ay bf,a,r Ballots may be returned by miI to Marilyn Heacox, Secretary MIIR/SCCA RD#1 Voorheesville, NY 12186

or brought to the next membership meeting Wednesday,. March„1;,1980 at 8pm at. Mike's Place 192B North Alien St, Albany, NY:

Ballots will be counted at the meeting, and results announced at that Two-thirds of the ballots cast must favor the proposed amendment for approval and adoption. Respectfully sumitted, 4 n 4.1 Bv-Iaws committee *A4A4r************************************************************ for I hereby cast my vote in against the proposed amendment to the Mohawk-Hudson Region, Sports Car Club of America. ,constitution and by-lawsa bmitted to the secretary March 5, 1980 SIGNED MEMBERSHIP # EXPIRATION DATE Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA

NEWS FLASH!!!

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ST' AND BISHOP 50 TT IN rilE SCwyr

First overall—First in Glmos II Jahn. S3kim and Jim Bishop

A complete liAting of he tate will be publahed in it months ismue

RME INTO THE WTH THE sORTHEAT PRO RALLY SERIES (KEPRO-SCCA) RY ORDERING YOUR NEPRO GARMERLY PE PRS) PART1CIPOT cARn TOW, Jan tat in NEPRO47 5th yam, by sending your full niorka, mailing (W.:moo anA Gard fee (pay- able to H.Maiii.ndley/WPRO, soe below) to: Harry M. Vmdley NEMO Admimirltmtor) Box 65 Westport, CT. 06860 Card fet (una,npd from previoua years): $3 - ell people within the serieR 1 basic area (e404. of %to and north of North Ccrolinm),, and pnople outaido the merlae arma, wile> ar to or nacr42- mombers of a Wori4thoast Diviffinn SOCA Ponion (415abar nuMber shown on SCCA har0114. card, MA64, be furniEhed). $5 - aIl other peopla not qaalliying above. Card holders qualify for Pal scoring tolawds the 1CFRO charptwIthip* 4nd avfxrdgp liar* priority OA ttle eori5030 )raiaing list (uued to dictribute thP NEMO BULLETIN ana,Ronnt lo.op entry- fmea down by allovinF the sertes to avoid alani4 4dsizo. "=tie Vferl*

FOR SALE: 3 Fiat wheels--cal Tom Campbell (518) 587-252 Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA The

