Serious Horsepower

[AndyBean]

Last weekend I went to the Flat Bottom Races at the Colorado River. It was coooold One of my buddys was involved in building this engine.
We all waited with great anticipation for his first pass. (Brand new engine).  Apparently he has some dialing in to do.  There was alot of porpoiseing and his speeds never exceeded 40 MPH. Ouch! Considering he has over 40K in the engine alone.

[Eric_Michael]

Strange they would face the blower intake forward.  That is a good way to ingest water into the motor.  All the Unlimited Light Hydroplanes I have hung around with have the blower intake facing rearward.  Since the blower creates an artificial atmosphere there is no advantage to having it face forward - like on a naturally aspirated motor.

$40k for a boat racing motor?  Must be a cheap one!     In hydroplane racing we discovered the magic pricing formula.  Take a standard automotive part and add the word "marine", that will double the price.  Add the word "race" and double the price again.

-Eric

[Rosscoe]

Andy
Any ideas as to the HP of that thing? Nasty!

[AndyBean]

I'm not so good with the mechanical side of things. But I seem to remember him saying 1700 HP. Does that make any sense? I know the boat is a flat bottom Hondo. 18 feet. There was much anticipation for his inaugural run.  It was pretty dissapointing for all.
But hey, in the water in February is a win in my book.

[Rosscoe]

Make sense? Depends. Not if I'm behind the wheel! 
Thats nutzo.

[Jerry]

There's no such thing as too much horsepower!!

This is a local boat.

[Hotwired]

I love watching those boats run!!  They are here twice a year in Phoenix.  Next in May.  The park is only about a mile from my house!!!  Sweet listening to the HP even from my house!

[Rosscoe]

I love watching these kinds of races too but rarely have had an opportunity. I just dont know the where and when. Last time I saw any boat races was on the river in downtown Mpls for the Aquatenial.

[MarkS]

That's Firebird Raceway isn't it Chris?  (Sure looks like it.)  Next time you're over there, please tell Dionne I said hello.  (Event staff)   

[Hotwired]

Yep, Fire Bird Raceway.  I'll do that!

http://www.firebirdraceway.com/

I have 2 usually unoccupied guest rooms and 3 couches!  Come on down!!