Vic Hill discusses the evolution of dirt racing engines

[Returning to Dirt]

https://insidedirtracing.com/vic-hill-discusses-the-evolution-of-dirt-racing-engines/

The noted engine builder and racer talks about the increase in horsepower over the years and the increase in costs to make it.

[Stefan2k4]

Not trying to Bash Mr. Hill, who I'm sure is a very intelligent engine builder and driver, but really what does he tell us in this interview that we didn't already know? All he really says is that engines have gotten more powerful and more expensive. I don't think that's much of a surprise to anyone. And yes, it true in all forms of motorsports, not just DLM. Look at drag racing, where in Pro Mods they are running right at 1000 Cubic inch displacement nowadays and that's combined with nitrous! Interestingly enough, the clases in drag racing where engine innovation has slowed down to the point of being almost non-existent, are the Nitro classes. Why? Probably because at 11,000 HP, they have way more horsepower than they can hook up to the track. So, trying to make more is kinda pointless. Maybe there's a hint there! No, I'm not suggesting that they need to put top fuel motors in DLM cars. That would be ridiculous. However, perhaps the way to address the issue of escalating engine cost is to come up with a package of not just engine, but tire, chassis, and engine that would have a fair bit more power that you could hook up to begin with. Then the need to chase a few extra HP here and there, might disappear.

All Mr Hill has to offer us here is the suggestion for the problem of escalating cost seems to be "to think really hard when you make your rules." Again, that does tell us much. His comments read more like an advertisment for his own engines than anything else. And he even contradicts himself.


Hill adds that the marketing that came from the NASCAR side of things was successful in convincing those with the resources to believe that they had to have that particular brand.

“I build more Chevrolets than Fords but they did a good job marketing and so a lot of people who race and are financially able to buy them felt like they had to have one,” Hill said. “Then you feel like you’ve got to have that to compete, and at a lot of places it does make a difference especially in qualifying.”

If it's all just marketing, how does it make a difference in qualifying at a lot of places?

[Kromulous]

SLMs already have more power than usable 90% of the time. Small carbs, restrictors, running on 2bbls etc etc in the Feature now days is the norm, anywhere the track is slick and dry. Although when the water is in the track you need that power, your a sitting duck without it. There very hard to drive with all the power in the slick if you do not back tune them pretty heavily.

I am afraid the costs are only going to rise as well, with the addition of 3D Printing. You can print new designs that really lighten a part, such as pistons etc, that take a lot of weight out, and that means more power. Add to that some of the new exotic materials.

Harder tires, controlled at the MFR, and smaller Aero package is the only hope at this point.

[CageFaraday]

SLMs already have more power than usable 90% of the time. Small carbs, restrictors, running on 2bbls etc etc in the Feature now days is the norm, anywhere the track is slick and dry. Although when the water is in the track you need that power, your a sitting duck without it. There very hard to drive with all the power in the slick if you do not back tune them pretty heavily.

I am afraid the costs are only going to rise as well, with the addition of 3D Printing. You can print new designs that really lighten a part, such as pistons etc, that take a lot of weight out, and that means more power. Add to that some of the new exotic materials.

Harder tires, controlled at the MFR, and smaller Aero package is the only hope at this point.

Wedge 2.0 needs to die or else its going to eat itself. Its past time for Frankenstein's monster to go, they killed him once before and the result was awesome. Its time to do it again, in ALL the DLM classes. Un-Hook the cars...

[rolldog]

Exactly. Just like in sprint cars, engine costs are crazy. The only way to scale them back will be to unhook the cars. Harder tires, narrower tires, less wedge, eliminate some of the aero, etc......

[mcarter815]

Harder tires just means more soaking.

[JabberJaws83]

Wedge 2.0 needs to die or else its going to eat itself. Its past time for Frankenstein's monster to go, they killed him once before and the result was awesome. Its time to do it again, in ALL the DLM classes. Un-Hook the cars...

