Where is it legal to add ballast?
I am changing classes and need to add 100lb (ug). I will use 2, 1/2" bolts with welded nuts per the rules,
Is it legal -to add ballast in the passenger compartment? -to add ballast under the car? -to add ballast in the trunk? thanks in advance, Ray |
Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
All are legal, provided proper mounting. Try over top of rear as first choice.
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
Look in class rules and general regulations in the rule book on how to add weight safely. All so talk to tech and ask if there are places where adding weight is not allowed.
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
Would it be legal to add it to the rear axle housing vs inside the car?
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
Guess you could make the axle tubes out of thicker material.
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
No Prep car bolt weight to axle to not upset sprung weight.
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
Try and minimize unsprung weight, keep the weight up in the body . I think the rules say that added weight can't be higher than the wheel wells . Adding weight to the axle will slow the axle reaction down , the lighter the better !
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
General Regulations Section 21, page 19
General Regulations Requirements) is permitted. Removable weight must be securely mounted to the frame or frame structure by a minimum of two 1/2-inch-diameter steel bolts per 100 pounds, or one 3/8-inch steel bolt per 5 pounds; all other weight bars, pucks, etc. must use minimum 1/2-inch-diameter SAE grade 8 bolts for attachment. Hose clamps, wire, strapping, tape, tie wraps, etc. for securing weight or ballast prohibited. Acceptable forms of ballast are 1) Heavier gauge steel floors (i.e., 16- or 18-gauge, heavier gauge and/or plate steel prohibited); 2) Frame reinforcing cross members; or 3) the addition of protective equipment such as roll bars, flywheel shield, etc. If additional ballast is needed and is permitted by Class Requirements, it must be permanently attached to frame, bolted with two 1/2-inch-diameter bolts per 100 pounds, with nuts welded to bolts. Maximum amount of removable and/or permanent ballast, unless otherwise stated under Class Requirements, is 500 pounds. Cars running 8.49 and quicker are limited to 250 pounds maximum, per SFI chassis specification. |
Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
My suggestion would be if you have access to 4 corner scales see which corner of the car needs the weight.
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
And don’t forget to honestly answer the What happens if..........question!
I bought a car that had 127lbs in the box SECURED by two 3/8 bolts on a single thickness of trunk floor pan. On top of that the rear firewall was mostly carpet. I hate to think what would have happened at speed in an accident. |
Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
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Seems counter intuitive that welding a nut to a bolt, which then makes both more brittle in that area, is the rules solution. If this acceptable for weight boxes, they why do collectors need tethers and not just welded bolts to nuts? Why is there not any, or very minimal rules, about how to mount an aftermarket race seat? I weight 275#, so I am 3, 1/2" bolts worth. I might be using logic and thinking too much though...:D |
Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
If your car is a big wheel stander you might move it between the rear suspension and trans cross member.
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
I remember a real good article on ballast done by Sheldon Gecker in the National Dragster(?) quite some time ago. It might be worth trying to find.
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
Best place for ballast is at the end of the track, waiting for you to it pick up.
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
Are we talking stock as 100 lbs is all that is legal of removable weight.
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
West Coast do you race a Camaro with a water leak?
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
The requirement that the 1/2" bolts for permanent ballast be welded but the 1/2" bolts for the removable ballast can remain unwelded is probably not specifically for safety. It's probably more about honesty. And I don't think we are talking about welding the bolts so hard that they get cherry red. A little spot weld or a small amount of braze has passed tech all the time.
_Or an nice bead of silicon covered with a quick coat of paint. Just joking. |
Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
at end of track? woodburn?? lol
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
There are two narratives to adding weight to a racer car:
As others stated, if you ever have an opportunity, scale the car and check the instant center and variations by placing weight for different classes at various locations and document your findings. |
Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
building my b-body mopar stocker, now under wight, will add wight under rear seat, wight in class guide is less driver??? 170 lbs for driver over scales ??
gary |
Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
I acquired some large 4x8x.125 sheets of lead and I thought it could be converted to race weight. First and not legal thought was to fit it under the entire floor pan under the carpet. It's dead soft but maybe still deadly, especially if you chew on it.
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Re: Where is it legal to add ballast?
You can fold it into blocks and then bolt it.
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