I found this on piston vs rotor today and had one of the puerto ricans (ssglopezvm) translate it for us.

http://68.178.140.70/audios/06-04-10-001.wma






Rabule from http://www.pistonvsrotor.com/ interviews Abel Ibarra and asks the following questions:

Rabule: What happend that we did'nt see you recently at Moroso Speedway, FL?

AI: Two reasons, no sponsors (no money) and the car is not ready...currenlty waiting for parts that are being fabricated/custom for the engine.

Rabule: How long will that take?

AI: Cannot say, they promised delivery of those parts (?) two months ago... parts will cost me 3K and if I go someplace else with another company Im looking to pay 10K... that is why Im still waiting.

Rabule: Is been 5 years that the series NHRA begun... tell us where you think the series is going?

AI: The series is over.... is history..... No matter if the cars are top performers.... not enough cars to race.... You can't have a good series with 4-5 cars.

Rabule: And if this happends... what are you going to do?

AI: It doesnt matter, I will continue racing for the love of this sport... not like some racers that do it for the money.

Rabule: Tell us about the category you currently compete with (6 cylinders).... they have made tremendous progress.... what are your thoughts about it?

AI: The only reason why they have made progress is because they are many.... and companies that make/fabricate parts are used to work with piston engines... they sell better performace parts... they (companies) also help each other identify, resolve and improve performance parts problems..... unlike us "a few" rotary engines guys.... When we have a problem with a specific engine part, is difficult to find someone to create/fabricate that part.... that is the problem I am having now.

Rabule: What is your goal with your current combination?

AI: When I resolve the problem I have with the engine; with my current combination, I'm looking at 6.4 /6.3 ET @ 218 / 220MPH. Let me put it this way, with the same turbo that 6 cyl use, they are able to run 213MPH @ 63lbs of boost. On the other hand, I ran 210MPH with 38lbs of boost... I cannot increased boost due to the current problems.... to maximize the engine's potential.

Rabule: We never seen you at any NOPI events.... why?

AI: My sponsors wanted me to race at the NHRA series only.

Rabule: Have you been informed about the progress that rotary cars have made here in Puerto Rico.... in specific the 3/4 chassis cars?

AI: Yes, I have been very informed.

Rabule: Tell us your toughts about cars like: Anais (7.37 et @ 183MPH), Pica Racing (7.40 @ 182MPH)?

AI: They have been running great! Not informed about the vehicle's weight and tire size... but all I know that they are flying... and not only them but many cars in PR are running those numbers. Dont know how they going to perform here with the inspections and the conditions, but all I know is that cars like La Atrevida (7.52et @ 179MPH) have performed great in the states.

Rabule: Have you been interested in building a similar old school (starlet, datsun); to race here in PR?

AI: Honestly, I am no longer interested, because, I have nothing to prove. Plus it will be a waste of time and money,.... again, I have nothing to prove, look at how long I have not been racing the RX8 and noone has really come up close to the 6.76ET I've established. If anyone has, the car was 300-400lbs underweight (Major League). Is not that easy to spend money like that, and for what reason? And what am I gaining from it? I I rather use the money to buy a new car.
I have news for you.... I just picked up the RX100 from the NHRA museum, I will make some changes and race it once again.

Rabule: There is a controversy in PR about whether or not a 13B can brake the 6 second barrier.... what is your opinion?

AI: Years ago, I told everyone that it is possible to run 6 seconds with a 13B. They use to say I was crazy. For four years, I ran the 13B with a factory intake, a t4 turbo and ran 7.3 @ 184MPH. With today's technology systems & turbos, of course a 13B can run 6 sec.

Rabule: Lets assume that you would have kept racing 2 rotors; what numbers would you've established?

AI: Don't know, but I would certainly been in the 6 seconds.

Rabule: Well Flaco, thanks for your time; I know you have alot of friends here in Puerto Rico, want to say anything else?

AI: Hello to everyone, Sarito, Siguel... and yes Siguel, make a few changes onto Major League so we can race here in the states before I retire.

 

WOW, everyone was asking where he was and now we know.

Sucks without sponsers, that's why we have to support the ones that do it with few or no sponsers!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Anthony

 

If everybody had that attitude, there wouldn’t be any 3/4 chassis running 7.3-7.5; or a 3 rotor PP running 6 sec passes at over 200MPH.

 

Man I have been waiting to hear about his car myself. Man the best decision he ever did was take his R100 back the NHRA museum in Pomona.

HEY ABLE I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR YOU
WILL WE SEE ANY TEST RUNS OVER HERE IN IRWINDALE????

 

Well I just heard the interview myself in Spanish and they actually say a whole lot more than what was translated but you were pretty close.
If he runs that R100 he better remove all those KNN logos from the car and paint it RED like it was before.

 

I'm sure that will be one of a few reasons why he is getting it.

 

He said the NHRA called him to go pick up the R100.



I liked how he callled out Major League " Bring it!!!"