[alfa] Racing Alfetta brakes - long - so what's new

[alfacybersite <acs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

It is absolutely unbelievable to me Any racing venue anywhere would ban 
the use of ventilated brake discs if it is absolutely proven there is 
virtually nothing which can be done to stop brake fade / brake fluid 
boiling on a particular car - or on any car that's being raced for that 
matter.

Jim Steck mentioned to me trying to cool the Alfa transaxle rear brakes 
by adding cooling ducts, even including fans, was absolutely worthless 
(Jim, feel free to jump in here at any time).

While I might be mistaken, doubt if many of you out there are 
professional racers. I don't believe getting sponsorship for a race car, 
unless that includes a nice salary, counts as being a professional race 
car driver.

Let's say Bernie (and gang) decided there could be no brake ducting for 
Formula 1 cars. How many of the upper tier drivers do you think would 
stay on the job for one nanosecond?

No offense, and perhaps this is a bit dramatic, but feel you racer guys 
are inadvertently allowing yourselves to become the equivalent of eager 
cannon fodder - though well aware there are very few deaths (though not 
sure about injuries) in the racing venues I presume the majority of you 
are involved with.

I very vaguely follow the racing "scene", while aware today there are 
fairly stringent rules on what modifications "must" be made to one's car 
in virtually every racing venue.

What if they turned back the clock and said, "We insist on complete 
originality, and since your car came with seat belts only, a regular gas 
tank, no roll bar, let alone a roll cage, no emergency electrical 
shut-off, no catch tanks for the oil and coolant, etc., and oh yeah, you 
can only wear  a helmet which was available at the time your car was 
made, along with your racing suit." I'm guessing there are some who 
would reply, "Way cool." And then there are those who might not be so 
enthusiastic, and if they secretly are, most likely their "significant 
other" might well insist on their taking up another hobby.

Good lord, why not at least allow ventilated brake discs for any car 
being raced anywhere, though must be of the same diameter as original 
and the calipers used must be "similar" to the original? If it doesn't 
already exist and assuming it is feasible, why couldn't a sophisticated 
rebuilder manufacture (laser cut) spacers for calipers to allow for the 
additional width? If feasible and readably available for most any 
caliper, then change the rules to mandate original calipers, but can be 
modified as to width.

That truly has to be a very scary experience to press on the brake pedal 
at a very high rate of speed approaching a slow corner and the pedal 
goes to the floor (pump, pump, pump, sumbitch!) - and you're not even 
getting paid close to 25 million a year to experience this unexpected 
adventure.

Biba
Who doesn't even qualify as a couch potato racer guy
Irwindale, CA USA
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