Vanderbilt Cup Races

Looks like fun! Enjoy!

I understand it has a “rotary” engine. Is it a Wankel?

Howard, will you’ll be delivering Domino’s Pizza at your next Motor Parkway Preservation Society meeting in Bethpage?

Al-
Wankel invented the rotary, so technically every rotary is a Wankel eventually perfected by Mazda, but Wankel rotaries were in older Audis and various other makes as well.

The 440cc single-rotary in the Tritan was built by an Israeli company named Savyro.

Greg, Weren’t rotary engines used on early planes ?

Recollecting the Wankel rotary engine (Mazda), it was used for automobile purposes with a distinct triangular “piston.” The circular aircraft engines were all piston driven instead as far I can reach

A nice ride, Port Jefferson has a great history of home built three wheelers. The 2024 Hillclimb awaits

Greg,
The Wankel Rotary engine offered licenced to a number of companys for uses in their cars or more development for the future uses in cars, among the earlist was NSU Spider, conv. 2dr.-2P, Mazda RX-7, 2dr. coupe 2P, GM use for development for their vehicles and to supply AMC for its new Pacer with it short front end, but crammed in their own 6 cyl. Mercedes introduce the C111, a mid-engine 4 rotary
2P coupe. Just few made as research/concept. but emmision issues killed it, except for Madza, still at it, on and off.

Al Velocci, Yes Rotary engines were in use around WWI - The Cradle of Aviation Museum’s Thomas Morse S4C Scout has a 90 hp LeRhone rotary engine. Gnome was another popular rotary used back then.

Al-
Yes they were as Curtiss-Wright did acquire a license for the Wankel rotary. They are well suited for light aircraft. They also have been used in everything including trains.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine

Thanks Greg for posting of the wikipedia.org website that I’ve known about but did’t think of looking up or mentioing. Everything to know about the Wankel engine is in this website!

I know that the Wankel engine was used in some fine cars. The Ro80, made by NSU of Germany, still looks stylish today. But the problems of the engine (fuel consumption, pollution, oil consumption, problems with the seals) led to its demise and the downfall of NSU, which was taken over by Volkswagen / Audi. I’m surprised that a version of it was used in the Domino’s car.

I think there’s some confusion between “rotary” engines and “radial” engines in airplanes. Radial engines have pistons arranged in a circle.

Al-
If you look at the link I posted in my comment, rotary engines were indeed used in airplanes as well as radial engines.

Greg, Got it, thank you,

Thank you for clarifying, Greg. Was unaware of Wankel’s long history. Great info to know and to share!

My first motorcycle was a Yamaha 400cc and I wasn’t impressed by its performance on the highways. But for local pizza deliveries, this could be a game-changer!