RV-7 or RV-8 for Air Racing

[joe1968]

Looking for opinions on which one to purchase and build for air racing. Any opinions would be appreciated

Thanks

[Tom Martin]

If you look at the statistics from the SARL, Sport Air Racing League, the RV8 will have faster top speeds, on average, then the RV7. Some of the RV8s with increased HP and airframe clean ups are getting impressive speeds.
The RV4 should not be discounted as a racer.
Keep in mind that race categories are based on engine displacement, thus a 390 will be in a different class then a 360 or a 320,or a 540 for that matter.

What you will find with racing is that of although you want to win each race, after a while you want to show improvement of both yourself and your airplane and it becomes a bit like golf in that regard.

It is a lot of fun and I highly recommend both the sport and those that participate.

[joe1968]

Thanks Tom

I am very interested in the racing would love to chat sometime with you.

Thanks Again

[Billythekid]

Golf is harder than flying. And you can't out run money.

[scsmith]

The single or tandem seat airframes are always going to have less frontal area.
That is ultimately going to make them faster.

[Alan Carroll]

About 5 years ago I averaged the race speeds that Bob Axsom had compiled up to that point, and the RV-8 came out about 10 mph faster on average than the 6/7. However there is a large amount of variance; I can attest that a side-by-side with increased HP can be faster than a tandem model with a stock engine for example.

Tom's point about trying to improve your own performance rather than focusing on how fast the others are going is a good one. Its difficult to find speed gains in the RV airframe, but very satisfying if you do.

[rvmills]

Joe,

Good points from all, for sure. As Alan said, the SARL speeds show 8s typically outrun 7s. But racing is not always typical!

While John Huft's 8 was the fastest RV Blue for a long time...until he moved up to RV Gold to race the 390s, the current fastest RV Blue is Jeff Barnes' 6. Jason Rovey has an 8 that is faster, but he's been focusing on Reno.

If you buy a 7 for the SBS seating, you might look for one that was built with an 8 tail (some are). The 8 tail is smaller, with a smaller counterbalance, and is likely a bit faster. That won't overcome the frontal area challenge, but there are many "tricks up sleeves" to incorporate to be the fastest 7 you can be. Steven Christopher is doing that at Reno these days too.

So like Tom said, have fun making your plane the fastest it can be! He also told me the day we first met at a race (as I was admiring his many mods), "Bob, you will never look at your plane the same after today's race". Boy was he right!

And don't forget Enzo Ferrari's emphasis on HP...that works too!

Cheers,
Bob

[C-FAH Q]

Check this thread out.
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=51044
It hooked me on racing

[joe1968]

Thanks guy really looking forward to getting started

[Neal@F14]

An RV8 with the Sam James cowl & wheelpants, Showplanes fastback conversion and Grove airfoil gear legs would make a mighty fine platform to build into a racer