by Pat Thomson. P.E, - cylinders. Turbochargers are re- • lace Overspeeding results from FUR. Technical Editor sponsive to load and speed using a unit too small and ex- Power output in any engine is changes of the engine: Power is plodes the turbine with disastrous determined by the amount of fuel derived both from pressure and results. TOG much boost pressure that can be burned in a given heat energy. requires the pressure ratio should time: The simple formula is that The application aim of turbo be dropped through a waste burning more fuel provides more charging is to rate the engine at gate. This reacts to exhaust or power. 30 percent above its naturally as- intake air pressure by limiting the However, for proper combus- pirated state. Turbocharging in- pressure to generally specified 8 tion, the amount of fuel burned creases vehicle payload and pro- psi. Waste gates are spring-load- depends on how much air gets vides benefit' in exhaust silenc- ed to open automatically when into the cylinders. Since the vol- ing, clearer exhaust for a. fixed the. pressure is above the de- ume of any engine's cylinders is fuel level and reduced engine signed value. Lag is caused by fixed, the air supply must be in- wear. At high altitude, the turbo- inertia of the impeller and turbine creased in some way. - chargers also compensate the wheels, minimized by smaller di- This increase can be achieved lack Of oxygen. ameter impeller .turbin.e wheels in several ways that will not . Turbochargers consist of two that have less inertia. Since you change the engines basic de- main parts—turbine and com- will not have the opportunity to sign. pressor. Turbine and compressor match turbos to engine, proper First, one can cool the air. wheels are at opposite ends of shop service will gain long life for Since cool air is denser than the common shaft. The shaft and your turbochargers. warm, more fuel can be teemed, its bearings are lubricated by oil When properly installed and But EPA regulations require that ted from the engine, Exhaust gas operated, turbochargers generally air be heated before used, so from the engine enters the tur- outlive the engine. Most turbo- that is out. bine housing and passes be- charger tenures are acatally a Hood scoops can be used to tween the turbine blades - before consequence of a condition ram air to the engine. But this re- being discharged to the exhaust which was no fault of the hobo- quires high speeds that are not system. The exhaust gas drives charger itself. If the cause of always available. Mechanical the turbine wheel which. in, turn failed turbocharger is not deter- compressors can be attached di-. drives the. compressor wheel mined, another failure will result. rectly or indirectly to the engine through the common shaft. As turbocharger speed or en- or through belts and pulleys. In Compressor wheels work - in gine load inereaSes, .turbo de- these, unie,sis a complicated valve reverse to the turbine. Air in- mand for oil increases. When the system is incorporated with the duced from the air cleaner is turbo is under load, insufficient compressor or a ditferential drive pressurized by rotation of the oil far a period as short as 10 is employed, the power absorbed compressor wheel and forced seconds can result in complete by, the blower remains constant into the intake. manifold or air in- failure. Preventive maintenance throughout 'the engine ioad range duction system. checks will show excessive shaft at any engine speed. The process of matchiog char- moyements in the bearings. This unit has poor specific acteristics of the turbocharger to Check also for the following. de- performance at part load level, the internal combustion engine is tects: high noise ratio, drive complica- usually accomplished through tions, and poor efficiency. Then laboratory tests.. Design of the • Wear on inside and outside. some genius decided to use the impeller, turbine and their re- diameters of both journal bear- waste energy of the hot exhaust spective housings must be care- inos, ' gases to drive a turbine wheel fully matched to get proper per- a. Heat discoloration on outside which in turn drives a compres- formance. diameter of compressor end pis- sor,.' Improper matching and design ton ring oil seal sleeve. He called the device' a turbo- results in several problems. Lack • Back and inducer section of charger. of sufficient boost pressure is compressor wheel shows' signs of The turbocharger is an ex- caused by a unit too large for the njbbirrg haust-driven compressor that in- engine and is simply a lack of • Turbine wheel the same con- creases air flow to engine engine horsepower and excessive tact signs.

46 RURAL. AND URBAN ROADS/JANUARY, 1980

• Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA • Heat discoloration and rub- bing on one area of the taces.of the two thrust rings.

