THE LOOK
Barr and the ARM
John Barr and Dick Norsikian were two of the principals that popularized FAI TR in the US. The plans and 'how to article' on their Minuteman II were published in MAN in 1964. John later teamed with Roger Theobald of TWA fame. (Thoebald Wisniewski Association - the first tuned pipe FAI speed engine. It blew everyone away at Swinderby in 1966).
After about seven years racing Super Tigre engines, John and Roger tried a tuned pipe TR engine version - fast but 20 laps on glow and no go on diesel. Then experiments with rear shaft and rear bell intake on K&B led to the step of making their own engine. As the drawing below shows, it was a play on words. "If your FAI T/R won't go, put your ARM into it".
A photo of the definitive 1972 ARM is hyperlinked below. The prototype at Namur did 58 laps on a 7cc tank. This is equivalent to about 83 laps on the old 10cc tank. The ARM was entered in several World Champs and flown by people from several countries. The ARM traded to
Plocins, perhaps, suggested some ideas to engine designers in the East. What Roger got in trade is shown below.
John Barr releases ARM 2.5 D powered racer. Namur 1970
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Just a skosh, John. Pilots know best. |
These Russian planes cost Roger an ARM | "Maybe I should just step on
it." |
Rescued from John Barr's waste basket. The original 1969 ARM drawing |
The American Racing
Machine. |