over on pirate, a discussion started on the suzuki board about doing a forumla Zuk class (kinda like the formula toy). starting out as a budget builder suzuki only class, the idea morphed into just a fomula four class- the main rules being the vehicle must have a 4 cyl engine (2.7l or less), 35" tires or smaller, and comform to werock safety rules. the rest of the details are being worked out, but it looks like it will be a very fun class with all kinds of different rigs and drivers! no prize money, just out on the courses for fun and bragging rights.

I'm seriously thinking of changing the direction of my build to run in this class- at least the east coast events, and I think it will be really cool to see some other Isuzu's represent out on the courses!

Here is a link to the thread where the formula four idea starts taking off: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=510750&page=13

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Just beware that any kind of competition puts a huge amount of stress on parts, and you end up trashing any body panels about 98% of the time. Its really not something you wanna do with a rig you care about. I've seen too many people show up to their first event, planning to run the "stock" class with their trail rig and leave halfway through the first day with a mangled body and broken axles.

As long as you're prepared for that, and ok with it you'll have a ton of fun.

Dallas

I take it you haven't seen Pauls fender trimming work <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

J/K <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />

Sounds like an interesting idea. Why should Toyotas have all the fun.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />Andre

Yeah I'm not worried about the body... I'll probably just chop the top and let the rest of it work itself out <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

I hope some others get interested enough to try!

Seems like a cool concept.

I do wonder though (and it might have been answered in those 17 pages)do you have to keep your stock axles, I read that they want to keep their stock sami axles, so would that mean that Isuzu's have to keep their stock IFS?

I think I'll spectate this, I'm too much of a mall crawler to put that much body damage on my rigs <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Nick

In the begining (forumla zuk) it was gonna be suzuki axles only, but forumla four will be wide open. So as of now, any axles you want to try to run are cool. not many will be running one ton/rocks/portals because of the weight disadvatage and ground clearance (portals aside).

I predict yota axles will probably be the most prevailant but d44's will be a close 2nd followed by custom and hybrid creations. Independent suspension is allowed, too, and I bet there will be some really cool and creative setups out there.

I spent a lot of years racing (large, sailboats). An open formula quickly becomes a battle of the dollars. The cost of building a racing vehicle pales in comparison to the weekly costs of maintaining what you have and then trying to keep up with the latest advances in the class.

Just the cost of moving your vehicle and crew from race to race becomes a major expense. Given where you are located, the southeast, and where the majority of venues are located, southwest, the costs become pretty extreme. And it isn't just the out of pocket expenses. Employers tend to get pretty testy about the amount of time needed to get to and from race venues.

Plus, in my opinion, the Isuzu is not a good fit for this type of competition. Our power to weight ratio is not good. It is going to be difficult, but not impossible, to create an Isuzu-based competitor with a center of gravity that lends itself to extreme competition.

hopefully this class will be more about fun than anything. there are other classes out there for the professional competitors. my "crew" will likely be me and a friend or two. Just gonna try to hit the east coast events anyway, so a few weekends a year shouldn't be too much trouble.

And I think an Isuzu will do just as good as anyone else. just gotta cut the fat, gear down and lock em up <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> everyone will be pretty underpowered (four cylinder class) but we aren't rockracing or doing mud drags or jumping dunes. The suzuki's will be tough because of their small size and light weight, but I'm not too worried about being the top dog, just want to be out there in the madness. Maybe leave a few people scratching their heads <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

ok I'm lazy, and dont feel like reading 17 pages of discussion. Can you give me a quick run down of the proposed vehicle requirements for this class. Limiting it to small 4 cylinders doesn't really limit anything. The Unlimited class buggy we ran last year was pushing over 300hp from a 2.0L 4banger on pump gas. Whats stopping us from putting some 35s on that and running it?

Dallas

here is the latest version (subject to change)

"We still have aways to go, but here is where we are at right now.

Formula 4

The Formula 4 competition series is designed to be an entry level builderÆs class and the rules are written in an effort to keep it that way. The tenents of this class are Small, Cheap, Lightweight and DIY. If the rules don't specifically allow certain modifications it is very possibly legal, please contact the ruling body for clarification, do not assume they are not allowed. Trying to build new innovative parts and rigs is what this class is about. If someone wants to build a Chainlink or hydrostatic drive vehicle, they can. We are mostly limiting the larger base parts to make sure innovation replaces overkill parts.

35ö tire Max
ò Must use DOT, currently available 35ö tires.
ò No other tires approved.

4 cyl.
ò Any make, model, gas, diesel, propane.
ò 2.7L max.
ò Forced induction OK on engines less than 2.0.
ò Electric OK.

Tranny/T-case
ò Any OE based combination or combinations allowed.
ò No complete aftermarket Transmission or T-case allowed. I.E. Atlas, Lovell, STak.
ò All aftermarket OE upgrade parts allowed: Gears, Alloy shafts, billet cases etc.
ò Front digs OK

Frame/Chassis
ò Any frame or chassis allowed: stock, box, tube all OK.
ò Minimum 6 point mounting cages covering the driver are required.
ò All protective tube work must be a minimum of 1.5ö dia. x .120 wall.
ò All tube work must be at least 3ö from driver with helmet and safety gear on.
ò 52ö minimum width at the beltline between the A pillars and between the B pillars.
ò Rollbar construction must be welded.

Body
ò Must have two seats side by side on same horizontal plane.
ò Must look automotive. Needs a hood, grille and body cladding, headlamps, tailamps and any other items that gives it an automotive appearance.
ò 52ö minimum width at the beltline between the A pillars and between the B pillars.
ò No ôshoehornedö seating positions. Make sure you are comfortable.
ò Body panels can be steel, aluminum, fiberglass, Lexan, plastic.
ò Must have fuzzy dice hanging from rearview mirror.

Axles
ò Any ¢ ton and smaller axles or combination of ¢ ton and smaller axles OK.
ò This would mean Toyota mini truck, Land Cruiser, D44 and smaller, NO Dana 60 and larger.
ò No D60 or larger Knuckles.
ò CVs, Birfields, Ujoints all OK
ò Independent OK.
ò Any lockers, gears, shafts OK.
ò Must have 4 wheels minimum.
ò Any track width.

Steering
ò Any safe steering arrangement allowed. Hydro, mechanical all OK.
ò Rear steer allowed.

Brakes
ò Must have a brake at each wheel.
ò Cutting brakes OK.

Suspension
ò Unlimited suspensionù reactive, active, whatever. As long as it is safe, it should be legal.
ò Independent OK
ò Any wheelbase.

Weight
ò No weight limit.

We still have a lot of little filler to put in, but these are the main framework of rules. What do you all think? Any suggestions? Need some changes for clarity?"


taken from page 17.

there is still a lot of back and forth going on about limiting axles to 1/2 ton, keeping the atlas/stak kind of aftermarket cases out, etc. and also to keep some of the big dogs out, there are rules being proposed that you can only run F4 OR stock mod/unlimited/whatever, or you can only keep score on one, not both, etc.

Dallas, I think your input would be greatly appreciated over there, if you have a chance. most of the progress has been made since around page 15, so if you start there you can get the idea or where its at.