McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Does anyone know what Ryan McClanahan was DQed for, in the pre race all star inspection.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Heard it was wheel base.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

I always thought the All Star pre race inspection was a correctable inspection.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

They checked Stock and SS Wheelbase after Rd 1 of All Stars.

They Checked after Q2 Carbs, throttle bodies and pumped modified cars.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Sounds like Wesley must have worked the event...
They allowed me to correct the wheelbase at a Memphis division race. Problem was I had a front suspension falling apart.
Lucky for me they checked the wheelbase. Rolled the car forward and it got short... Rolled the car back and it got long...

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Curious, what would the advantage be in a longer/ shorter than stock wheelbase be? Or is it possible offset? Rollout?

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Keith,
Extended roll out if one side is offset.
How is it offset?
One side at wheelbase specs minus allowance and the other side offset farther would be great for rollout.
You could go the other way too. one side a lot shorter.
Cover the beam as long as possible.
Start the clocks with the wheel the farthest back and stop the clocks at the finish line with the wheel most forward.
Make your side of the track shorter than the other guys... Simple, Aye

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

If the rear end is not straight with the frame rails the front tires would have to be staggered for the wheel base to check correct. "Maximum variation from left to right: 1 inch."

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

They are stock suspension, they move big time. I saw this not more than a month ago on a new 4 wheel alignment. What I measured was not what it showed us! ! I was off an inch!
These cars are getting hammered round after round with wheelies. It will not stay!
I assumed it was the stocker, i missed!

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

What you state Barry may be true for 50+/- year old stockers but the front wheel drive conversion superstock/modified cars are built with a stagger to improve rollout. The purpose-built chassis does not move like the old stuff.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

By shortening the wheelbase, you increase the weight transfer.
It has the same effect as increasing the Center of Gravity (CG) height.

A longer wheelbase makes the car more stable down the track, especially with high horsepower engines.

That is the reason why the NHRA rule book has limits on how high you can raise the engine and the height of the front and rear of the car.

Compare a 1970-71 Barracuda with a 108" wheelbase versus a 1970-1971 Challenger with a 110" wheelbase. A 2" difference in wheelbase.
Although there are Challengers that can drag the rear bumper, I have always considered that the Cuda's launch is more violent due to the shorter wheelbase.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Larry? I'm sure you and Jerry compared notes. Please share, thank you.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

How about Don Little also share his opinion?

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

I would guess Don would have the best insight, he has raced a Cuda and a Challenger E body’s. I know Don won a championship in an E body but I can’t remember which car. Another great E body champ is Chuck Rayburn.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

I would guess Don would have the best insight, he has raced a Cuda and a Challenger E body’s. I know Don won a championship in an E body but I can’t remember which car. Another great E body champ is Chuck Rayburn. Almost forgot to pay attention but Albert Lee was a champion in a Hemi Challenger.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

I ran a Duster ( 108") for a very long time. Switched to a 69 Dart (111") and the car works great. Every car I've built is usually 50/50 or very close.
Paul

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

His championship car was a 'Cuda. He's raced the Challenger since 2003.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

There was an SS/EA Plymouth raced at Motion 45 years ago that had the wheelbase staggered. It's not a new thing.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

I just showed my dad this post about the cudas and challengers, he always said the cuda made a better race car because of the 2 inches on paper, then he said 2 inches on 108 inches you will never know the difference, he built cars for Dave Boertman, Roger England, Dale Meers, Rick Wolfe and many more. They all worked in their day and the ones running today are still solid cars,

Herb Jr

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

While I'm OK with cars receiving Tech Inspections during Qualifying, and given an opportunity to correct the issue, I'd like to know how many are actually OK with Tech Inspections during Eliminations, where the opportunity to make a correction does not exist??..

EXAMPLE: it is decided that Tech will check cars after the 3rd round of eliminations.. they find a problem with the winner of the 3rd round, and the car is DQ'd.. what happens to those three other racers that have already been eliminated by that car??.. inquiring minds would like to know..

Can you tell I'm not a fan of Mr Collins, or "HIS" idea of tech during eliminations??

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

I am not sure what opinion I have on the tech at any time, but this policy is in place at any time. I don't really think it matters if we are OK with this or not, it is what it is. Per the new self-certification rulebook introduced in 2021 and found at the below link:

https://www.nhra.net/2021/nhraracer/...n_Rulebook.pdf

"Technical inspection can occur at any time before, during or after an event, at the time and in the place and manner directed by the NHRA Tech Department or any designated event official, and regardless of the technical inspection category that applies to the participant. Therefore, the participant must be prepared to demonstrate compliance with all applicable NHRA rules at any time."

