The distance used to calculate the speed on each course is based on turn radius at certain g and speeds for each class. Actual speeds are somewhat higher than calculated speed and the turning really bleeds a ton of energy. The penalty for a side-by-side aircraft really piles up as the speed increases as well.
THE CURRENT RACE COURSE LENGTHS ARE:
• JET CLASS: The Jet Class course is 8.4703 based upon a speed of 525 MPH and 3.5 to 3.7 Gs.
• UNLIMITED CLASS: The Unlimited Class course is 8.4333 miles based upon a speed of 500 MPH and 3.5 Gs.
• GOLD SPORT CLASS: The Gold Sport Class course is 8.35606 miles based upon a speed of 400 MPH and 3.0 Gs. (based upon the number of modified aircraft)
*NOTE: Should there be less than five (5) modified (Gold) Sport Class aircraft, all Sport Class races shall be held on the 6.9992 mile course.
• SILVER & BRONZE SPORT CLASS: The Silver & Bronze Sport Class course is 6.9992 miles based upon a speed of 375 MPH and 3.0 Gs.
• T-6 CLASS: The T-6 Class course is 5.0693 miles based upon a speed of 225 MPH and 2.0 Gs.
• FORMULA ONE CLASS: The Formula One Class course is 3.1875 miles based upon a speed of 250 MPH and 3.0 Gs.
• BIPLANE CLASS: The Biplane Class course is 3.1761 miles based upon a speed of 210 MPH and 3.0 Gs.
I could perhaps see pulling 3 gs at 375, but at 210, I'll bet I rarely saw more than 2. To be honest, the fastest line seemed to be a constant turn, except from 3 to 4, and again from 5 to 6. We just weren't fast enough to not have to level out for a bit there. Then the challenge was when to early turn 4 and 6, to set up the follow-on pylons, without having to crank in g, thus scrubbing speed.
Much of my excess fuel burn was also from running rich to make sure I avoided detonation.
On Sat, Jul 2, 2011 at 6:29 AM, Charlie England <ceengland@bellsouth.net> wrote:
How big is the course at Reno? Not to denigrate Tracy's performance, but tight turns scrub off speed quickly flying the RV's fat hershey bar wing.
Charlie
On 07/02/2011 07:11 AM, Tracy wrote:
Yep, nobody ever accused Van of not being conservative. Dave Anders does 265 mph with his RV-4 (stock redline is at 210). The RV-8 has a higher Vne at 230 which is as high as I have taken mine but I have longer than stock wings which will make them more likely to flutter.
Very interesting results at Reno Dave. Really points out the value of minimizing cooling drag. My standing start average Sun 100 race speed (217.57 mph) was about the same as your lap speed. IAS during race was 220. My RV-4 was not especially clean but I did do a reasonable job on cooling drag. I burned only a little more than 1/2 of the fuel (17 GPH vs 30 GPH ).
Tracy
Sent from my iPad
On Jul 1, 2011, at 11:31 PM, Ernest Christley<echristley@att.net> wrote:
On 07/01/2011 05:28 PM, David Leonard wrote:
I love the all-around abilities of the RV, but it really does not belong at Reno. My IAS (upper 180's KIAS) was above Vans Vne (184 KIAS, but I have tested mine to 205 KIAS with TAS being somewhat higher), not sure I want to go much faster... Ah, who am I kidding, of course I do. As long as other RV's are going faster than me... Steve Senegal was doing about 230mph in his Super-8 with full length wings... Must... Catch... Steve...
Ya' never know what you can do,
Till you take it as far as it will go.
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