HoseHeads.com | HoseHeads Classifieds | Racer's Auction
Home | Register | Contact | Verify Email | FAQ |
Blogs | Photo Gallery | Press Release | Results | HoseheadsClassifieds.com


Welcome Guest. Already registered? Please Login

 

Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead


Records per page
 
Topic: Throwing your weight around Email this topic to a friend | Subscribe to this TopicReport this Topic to Moderator
Page 1 of 3   of  56 replies
Murphy
February 09, 2018 at 01:12:00 PM
Joined: 05/26/2005
Posts: 3262
Reply

     With a minimum weight rule and a disparity among the weight of sprint car drivers (ranging from a Rico to a Kinser, for example), where do most teams work on the car to put any weight needed to meet the minimum?




SprintFanMan
February 11, 2018 at 08:04:07 AM
Joined: 02/12/2011
Posts: 119
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Murphy on February 09 2018 at 01:12:00 PM

     With a minimum weight rule and a disparity among the weight of sprint car drivers (ranging from a Rico to a Kinser, for example), where do most teams work on the car to put any weight needed to meet the minimum?



I thought this was a very good question that most of us fans would have no idea the answer to. I would think that different teams have different ideas. Can someone in the know reply to this question please? Much appreciated.


You can tell an ass... but, you can't tell 'em much

bmd5229
February 11, 2018 at 09:56:00 AM
Joined: 06/18/2012
Posts: 552
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: SprintFanMan on February 11 2018 at 08:04:07 AM

I thought this was a very good question that most of us fans would have no idea the answer to. I would think that different teams have different ideas. Can someone in the know reply to this question please? Much appreciated.



None of the drivers I have ever helped have had to add weight, but the drivers I do know that add weight, usually add it on the floor pan,  or near the right rear to keep the right rear planted to the track.




richsound
MyWebsite
February 11, 2018 at 11:46:30 AM
Joined: 04/09/2005
Posts: 15
Reply

As low as possible! We run our weight on our wingless spec sprint on left side just behind the drivers seat. I see a lot of winged cars have a block of weight behind the front axle just before the radiator between the bottom rails. In our class, we have to run a stupid amount of weight, about 50-55 pounds to make up for not running a starter and a light driver.



blazer00
February 11, 2018 at 11:52:56 AM
Joined: 06/10/2015
Posts: 2420
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: richsound on February 11 2018 at 11:46:30 AM

As low as possible! We run our weight on our wingless spec sprint on left side just behind the drivers seat. I see a lot of winged cars have a block of weight behind the front axle just before the radiator between the bottom rails. In our class, we have to run a stupid amount of weight, about 50-55 pounds to make up for not running a starter and a light driver.



I don't understand your thinking it's a "stupid" amount of weight, when everyone is required to hit the track in the same weight range. Build more weight properly in to your car and you won't be required to carry that "stupid" amount!



Johnny Utah
February 11, 2018 at 12:11:49 PM
Joined: 07/15/2014
Posts: 1221
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: blazer00 on February 11 2018 at 11:52:56 AM

I don't understand your thinking it's a "stupid" amount of weight, when everyone is required to hit the track in the same weight range. Build more weight properly in to your car and you won't be required to carry that "stupid" amount!



I think that you understand that "stupid" is not being used in a literal sense in the previous comment, but I'm not sure.




blazer00
February 11, 2018 at 12:19:15 PM
Joined: 06/10/2015
Posts: 2420
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Johnny Utah on February 11 2018 at 12:11:49 PM

I think that you understand that "stupid" is not being used in a literal sense in the previous comment, but I'm not sure.



My take is that he's referring it to mean an excessive amount, or a ridiculous amount......which it really isn't, if that's what it takes to make weight. Rules are rules!



Murphy
February 11, 2018 at 12:30:28 PM
Joined: 05/26/2005
Posts: 3262
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: blazer00 on February 11 2018 at 11:52:56 AM

I don't understand your thinking it's a "stupid" amount of weight, when everyone is required to hit the track in the same weight range. Build more weight properly in to your car and you won't be required to carry that "stupid" amount!



