[wingkey1]

The following is taken from a current article on NASCAR.com. While COT is being “prepared” at the Cup level, the elves are working elsewhere in the engine area.


NASCAR's spec engine

--- introducing the spec engine to the regional Grand National Busch East and AutoZone West Series this year

--- an option available to Grand National teams, not a requirement

--- costs roughly $22,000 assembled and $20,000 in kit form, compared with the price of a custom engine, which routinely exceeds $40,000. Competitors who use the spec engine are not allowed to modify the parts in any way, unlike those with custom engines, who try to maximize the performance of every part at the expense of durability.

Each spec engine part is encrypted, such that the history of the engine and all its parts can be established and checked easily with a reader.

They show no signs of needing anything, except new gaskets to put them back together

Whether these innovations will find an application in any of NASCAR's top three touring series -- Cup, Busch and Truck -- remains to be seen.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

The following is taken from a current article on NASCAR.com. While COT is being “prepared” at the Cup level, the elves are working elsewhere in the engine area.


NASCAR's spec engine

--- introducing the spec engine to the regional Grand National Busch East and AutoZone West Series this year

--- an option available to Grand National teams, not a requirement

--- costs roughly $22,000 assembled and $20,000 in kit form, compared with the price of a custom engine, which routinely exceeds $40,000. Competitors who use the spec engine are not allowed to modify the parts in any way, unlike those with custom engines, who try to maximize the performance of every part at the expense of durability.

Each spec engine part is encrypted, such that the history of the engine and all its parts can be established and checked easily with a reader.

They show no signs of needing anything, except new gaskets to put them back together

Whether these innovations will find an application in any of NASCAR's top three touring series -- Cup, Busch and Truck -- remains to be seen.

Actually, I believe this would be a good addition to NASCAR's NA$CARmobile (a.k.a. COT). Given the direction NASCAR is going I can find no fault with a spec engine. It'd save money and take away some of the need for high-payrolled engineers and "innovative" mechanics.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Actually, I believe this would be a good addition to NASCAR's NA$CARmobile (a.k.a. COT). Given the direction NASCAR is going I can find no fault with a spec engine. It'd save money and take away some of the need for high-payrolled engineers and "innovative" mechanics.

And a chill runs down the backs of all engine builders in Na$car

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Quality88

And a chill runs down the backs of all engine builders in Na$car

It's basically the same concept as the "black box" evolution in electronics. Now, instead of chasing "trons," an electronic tech just changes out a modular "black box."

The "dumbing down" of technology. Ain't progress great?

[wingkey1]

Early success for the "spec-er"

10-22-2006

Kobyluck Drives Spec Engine to Victory in NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown - televised nationally on SPEED

Kobyluck was one of 11 (of 29) drivers utilizing the new spec engine technology, which was introduced this season as a cost-saving alternative for NASCAR Grand National Division teams. The spec engine includes a closely-specified set of components to limit costs, while providing competitive performance and durability. The new engines, which are optional, are expected to save teams nearly 50 percent on the cost of their engines.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Early success for the "spec-er"

10-22-2006

Kobyluck Drives Spec Engine to Victory in NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown - televised nationally on SPEED

Kobyluck was one of 11 (of 29) drivers utilizing the new spec engine technology, which was introduced this season as a cost-saving alternative for NASCAR Grand National Division teams. The spec engine includes a closely-specified set of components to limit costs, while providing competitive performance and durability. The new engines, which are optional, are expected to save teams nearly 50 percent on the cost of their engines.

My Previous statement stands

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Early success for the "spec-er"

10-22-2006

Kobyluck Drives Spec Engine to Victory in NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown - televised nationally on SPEED

Kobyluck was one of 11 (of 29) drivers utilizing the new spec engine technology, which was introduced this season as a cost-saving alternative for NASCAR Grand National Division teams. The spec engine includes a closely-specified set of components to limit costs, while providing competitive performance and durability. The new engines, which are optional, are expected to save teams nearly 50 percent on the cost of their engines.

I like the money-saving aspect of the things but, all-in-all, I'm not impressed. They used the same concept in ASA and it died, along with ASA.