-0 Wear pattern on the thrust 0 Oa:1,,, c., c...., :::t ;-,,. IT, 1,..1 r...4 k- bearing. 0• c; 0 0 c pl a iti '0 ti co 0 N.c) C Engine oil should be clean, H /....s H r '4) i--"' ---3 U-> k-4 E-4 ro r%) ca ' yx. '',-, cx) -) '---,,.q) ..,...-,..o "- , (,,.) 1,1 Os ce Series Ut, changed frequently and ,,..pos'..,,--,, 1--,"s., co .P----...---..-,-,' I-, H. ro C) N) /0 I-) rso, r.0-o. F-0 ;:r0 with regular filter maintenance, 0\ No CD 0 C) %,..a r.- -4 10 Foreign material in the oil will re- MI c C 4 4 C 4 e I cr 10 sult in excessive journal or thrust n H bl "0. C) bearing wear. Plugging of an oil 0 0 Pc' 0 Ni C 0 0 I". 11 '1 rl, g czt- C 1:- r; a pa ':r,. 0 f-Ps 14- Cr' C passage will bring oil starvation g 3: (::/ r s- 'V' 11:. ■Z Pi 0 I Iti a M. A1? 0.' tt. 1-'1 i." • - P° CP 1--, 11 !Z to -the bearing system. 7-',^ tl. (.%) r..1 . tl, 0 42.71 & M 0 0 il. 0 trk 0 ,:is m iz. I 1.-' "1 Any additional foreign material 0 :11■-' 1-t t-t t'1 r; IP HI p (t. co co,c0- 11- 0 a '1 ;75 b t^4> H entering the air induction system C.4.I (4 *,— (4' 0 ri c+ P CCI V.1 C..) ci- H H ial 9 .,i .1; - 154 I-, H im because of faulty air cleaner will o c I-4 0 H' 1..,, Ch IA kw° (-4 ',0 (4 rt- o".., ii ix' a) I-0 P p.::. --41(4 result in . compressor. failure. .. pl• tx.1 tA I-1 il 0 Sometimes broken particles from .,... ,-rj `P gi 'II 0. ci' -3 P.to 0 41p, .,,0%pn it) il engine problems are thrown into 1-4 as, g i--1 0 p. cf- rz 01 • 0:1 1,,. r"-, F- it} ., 0.,,:s ee.a. 0 the compressor system. This is (i) 41 fD ,---, a to H i7,.., -4 H 1)) . t as cs- 0 H I-1 indicated by possible rubbing of •-ri t3 a (-I- vl. 0,4-4 11' 03 the compressor wheel due to un- I't a as Z a a) a rs1 '0 r.' Z t --I • balance from broken blades Or 0- H 0 0 • a) AI ...--•• s-1 CI) fit H ..---, . LI itr• ‘...,). , ::,..0 Cl) indentations or _marks at the en- 21 r.1) ti 0 * til '11 0 0 C) H O 0 al A). C.) ".- 0 'V 0. W M C) 0 Cl) a+ I sli trance section of the compressor 1-0 ...-,... asIal 0.: 1.0 }.4 1z! Lei ••••...... 0 0- '''..... i--3**, ..---,--• 1-1r a cover. Check both air inlet and ,--, tzi P-3 --.., I'l k2si VI K-1 ,.• (J) C) rn Iri 3: co gl !=1 I-1 0 03 ;.3 ti exhaust manifold for cleanliness CD (4 U H 1,-, ;b■- ,....." 1 CL. ...... ,4 ,r.... and remove loose particles. In- P., r", c+ ...... ., a * O. p; 0 v, p .4 .o.' MI CI) spect air cleaner carefully and 11 9 1 hi • t.1 Z i'• p p, rn 0 1,0 replace if necessary. 41) (4 U.) H, 11 a.'',: c) z..% 1...:: 0 I--4 t7'.! . c+ c+ 0 '0 There must be no air or gas 0 I-1 Da • ,--. r:X. 4 04 VI. CA 2", • 0 .. ...--, CD a 1-3 leakages. Faulty gaskets or had ,-". C') .1 ti Cti VI p. 0 CO XI r+ 0 hose or pipe joints to or from the cp. ryct M...... , turbocharger can reduce pres- ...... fa lI In Z * *.:. ---, as (4 , in t.,), Ch C..■ 'V ''.... 1-,j ''. t+ ''. sures so the rotor will not reach H 171 21 Cr H- ---. * Pc" e H ,.,.., -d W ga r) 1-4 . --. :a 4, • Its maximum speeds, This will (1): ,.,.E. 0. . ,.. (yq ..---.1. 13 0 ....A 1.1 11 0.• 0 .ti>, k* 0 m •,...... " r cp I. lead to overheating and subse- 0 as pl t-i in o quent failure. tx.1 ..'".'•"ii R4 eio...-' o tt I '.....! ;,.' 0 al ,.... il '''''.. gC r:', ',3'• F.-' tr) r..1. •,., ..4,..v, ca F.J fl‘' !••4 ;a, . a If) 0.: %. ,s1;:v ,-,3 M Incorrect fuel injection can be a 0' ...--, 0 • W * caused by fuel pump malfunction • rfr En 11 --- a ::$ IFri • ro C) or a restricted air cleaner reduc- *.e. (.-:■ C.)CI 'T1 i.:i ,,f 4 t; Fopd C4 ...... , t> 0 p',f ■6 :Z'''' c+'.,>. 0.> Al ing engine air flow. A restricted 4 . ...... 1. Cl ril al oct ra • ..i es 0 k air cleaner results when the de- ,. C., ... 0 "-'C/) :y.,..• . ,--, ..s., 0 pression between the air cleaner C) 0.:s. 0 and the turbo inlet is greater than C) Ir. ..^*".. pr.; 13:1 Vi) .., 4 .11s:i ,s...." 12. inches of water, The exces- g: 8 0 , rj *....-.) rit 0.... sive pressure in the bearing C.) I's CA • C) •,=' '-'I ru housing will blow oil past the pis- M 8Z. -'If) 4> ton rings into the compressor Cl) ...,... housing. Overtueling brings ex- - cessive buildup of carbon in the cp;•••,i; R. turbine housing and behind the turbine Wheel. This slows up the rotor shaft, gives an excessive exhaust temperature and loss of power. Turbochargers appear to be simple in construction and opera- tip). However, temperatures are at 700 degrees C and shaft and wheel have rotational speeds up to 100,000 rpm, Expert preven- tive maintenance and servicing is needed to gain long lite. from your turbos. E4 Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA MANY HAVE EXPERIENCE. THE CONFUSION OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND HAVE HAD TO SUMMARIZE CORRECTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN A. FEW WORDS OR LESS ON INSURANCE OR ACCIDENT FORMS. TILE FOLLOWING, QUOTES WERE TAKEN FROM THOSE FORMS AND WERE EVENTUALLY PUBLISHED IN THE TORONTO SUN PAPER,

1. Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don't have. 2. The other car collided with mine without giving warning of it's intentions. 3. I thought My window was down, but I found out it was up when I put my hand through. it. 4.. I collided with a stationary truck: coming the other way. A truck backed through my windshield into my wife's face. A pedestrian hit me and went under my car. The guy was all over the road I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him. I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the embankment. •In my attempt to kill, a. fly, I drove into a telephone pole. O. I had been shopping for plants all day, and was on my way home. As I reached an intersection, a hedge sprang up, obscuring my. vision. I did not see the other car. I had been driving my car for 40 years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accid: As I approched the intersection, a stop sign suddenly appeared in a place where no stop sign had ever appeared before. I was unable to stop in time to avoid the accident. was on my way to the doctors with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way, causing me to have an accident. To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front, 1 struck the pedestrian. My car was legally parked as it backed into the other vehicle. •An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle„ and vanished, 7. I told the police that I was not injured, but on removing My hat, I found that I had a skull fracture. !:4. I was sure the old fellow would never make it to the other side of the street when struck him. The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so I ran over him. I saw the ,slow-moving, sad-faced gentleman. as he bounced, off the hood of my car. .The indirect cause of this acciden twas a little guy in a small car with a big mouth. •The telephine pole was approaching fast. I attempted. to swerve out of it's way, when it struck the front of my car.

I was thrown from my car as it left the road. I was later found in a. ditch by some stray cows.

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•"VA erait it% ,1 r1,•13'es r)r,*01-' .0104 q,„,, CA%

Dear Proapecthre SCCA, rqembert To apply for membership In the Sports Car Club of America, the world's largest member participation automotive organi- zation, please complete the form below in full and return, with payment, to your Region or the SCCA Membership Depart- ment, P.O. Box 22d73., Denver, Colorado EK1222.

PLEASE PRINT OR TYFE

Applicant's

Home Address :rale p

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Status______Spouse's

am interested In the following areas of SCCA activities: Solo Events.____. Race Worker______Rally/Solo •. (Indicate with en "x" which address you wish mall sent to, and which telephone — or both — you prefer listed In the Ileaian's rosier.)

II■RAVeMAY1041:11,124.0.94111Arft

Membership In the Sports Car Club of America is dual — National and Regional.Dues are for the year ending December 31; dues received after October 31 will apply through the succeeding full year. Make one check/M.O. for the total amount payable to SCCA, Inc.

Annual National dues Annual Regional dues Regular Member $25.00 Regular Member Spouse Member 5.c'0 Spouse Member Junior Member I000 Junior Member.

. Spouse must he /Regular ember's spouse. Junior must be under 21 years: old.

I hereby apply for membership In the Sports Car Club of America, iflC., end its lic,:gion and agree to abide by the bylaws.

Applicant's Signature,

_ Sponsor

Approved: (Revlon/II Executiveo or hot rehip Chairman)

NATIONAL OFFICE USE ONLY

Application received Regional dues Type

• National dues Type

Membership No. Membership card sent . Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA

Nittakti p v

NA A R C t7i r-,P,OCAM: An "After the Wt.lama Oomention" uortinct session -..„stimulating dismssion rnk•KAirs tbigard,s better administration of SCCA, regions and their activities .....,,cxxve and have yOUT PpiniCMS heard _. „..carve and ask those:questions of wt's been happening ..„..

