Flat Shifters now legal for Motorcycle cars

[clint]

[cory mcleod]

Clint,

Thanks to you and whoever else got this clarification approved. It's been a grey area in the rules, especially since most every 4-stroke car has at least a mechanical blipper already.

The only problem is we'll now have to come up with a new topic for our "who's cheating" discussions.

Cory

[Farrout48]

That looks a lot like the P2 limitation. There are only a couple of systems that meet P2 requirements. This is a great advancement for the F600 guys.

I run a Flatshifter Expert in P2. Simple and lower (relatively) priced system. A load cell in line on the shifter cable provides the signal to either activate the cut-out on upshift or the vacuum generated blip on downshift. One of the good things is that if the load cell or system quits working, the car can still be shifted in a pure mechanical mode and your race weekend is not over. Easy to install. I believe that it makes life a lot easier on the chain. Certainly easier to shift than a purely mechanical cable set-up. Does it make the car faster? Some say yes. Some say it is more on the driver to be faster.

[TDI PILOT]

What about the vacuum powered throttle blippers used on some "flatshifter" systems to aid in downshifting? This type of system does not have a mechanical linkage from the gas pedal to the throttle body, it controls the throttle position independently of the drivers inputs.


6. Mechanical throttle mechanisms must be used on all engines. Computer, electronic or pneumatic control of the throttle position is not permitted.

[lowside67]

What about the vacuum powered throttle blippers used on some "flatshifter" systems to aid in downshifting? This type of system does not have a mechanical linkage from the gas pedal to the throttle body, it controls the throttle position independently of the drivers inputs.


6. Mechanical throttle mechanisms must be used on all engines. Computer, electronic or pneumatic control of the throttle position is not permitted.

The vacuum powered blipper actually moves a pushrod which then pushes on the throttle mechanically. I suspect it'd be legal.

-Mark

[GBugg]

This is a rule change, not a clarification.

[JerryH]

If you are a left foot braker, it is fairly easy to lift on upshifts and blip on downshifts yourself.. If doesn't take long to get good at it....so additional aids are not really needed.

However, the flatshifter does make it easier for a driver to adapt to a motorcyle engined car..

In F1000 it has become the norm. i sometimes wish it had not. Something else to maintain.....but it is a ton more reliable than solonoid or air shifters.

Jerry Hodges
JDR Race Cars
North American Formula 1000
636-399-7060