[LSC9901]

The first question that comes to my mind is do the teams really care about $20K ??? With major sponsorship it seems to me that an additional $750K per year for 36 custom built engines, that may enhance a chance for the big trophy, is well within the ability of any HMS, Rousch, Yates or whoever sponsor. I'm sure it's all written off as advertising when the tax forms are filed by the sponsors.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

The first question that comes to my mind is do the teams really care about $20K ??? With major sponsorship it seems to me that an additional $750K per year for 36 custom built engines, that may enhance a chance for the big trophy, is well within the ability of any HMS, Rousch, Yates or whoever sponsor. I'm sure it's all written off as advertising when the tax forms are filed by the sponsors.

RCR, Roush, HMS, Ganassi, Everham, Ginn's and Gibbs wouldn't blink an eye but how about the Robby Gordon's, the Carl Haas', the Beth Ann Morgenthal's, the CMJ's, and the really small single-car team guys who struggle just to get low buck sponsorships. I would bet Juney Donlevey, Bud Moore, Gary Bechtel, the Jackson Brothers, and many others would have loved to see a spec engine program in NASCAR, before they were chased out by the mega-teams.

Contrary to today's popular opinion, NASCAR was NOT set up to be a playground for the really rich and well-funded. It was a place for really ingenious mechanics could devise a car which would blow the socks off of its competitors. If one could pick up a few sponsor dollars to cover tires, fuel and a couple of meals on the road, so much the better.

That being said, I still don't like the spec engine idea. But, I don't know all the particulars so any opinion I give is based only on gut feeling.

[oncea3fan]

just another step toward the nextel cup iroc series.

maybe they need to install a rules where anyone after a certin position can buy a topp five car for say 100k. straight from victory lane.
this would discrouage big teams from spending2-3 hundred k on a car they could lose.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

just another step toward the nextel cup iroc series.

maybe they need to install a rules where anyone after a certin position can buy a topp five car for say 100k. straight from victory lane.
this would discrouage big teams from spending2-3 hundred k on a car they could lose.

I agree. Ever since 1952 (I believe it was), when Chrysler introduced its Firepower Hemi V8 engine, NASCAR has had this silly idea that it could legislate parity and that parity was good for competition. Now, as you note above, they're trying to come up with some bastardized version of IROC. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Interesting concept, Once. Turn NA$CAR into a claiming series? It does work somewhat, at the local track level, to keep costs down in the lower divisions but I've never seen it successfully applied to the higher divisions; just like the current NA$CAR, too much money involved.

I find it encouraging that you, and many other fans, see the obvious problem and are willing to suggest "out-of-the-box" solutions.

[oncea3fan]

yes claiming rule.

it was there in my head I just couldn't it in that big void I call a skull

yes it would have to potentcail to back fire and have the big teams
have a new car for each race $$$$$$$, and maybe granade each engine
after the finish line to keep it beating them next week.



what about a car limitation say 6 cars registered with nasacar, 2 plate cars, 2 short track and 2 intermedete cars. but then they'd just have a whorehouse full of stand by's to fill in wrecked cars.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

what about a car limitation say 6 cars registered with nasacar, 2 plate cars, 2 short track and 2 intermedete cars. but then they'd just have a whorehouse full of stand by's to fill in wrecked cars.

This is scarey! I have run almost that same plan through my mind.

Here's how I envisioned it:

Each team could have no more than four chassis. These chassis would be identified by NASCAR by some method which could not be tampered with. This would make the teams run the same chassis on most, if not all of the tracks. No more specialty car for short, intermediate, superspeedways, road, concrete, etc., etc. MASSIVE cost savings here, or so I envision.

If one chassis is destroyed in a wreck or other mishap, that chassis is stricten from the team's inventory, never to be used again. Another chasiis is added to the inventory of four and one of those four MUST be used in any competition.

Make all races except Daytona (the Twin 125 format makes this impossible) impound races. You run what you brung concept. No trick springs, shocks, coils, tires, etc., etc.

Thsi last would make it necessary to do away with one of my biggest gripes about the current NASCAR, the "Top 35 Rule." This way ALL the enteies would have a race setup and not have to start the race with a qualifying setup, then spend half the race making adjustments.
The alternative would be to keep the stupid "Top 35 Rule," but let the eight who had to qualify on speed make changes to a race setup and then give then (the final eight alone) one hour of track time to bring their setups up to speed with the "Chosen 35."