roadster wheelbase

Rick Shirey · 08-14-2011, 09:36 PM

I am looking at a Spitzer roadster with the present owner telling me it has a wheelbase of 107". What do you feel are the et and mph limits on a car with this wheelbase? I am trying to get in a car that is fairly versatile, one that I could race in the footbrake,electronics and S/G classes. As far as chassis certification it is IHRA certified for 7.50 and slower, would I be correct in assuming that it would pass NHRA certification to the same ET?

Tom Goldman · 08-15-2011, 12:54 AM

Have the car checked for NHRA certification as a condition of purchace.
If its an older IHRA cert.[or NHRA for that matter]. it may not have all the necessary tubes in the proper places.
107" WB will let get you down most tracks with a bunch of horsepower,provided the chassis is set up properly.
My Vette is 108" and I rarely have any troubles at 163-65 mph unless the track is a complete piece of junk,and then nobodys going to make it down it anyway!

63corvette · 08-15-2011, 09:55 AM

Just a guess but on my last re-certification I was told to keep the 7.50 I would need to add a tube in the Trans area. It did certify for 8.50 and slower which is plenty quick for a 105" roadster which mine is. It goes 9.90 at 160 to 169 depending on how good the air is.
I agree with Tom, make it a condition of the purchase if you want the 7.50 certification and if it does not you should be able to buy it for less.
Good Luck
Rick Cates

Rick Shirey · 08-15-2011, 10:34 AM

Tom and Rick, thanks for your replies. I have contacted Spitzer and they have reinforced the information you supplied. He did say their present cars are built at a 125" WB, but he saw no reason why this car would not work in S/G at the speeds you both mentioned.

Adger Smith · 08-15-2011, 11:45 AM

Rick,
If wheelbase was the problem then a lot of the Gen 3 Camaro's would be in trouble with their 101" wheeldase. Vinney's Comp roadster I had made quite a few passes @ 145. I think the type rear tire made more difference in it's handling than anything. Those hi-growth thin sidewall tires are a handfull after the finishline. They had to come down and settle a little before using the brakes and chute. With the type tire used in S/G racing I see no problems.

Tom Goldman · 08-15-2011, 02:56 PM

You're right about the tires ,Adger.
I tried a set of soft sidewall tires when I first built my roadster to try and get some more MPH, and you could not drive the finishline with those tires!
I used to go 165 in my Willys when I cut it loose ,on a 100" wheelbase.
You knew you where going fast then!!

Rick Shirey · 08-16-2011, 08:49 AM

Tom, as I stated in my original post I am trying to get in a car that I feel more competitive in multiple classes . With that in mind, what changes do you make when switching from bracket racing to S/G ?

Tom Goldman · 08-16-2011, 09:46 AM

I keep the suspension my car in Heads up mode to bracket race,leave off my top bulb and hit the throttle on the second amber.
I shift on time ,early to keep the wheelstand down.

Racer4077 · 09-02-2011, 03:41 PM

I own a Spitzer Roadster with 112" WB that I run in S/G. I shift on time, .05 and keep the suspension the same from .90 racing and bracket. I run a M/T stiff sidewall and have great consistancy at 155-160 mph.

08-14-2011, 09:36 PM	#1
Rick Shirey Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 53 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	roadster wheelbase I am looking at a Spitzer roadster with the present owner telling me it has a wheelbase of 107". What do you feel are the et and mph limits on a car with this wheelbase? I am trying to get in a car that is fairly versatile, one that I could race in the footbrake,electronics and S/G classes. As far as chassis certification it is IHRA certified for 7.50 and slower, would I be correct in assuming that it would pass NHRA certification to the same ET?

08-15-2011, 12:54 AM	#2
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,478 Likes: 894 Liked 885 Times in 238 Posts	Re: roadster wheelbase Have the car checked for NHRA certification as a condition of purchace. If its an older IHRA cert.[or NHRA for that matter]. it may not have all the necessary tubes in the proper places. 107" WB will let get you down most tracks with a bunch of horsepower,provided the chassis is set up properly. My Vette is 108" and I rarely have any troubles at 163-65 mph unless the track is a complete piece of junk,and then nobodys going to make it down it anyway! __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

08-15-2011, 09:55 AM	#3
63corvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canyon, Tx Posts: 553 Likes: 128 Liked 359 Times in 103 Posts	Re: roadster wheelbase Just a guess but on my last re-certification I was told to keep the 7.50 I would need to add a tube in the Trans area. It did certify for 8.50 and slower which is plenty quick for a 105" roadster which mine is. It goes 9.90 at 160 to 169 depending on how good the air is. I agree with Tom, make it a condition of the purchase if you want the 7.50 certification and if it does not you should be able to buy it for less. Good Luck Rick Cates

08-15-2011, 10:34 AM	#4
Rick Shirey Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 53 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: roadster wheelbase Tom and Rick, thanks for your replies. I have contacted Spitzer and they have reinforced the information you supplied. He did say their present cars are built at a 125" WB, but he saw no reason why this car would not work in S/G at the speeds you both mentioned.

08-15-2011, 11:45 AM	#5
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: roadster wheelbase Rick, If wheelbase was the problem then a lot of the Gen 3 Camaro's would be in trouble with their 101" wheeldase. Vinney's Comp roadster I had made quite a few passes @ 145. I think the type rear tire made more difference in it's handling than anything. Those hi-growth thin sidewall tires are a handfull after the finishline. They had to come down and settle a little before using the brakes and chute. With the type tire used in S/G racing I see no problems. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS) Last edited by Adger Smith; 08-15-2011 at 11:47 AM. Reason: sp

08-15-2011, 02:56 PM	#6
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,478 Likes: 894 Liked 885 Times in 238 Posts	Re: roadster wheelbase You're right about the tires ,Adger. I tried a set of soft sidewall tires when I first built my roadster to try and get some more MPH, and you could not drive the finishline with those tires! I used to go 165 in my Willys when I cut it loose ,on a 100" wheelbase. You knew you where going fast then!! __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

08-16-2011, 08:49 AM	#7
Rick Shirey Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 53 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: roadster wheelbase Tom, as I stated in my original post I am trying to get in a car that I feel more competitive in multiple classes . With that in mind, what changes do you make when switching from bracket racing to S/G ?

08-16-2011, 09:46 AM	#8
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,478 Likes: 894 Liked 885 Times in 238 Posts	Re: roadster wheelbase I keep the suspension my car in Heads up mode to bracket race,leave off my top bulb and hit the throttle on the second amber. I shift on time ,early to keep the wheelstand down. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

09-02-2011, 03:41 PM	#9
Racer4077 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Midland, TX Posts: 12 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: roadster wheelbase I own a Spitzer Roadster with 112" WB that I run in S/G. I shift on time, .05 and keep the suspension the same from .90 racing and bracket. I run a M/T stiff sidewall and have great consistancy at 155-160 mph.