David Vizard

[302ford]

I was wondering why all the bashing on Mr Vizard?
I have known him for 16 years personaly and have had the chance to meet him on 2 occasions. Second time he visited me at my home and we sat a few hours in the back yard and we discussed many things.
I have many of his books and talk to him regularly.As his not replying on the forum mabey he doesnt feel the need to.
His accomplishments stand for there self. He also has i believe over 40 patents also.
He has helped me understand many things.Sometimes people just go on a with hunt.
This is a very imformative website and i have learned many things from all of u here.
So lets play nice and continue u to help others and share our opions and grow from each other
Randy

[Steve Zicht]

If you gathered every author, writer and researcher in the automotive performance field in one spot , not one of them will agree to every opinion expressed by the other. Everybody has an opinion about every subject of automotive research. I have chatted at length with David Vizard, Harold Bettes and a handful of other automotive writers and experts and the difference of opinion will vary between them.

What does this tell you ? We are still to this day learning more and more about internal combustion engines even if they have been around a hundred years and the technology continually changes all the time. Personaly, I dont like the bashing either but everybody is entitled to free speech.

Some writers rely on information solely supplied by people who pay them to write what they are told to write. Some authors are heavily involved in their own automotive research and publish their results in specialized publications. The automotive race enthusiest who reads the material must decide if the data is valid and if the published test results were obtained in a real world test enviroment.

David Vizard is a rare breed that actually does alot of his own ' hands on ' research in his own testing facility that he set up for himself. You gotta bone to pick ? Prove the guy wrong with your own research and verify the results and make them public for all to see. Im almost certain that somebody in the field will disagree with your data and start to criticize you stating your data was incorrect or invalid.

FYI, David is near 70 years old and still has a busy testing schedule !

SZ

[302ford]

David will be 69 this year

[Joel Dubose]

If you gathered every author, writer and researcher in the automotive performance field in one spot , not one of them will agree to every opinion expressed by the other. Everybody has an opinion about every subject of automotive research. I have chatted at length with David Vizard, Harold Bettes and a handful of other automotive writers and experts and the difference of opinion will vary between them.

What does this tell you ? We are still to this day learning more and more about internal combustion engines even if they have been around a hundred years and the technology continually changes all the time. Personaly, I dont like the bashing either but everybody is entitled to free speech.

Some writers rely on information solely supplied by people who pay them to write what they are told to write. Some authors are heavily involved in their own automotive research and publish their results in specialized publications. The automotive race enthusiest who reads the material must decide if the data is valid and if the published test results were obtained in a real world test enviroment.

David Vizard is a rare breed that actually does alot of his own ' hands on ' research in his own testing facility that he set up for himself. You gotta bone to pick ? Prove the guy wrong with your own research and verify the results and make them public for all to see. Im almost certain that somebody in the field will disagree with your data and start to criticize you stating your data was incorrect or invalid.

FYI, David is near 80 years old and still has a busy testing schedule !

SZ

I don't like bashing at all. I think this was very well stated. It's ok to discuss a topic, but to bash anyone is just plan wrong. Most of the time the bashing comes from a person that doesn't have the same experience. Any information that is given can be tested. Who knows you might find a trend that is helpful. Even if the information is incorrect. There usually is an optimum point that takes place, when is it??? And is it the same for all engines? It's always better to question, than to dismiss the information.

[rookie]

x2

[Shopboss]

I attended one of his 2 day schools years ago in Charlotte NC. I came home, applied what I learned and my engines started winning a lot more races.
I'm not saying it was only because of what he said or taught but it got me thinking in the right direction as well as thinking out side of the box.
BTW He was really sick those two days with what turned out to be pneumonia. He hung in there and finished the school.
I thought then that if this guy has the same determination in engine building that it took to finish that two days, then he was worth listening to.
So list me in the Vizard fan group.
All of this on Speed Talk got me reviewing the literature and notes from way back then. Guess what? A lot of what was considered out in left field back then is excepted as the norm now.

Donny

[stealth]

I've always enjoyed reading what he writes.......say what you will the man is real "thinker"...and that alone is worth so much..

