Well gang... a few of you were curious what the outcome was going to be regarding the combination direct drive alternator and water pump combination.

I initially contacted Racemate in July, 2005 by email, and was told that my email would be forwarded to sales. No response.

Called and spoke with Kay (who appears to answer phones and take messages only) in early September. Left my name, number and instructions to call proir to any work being started, so that a firm quote could be established and so I could be assured that the device was the proper device for my application and engine.

Called and spoke with Kay on October 6th, and was told that no call had been made, and no work had been started, because John Barrett (the guy who does the work) had been busy with race season and had been racing. The last race was "next weekend" and then he would be back to working in the shop. Asked for him to call me for followup.

Called and spoke to Kay again today (oct 26th) at 1500 CDT and inquired about status, and was informed that the lathe was broken, and they were waiting on parts before they could start working on orders again. I asked her directly if she felt that 6 weeks with no courtesy call or explanation was a good business practice and conducive to business. She was unable to answer that with a yes or no. She also said, under further questioning, that when he's in the shop, they dont bother him.. (How he can be too busy in the shop with a broken lathe which prevents him from getting any work done is beyond me). She was not hostile, nor defensive, but rather appeared to be reaching for excuses to provide. I asked that she have John call me by the close of business today regarding my order status so that I can talk with him directly regarding order status.

My intentions are that if I do not hear from him today, I will pursue other options. Given that I have left explicit instructions not to begin work until I had a firm quote and had discussed the order with a technical person, I do not forsee being held responsible for a part if it in the end is produced. Truthfully, I think that at some point I may have disclosed that this product was for an aircraft application and that Barrett Engineering, DBA Racemate, is simply not interested in providing parts to that market (or perhaps to the mazda). If their customer service regarding myself is indicative of their global approach, they would long since be out of business.

Unless something happens within the next few hours, I will have to say that I cannot recommend the racemate alternator/water pump as an acceptable option in Rotary powered aircraft, primarily due to a lack of responsiveness by the manufacturer. I think since this idea has been kicked around in one form or another since January, 05, that more than enough effort has been WASTED by me regarding this product.

Dave.

PS.. The Velocity is coming along.. Waiting on Tracy's EM2, will need to pursue electric water pumps now, have two Goldwing (1100 cc engine) motorcycle rads to evaluate for installation, and took delivery on my initial radio packack - KX175B and a KY195B. Chris has the airplane on turnover jigs to do frosting on the bottom surface. I have the wiring in hand to begin wiring the systems, have the fuel pumps, have the IvoProp on order.. Its coming together.