Adding Weight

Cglrcng · 09-11-2024, 02:58 AM

My particular issue is no longer where the weight is located, but the fact that due to factoring an extra 6 HP (more than 6 percent), I never had to begin with means I am forced to carry an extra 150 lbs. more than I should in my class (over other much lighter competitor(s).

2,795 lbs. Min wt. on a turtle of a mere 99 midget pony powers at elevation in too hot temps is really tough (a lot tougher than at a sea level track for sure). An A or B car a 1/10th per hundred lbs. is about a right guessing point to start at if properly placed as the horsepower you are dealing with is much larger and the lbs. per HP is drastically lower than our combos waaay down the list.

Going up in class is actually easier (though both involves addl. work, expense, and testing experimentation), and presents a possible different class racing experience w/ car counts within your class. But, it may be worth the trouble.

I recently attempted with my slow combo for the first time to drop it to the natural class (DF/S), picked up a lot more than you will ever find, my adjustment of weight is much more, it ran much faster, but nowhere near making the grade to run under the index (with the current 6 HP factoring penalty).

So, I piled the weight and parts back on it again. The option is there (I now at least know what I can expect it to run, even at nasty elevation and super lousy air, the class designation(s) exist
w/black tape slashes across them on the glass, and I can accomplish a full switchover in 2 hrs (or less at the track), coming off, and about 3 hrs. going back on by myself (less time w/ help), should I wish to do so.

And that option (and all the work involved), made the experience worth it.

Taking weight out to drop class (with all the research to do so legally, planning, expense, materials like adding new class designations, etc. took a lot more time and documentation time since I do not have access to my own or borrowed scales (Track based starting and ending weights only, along w/a bathroom type scale and meticulous note taking utilized and compounded into a sheet), but my end results were within an easily adj. 5-10 lbs spot on when finished both times.

All that detail to say "It is worth the try!" At least once. Experimenting is good for the soul and it is great for class racing...it gives you options we already have available but may have never yet tried.

09-11-2024, 02:58 AM	#8
Cglrcng Member Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Kingman, AZ Posts: 465 Likes: 1,687 Liked 417 Times in 212 Posts	Re: Adding Weight My particular issue is no longer where the weight is located, but the fact that due to factoring an extra 6 HP (more than 6 percent), I never had to begin with means I am forced to carry an extra 150 lbs. more than I should in my class (over other much lighter competitor(s). 2,795 lbs. Min wt. on a turtle of a mere 99 midget pony powers at elevation in too hot temps is really tough (a lot tougher than at a sea level track for sure). An A or B car a 1/10th per hundred lbs. is about a right guessing point to start at if properly placed as the horsepower you are dealing with is much larger and the lbs. per HP is drastically lower than our combos waaay down the list. Going up in class is actually easier (though both involves addl. work, expense, and testing experimentation), and presents a possible different class racing experience w/ car counts within your class. But, it may be worth the trouble. I recently attempted with my slow combo for the first time to drop it to the natural class (DF/S), picked up a lot more than you will ever find, my adjustment of weight is much more, it ran much faster, but nowhere near making the grade to run under the index (with the current 6 HP factoring penalty). So, I piled the weight and parts back on it again. The option is there (I now at least know what I can expect it to run, even at nasty elevation and super lousy air, the class designation(s) exist w/black tape slashes across them on the glass, and I can accomplish a full switchover in 2 hrs (or less at the track), coming off, and about 3 hrs. going back on by myself (less time w/ help), should I wish to do so. And that option (and all the work involved), made the experience worth it. Taking weight out to drop class (with all the research to do so legally, planning, expense, materials like adding new class designations, etc. took a lot more time and documentation time since I do not have access to my own or borrowed scales (Track based starting and ending weights only, along w/a bathroom type scale and meticulous note taking utilized and compounded into a sheet), but my end results were within an easily adj. 5-10 lbs spot on when finished both times. All that detail to say "It is worth the try!" At least once. Experimenting is good for the soul and it is great for class racing...it gives you options we already have available but may have never yet tried. __________________ Gary Lucier - 7832 STK. / 7832 E.T. EF/S Slow Sled. I am, but a simple test of your true patience. So, do all the really "Big Wheelies" you can!