[Steve Zicht]

David Vizard will be starting a new performance carburetor technical book in the near future. I think thats why the Carburetor Shoot Out instantly captured his attention when I spoke to him about it a few days ago. This gathering in Orlando will provide tons of valuable information for his new book he is about to begin in the near future. Simply put, the timing for this event is ideal for anyone heavily involved in the technical aspects of performance and racing carburetion and related fuel system components. I can say theres a 9 out of 10 shot that Mr. Vizard will visit the BLP facility during this first time event. He was certainly impressed with the list of carburetor specialty shops I read off to him that expressed interest to be participants.

I have a feeling that Harold Bettes will show up for a visit as well as to he may find enough time in his schedule after the AETC at the PRI show.

I would not be surprised at all if other ' famous ' names in the automotive performance industry showed up to observe the action.

Like I said before, this gathering if it takes place will be talked about for months ! SZ

[John Wallace]

When and where is this "Carburetor Shoot Out" ?

[Steve Zicht]

John, the talk thus far is holding the Carburetor Shoot Out just prior to the PRI show opening in Orlando Florida. Early December I think. Most of the carb talent will be in town for the PRI anyway so the timing is good. Lot of talk about this as to its the first time this kind of event has attempted to be organized. You need to contact Mike Laws at BLP as to he is doing the organizing. ( mlaws@blp.com )

[Troy Patterson]

I've learned volumes from David Vizard. There are very few people who are willing to share so much information, my hats off to him.

As far as bashing? It's all in how they were raised and what was considered acceptable behavior in their household. Many people simple act out toward others in the same way they were treated. Best not to take any of it personal. Then, there are those who have an agenda, that's another story - those are the social-paths and in some cases, psychopaths. Yap, even in the automotive industry.

Troy Patterson

[DaveMcLain]

My take on Vizard is that while I don't necessarily agree with all of his ideas I DO agree with his very well thought out methods and his willingness to test and try things with often surprising results.

I met Vizard in a restaurant one time. We were in Indy for the PRI show and we had eaten breakfast in the same little place. I was in line waiting to pay and then leave for the show and he was waiting right behind me. I had used his "no horsepower loss exhaust" ideas with very good results and I told him so and thanked him for the ideas. He laughed and said something like, "you must be the only one who read that article"! He seemed like a nice smart guy.

[900HP]

I have yet to see a topic on Speed Talk that has generated more interest and more emotion than when you bring up David Vizard. He has his own way of doing things but he backs them up. He also has his own theories as to why something didn't work for someone else and can back that up as well. Does he know everything? no, of course not. He has a huge amount of experience though and to simply dismiss his ideas would be wrong. For someone to say "that's wrong, it doesn't work" or "He's just a guy who writes books" is being very narrow minded. To think that DV has all of the answers and has the only way of doing things is also very narrow minded. Here is what I know, he gets very impressive results using his own research and development. I think it's much harder to lead the way than to follow but to be able to put it in print to terms the average individual can understand has to be incredibly difficult. Once you have it in print it's there forever so you better not be wrong or you'll lose credibility pretty quick.

[dieselgeek]

I attended one of his 2 day schools years ago in Charlotte NC. I came home, applied what I learned and my engines started winning a lot more races. -Donny

I've learned volumes from David Vizard. There are very few people who are willing to share so much information, my hats off to him. -Troy Patterson

I like hearing this from both of you guys, knowing that you are experienced and have had success (who can argue with Donkey Power!). I only recently started reading ICE books by various authors and David Vizard's books seem to be easiest to read from an entry level perspective. I used to ignore as much outside of electronic controls as possible, but found myself needing to be more knowledgable outside that area - anything by Vizard (and the A. Graham Bell 4-stroke tuning book) is a pretty easy read but still covers a lot of ground.

I am wanting to attend the seminar in September, it's only a 5 hour drive for me, but my schedule is tight that weekend. Hopefully they put on more DV seminars at TPIS in the future, I'll definitely attend.

[nomad]

As just an average want to learn drag racer I'd like to add this: I've found his writings to be informative and inspiring. I like his approach of thinking about the problem, not just throwing money at it.

And, as one who is easily distracted by bright shiny objects, the graphics in his articles help keep my attention.