1 (edited by FreeRange 2009-10-24 05:47 PM)

Topic: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

For those racers on the west side of the country, our windmill has sort of become our theme showpiece.  We won Banned / Dangerous Technology at Reno with our windmill powered supercharger.  For Thunderhill, we have stepped it up a notch.

May I present, WindCharger 2.0

It quite simple really, the windmill spins the auto-tranny flexplate, which spins the starter gear attached to the exhaust side of a 14L semi-truck turbo.  What could possibly go wrong?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4027536375_2d45d4afa0_b.jpg

Testing:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEsYqZAZC_E

Build details on our blog!  http://freerangeracing.blogspot.com

See you in 4 weeks!

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Absolutely spectacular!

http://wartburg.misfittoysracing.com
OTTER: "I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part."
BLUTO: "We're just the guys to do it."

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

I like it... but I'd feel better (and be a little more sure it might get past tech) if it had some kind of shroud around it.

Lemons South 2008 - Fail, Lemons South Spring 2009 - Fail, Lemons Detroit(ish) 2008 - Fail, Lemons South Fall 2009 - Fail, Lamest Day 2009 - Fail, Miami 2010 (Chump) - 2nd!, Sebring 2010 (Chump) - Fail, Cuba 2010 - Crew Chief, Roebling 2011 (Chump) - 8th!, Sebring 2011(Chump) - 19th!

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Loren wrote:

I like it... but I'd feel better (and be a little more sure it might get past tech) if it had some kind of shroud around it.

The fan blades are made out of HVAC ducting, so they have 0 weight.  Our last windmill was actually much larger,  but made a lot less torque.  It's noisy, but extremely solid.

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Severed limbs waiting to happen!  I like it!

Mod Squad Racing
http://twosrus.com

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Holy big turbo Batman!  Cool!

BRE Datsun (Broke Racing Effluence) formerly Dawn of the Zed Racing
'74 260Z
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/editpicture.php … 2559430584

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Yeah, it's not the weight that worries me, it's the fact they they are sheet metal and thus sharp enough to slice flesh.  Even if they stay attached to the car, in just the wrong situation... somebody could get shredded!

Since the intent here isn't to REALLY make something functional, why not make the fan blades out of something flexible that can't kill someone?

Lemons South 2008 - Fail, Lemons South Spring 2009 - Fail, Lemons Detroit(ish) 2008 - Fail, Lemons South Fall 2009 - Fail, Lamest Day 2009 - Fail, Miami 2010 (Chump) - 2nd!, Sebring 2010 (Chump) - Fail, Cuba 2010 - Crew Chief, Roebling 2011 (Chump) - 8th!, Sebring 2011(Chump) - 19th!

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Loren wrote:

Yeah, it's not the weight that worries me, it's the fact they they are sheet metal and thus sharp enough to slice flesh.  Even if they stay attached to the car, in just the wrong situation... somebody could get shredded!

Since the intent here isn't to REALLY make something functional, why not make the fan blades out of something flexible that can't kill someone?

Well they don't start spinning until about 40 mph.. so I guess if a corner worker decides to attempt to hurdle our car.. yeah, it might hurt.

Since when is Lemons sane?  It stops spinning if you hit under 40mph.  Our old plastic fan blades wouldn't spin it.. we tried

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Loren wrote:

Yeah, it's not the weight that worries me, it's the fact they they are sheet metal and thus sharp enough to slice flesh.  Even if they stay attached to the car, in just the wrong situation... somebody could get shredded!

Since the intent here isn't to REALLY make something functional, why not make the fan blades out of something flexible that can't kill someone?

After looking at your sig, it's clear you have bigger problems than worrying about our theme.  Like figuring out how to make a car run reliably.

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Loren wrote:

Yeah, it's not the weight that worries me, it's the fact they they are sheet metal and thus sharp enough to slice flesh.  Even if they stay attached to the car, in just the wrong situation... somebody could get shredded!

Since the intent here isn't to REALLY make something functional, why not make the fan blades out of something flexible that can't kill someone?

Hell if it can't kill you what's the use in having it on your car. Case and point the Metro gnomes with their chain drive motor.

