As many here know, I like to race motorcycles. Well this year, I've decided to take a crack at snowmobile grass drag racing very seriously. I was asked to join a team, and for the last few weeks I've been trying to secure sponsorships to help offset my costs. I have lined up a few, and getting stuff at cost will help lots. I intend to be Canadian champ, and think I have a really good crack at it. My schedule will include a few stops in the US..Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York.
It has cost me quite a few bucks. I will be racing in 3 classes, possibly more. (700 Stock, 800 Stock, Open Stock). I'm debating unplugging one cylinder and running 500 Stock. There is nothing in the rules that says I can't unplug a cylinder and run the 500 class (I will be 466 cc with cylinder off).
My sled is a 1998 Yamaha SRX700. It is a triple cylinder, triple pipe 700cc 145+HP rocket. It is the last TRULY fast snowmobile Yamaha produced.
The race will be 500ft. And will be over in a touch over 5.3 seconds at 88-90+ MPH. I have set up my clutching, and it it exceptionally violent when it hooks up. The 1st 60 feet is amazing, and literally I have to HOLD ON or be ripped of the sled. Sportbikes were fast, but not nearly as violent as this.
Here's where the Big Times = Big Money come in. I dropped a cylinder last week druing testing. My carb froze ever so slightly creating a lean condition. POW!! Bye-bye cylinder. And head. And piston. Complete new top end on cylinder #1 required. Bank account cries. Takes a mere 20 minutes to repair.
In keeping with Big Money = Big Time Racing, I decide to buy a data aquisition system. This is something new for me. But after seeing the cost of a burned down cylinder, I feel I must do this, or be ruined financially in quick order! The system is $$$$, but it monitors the following: 3 EGT's (exhaust gas temps..goes on head pipe to monitor jetting/heat of exhaust gas), CHT (cylinder heads temps), Coolant Temp, RPM, MPH, and Jackshaft speed. All these are measured 20 times per second, and the data records for 1 hour. When downloaded via a laptop, I can monitor all of the functions and "replay" my race in 100th of a second intervals. This will help me with jetting (the leaner you jet, the more power you make) and clutching. A slip of the clutch, belt, springs, anything registers as a spike in the graph. I know how to improve clutching to get a better time. Here's a pic of the system..it is very small, only about 6" long. http://www.digatron.cc/images/instruments/54a.jpg
So I must become a data aquisition master to rule my class(es).
I've also started using a revolutionary new 2 stroke oil. It is enviro friendly, doesn't smoke, and can actually be poured in water without making an oil slick!! It's impressive indeed. Will give me some more power too!!
I will keep everyone posted on my progress. Although many here might not be interested in snowmobiles, it may be interesting to read my diary as the season progresses to see what happens behind the scenes and stuff. My 1st official race isn't until June or so. I've been doing some ice racing and plenty of tuning. Wish me luck as I chase the championship!
It has cost me quite a few bucks. I will be racing in 3 classes, possibly more. (700 Stock, 800 Stock, Open Stock). I'm debating unplugging one cylinder and running 500 Stock. There is nothing in the rules that says I can't unplug a cylinder and run the 500 class (I will be 466 cc with cylinder off).
My sled is a 1998 Yamaha SRX700. It is a triple cylinder, triple pipe 700cc 145+HP rocket. It is the last TRULY fast snowmobile Yamaha produced.
The race will be 500ft. And will be over in a touch over 5.3 seconds at 88-90+ MPH. I have set up my clutching, and it it exceptionally violent when it hooks up. The 1st 60 feet is amazing, and literally I have to HOLD ON or be ripped of the sled. Sportbikes were fast, but not nearly as violent as this.
Here's where the Big Times = Big Money come in. I dropped a cylinder last week druing testing. My carb froze ever so slightly creating a lean condition. POW!! Bye-bye cylinder. And head. And piston. Complete new top end on cylinder #1 required. Bank account cries. Takes a mere 20 minutes to repair.
In keeping with Big Money = Big Time Racing, I decide to buy a data aquisition system. This is something new for me. But after seeing the cost of a burned down cylinder, I feel I must do this, or be ruined financially in quick order! The system is $$$$, but it monitors the following: 3 EGT's (exhaust gas temps..goes on head pipe to monitor jetting/heat of exhaust gas), CHT (cylinder heads temps), Coolant Temp, RPM, MPH, and Jackshaft speed. All these are measured 20 times per second, and the data records for 1 hour. When downloaded via a laptop, I can monitor all of the functions and "replay" my race in 100th of a second intervals. This will help me with jetting (the leaner you jet, the more power you make) and clutching. A slip of the clutch, belt, springs, anything registers as a spike in the graph. I know how to improve clutching to get a better time. Here's a pic of the system..it is very small, only about 6" long. http://www.digatron.cc/images/instruments/54a.jpg
So I must become a data aquisition master to rule my class(es).
I've also started using a revolutionary new 2 stroke oil. It is enviro friendly, doesn't smoke, and can actually be poured in water without making an oil slick!! It's impressive indeed. Will give me some more power too!!
I will keep everyone posted on my progress. Although many here might not be interested in snowmobiles, it may be interesting to read my diary as the season progresses to see what happens behind the scenes and stuff. My 1st official race isn't until June or so. I've been doing some ice racing and plenty of tuning. Wish me luck as I chase the championship!