Could not agree more, it’s overdue but no one wants to step up and do a thing about it. Some think the cars look better than ever, that’s great till you only have a traveling series to go see the cool looking cars. Personally, I think they are ugly. They are so bent and twisted that they look like they’ve been wrecked.

[PRCKartRacer9]

If only we could go back to 95 or 96

[PRCKartRacer9]

Hell there were 95 cars at the 2005 Ice Bowl. What's the last race to have 90+ cars?

[chupp n bloomer fan]

Hell there were 95 cars at the 2005 Ice Bowl. What's the last race to have 90+ cars?World 100. Which very soon, they will be lucky to hit that. Things do need to change, Cage, Krom, pretty much anyone who thinks less aero, harder tire, possibly narrower tire, no more wide bores, you guys are definitely on target. Just actual late models with normal bodies. Far away these look cool, up close, they look like they were put in a frame bender and tweaked a lot. Oh, and follow the rules ALREADY IN PLACE WOULD BE A GREAT START.

[a25rjr]

If only we could go back to 95 or 96

No wayyyyyyy.....the racing today is farrrrrr better!

[Illtsate32]

Amen brother...most peopl think in present time the cars look cooler than they ever been, but ten years later they look out dated, which they are. But when we look back 10 years from now these will be the ugliest dlm car in history. Bodies grossly manipulated, rf sticking out 2 miles...puke

[dirty-white-boy]

Amen brother...most peopl think in present time the cars look cooler than they ever been, but ten years later they look out dated, which they are. But when we look back 10 years from now these will be the ugliest dlm car in history. Bodies grossly manipulated, rf sticking out 2 miles...puke

These RF still stick out 2 miles, they just have longer noses and elephant ears to cover them out. Take a real hard look at the cars sometime. No dirt oval car needs a RF nose clearance of 15 inches. That amount of travel is for off road

[Mod Runner]

what is the background on Vic Hill ? How did he get the financial resources to start an engine building business ? Where did he get the knowledge to build engines ? How long has he been building engines ?

[chupp n bloomer fan]

what is the background on Vic Hill ? How did he get the financial resources to start an engine building business ? Where did he get the knowledge to build engines ? How long has he been building engines ?He worked for RCR for years. I believe he got fed up with the grind and probably wanted to be his own boss. He does off road truck motors too.

[President Clinton]

Vic is also one of the first that had all the knowledge to help you with Davis Technology stuff. Vic is smart!

[Josh Bayko]

He's partly responsible for the engines getting so out of control cost wise.

Although aero does need to be reigned back in. You could fix a lot of the aero issues without significantly changing the look of the cars. Make the nose and ears symmetrical and straight , make the body straight and flat from front to rear, which would lead to a flat deck, fill in the sails and cut the spoiler down to 6". basically, Basically, take it back to '05 or so and take a little spoiler off of them.

[fastford]

you would also have to take all the modern rt frt suspension tech away as well , aint gone happen........

[Josh Bayko]

you would also have to take all the modern rt frt suspension tech away as well , aint gone happen........

The tech wouldn't go away, but you really couldn't get as radical if you're going to roll the nose under literally every lap. If the nose is mounted dead straight, the clearance on the right side is only going to be 6-8", even with a shaved valance.

[BTExpress]

How close in price are the big name late model engine builders, i.e. Durham, Clements, Cornett, Pro Power, Vic Hill, Jay D*ckens, etc.? Are they all fairly the same or are a few of the above a lot more expensive?

[CageFaraday]

I'm in favor of killing the aero and by whatever means necessary ending the hike-up. However, I'm not in favor of tire rules or necessarily engine rules. IMHO, its better to write/enforce the rules so that buying 900hp is an unusable waste, I'm a free market guy. Narrower tires yes, but not limiting compounds or mandating cubic inch or carb size. 1 shock/spring per wheel, maximum body height from ground. No bumps, No 2-spring set ups and maybe No J-bars(RS panhard only). Lower control arms must be no more than 1 inch difference in length.