Additional quote: "All determinations by event officials regarding the timing and method of technical inspection are final and are not subject to appeal or review."

While I have my own opinions on the timing and tech inspection, the NHRA officials followed the rules as set forth and distributed by email that we all receive in every national event entry information email.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Do they just check for the 1 inch variance side to side? Or do they check overall length compared to factory? And if they do where do you find that length that they use? I’m sure I’m sure I’m fine. But it’s probably something I should know and check. Is why I ask.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Both side to side variance(up to 1/4" stagger) and overall length +/- 3/4" from stock. Wheel base length are found in classification guide for each car.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Ok thanks. I’ll keep looking. I must just be missing it in there somewhere. But if anybody knows the correct wheelbase for a 96 Firebird let me know.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

It's 101" wb. If you look in classification guide right next to1996 firebird it says 101.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Thank you again. I see it now. That number is just there it doesn’t say wheelbase. So I had no idea what it was. Thanks again for the help.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

At the Double Divisional this past May there were a number of cars that got dinged on wheelbase. I know of one that was able to loosen bolts and back up with the brakes applied and correct it. I physically helped one of my friends work on their leaf springs to correct it.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Hey guys,

First time posting on this site I believe. Just wanted to clear up any misunderstandings with my car or what happened in Dallas.

Wheelbase on a Chevy Cobalt is 103.5 per the guide. After Rd 1 of the all star race winners were pulled aside for a wheel base check. My car after multiple eyes and locations came up to 102 even. Clearly under the +- .75”The stagger on my car was fine it was just .75” too short overall.

This is something that would have been caught had it been a pre race tear down like in years passed with the all star race but I was not that fortunate. Ultimately this falls on me as a driver for not checking the car prior to the event.

Super bummed on how everything went down. Hopefully I can get another shot at the Allstars next year. This car will be in Vegas running in SS/AM trim as usual. Hope to see all our friends out at the track!

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Hi Austin.. while I do understand that there is a NHRA rule pertaining to tech inspections, especially the WHEN part of that rule, I was asking racers if they were "OK" with the rule being implemented during eliminations.. I'm not "OK" with it, and I voiced my concerns for those racers that had already lost to the car with the infraction.. how do they get reinstated??.. personally, I'd take the loss and hope the racer that beat me wins the event.. AND THEN, that racer can be told to fix the problem before the next race..

I believe my questions are something for the SRAC reps to discuss with NHRA.. if such inspections were performed prior to the start of an event, as in the past, this problem would not exist, and the team may have the opportunity to make an adjustment prior to the start of the event, and pass tech..

HEY RYAN!!.. thanks for the explanation.. you have provided the rest of us with information about a potential problem, with ANY car, that we can now be aware of.. just cause we get cars from reputable chassis builders, does not mean we should take everything for granted..

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

I understand that the rules are in place for a reason and have no problem with them being enforced . What I don’t like is the way they did this particular situation . You earn points all year to represent your division and team and they pull this during eliminations . If they had this on their agenda to check wheelbase should have been done during qualifying not in the middle of the Jegs Allstars

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

I don't want to get into a contest about tech when and how, but all we complain about is the complete lack of tech. It is incumbent upon us
all to be legal at all times, period. If we are found not legal during eliminations, If you were in the other lane, I wonder how loud you
would complain when told your competitor was bounced and your
going through to the next round. Having said that, do we want consistency
in tech times? Perhaps they could let us know the night before. Now,
the best entry on this topic was Ryan's. He came on here, told us what
happened, didn"t hide from a thing. Do I think they did anything intentionally? Not a chance. That family could 10 things to screw their
cars up, and still beat most of us. Cheers to the McClanahan family
for their integrity.

J.R.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

exactly!!!!!!

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

I would say that the wheelbase has been the most frequently checked item on my cars.

When you go to the Allstar race you KNOW that the cars are going to get extra scrutiny.

I hate it that a car failed, but it isn't the NHRA's job to baby us.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

exactly!

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Because it’s the easiest thing to check! Should have been done before the race, like it always was until 2017! We continue to pay more money to enter these races, just to get less and less from NHRA! Hiring a few more tech guys would mean less money in the pockets of the higher ups and their $800,000 salaries!

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Peter Clifford, CEO makes north of $1,000,000/year as he should at the helm of a company with $90 million in revenue.

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Where can we see NHRA financials?

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

Google it, through 2021 is posted

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

And where does a big chunk of that revenue come from ???

Re: McClanahan DQ in Dallas
 

We are living in different times. Everything is expensive. We are lucky that the NHRA survived the shut down.

Your car (and mine) should pass tech at any time.