The new Fastrak Racing Series shock rules are effective for April 27th and beyond
EFFECTIVE FRIDAY APRIL 27TH. (This will give us time to get this adjustment to the tracks and also teams will have a week to get prepared.)
CARNESVILLE, GA – Officials with the FASTRAK Racing Series have announced a change to the sanctioning body’s shock and spring rule. FASTRAK will be adopting suspension rules that are more consistent with other sanctioning bodies. The change will allow drivers to use bump stops on their shocks. The changes will apply to the FASTRAK Racing Series powered by Chevrolet Performance as well as at all weekly sanctioned race tracks effective Friday April 27th, 2018.
“When we came out with our 2018 rules package, our intention was to save drivers money on their suspension set ups,” said FASTRAK General Manager DJ Irvine, “However, this change will keep drivers from having to buy a different right front set up to race in FASTRAK sanctioned events.”
FASTRAK’s goal since day one was to keep Late Model racing affordable for drivers. The sanctioning body has been successful in controlling costs of the engines and tires, the most expensive components of racing. As technology has evolved, costs have risen on other areas of the car and FASTRAK will continue to evaluate its rules to keep costs in check. The shock claim rule will be adjusted to $800 per shock, consistent with other series.
The rule change becomes effective as of Friday April 27th, as the FASTRAK VP Racing Fuels National Weekly Championship points begin this Friday, April 20th and it’s not fair to ask teams to change over in 2 days for this weekend.
2018 Fastrak Shock Rules
SHOCKS: There is an $800 Claim Rule Option. This claim rule includes the shock ONLY (no bumps, springs, coil over kits, etc). The claiming process for a shock will mirror the same claiming process used for engines. Any attempt to refuse “shock claim” or damage “claimed shock” will result in immediate disqualification from event, $500 fine, and is subject to additional penalties at the discretion of FASTRAK.
1. Shocks, at any position on the race car, including lift bar and torque arm shocks must be constructed of magnetic steel or aluminum. “Thru Rod” style shocks NOT PERMITTED. Remote reservoir shocks are permitted. All shocks must have no more than 2 external adjusters. Remote reservoirs may only have 1 external adjuster. Adjuster mechanisms must not be hidden by the rod end. Adjuster mechanisms must be on the shock body, the shock rod, or on the remote reservoir. Cockpit adjustment shocks, shocks adjustable by remote, or ANY SHOCK that can be electronically adjusted in any fashion are NOT PERMITTED. Cartridge style shocks, mass inerter style shocks, or dampers are NOT PERMITTED.
2. Shock rods (3/4″max. diameter) must not surpass 250 lbs of pressure (extended at room temperature).
3. Standard late model shock equates to 1 shock per wheel except on the left rear, in which 2 are allowed (1 in front of rear end and 1 behind). Shocks must be mounted vertical to axle tube. No horizontal shocks allowed. No Air Shocks, Air Springs, Air Bumps, or Air Dumps.
4. Bump sticks or rods are not permitted.
SPRINGS: Front must be conventional coil springs. Rear may be conventional coil and/or leaf springs.
1. All coil springs must be of conventional design with closed ground ends. Barrel design springs are permitted. All coil springs must be manufactured from magnetic steel. Spring preload adjustments for coil springs must be made using the threaded mechanical adjusting nuts on the shock body only.
2. Leaf springs must be manufactured from magnetic steel or approved composite materials. Spring preload adjustments for leaf springs must be made using a mechanical adjusting device such as an adjustable shackle or threaded rod type mount.
3. Other than dampening by the shock absorber, any other method or device that affects spring preload or race car heights is not permitted, including but not limited to hydraulic, pneumatic, or electronically controlled adjusting devices (static or dynamic).
4. One conventional coil spring will be permitted per shock per corner of the car. Only one LR shock can have a spring. One standard helper or take-up spring will be allowed per shock with a maximum rate of 30 lb/in. No other stacking of springs allowed.
5. Progressive or digressive springs, including “dual rate” springs are not allowed. When measured, the coil spacing after the first closed coil must be consistent for the full length of the spring.
Check out the official website for the FASTRAK Racing Series at www.fastrakracing.com and continue to follow our social media networks for the FASTRAK Racing Series. Like and Follow our Fan Page on Facebook plus follow @FASTRAK_SE and/or @FASTRAK_MOV on Twitter to get up to the minute news and details as they become available.
The 2018 marketing partners for the FASTRAK Racing Series are Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuel, FloRacing, Swift Springs, MyRacePass, TNT Race Cars, Arizona Sport Shirts, Simpson Safety Equipment, Rockauto.com, Dirt Late Model Magazine and Thomas Clarke Performance.
— Fastrak —
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Fastrak announces new shock suspension rules
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