     I agree with some others here. Given the context of the post, I think "stupid" is used to mean something like "crazy" or (relatively) "extreme", because of no starter and a skinny driver. Now if they had a starter and a blubber-butt like me in the driver's seat, they wouldn't need to add any weight.



richsound
MyWebsite
February 11, 2018 at 12:35:31 PM
Joined: 04/09/2005
Posts: 15
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: blazer00 on February 11 2018 at 11:52:56 AM

I don't understand your thinking it's a "stupid" amount of weight, when everyone is required to hit the track in the same weight range. Build more weight properly in to your car and you won't be required to carry that "stupid" amount!



For our class, starters were required until last year. Since we do not run a starter we have to make up for that weight. Hopefully they will reduce the minimum weight so less weight will be needed. We do not run any lightweight parts on our car or lighten the motor. 

Maybe I should have said running an excessive amout of weight to make this clear.




Murphy
February 11, 2018 at 12:35:39 PM
Joined: 05/26/2005
Posts: 3262
Reply
This message was edited on February 11, 2018 at 12:42:09 PM by Murphy

     A recent event since I first started this thread adds a dimension to the question. The thread about David Gravel's wreck suggests that a top bar on the rollcage bent or broke. The owner talked about maybe mandating thicker wall tubing. Someone said that would add 20# to the chassis. Really? 20#? I think if I knew I was going to have a guy the size of Rico in my car, I'd just go with thicker rollcage tubing to start with. Or, if I had a heavier driver, would 20# of safety make us lose the race?



richsound
MyWebsite
February 11, 2018 at 12:44:13 PM
Joined: 04/09/2005
Posts: 15
Reply

I think safety shoud be the #1 priority in racing. With that said, Putting more weight up higher in the car would raise the center of gravity and could possibly change the handling of the car. The lower the extra weight the better.



Eric Smith
February 11, 2018 at 03:30:19 PM
Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 243
Reply

Last fall at the end of the year race at Eldora, I paid close attention to the weights of the cars after qualifying. The lightest All Star car was 1440 something and the most 360s were just over 1550. I don’t think any were under. No one was close to being at the minimum in either class. I didn’t pay attention to the non wing weights if they even weighed the. 


.  


Racer1n
February 11, 2018 at 04:36:38 PM
Joined: 03/19/2011
Posts: 97
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: blazer00 on February 11 2018 at 11:52:56 AM

I don't understand your thinking it's a "stupid" amount of weight, when everyone is required to hit the track in the same weight range. Build more weight properly in to your car and you won't be required to carry that "stupid" amount!



Better to build the car as light as possible so you can add the weight where you want it



blazer00
February 11, 2018 at 05:24:20 PM
Joined: 06/10/2015
Posts: 2420
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Racer1n on February 11 2018 at 04:36:38 PM

Better to build the car as light as possible so you can add the weight where you want it



That would make it "smart" weight, wouldn't it? Smile



alum.427
February 11, 2018 at 05:35:24 PM
Joined: 03/16/2017
Posts: 1599
Reply

Taking a drivers weight into consideration. You can purchase your bolt on components that will get you in the ballpark. Few if any want to have weight bolted on a sprint car. If you do, richsound pretty much hit it. Behind the front axle or LR seat pan area. 




Murphy
February 11, 2018 at 06:19:06 PM
Joined: 05/26/2005
Posts: 3262
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: alum.427 on February 11 2018 at 05:35:24 PM

Taking a drivers weight into consideration. You can purchase your bolt on components that will get you in the ballpark. Few if any want to have weight bolted on a sprint car. If you do, richsound pretty much hit it. Behind the front axle or LR seat pan area. 



