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11-20-2007, 07:51 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Pagosa Springs, CO
Posts: 130
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Rocket 100 race analysis (long)
In the interest of generating some interest, I am offering this...
Race results are posted here...
The fastest airplane was the SX300. This shows what can be done with an IO-540 (no turbo), thin wings, retractable gear, and a clean airframe.
Next, the Lancair 360 at 251 mph. A 4 cylinder engine, mildly tuned, with thin wings, retractable gear, and very clean airframe.
Next, the F1 EVO (tapered wing) rocket at 249 mph. The recipe here is a belt driven supercharger...43 inches of manifold pressure, 29 gph. Horsepower. Fixed gear.
Next a normally aspirated F1 EVO at 243. Maybe Tom Martin can chime in here, my understanding is that he has done some work on the engine, engine cooling, etc.
Next, at 242, the Berkut, a retractable gear, glass-backward airplane that I know nothing about.
Next, at 238, a square wing F1 rocket, the owner claims a stock engine. Still, I am betting he has done a bit of cleaning up in the cowl and on the airframe.
Next, at 234, a fixed gear Glassair II, with a turbo 360.
Next, at 230, two more rockets, an F1 and a Harmon. Maybe Mark will comment on his state of tune and how much drag reduction work he has done.
Next, my RV8 at 224. I have a parallel valve 360 with 10:1 pistons, port and polish, and have worked hard on drag reduction. Unfortunately, I did a poor job of flying. I oh-so-wanted to break 230. Maybe next year.
Sticking with the RVs now, next was Bob Axsom at 203, and we all know a lot about his airplane. Cam came next with his 320 powered RV-4 at 200, and our hard working organizer came last in his 360 powered RV-6 at 197. Mike told me he was very disappointed in his flying.
I was asked by several people "where are the RVs?". It is hard to understand why, out of over 5,000 flying RVs, only 4 showed up to race. More than that showed up to do a free formation flying demo.
I am unable to answer this question. This kind of racing, single file, fastest starting first, is as safe as it gets. I submit it is safer than formation flying. We all brag about our "total performance" aircraft. Yet, racing is a fringe sport. Maybe it is because of the emphasis on winning, and conversely, the fear of loosing?
I just don't know, because win or loose, it is a blast. Also, with every race I learn more about performance, and I become a better pilot.
John
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11-20-2007, 08:35 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Martinsville, IN
Posts: 2,326
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John, it was a pleasure meeting you this past weekend. I didn't have any time to prep for the race so I chose not to enter, but rather assist with the timing and scoring. I saw all the fun so I plan to be a participant next year. I know my Rocket is not the fastest but it's not the slowest either.
Macho Grande was my first brush with the air racing and I thought it was pretty cool. I'm looking forward to next year.
__________________
Randy Pflanzer
Greenwood, IN
www.pflanzer-aviation.com
Paid through 2043!
Lund fishing Boat, 2017, GONE FISHING
RV-12 - Completed 2014, Sold
427 Shelby Cobra - Completed 2012, Sold
F1 EVO - partially completed, Sold
F1 Rocket - Completed 2005, Sold
RV-7A - Partially completed, Sold
RV-6 - Completed 2000, Sold
Long-EZ - Completed 1987, Sold
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11-20-2007, 10:07 AM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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"Total Performance"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuisance
I was asked by several people "where are the RVs?". It is hard to understand why, out of over 5,000 flying RVs, only 4 showed up to race. More than that showed up to do a free formation flying demo.
I am unable to answer this question. This kind of racing, single file, fastest starting first, is as safe as it gets. I submit it is safer than formation flying. We all brag about our "total performance" aircraft. Yet, racing is a fringe sport. Maybe it is because of the emphasis on winning, and conversely, the fear of loosing?
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Good post, and in my opinion, a good question John. I surely can only answer for myself, and not for others, but to me, part of it might just relate to the true meaning of "Total Performance". I've mused before over what this really means...my RV-8 is fast - but not the fastest. It is maneuverable, but can't compete in Unlimited Acro. It has long legs, but there are planes with longer endurance. It can land short...but I can put a Cub down a lot shorter. The thing about "Total Performance" to me is that it does so very well in ALL categories - as I've said before, if you finish second in every single PGA tournament in a given year, you're probably going to be the overall money winner (Tiger Woods not-withstanding, since he'll WIN every tournament...).
You certainly can modify an RV to make it faster, and a few mods will get you a modest gain and not affect other capabilities. But one you start trying for more speed, you are probably going to give away performance in other areas - Bob Axom is experimenting with shorter wing tips - that will obviously cost some in stall speed and short field for instance. Once you start Optimizing an aircraft for a particular function, it is no longer going to be a good all-around performer - there just is no free lunch here.
So....why don't people take to air racing? I don't know....for me, I guess the very nature of "racing" is competition, and I am afraid that I tend to compete to win...or I don't compete. Yet it would be fun to enter a race some time, just to see how my planes stacks up against others - get an "official time" so to speak. (Ahh...but then, I'd say "gee, I'm only 2 knots below this other guy, if I could just do THIS, I'd pick up a place....and on down the long slippery slope of dollars and time.....  ).
I have a LOT of respect for folks like you and Bob who not only enjoy tweaking your birds, but sharing what you have learned to help us all have ideas for greater efficiency. I just put my own time into different directions with my airplane....
Just a few musings I guess!
Paul
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
Last edited by Ironflight : 11-21-2007 at 08:00 AM.
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11-20-2007, 10:26 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,275
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I raced once
Yes the format is safe. In reality you are racing against yourself which is fine. My plane is down for an alternator change and other mods then I may be off to the Bahamas. Maybe I should ask for a female co-pilot.
