bocoer wrote:I have so many questions still!
where are the regulations for the engine specs ( on 40hp ) posted?
Go to this link...
http://www.scca.com/pages/cars-and-rules for lots of info on SCCA cars in general. Specifically, this link
http://www.scca.com/downloads/10282-2015-gcr-december is to the latest version of the SCCA General Competition Rules (GCR). Open it in a PDF reader and look for the Formula Car Specifications (it has a decent table of contents if your reader can access it - adobe on a PC does well). The section number for FV is 9.1.1.C and it starts on page 320. The engine part is section 9.1.1.C.5 and starts on page 322.
bocoer wrote:
how much does a typical FV weigh?
The MINIMUM weight for FV in SCCA Road Racing is 1025 lbs. You can be anywhere above that weight. This is driver in the car, as it rolls OFF of the track following any session.
bocoer wrote: is a rear cowling required ( shrouding in engine area )?
Yes. Sections 8 and 9 discuss the frame and bodywork requirements (starting p 322).
bocoer wrote: where is the fuel kept?
An approved FUEL CELL is required for all Road Racing cars. The cell must also be enclosed in a metal 'container'. Those rules as well as specific frame material is not in the FV section, but rather in the basic Section 9 starting on p. 80. That includes all rules pertaining to the frame, roll bars, fuel cell, driver's harness (belts), helmets, etc, etc and is general to ALL classes with specific notes for Formula Classes.
bocoer wrote: do people have batteries or are they using magnetos like aircraft?
FV is required to have an onboard starter and therefore a battery. The SIZE of the battery is not specified, but generally, if you want your car to crank HOT (like after a spin), then you need to have at least a 17+ Ah battery. Most people use a gel cell type of 12v battery and the original 6V starter that came on bugs - but *ANY* alternative starters are also allowed.
bocoer wrote: do they use starter motors or have them push started?
see above... however a PUSH START *IS* allowed per the rules - but there are specific requirements on the grid. The grid can be quite crowded at times, so push starting has to be 'controlled'.
The answers above apply specifically to ROAD RACING cars - Autocross cars use the 'general lines' of a RR FV, but FV has received MANY allowances for AX since it is not nearly as inherently dangerous as road racing .... and FV has been moved into a category where it competes directly against FF and F5 cars, so the engine and transmission rules are now also radically different.
There are several different Vintage organizations that allow FV (generally FV cars built before 1972 IIRC). Their rules vary somewhat from the GCR, but the basis is the same. Most vintage rules are based on an earlier version of the GCR from ~30 years ago except for a few safety rules that are newer.
You have more questions? We have more answers
Steve, FV80