Anyone have any experience running an SRA at NASA events? I would assume in the ST1/TT1 or ST2/TT2 classes? I believe the rules specify "fendered/closed-wheel", but wasn't sure if that implied fendered OR closed-wheel vs AND. (I have fenders, even though they're not installed).
I'm running TT. Some folks will complain it's got no fenders but NASA has been allowing Atoms in for quite some time. The Atom is not a formula car, and besides, they allow prototype cars. I just signed up for TTU to remove any suspicion about whether it meets class rules. Any well driven Wolf/Norma/Radical is a much faster machine. In reality an SRA is a TT1/TT2 car but is only really competitive in TT3. I think the NASA classification disfavors Atoms. It's based mainly on power/weight but we have crappy aero and thus run much slower for the power/weight ratio. The only reason you can win in higher classes is based on whether someone breaks down, doesn't show up, or can't drive as well.
Isn't TT3 10lbs/hp adjusted? If so, how would you remotely be eligible for TT3 without hundreds of pounds of ballast?
I didn't say the car would be eligible for TT3, just that it's the class where it would be competitive. It would only fit in either TT1 or TT2 depending on some of the choices you make in filling the form. I think the Atom would do better in ST than time trials because it can use fairly soft compounds for the entire stint. This is not a big advantage in time trials where heavier cars only need one fast lap.
Ahh gotcha. Oddly enough TT2/TT3 are super competitive in TX, but TT1 isn't at all.
Thanks for the info.
Yeah, every region has its focus groups. TT4 is super competitive in No. Cal. Most of the time they beat the entire field. Go figure. TT3,2,1 are very loosely packed, but there are a lot of folks in TTU. Some of the ST guys are also in TT, but luckily not all as I'd never see a podium finish.
I must disagree with cvjoint about the SRA not being competitive in NASA above ST3.
Here in the NASA Arizona region my pre-aero times are competitive in ST2, which includes some very quick cars/drivers. ST3 times, again with some very quick cars/drivers, are slower than what I run. Entrants in ST1 aren't very competitive and my times are much faster. With aero, I expect that I will be quicker than all ST2 times once I run on some tracks that NASA Arizona uses. We'll see on that.
For now, I note that the 2018 NASA Nationals ST2 winner at COTA had a quick lap of 2.23 and the fastest lap in ST2 was 2.21. P5 ran 2.25.9 and P6 was 2.26+. Even though COTA is a horrible track for the Atom (2 monster straights are not the Atom's forte), I ran 2.26 a few years back with no aero and less power than I now have. So what might I turn now that I have a bit more power and some aero? Less than 2.26, I think it fair to assume, which would have garnered me a respectable finish in ST2 at the NASA COTA nationals. Even at 2.26, I'd not be at the back of the ST2 pack.
Beyond that, a 2.26 would put me mid-pack in ST1 at COTA. If more power and aero shaved just 2 seconds off my time, I'd be looking at a podium perhaps.
It should be noted that I don't run with NASA. But NASA event results with times are posted on the internet so it's easy to look them up.
Radical SR3 qualifies as an ST1/TT1 car. Imagine that they regularly put down 1:27.XX at Laguna Seca. That's McLaren Senna times. My view is that anyone can easily buy an SR3 and enter it, and that it's faster than an Atom (with any wings) that can fit in this class. We have too much drag. NASA mostly ranks its cars by power to weight, all else equal the Atom produces too much drag for its power/weight. Its forte is power to weight, but that's what gets standardized in the process.
I should also reiterate that the actual experience in NASA is heavily based on who participates in your area and class. That matters the most. Given that there aren't enough peeps that maximize the rules and talent combination, an Atom can be very competitive.
True enough that an ST1 Atom isn't going to put down a 1.27 at Laguna. On the other hand, the Radical times I've seen at Laguna are around 1.30 turned by a fellow I thought was pretty quick.
But even if we figure an ST1 Atom isn't going to keep up with Radicals, my review of NASA results shows that few Radicals run in ST1 (or any NASA class that I could see). So if Radicals don't show up, they're not placing ahead of an Atom. And of the cars that do show up, as discussed in my prior post, the Atom is capable of running a respectable ST1 pace even if perhaps not scrapping for P1 or even a podium.
But I think the relevant discussion is ST2 because I think an ST2 Atom can be very competitive. At a time before I added power or aero to my car and was quite far from maxing out my ST2 p/w, I ran 2.26 at COTA. As discussed above, that would have afforded a respectable ST2 finish at the 2018 NASA Nationals. Now add some power (but not enough to bump into ST1) and aero and I think the Atom is at the pointy end of the ST2 grid even at COTA, the most disadvantageous track for an Atom I can think of. Put the Atom onto a track without the monster straights and it will do even better.
Unfortunately, NASA runs at Laguna hardly at all so it's hard to bench race our Atoms with NASA's entrants there.
Posting Permissions
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks