Control Line: Racing
RACING FUEL. I have had numerous informal and written requests for information on basic fuel composition and percentages used by the top competitors in each Racing event. The past few years have produced constant price increases on the fuel ingredients, especially nitromethane. In the early 1970s nitro cost approximately $4.50 a gallon, contrasted with the 1979 prices of around $20.00 a gallon. I have observed advertisements for preblended fuels in the model magazines and the club newsletters. When racing fuel was listed at 40% or 50% nitro content, it could easily cost $25-35 a gallon, including UPS charges.
Control Line: Racing
INNOVATIVE EQUIPMENT. As the contest season for Racing is in full swing, I have noticed that many of the competitors have spent the winter months engineering some nice additions to their equipment. The first of these is an ingenious test stand for bench running of engines. As the nitro in fuels and the engine horsepower increases, the old, standard wooden stands just will not hold these new high-powered engines running at 20-30,000 rpm. This particular stand (see the photo) utilizes an aluminum plate and two aluminum blocks which are threaded; spring-loaded Allen bolts in the center for a pivot; and on the outside of the block, you back the nut off to put maximum tension on the engine mounting lugs. Also installed was a piece from a plastic hanger to capture the fuel tubing, to avoid its flopping in the breeze. This particular stand was mounted on a tripod and also had a wire brought down to the ground from the back to prevent the torque of the engine from pulling the tripod over. Obviously, this "test stand" could be mounted in a variety of areas for security.
Control Line: Racing
RACING FUEL. I received a flurry of mail after my June column concerning racing fuels and the limiting of same in sanctioned contests. The majority of people had minor questions concerning blending-in various "trick" ingredients which they had heard would give them that extra margin of speed. I received a long distance call from Vic Garner concerning my statement about the stable fuel solutions using castor oil not being obtainable above approximately 30% nitro concentration. Vic reminded me of the days when I mixed the fuel with increased concentrations of nitro (without the nitrobenzine consolvent) by warming it next to the radiator in my car.
Midget Mustang
DURING THE late Summer and Fall of 1974, Goodyear racing passed through an important milestone. Prior to that date, competitors spent the majority of their effort with liner and piston fitting on the Rossi, or trying to squeeze an additional 1000 rpm's from the dependable Supertigre. The 1974 Nationals saw the first racing competitors with tuned exhaust extensions. Some "horns" were short in length and large in diameter, while others were long and slender. For the most part, their actual performance boost was limited to terrifying the competition with noise and visual adornment. The eventual first place winner was, in fact, running "open stack."
Control Line: Racing
MOUSE. I attended several contests in 1984 with my 14-year-old son who enjoys flying Half-A Mouse Racing. There appears to be an upswing in the number of entries in the Mouse Racing events throughout the Midwest area, especially in the fall of 1984. When Mouse Race is included at a meet, I receive numerous questions and problems from the competitors as well as several letters written to me concerning engine consistency and performance. I find that consistency and improved performance are the result of several modifications to the engine/tank/back-plate areas. I believe the most significant problem is obtaining consistent runs with the Cox .049 engine as well as getting enough laps (minimum of 40 per tank).
