[CBFryman]

Exactly, it isnt good for the regulator if you are running on a cheapie OEM internally regulated alternator to have all the voltage spikes, but it inst going to fry the alternator in any short ammount of time either.

A good external regulator should be able to handle it EASY, especially if all you are ruinning is the engine.

Just like moppie said, some race cars run just the alternator and some run just a battery. Running without an alternator helps with paracitic drag on the enginer, running without a battery helps with weight. I didnt even think about rally races...i imagine, even if the battery doesnt get tossed, that conventional starter batteries wouldnt last all too long in a rally race.