Team: V-Ram/Altamont Team: Knights of the Round Track/Reno/Buttonwillow/Thunderhill Team: Death Mobile/Sears 2010/Thunderhill/ChumpCar  Spokane/ MSR Houston/Buttonwillow/Sears. MRolla Project /Reno
http://stickfigureracing.blogspot.com/

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Holly crap it's loud...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsUQ0YnrOu8

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Will this be featured in the upcoming "Saw" movie?

Nice upgrade!  See you at T-Hill!

-Kyle
Eyesore Racing
"That's probably wrong, but it's worth a shot."

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

While the chain drive on our car seems scary it's not what make our car dangerous.  It's our drivers that make the Gnome a terror on the track.  Anyhow, I think that setup you have there is pretty great.  I am a bit worried that a heavy thing like that could break free and hit another car though.  How about a leash made from nylon webbing just in case?

Cars, cameras, and easy living...

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

If you guys keep this up you'll start making boost with these things.....and yes we were impressed at Reno..

Jim "Endo" Anderton
30 years of racing and still not Brambilla.....

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

jimeditorial wrote:

If you guys keep this up you'll start making boost with these things.....and yes we were impressed at Reno..

Our used Harbor Freight boost gauge indicates about 1psi at about 65 mph... We havent had it up to race-speeds yet. 

The Nylon strap is a pretty good idea... although there is enough hardware holding this thing down now, that I would be extremely impressed if it moved more than an inch in each direction.

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

That death trap has a 0% chance of getting on the track.

Fair warning and all...

"This is the scene where I get shot," Bronson said. "I have these little squibs that explode to make it look like bullets are hitting." "Fascinating," said Bergman. "I never knew how they did that." "You mean," asked Bronson, "you don't use machine guns in your movies?"

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/wells/D_oh.jpg

____________________________________
Always running on E \ ' ' ' ' F 
Speedycop and the Gang of Outlaws Official Ten+ Time Loser
Owner #132 Lancia/Toyota Beta/MR2 Scorpion

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

I fixed it

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/torgysbuick/P1100597.jpg

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Yep that should do it!:D

Team: V-Ram/Altamont Team: Knights of the Round Track/Reno/Buttonwillow/Thunderhill Team: Death Mobile/Sears 2010/Thunderhill/ChumpCar  Spokane/ MSR Houston/Buttonwillow/Sears. MRolla Project /Reno
http://stickfigureracing.blogspot.com/

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Judge Jonny wrote:

That death trap has a 0% chance of getting on the track.

Fair warning and all...

This is the point I was trying to get across.  <sigh>

Lemons South 2008 - Fail, Lemons South Spring 2009 - Fail, Lemons Detroit(ish) 2008 - Fail, Lemons South Fall 2009 - Fail, Lamest Day 2009 - Fail, Miami 2010 (Chump) - 2nd!, Sebring 2010 (Chump) - Fail, Cuba 2010 - Crew Chief, Roebling 2011 (Chump) - 8th!, Sebring 2011(Chump) - 19th!

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

As unfair as you might think it is, the TECH (i.e. safety inspectors) can't accept bribes.

But, your death trap has a 100% of making it through BS.

"This is the scene where I get shot," Bronson said. "I have these little squibs that explode to make it look like bullets are hitting." "Fascinating," said Bergman. "I never knew how they did that." "You mean," asked Bronson, "you don't use machine guns in your movies?"

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Judge Jonny wrote:

As unfair as you might think it is, the TECH (i.e. safety inspectors) can't accept bribes.

really?  you need to talk to the guys at the new england race then.  we had to go scramble for some more liquor to go through bs.  didn't bother us, figured they should share in the wealth too

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Oh hell yes! What could possibly go wrong, I ask you?

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

We also had to cough up some of our contingency cash in the tech line at Stafford.  The cage guy caught sight of a wallet being readied for BS and started mumbling about tubing that looked "a bit thin".  It took us a minute to figure out what he was trying to do because we assumed tech was a legitimate operation.

That was $58 less in the judges' pockets.

http://www.ducttapemotorsports.com/
http://www.teamdfl.com
"I can see it now, a pile of nickels and all the glory of being a real race car driver."
Prepping the Red wReck for the 24 Hours of Lemons

Re: Free Range Racing tests uber pointless technology!

Reminds me I need to put Lexan in the gaping, debris swallowing, neck-severing hole that prior to Reno was home to our windshield. I think you guys are well on your way to inventing a perpetual motion machine.

The Sharks
Home of the E28 Turbo Tuner Fish and the Hammered Head 944 Turbo