Elio Racing

[skygazer6033]

The Spyder has a stability control system that controls the brakes, throttle, even the engine ignition. Almost like a fly-by-wire autopilot. You get to steer but the SAS (called "Nanny" by Spyder guys) controls how much brake or throttle you can use according to input from steering angle and vehicle speed sensors. Electronics to keep you out of trouble even up to the point of causing the engine to sputter. Somehow I just don't think I'm comfortable with a machine that is so unstable it needs a computer to keep it from killing me.

 

[Coss]

The Spyder has a stability control system that controls the brakes, throttle, even the engine ignition. Almost like a fly-by-wire autopilot. You get to steer but the SAS (called "Nanny" by Spyder guys) controls how much brake or throttle you can use according to input from steering angle and vehicle speed sensors. Electronics to keep you out of trouble even up to the point of causing the engine to sputter. Somehow I just don't think I'm comfortable with a machine that is so unstable it needs a computer to keep it from killing me.

But doesn't it have a switch so that you can turn it off? I know any cars I've owned that had ESC had an ON/OFF switch.

 

[outsydthebox]

IIRC, The Elio Is prone to roll-over if traveling in reverse, over 34mph and turning the steering wheel "hard." The "fix" for this?...EM will program a speed limiter so the roll-over speed cannot be reached in reverse.
The potential issue with racing will be when loosing traction to the rear wheel. (Notice the Slingshot rolls when the rear slides around.) So, if the (Elio) rear end "slides around" above 34mph, it will probably roll-over.
So, as was mentioned, a new "class" would need to be created for enclosed cab/ reverse trikes. I think it would then be important to make the track/ course "short" to keep the speeds low. "Outrigger" training wheels might be a good idea, too.
I think they WILL be raced!

 

[BilgeRat]

SCCA has a history of "type" classes (Spec Miata, Formula F, Formula V, Formula 440, etc.), so I could see them doing a "Spec E" , if you will. IMHO, Spec E would be far safer than Formula 440, given the way the production cars will be built.

 

[Jeff Bowlsby]

So what might that SpecE class look like?

:thinking:

 

[WilliamH]

So what might that SpecE class look like?

:thinking:

Might be broken to sub classes like E-1, E1, E2 referring to engine size with a possible T for turbo and sub F and sub R for front and rear drive, maybe a Ta for tandem and an S for side by side? So a base Elio would be a E-1,F,Ta and a Polaris would be a E2,F,R,S?

 

[Coss]

The other specs to taken into consideration are
Elio - 110" wheelbase, 160" overall length, 66.5" track (width between the front wheels), 1250lbs empty
Slingshot - 105" wheelbase, 149" overall length, 69.1" track, 1718lbs empty

So the Elio is longer, a little narrower, and 468lbs lighter than the Slingshot and there is a big difference in engine power
Slingshot - 2.4-liter Ecotec I-4 mounted up front makes 173 hp and 166 lb-ft torque and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission (no automatics here, folks) that sends power to the rear wheel.
Elio - 0.9 liter I-3 cylinder, 60 hp engine; and front-wheel drive

I don't have specs on CG but all of these items do make a big difference when comparing the two.

 

[BilgeRat]

My "guess" would be that they would do it like Spec Miata or Showroom Stock. If the Spec Miata route was followed, there would be a few modifications allowed, and I'd guess that the Elio would have to be available for a while for the competition committee to decide what would be allowed. If the SS model was followed, mods would be limited to safety additions, and most likely a claim rule. I think that both would be realistic ways to race without costing a huge amount of money.

 

[Rob Croson]

IIRC, The Elio Is prone to roll-over if traveling in reverse, over 34mph and turning the steering wheel "hard."

I've been thinking, and thinking about this. For the life of me, I cannot remember the last time I drove 34 mph in reverse in *any* car. And I'm pretty darn sure I've never driven 34 mph in reverse, and then threw the wheel hard over...

Of all the problems the Elio might have, I think this is one I'm not gonna lose any sleep over.

 

[JEBar]

I've been thinking, and thinking about this. For the life of me, I cannot remember the last time I drove 34 mph in reverse in *any* car. And I'm pretty darn sure I've never driven 34 mph in reverse, and then threw the wheel hard over...

Of all the problems the Elio might have, I think this is one I'm not gonna lose any sleep over.

Bo and Luke, the Dukes of Hazard, and/or Joy Chitwood probably shouldn't drive an Elio ...