Monocoque Challenge Star Wheel

John Dinkel · 03-24-2009, 09:18 PM

While getting ready for the 2009 racing year I found one of my front wheels broken on the inside.
If anyone has these wheels I would suggest that you check them.

Wayne Kerr · 03-24-2009, 09:26 PM

Thanks John,
Although we don't run those wheels, the transfer of information like this can possibly help someone from having a really bad day.

See you at the races,
Wayne Kerr

james schaechter · 03-25-2009, 04:50 AM

I heard a clicking sound coasting back from a run and went back to the pits to see what the mysterious noise was. It was the inside of the rim cracked 3/4 of the way around the rim. These were an older set and the back side was flatter than the newer set I had, but I was very lucky. This is on a 66 Nova SBC combo so it isn't a very nose heavy car or one that the front wheels can even turn much and side load. If you run these rims, check them out!

donald j raiser · 03-25-2009, 05:51 AM

cantusi had one break in canada, just pulling out of a trailer. he heard a noise, it broke in half.

Jim Helsel · 03-25-2009, 07:48 AM

I have broken 2 front Monocoque wheels and I Bogart rear wheel. I use Holeshot Wheels now. They are light, look good, and come in a ***** load of sizes. They are on this website www.wheels-up-racing.com

Myron Piatek · 03-25-2009, 10:40 AM

It may have been Bill Rink, or a similar car, but it had the center of a rear wheel break out after a run just around the corner from the ticket booth at Norwalk somewhere between 5-10 years ago.

The direct link to Holeshot Wheels to see all their different and latest styles: www.holeshotwheels.com

Ken Haase · 03-25-2009, 11:29 AM

How does something as fragile as those wheels appear to be, get an SFI approval? You know there's got to be a bunch more than what's being reported here.

Jeff Lee · 03-25-2009, 11:42 AM

I've run the same pair of Monocoque "Aluma-Lites" for about ten years now. Weighs about 7.5#'s. I've never had a problem. My car is approximately 52% front weight and it almost always has the front wheels off the ground with it's share of bouncing around also.
Now I do refrain from the road race antics on the return roads like I see a lot of racers do because a wheel like this is not designed for ANY side loads such as fast cornering.

james schaechter · 03-25-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

I've run the same pair of Monocoque "Aluma-Lites" for about ten years now. Weighs about 7.5#'s. I've never had a problem. My car is approximately 52% front weight and it almost always has the front wheels off the ground with it's share of bouncing around also.
Now I do refrain from the road race antics on the return roads like I see a lot of racers do because a wheel like this is not designed for ANY side loads such as fast cornering.

Jeff, I like the light weight, but I think there is an issue with some models and not others. I will have to take some pics of a broken one and a set of newer ones that I have. they are different and, (I hope) that the newer ones are safer. None of mine were SFI approved. I know what you are saying about the road racing. I have seen it, but anyone that races a Nova knows that the wheels wont turn.

We just bought a set of SFI approved Mickey thompsons from Larry Hodge. they are 7.0lbs and are sfi approved. The old Monos are back ups now. When I get the garage this weekend I will take some pics. Might be worth checking out.

Joe Schaechter · 03-25-2009, 10:32 PM

Here are the pictures of the older (and broken) Monocoque front rim and the newer upgraded/not broken rims from our Chevy II that Jim mentioned in an earlier post. We never had any trouble with the upgraded version but we have replaced them this year.

old rim

new rim

old rim (broken areas in black marker)

Here is what we replaced them with for 2009

03-24-2009, 09:18 PM	#1
John Dinkel Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pinckney, Michigan Posts: 507 Likes: 396 Liked 263 Times in 68 Posts	Monocoque Challenge Star Wheel While getting ready for the 2009 racing year I found one of my front wheels broken on the inside. If anyone has these wheels I would suggest that you check them. __________________ John Dinkel 3295 STK

03-24-2009, 09:26 PM	#2
Wayne Kerr Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 191 Likes: 2 Liked 26 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Monocoque Challenge Star Wheel Thanks John, Although we don't run those wheels, the transfer of information like this can possibly help someone from having a really bad day. See you at the races, Wayne Kerr

03-25-2009, 04:50 AM	#3
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,985 Likes: 1,277 Liked 1,424 Times in 294 Posts	Re: Monocoque Challenge Star Wheel I heard a clicking sound coasting back from a run and went back to the pits to see what the mysterious noise was. It was the inside of the rim cracked 3/4 of the way around the rim. These were an older set and the back side was flatter than the newer set I had, but I was very lucky. This is on a 66 Nova SBC combo so it isn't a very nose heavy car or one that the front wheels can even turn much and side load. If you run these rims, check them out! __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

03-25-2009, 05:51 AM	#4
donald j raiser Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 379 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Monocoque Challenge Star Wheel cantusi had one break in canada, just pulling out of a trailer. he heard a noise, it broke in half.

03-25-2009, 07:48 AM	#5
Jim Helsel Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 70 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Monocoque Challenge Star Wheel I have broken 2 front Monocoque wheels and I Bogart rear wheel. I use Holeshot Wheels now. They are light, look good, and come in a ***** load of sizes. They are on this website www.wheels-up-racing.com

03-25-2009, 10:40 AM	#6
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Monocoque Challenge Star Wheel It may have been Bill Rink, or a similar car, but it had the center of a rear wheel break out after a run just around the corner from the ticket booth at Norwalk somewhere between 5-10 years ago. The direct link to Holeshot Wheels to see all their different and latest styles: www.holeshotwheels.com __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing Last edited by Myron Piatek; 03-25-2009 at 10:42 AM.

03-25-2009, 11:29 AM	#7
Ken Haase Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 233 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Monocoque Challenge Star Wheel How does something as fragile as those wheels appear to be, get an SFI approval? You know there's got to be a bunch more than what's being reported here.

03-25-2009, 11:42 AM	#8
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Monocoque Challenge Star Wheel I've run the same pair of Monocoque "Aluma-Lites" for about ten years now. Weighs about 7.5#'s. I've never had a problem. My car is approximately 52% front weight and it almost always has the front wheels off the ground with it's share of bouncing around also. Now I do refrain from the road race antics on the return roads like I see a lot of racers do because a wheel like this is not designed for ANY side loads such as fast cornering. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

03-25-2009, 10:32 PM	#10
Joe Schaechter Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Moline, Illlinois Posts: 194 Likes: 1 Liked 13 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Monocoque Challenge Star Wheel Here are the pictures of the older (and broken) Monocoque front rim and the newer upgraded/not broken rims from our Chevy II that Jim mentioned in an earlier post. We never had any trouble with the upgraded version but we have replaced them this year. old rim new rim old rim (broken areas in black marker) Here is what we replaced them with for 2009 __________________ Joe Schaechter 3168 STK