Originally Posted by
Tim Kurcz
It should be no surprise that Mod engines are continuing to develop; that is the very purpose behind the Modified Division. This is especially true for FE/850; the only class that offers something remotely close to "bore and stroke" development opportunity.
As with other Mod classes, these engines must conform to specific rules as approved by the Mod technical comittee and voted upon by the drivers - a legal process designed to make sure all invested in the class have their say, and that the rules apply equally.
We've heard recent complaints about the FE/850 class going too fast, but there is no history of accidents. If a move is made to slow the class down just because an accident may occur, then what changes should be made to classes with a demonstrated accident history?
As for the 100MPH threshold, you'll find the 500CC PRO capsule rule was created because lap speeds exceeded 100 - something the FE/850 will never do on gasoline and oil. Also, it's well known some FE's were going over 100MPH back in the 80's - so why has this become an issue now?
The only logical answer is the price of racing. For the same reason the Tohatsu triple was disallowed in D-Mod, most drivers don't want to invest in a new engine if their current equipment is competitive. This is an understandable sentiment, except that the racing world is not static.
Indeed; boats, gearcases, propellers, and yes - even engines improve over time with research and development. Believe it or not, the objective is to actually go faster, to gain an edge on your competition. This core thinking applies to every racing sport.
Winning has been and always will be the prime objective of every development effort. There isn't a single racer among you that would turn down the opportunity to go faster legally - especially if it cost little or nothing. But that's not the real world.
My suggestion is to stop these non-productive "what if" arguments, work within the rules, invest time and money where it counts, and go enjoy racing.
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