1. Is their a performance difference between say chassis #1 and Chassis # 100 (both chassis have all updates)?
2. If a chassis was crashed heavily, and got bent, but was then straightend, is it back to normal performance? Or will it be somewhat damaged always?
3. I know this a pretty vague question, but If I was to run off the racing track, would their be any likely damage to the car (suspension, underbody, etc)?
4. In the event of a crash, any speed and angle, how much can the cost's of repair range from? 5k to 30k usd maybe?
Thanks, I am looking to get into open wheel racing so any general info would be greatly appreciated!
1) No (mileage on engine may be a factor in extreme cases)
2) No, after a crash is it was repaired well will be fine. Ask me how I know. I don't know the rules exactly for having an FE car repaired though since it is a spec class and everything is done through Enterprises.
3) Just an off would not result in any damage (unless you hit something). These cars are beefy enough that I don't even think an off would mess up corner weights any.
4) Tough one... How fast did you hit? Damage could range from a nose cone and crush box ($1500-2000) or maybe a corner ($800-1000) all the way to completely totaling the car.
__________________ 2003 VanDiemen FSCCA #29 KeithCarter.net
"Faster and faster, until
the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."
--Hunter S. Thompson
Some great questions. Here's my take as I have an "experienced" chassis:
1) Stiffness may be different but good luck checking it or noticing it. I'm sure someone could tell you whether it is an early or late chassis. More power to them. The biggest component to being fast is the driver (as it should be). It is especially true in this class.
2) There will always be something "tweeked" but, if all the measurements come back within spec; worry more about getting experience in the car. If the chassis is f-ed up, your CSR will tell you. Then, open up your wallet and let the sun shine in. The chassis is really sturdy.
3) Depends on the off. I've seen my entire front end slam up and down about 5 times when I ran wide out of the carousel at Nelson Ledges. Some of the bolts came loose but nothing too bad. Non-moving, inanimate objects as well as other vehicles generally will have a different result. "Rapid deceleration sickness" may affect the life span of your components. Bottom line: Stay on the track and don't run into people; it's better that way.
4) Tear off a corner; you are looking at ABOUT two grand. Same goes for the nose. Higher if you get the back end and get into the trans. Rip off a side of the car, you're looking at big bucks. As always, let your checkbook be your guide.
The competitors in the FE class are probably the cleanest and best group to race with in the paddock. The widely held belief is that we will, generally, work like hell to get everyone we can on the track so that we can kick your a$$ to the finish line. (Loosely paraphrasing Wally's words to me. Thank you Wally!!) We are not earning money at this thing and (though we may like it to be) it is not our profession. It is a really expensive hobby. That does not diminish the competitiveness or desire out there on the track.
Suggestion: Get an FE, crew for an FE owner or hang out with the FE crowd. You will not be disappointed.
I to have been looking into getting into the fe class, question does the value of a car go down, and if so how if a car has been in an accident.. ie major or minor
i would be running in the midwest great lakes region but have been unable to
find when and where they race..
does it make any differance on the chasis number, is a newer one worth more than
an old one
The car we purchased had a corner taken off, but anyone who has raced openwheel cars long enough knows that sooner or later you're going to take a corner off the car and it really isn't a big deal. If there was frame damage, I can see that car being less appealing for the same price of a car that has not seen damage. The things that would cause the car to depcreciate would be the need to have updates added to the car or to have the motor replaced. If the condition of the car is good, then the value shouldn't change too much. The fact that all cars are relatively the same in a spec class makes the miles on the engine and the cleanliness/maintenance of the car that much more important. Having a pedigree of being at the front of the pack can make a car more appealing as well....
__________________ 2003 VanDiemen FSCCA #29 KeithCarter.net
"Faster and faster, until
the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."
--Hunter S. Thompson
When I was buying my car last winter, I made a spreadsheet of all the updates and how much each update cost. Then filled out the spreadsheet with the cars that were available and what updates they had. Amazingly, all the cars came out about the same price when comparing apples to apples. I got a lot of information from Steve Stadel and bought a car from one of his customers. I think that Steve would be your CSR and he is a great guy. He posts here often. I would call him and he can tell you a lot about the cars and the updates. FE is a great class and the cars hold there value. The more expensive ones generally have more updates. I bought Chassis #24 and don't feel it is any different than Chassis #124 (if it has been made yet).
Newbie: General FE questions
I don't know the rules exactly for having an FE car repaired though since it is a spec class and everything is done through Enterprises.