6:00 WI - 11:00 Regisi:ration and Ferty

Orkxfsi discussion seminar's (x)vering the EX'XIA. (>,perations of seheduling, actdvities, Maria0E3rmt

9:00.14,4 - 10:30 AM *)IV Meeting 10:45 - 12:30 Session with the „-Tverrors

Rf3ISTRATICI9 PM; $25.00 per person - includes re9istratim7 iunch 'bang...let and cocktails for Saturday; Sunday breRtikfast; ex)ffee breaks ftike your own reservations with The Ccz7ning Hilton Inn directly . phew 607-962-5000 . Sing.:cae : $29.00 DoubleT $37,00 We will arrange chez.:kout time on

STIFD RIMS! 'FORA: TEAR OFF FORM AT BC1IK14. SIM 70: MRS„ KCITAEL , laRKLAND, 409 Webster Road; Webster, ?W. 14580 -.716-872-0255

FURTHER INFO: Eleanor Perry - 607-962-13517 or Rich (lath - 607-562-3730

* * ***** *** ******* **IF.*** **lc* *******************'***************************** ********** 1-,M3ISTRNr101.1 FaT1 NEDIV R04.19:717PBLE KAMM 21, 22, 23,, /980

WE • ADIRESS

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CA! • MOeiStt yurrn ECK AJACI.INT

AT THE CORNiNG FUTON MIN, CORNIWir. NA„. Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA

1Jk 1 RE-PORI FORMLA I REPORT FO MIA I REPORT FORMULA .1 REPORT FORMULA 1 REPORT FOR.V1A 1 Ri:

TESTING THE 1\E\ REMIT

RECENTLY THEEDTTORIAL AND TECHNICAL STAFF OF THE KNOCK.-OFF WAS INVITED TO TEST A NEW, EXPERIMENTAL FORMAL 1 GRAND PRIX CAR THAT, IF SUCCESSFUL IN TESTING, WILL BE DEBUTED OFFICIALLY AT THE UNITED STATES GRAND- PRIX-IN WATKINS GLEN THIS SPRING, THE FOLLOWING IS A. REPORT ON WHAT WE SAW, -ED,

We had no idea. what to expect when we first received the invitation to came to a little-used private track in ryrai upstate New York for the first test of a radical new idea in Formula 1 racing, having $een many ideas come and go in the last few years -- six wheels with four of them in front, six wheels with four in back, fan cars and the like. But we were in no wet prepared for the surprise Renault Was about to unveil for us. Since arriving on the scene several wears ago, Renault has been concerned with the uncertainty of the weather conditions for racing, especially at tracks such as Watkins Glen, and has been studying ways to overcome the problems of heavy rain or snow during a race. The project was given a. low priority until this past December, when . the FISA set the 1980 Glen date for April 13. Working feverishly since that time, Renault engineers and designers have come up with what is sure to be a con troversial„ but hopoinfly workable solution to the problem,

HOW MANY WHEELS? Admiring the success, though moderate, of the Tyrell 034, as well as Jeep's success in pro rallying, the winning solution is a combination of both phil- osophies -- a total of eight wheels on this car, with up to six of them capable of propelling the car. Unique features abound on this car, and we will try to detail as many of them as possible, although little technical information was available at presstime, and the car is not in final race form.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS The car, dubbed the Turbo m4S' CM, features most prominently 4 wheels at each end or the car • Two in the front, and all,fOur in back are capable of propelling the .car. Mote that one axle on each end is fitted with a new high-speed Michelin racing radial snow tire, designed to accept studs in extreme conditionS. A totally new, lightweight transfer case., designed by Hewland, allows the driver to choose several combinations of drive wheels as conditions warrant, such as rear slicks only, rear snows only, front snows only, any. two or all three. No locking hubs are required. ' (Originally, they were present: on the front hubs, but it was found to be awkward to stop and reset them constantiy. for changing conditens..) Ali other cmponents and settings remain surprisingly similar to the conventional car, and very little excess weight is added, owing to the use of special high strength, low-alloo metals.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS:

