SERIES 3 - 1978 - 1982 (1990)
The next era for Formula Super Vee started in 1978. The class introduced a new, water cooled, Volkswagen Rabbit engine replacing the old air cooled one. The SCCA club racing scene remained using the old engine.
The SCCA dropped the class from its regional and national series, the pro series remained. Bill Alsup won the first season of the new era Formula Super Vee championship. Ralt dominated almost every season fielding the most cars out of any constructor. Only the 1983 and 1986 championships were won by other manufacturers.
The SCCA dropped the class from its regional and national series, the pro series remained. Bill Alsup won the first season of the new era Formula Super Vee championship. Ralt dominated almost every season fielding the most cars out of any constructor. Only the 1983 and 1986 championships were won by other manufacturers.
The first of the water-cooled FSV’s appeared in 1978 and their first race was at Phoenix International. The specs limited motors to the 1600cc water-cooled overhead cam engine from the VW Rabbit/Sirocco/Dasher.
These cars are considered the Series 3 FSV’s. Ultimately the motor size went to 1800cc and for a time the air-cooled cars were allowed to go to 2000cc to try to remain competitive with the water-cooled cars.
In Europe
On September 26, 1982, Klaus Peter Rosorius, Chief of VW Motorsport, at the last race of the season at Nurburgring that VW would bring the series to an end. "The idea of promoting young talent had eclipsed. We had to act and bring th eexpensive arms race to an end" As he Super Vee cars had become faster and faster the cost had continued to escalate. Only professional teams with ample financial backing where able to contest the entire final season. newcomers and independent competitors had little chance of securing a podium.
In the USA
Ultimately the most developed version of Super Vee was to be found in the USA where the formula was created originally. The SCCA Formula Super Vee was one of the longest running Formula Super Vee championships in the world. Twenty racing season were contested.
By the mid-80s Super Vee in the USA had taken over from Formula Atlantic as the feeder formula for Indy cars, often being referred to as the "Mini-Indy" series. In the mid-80s the Ron Tournac designed Ralt RT5 had a virtual monopoly in the USA series.
These cars are considered the Series 3 FSV’s. Ultimately the motor size went to 1800cc and for a time the air-cooled cars were allowed to go to 2000cc to try to remain competitive with the water-cooled cars.
In Europe
On September 26, 1982, Klaus Peter Rosorius, Chief of VW Motorsport, at the last race of the season at Nurburgring that VW would bring the series to an end. "The idea of promoting young talent had eclipsed. We had to act and bring th eexpensive arms race to an end" As he Super Vee cars had become faster and faster the cost had continued to escalate. Only professional teams with ample financial backing where able to contest the entire final season. newcomers and independent competitors had little chance of securing a podium.
In the USA
Ultimately the most developed version of Super Vee was to be found in the USA where the formula was created originally. The SCCA Formula Super Vee was one of the longest running Formula Super Vee championships in the world. Twenty racing season were contested.
By the mid-80s Super Vee in the USA had taken over from Formula Atlantic as the feeder formula for Indy cars, often being referred to as the "Mini-Indy" series. In the mid-80s the Ron Tournac designed Ralt RT5 had a virtual monopoly in the USA series.
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