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11-20-2007, 11:10 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,544
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John
This is my third race, texas last year and this year, and memphis three weeks ago. I have learned a lot about my airplane and my own pilot skills from these events. Each time I have made mistakes and learned from those errors. It is a great opportunity to meet other aircraft owners and to share information with like minded individuals. My engine has 10:1 pistons, one lightspeed ignition and one slick magneto. As far as modifications I have worked on my cooling air inlets and outlet air to smooth the airflow. This has worked well for me in the cooling department but with the rocket there are not tremendous gains to made in cooling air drag. It is my opinion that it is already a very effiencent system although tweaking will help run the engine cooler. I have paid attention to faring details which I believe pays more dividends than time spent on cooling drag.
I enjoyed the visit we had the other night and I have ordered the book on propellor theory, auther Jack Norris, that you reccomended. Hopefully I will be able to compete again next year and we will have some more time to compare notes. Your work on your RV8 benefits all RV owners and I agree, it would be nice to see more competitors. The price of admission is the cost of gas to go to the event! I am hoping to host a race in Canada next summer and it would be nice if you were able to make the trip.
__________________
Tom Martin RV1 pilot 4.6hours!
CPL & IFR rated
EVO F1 Rocket 1000 hours,
2010 SARL Rocket 100 race, average speed of 238.6 knots/274.6mph
RV4, RV7, RV10, two HRIIs and five F1 Rockets
RV14 Tail dragger
Fairlea Field
St.Thomas, Ontario Canada, CYQS
fairleafield@gmail.com
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11-20-2007, 12:22 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: colorado
Posts: 873
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would have liked to have been there
This SARL thing is great. I have run my RV-4 in the A-V Cup 6 times mostly for the fun of it. My plane is stock airframe and stock engine, proof that you don't have to spend tons of money or make huge alterations to compete.
Talks are in progress to set up a race at the Rocky Mountain Fly-Inn 2008. No promises yet. Maybe a race infront of an airshow crowd. I keep reading about these really fast RV's , lets get them out and run em.
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11-20-2007, 01:00 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bakersfield ,Calyfornia
Posts: 922
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It's more of a time trial, where from all appearances finding the corners really helps and a steady flight path. ? and you pass safely and the closure speeds aren't fast at all since you're all doing about the same.
It was my first time so that's that. I plan to do better.
I went there to kick some F1 butt. On the way back to CA I was so sore I had to let MY butt hang off one side and then the other side of the seat every time I switched tanks. Congrats to the class winners and all the contestants.
I couldn't find the airport at Turn Two; my GRT was showing Traffic alerts as I was being gained on by two planes, I called out "Race 70 looking for the airport", "Turn right ten degrees, stay there, see the airport?" came from another airplane I assume.
It's probably like golf where you are going to be within a couple strokes either way of your rivals. WOW, was that fun. and of course the more guys in your class makes for more competition.
Getting about ten planes in your class sure makes it satisfying for the winners. Don't modify a thing, remember to remove tiedowns and extra weight and give it a shot. It's only 30mins. seeing the countryside.
I bought gas and one dinner, hotel room, expense wise. A big thanks to Mark Frederick. Had a wonderful time meeting lots of pilots and Falcon was right next to me and I didn't reconize him at first.
It was the "Rocket 100" so I wanted to support the SARL and make a first long cross country before my primered plane goes in the paint shop for three mos. I even got the Tour de Mexico in the clouds and rain at 11,000. urghh.
and my Hobbs clicked a 100 over New Mexico or Texas.

Last edited by mark manda : 11-21-2007 at 10:32 AM.
Reason: get rid of big picts
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11-20-2007, 04:11 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,544
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One of the funniest things that I heard that day was the following exchange. The names have been changed to protect the not so innocent.
"Fred, I am going to pass you under your right wing"
Pause
"I can not believe that someone is under me!"
If you take a look at Mark's pictures above you might get an idea why this is humerous.
__________________
Tom Martin RV1 pilot 4.6hours!
CPL & IFR rated
EVO F1 Rocket 1000 hours,
2010 SARL Rocket 100 race, average speed of 238.6 knots/274.6mph
RV4, RV7, RV10, two HRIIs and five F1 Rockets
RV14 Tail dragger
Fairlea Field
St.Thomas, Ontario Canada, CYQS
fairleafield@gmail.com
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11-20-2007, 04:52 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 349
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I am hoping to be able to compete in an SARL race soon. Not to beat anyone, but just for the fun of it. I flew along with a friend in his Mustang II at the West Texas 100, and really enjoyed it. I had planned to race at Memphis, but had a mechanical problem and ended up staying home working on the plane.
I won't ever be a strong competitor. For me the attraction is the camraderie, the chance to talk "airplane" with some new folks, and just enjoy something different from the usual weekend flying around the patch. Plus I want to be able to see how my almost completely stock RV7a compares to the other aircraft.
__________________
Ed Neffinger
KCCR
RV7a
RV7
RV8
ATP, CFIA, II, ME, G
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11-20-2007, 06:36 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bakersfield ,Calyfornia
Posts: 922
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me too. i'd like to see how my rv7a does against others in SoCal. We talked about something like this earlier on the Socal list.
I've been smoked by Sharpie and Wingnut everytime and slightly slower than Pop but it would still be fun.
I was talking to the Bakersfield EAA club president and we thought a Rocket Shop Cafe race would be cool. We thought we could start over the ski lakes to the s/e and head to Taft airport then to Lost Hills IIRC and then back to Bakersfield Muni.
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