The first thing 1C-Ofs test drivers noted was that steering effort is un- usually heavy for a Formula car, due to the fact that all four front wheels steer, and they also are normal sired, not like the Tyrell, which used Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA

RENAULT TURBO M+S CONT. small diameter wheels and tires. Once accustomed to this, however, we Grand Prix cars found the car to be as easy to drive as any of the other we have tested. Turbo lag seemed excessive, but in truth the lag is Renault merely accentuated by the additional drive axles when In uses, axles of each engineers claimed that with the snows on the front pair of end, these tires would displace most of the wet or snow, drying the track and maXimizing the efficiency of the slicks that followed; hence the car is. also as stable in poor conditions as in the dry,... Earlier testing in France saw the car 'achieve lap times within three seconda of the con- here ind- ventional car, this on only the second day of testing.. Results icate similar success is possible, indeed likely.

IS IT WORTH IT? Given the current technology of Formula 1 racing, innovation today is often passe tomorrow. Rumor has it that Lotus and Williams, among others, are already working on cars to serve the same purpose as the Renault Turbo M43 C,78, and they may well be. more radical still. If, indeed, cars like these of possibili- do ultimately succeed, it may well openup a whole new world ties for Formula racing, making most tracks year'round facilities, and creating completely new forms of racing events, such as Formula classes in ice racing or Formula pro rallying. Car development will not stop here, in particular of course. Watch for more exciting innovations from Renault as the Renault-AMC-Jeep alliance becomes stronger and begins to pay. off.

(EDITOR'S NOTE As we were about to go to press, word reached us that the USG? East, at Watkins Glen, has been moved back to October 12. When contacted, Renault said that work had stopped temporarily on the project, but the lessons iearntd had, not been forgotten.)

NEXT MONTH DETAILS OF NEW RENAULT PRO-RALLY CAR, . Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA

1980 BONUS NATIONAL SCHEDULE tten

March 29-30 Charlotte, N.C. May 3-4 Gainesville, Ga. May 24-26 Riverside international Raceway Riverside, Calif. June 7-B Texas World Speedway College Station, Tex June :14-15 Elkhart Lake, Wis. Portland International Raceway Portland, Ore. June 28-29 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio July 12-13 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, Minn. July 26-27 Hallett Motor Racing Circuit Hallett, Okla. August 2-3 • Watkins Glen Grand Prix Circuit Watkins Glen, N.Y. August 16-17 • Sears Point International Raceway Sonoma, Calif. Summit Point Raceway , • Summit Point, W.Va. August 30-31 Lime Rock, Conn. September 6-7 Mid-America Raceways Wentville, Mo.

SCCA CONTACT: Bruce Haun (303) 7/0-1044

1980 PPG Indy Car World Series Schedule DATE CIRCUIT LOCATION March 2 Phoenix International Raceway Phoenix, Ariz. April 13 Ontario Motor Speedway Ontario, Calif.:. April 27 Atlanta International Raceway . Atlanta, Ga. June 8 Trenton international Speedway • Trenton, N.J. July 20 Michigan International Speedway. Brooklyn, Mich. August 3 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Circuit Watkins Glen, N.Y. August 17 Trenton. international Speedway: • Trenton, N.J. August 31 Ontario Motor Speedway Ontario, Calif. September 21 Michigan International Speedway Brooklyn, Mich. October 26 Ricardo Rodriguez. Autodrome Mexico City, Mexico November 9 Phoenix international Raceway Phoenix, Ariz SCCA Con Randy Unsbee, Director of Communications (303) 770-1044 1803 CENTRAL-4,MM ALBANY, NSW YORK 459 2511

COMPLETE COMPETITION ENGINE '4071[0( • HAD & SLOCK SURFACING 'BLOCK "0" RINGING • CR-1 CYLINDER HONING • LH HONING AILLIiik3gUM MEAD REPAIR & PRESSURE. CHECKING 5 CROSS MILLING X,MPLETE CONNECTING ROD WORK a SHOT PEENING GL. [6S EIEADR%03 $ ZVGLOING & SHOCKS CHANGE; ON .1410PHERSON STRU1%;

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