Tell me what you think of these cars?

[CamKing]

Legends Dirt Modified $16K

http://www.legendsnation.com/news/20...eedway-NC.html

[fasteddy]

Pretty cool. I would add more bodywork to make them look even less than a regular midget. Maybe a sedan look rather than the coupe. Also put some "booger bars" on them.

Like these: http://members.tripod.com/steve_muth/

[CamKing]

Pretty cool. I would add more bodywork to make them look even less than a regular midget. Maybe a sedan look rather than the coupe. Also put some "booger bars" on them.

Like these: http://members.tripod.com/steve_muth/

I wasn't too big on the look at first, but it's growing on me.
I wasn't too familiar with the old New England cars these were modeled after, so the look was a little strange at first.

[atrackforumfan]

I love the look of the old NE modifieds, but these don't get it done for me.

Maybe if they had Falcons, 60 Valiants, and Corvairs.

[CamKing]

I love the look of the old NE modifieds, but these don't get it done for me.

Funny thing, most of the people I talk to that don't like the looks of this car, are the people who love the looks of the type of car, these are modeled after.

[Cosworth]

No thanks

[CamKing]

No thanks

Nothing personal, but a Canadian who calls himself "Cosworth" really isn't the target market.
This is more of an american thing, you wouldn't understand.

[RS2]

Is that a motorcycle engine? Is is chain driven?

[CamKing]

Is that a motorcycle engine? Is is chain driven?

It's a 1200cc Yamaha. Yamaha 5 speed trans, standard Drive shaft, and quick change rear end.

[jcolbert]

So in other words, it is a 1200cc mini-sprint with a quick-change rear end instead of a chain drive? Why so expensive, this another sealed spec-engine class?

[CamKing]

So in other words, it is a 1200cc mini-sprint with a quick-change rear end instead of a chain drive? Why so expensive, this another sealed spec-engine class?

Expensive? 16K for a ready to race car is expensive? Just a rolling chassis for a mini sprint from Bailey Will cost you $10K, and you'll be over $16K for one that'll run upfront.
Yes, this is a sealed spec-engine. This keeps the costs way down, and should be the norm in all "beginner" racing classes.
We have Micro Sprints at our local track, and they can work on the engines. You've got 16 cars on the track, and the same two cars lap the field every race. Entry level racing should be about getting seat time, not engine development.

[flatlander_48]

So in other words, it is a 1200cc mini-sprint with a quick-change rear end instead of a chain drive? Why so expensive, this another sealed spec-engine class?

It's another variotion of the regular Legends Cars and is in the same price range. They start at $13k before you start to add options.

And for the record, it looks more like a Don Edmunds supermodified from the 60's to me...

[jcolbert]

Without trying to sound argumentative or anything, having spent more than a few years playing with 1200cc mini-sprints, I'm not sold on the need. Like you said, it's a beginner class and there's going to be a huge differential in speed and abilities. I will admit that I have seen a few guys over the years who have spent a lot more than everybody else on engines but it never came close to making up for the other "areas" where they were lacking.

[Jag-lover]

The cars look OK to me, much like the Don Edmunds car. For its purpose, as a hobby car its fine. I'm just not sure there's enough of a market for it though. I'm kind of curious about the 5 speed transmission though. Will most drivers actually shift during a race or just leave it in fifth? Some years ago I saw the mini sprints run at a half mile track and they topped out about a third of the way down the straight. I wondered why they didn't use their transmissions to get a higher top speed.

[CamKing]

Without trying to sound argumentative or anything, having spent more than a few years playing with 1200cc mini-sprints, I'm not sold on the need. Like you said, it's a beginner class and there's going to be a huge differential in speed and abilities. I will admit that I have seen a few guys over the years who have spent a lot more than everybody else on engines but it never came close to making up for the other "areas" where they were lacking.

I'm also not sure if there's a big enough market, but Bruton Smith is a little better business man then I am.
As for some Mini sprint guys spending a ton of money on the engines, that may just be way more of a problem here, with all the NASCAR guys/money floating around.
I think the one advantage this car has, is that it will be run like the legends, and no matter where you run it in the U.S., the rules will be exactly the same. That's always been a big selling point for Legends and IMCA.

[CamKing]

I'm kind of curious about the 5 speed transmission though.

When they run here at on the 3/8(closer th 1/4), they race in 3rd the whole time.
You put it in 1st to get going, then hit the shifter into 2nd, then 3rd. You only use the clutch to get rolling.

[flatlander_48]

Sure sounded like Kahne and Sweet were doing something at the end of the straight as there seemed to be an extra buzz to the engine note. Curious...

[CamKing]

Sure sounded like Kahne and Sweet were doing something at the end of the straight as there seemed to be an extra buzz to the engine note. Curious...

They were both hitting the revlimiter at the very end of the straights. That's when I turned around and said, well you've got the gearing right.
No one else was fast enough to hit the limiter.

[flatlander_48]

Thanks for the clarification. And yes, they did have 'em pretty damned sideways...

[Jag-lover]

When they run here at on the 3/8(closer th 1/4), they race in 3rd the whole time.
You put it in 1st to get going, then hit the shifter into 2nd, then 3rd. You only use the clutch to get rolling.

CamKing,

Has anybody played with the gearing to say run the corners in 3rd and then 4th on the straight?

[CamKing]

CamKing,

Has anybody played with the gearing to say run the corners in 3rd and then 4th on the straight?

I sure didn't. I was just trying to keep it out of the fence.

It may be possible on a really big track, but on a short track like where we're testing, you'd lose more time shifting, then you would gain.

[Jag-lover]

I sure didn't. I was just trying to keep it out of the fence.

It may be possible on a really big track, but on a short track like where we're testing, you'd lose more time shifting, then you would gain.

CamKing,

You could try to install paddle shifters similar to what the kart guys are running. Better yet, just install the paddles, but don't actually install all the ancillary stuff and then watch the hilarity ensue when your competitor's spend hours d!cking with them.

[RV]

Nothing personal, but a Canadian who calls himself "Cosworth" really isn't the target market.
This is more of an american thing, you wouldn't understand.

Heck, CamKing, you may have sold parts to Cosworth. I believe he races an asphalt sprinter on Vancouver Island, B.C.

As to the dirt legend cars, they look like a good entry level into short track racing. Initial cost is not bad. Low budget teams only need an open wheel trailer and a few spares. Less than $25K total. And there are many dirt tracks around the country. Even on Vancouver Island, B.C.

[CamKing]

Heck, CamKing, you may have sold parts to Cosworth. I believe he races an asphalt sprinter on Vancouver Island, B.C.

I stand corrected.

Canadian
"Cosworth"
Feb 2006 join date.

I was just playing the law of averages.

[RV]

I stand corrected.

Canadian
"Cosworth"
Feb 2006 join date.

I was just playing the law of averages.

Would have been a logical bet.
I think he is a resurrected banned one, based on obvious stuff.

Again, those cars look like something that has a chance, given the asphalt legends success.

[flatlander_48]

Under the skin, are these cars really that much different from Legends cars? What's different about them?

[CamKing]

Under the skin, are these cars really that much different from Legends cars? What's different about them?

Yes. These chassis have nothing to do with Legends car.
Evernham designed and built the prototypes, and brought them to U.S. Legends.
These things are fully adjustable midget chassis, and you can change the setup, any way you want.