The NASCAR flange-fit body will debut in a few weeks at Richmond Raceway. Additionally it will be in use at Dover International Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.
Brett Bodine explains the difference, “This body, even though it is a new material and a new way to hang a body on a racecar… It is exactly the same shape. The same gold surface that the current cars use today.”
Watch the video’s below as the Senior Director of NASCAR Research and Development explains the new NASCAR body.
NASCAR Flange-Fit Security Features
“In very technical, important aerodynamic areas of the car, we’ve installed these security features. This is an attempt to keep teams from tampering with the body surface in critical aero dynamic areas.”
Where?
Bodine points out where the security features are on the new NASCAR composite body. He states, “We’ve got them on the front fender, in the a-posts, b-posts, c-posts and on the rear quarter panel.”
“Those areas… The teams like to play with, depending on the track the cars going to race. With this car, we’ve got to be able to see those security features at all times.”
What is a flange-fit composite body?
“There’s literally a flange attached to the gold surface of the car. These interlocking pieces would lock into that fender to make sure the alignment is correct.”
“That is a way we’re making sure the panels are installed correctly. Panel to panel and also on the chassis.”
“One of the other features I want to discuss is the way the car is mounted. We’ve been very strict with the rules on the mounting of the car with the teams.”
“As you see on the body panels. These are integrated into the panels and the teams have to use those mounts. Instinctively, where we call out in the rules.”
“It’s very critical that we keep the rules stringent on this car. So, the teams cannot manipulate the shape and location on this body. ”
Cost saving
“It’s going to save every team owner money. In the area of hanging bodies on the racecar. Probably, the big saving is going to be in the repair. These panels un-bolt from each other. You bolt a new one right back on.”
“With that reduced repair time we feel the teams will possibly enjoy needing less vehicles, to run the entire series.”
The composite is an option in 2017. What if a team runs the old steel body car?
“Some of the teams in the garage area still want to be able to run their current steel bodies. A steel bodied car will have to remove it’s front aero pan. It will reduce the aerodynamics of the steel car.”
“And the flange-fit car will weigh 150lbs less. In an effort to make sure that this car [flange-fit] has an advantage over the steel car.”
“Our responsibility to the industry is to be stewards of the sport, create as level a playing field as possible. And we feel this flange-fit composite body will provide the officials with more tools to ensure that level playing field.”
Next year, this new NASCAR flange-fit body will be used at all tracks with the exception of superspeedway’s.