Bobby U's early years at Indy were with the Novi. Those cars had 500+ HP at a time when a good Offy was putting out 375 HP. Said to be a tricky car to drive fast, many veteran Indy car drivers stayed away from them. As a rookie Bobby qualified easily. His first two qualifying laps were identical in time and speed, each following lap was faster yet.
Below is a link to an audio recording of that qualification run. The shriek of the Novi is awesome.
Yeah Bobby Unser Icon.
Love the sound of that Novi Engine.
Reminds me of around the year 2000 when we were experimenting with a large single Snowmobile carb and custom intake on VW powered Dune Buggy. That intake was just pouring Ice, we had to insulate it as it was running water over the engine as it was melting.
There was something about the venturi, and the associated throttle slide of those snowmobile carbs that Progressively dumped more fuel in as the RPMs increased.
We were easily turing 7000 rpm on those 4 cylinder opposed engines. Unique balance to those opposed engines that could take the high rpm.
Not only the constant pull but the unique sound when it hit 7000 rpm. Doubling up like the 2 Harleys thing when you are riding next to them.
Went on to other configurations after that, but sure was curious as to why they so easily gained rpm in the 5 to 7000 range. It sounded like an Indy car.