     The LR seat area makes sense to put more weight on the right rear tire for traction. Why would you want to put it behind the front axle?  Doesn't that do the opposite?



racefanigan
February 12, 2018 at 08:39:47 AM
Joined: 07/31/2007
Posts: 230
Reply
This message was edited on February 12, 2018 at 08:40:36 AM by racefanigan

In all reality, it depends on where you race and how the track is. Most rules dictate between the axles for weight, and basically below the drivers lap, or below the bars that run horizontal at the top of the kick pannels. If the track gets slick, I will raise the car up, which raises the center of gravity which in turn transfers more wieght. Its like having a fishing weight on top of a 4 inch pencil and one on top of a 6 inch pencil. When you put the unwieghted side down, and move the top, there is more "Falling" force, and takes less force to get it to fall, tightening the car up.

Most people will put weight in the driver compartment of bolt lead to the diagonal rails under the headers. We used to run 1/4" steel kick pannels and floor pans when we had a high weight rule in the area.

Really, it depends on the tendancies of your track. If it usually gets slick, you will want the weight higher to get the CG higher and help tighten the car. If it usually stays pretty heavy, you will want that weight lower, to keep your CG lower and keep the car free'd up.



Murphy
February 12, 2018 at 08:47:21 AM
Joined: 05/26/2005
Posts: 3262
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: racefanigan on February 12 2018 at 08:39:47 AM

In all reality, it depends on where you race and how the track is. Most rules dictate between the axles for weight, and basically below the drivers lap, or below the bars that run horizontal at the top of the kick pannels. If the track gets slick, I will raise the car up, which raises the center of gravity which in turn transfers more wieght. Its like having a fishing weight on top of a 4 inch pencil and one on top of a 6 inch pencil. When you put the unwieghted side down, and move the top, there is more "Falling" force, and takes less force to get it to fall, tightening the car up.

Most people will put weight in the driver compartment of bolt lead to the diagonal rails under the headers. We used to run 1/4" steel kick pannels and floor pans when we had a high weight rule in the area.

Really, it depends on the tendancies of your track. If it usually gets slick, you will want the weight higher to get the CG higher and help tighten the car. If it usually stays pretty heavy, you will want that weight lower, to keep your CG lower and keep the car free'd up.



   Interesting. Thanks. Do you ever move the weight on the car on race night as the track changes?




racefanigan
February 12, 2018 at 08:53:51 AM
Joined: 07/31/2007
Posts: 230
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Murphy on February 12 2018 at 08:47:21 AM

   Interesting. Thanks. Do you ever move the weight on the car on race night as the track changes?



Generally not, In my experience, we had a spot for it, and it is hard to find another spot to put it in the event of moving it where it will not interfere with something else. We did the steel kick panels and floor pan back in the NMRA 360 days at husets, rocky, and madison when we had to weigh 1575 or something like that. I've never had to worry about weight so much with my 305 deal when I started racing those, namely because we couldn't run the Ti rotors and things like that. Steel rotors and torsion stops will gain you a bunch of weight (In comparision to a bolt kit) and I couldn't afford the Ti bolts and other stuff anyway, so my car was as heavy as it gets!

Dalton Johnson



Murphy
February 12, 2018 at 04:32:47 PM
Joined: 05/26/2005
Posts: 3262
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: racefanigan on February 12 2018 at 08:53:51 AM

Generally not, In my experience, we had a spot for it, and it is hard to find another spot to put it in the event of moving it where it will not interfere with something else. We did the steel kick panels and floor pan back in the NMRA 360 days at husets, rocky, and madison when we had to weigh 1575 or something like that. I've never had to worry about weight so much with my 305 deal when I started racing those, namely because we couldn't run the Ti rotors and things like that. Steel rotors and torsion stops will gain you a bunch of weight (In comparision to a bolt kit) and I couldn't afford the Ti bolts and other stuff anyway, so my car was as heavy as it gets!

Dalton Johnson



Hey Dalton!


It looks like those heavy plates didn't slow the car any! I think there's some times that a little heavier construction in some areas of the cars would help, like when Terry McCarl broke his leg when something came throguh either the belly panel or side panel.





Post Reply
You must be logged in to Post a Message.
Not a member register Here.
Already registered? Please Login





If you have a website and would like to set up a forum here at HoseHeadForums.com
please contact us by using the contact link at the top of the page.

© 2024 HoseHeadForums.com Privacy Policy