A Heads Up With Tech in the Division

Lately many teams have questioned the lack of tech inspection at the tracks and during many of the big races. Though tech inspection is quite time consuming the majority of the teams running expect it to be performed weekly. It is the responsibility of track promoters as well as the division founder to authorize certain individuals that are NOT partial to any one team to perform inspections. All inspections should be performed with a non partial witness present as it was at Kutztown in 2007 to insure teams partiality wasn't an issue.

Air pressures should be policed with a non partial witness before every heat and feature event, as it was at Kutztown this past year. Staggar and rear grip are the most important elements in our division to run consistent. Having a durometer on hand to check tire hardness is another good way to keep the field even, reason being there are alot of different softeners and preps out there.

Most teams think that carburetors are where they are getting out performed. Most of the tech inspections performed the carburetors are the first thing checked, therefore nobody seems to tamper with them. Grinding of the intake elbows you are allowed 1/2" into the port. Many teams place blame of deeper grinding to point of purchase. It is the responsibility of the customer to inspect and gauge before purchase. A simple "T" shaped gauge cut to 1/2" on all ends can be used to measure the depth. Same goes with the intake manifold. Polishing of the manifold is a proven disadvantage reason being the fuel and air mixture can not "atomize" and mix properly before entering the combustion chamber or cylinder head.

Shocks are a big issue and without proper inspection other than checking to see if the 1551 or 1551.5 stamp is present teams can get away with tampering with these shocks. The shock needs to be thoroughly inspected to see if the heims have been cut off to re valve the internal components and re welded and painted.

Springs are another major component in grip and chassis transfer. With many companies out there with the ability to produce different weight springs, it seems easy to have someone customize a spring. It wouldn't be hard to purchase a spring rate compressor to have during tech inspections or a micrometer to gauge the thickness of the coils. There are 3 springs that are legal in the division. #60, #80 and #100 all of which must be purchased from Speedway Entertainment. If Speedway Entertainment had the time to check the spring rate of the product they sell due to variation from the factory, it would be checked. Therefore without proper stamping to label springs with "Speedway Entertainment" to insure they were purchased legally this area cannot be policed the way it should.

Rear panard bars are a big issue. There are different size panard bars to adjust rear wheel setups. Some teams go as far as cutting these bars to fit their setups. The first slingshots available came with 12 3/8 " to 14 1/2" bars. 12 3/8" bars are legal, but anything shorter is and will be illegal.

Modifications to a Speedway Entertainment supplied part or engine is deemed illegal. As of late most teams spend countless hours and money going to dynometers to measure horsepower as well as to tune to gain more, to keep up with " the faster teams". As far as I am concerned the bar has been raised with the monetary expenses due to teams feeling the need to spend money to win races. Technically this division was created to keep the costs down and make it affordable for teams to have fun and race as well as to showcase driving and set up ability. It doesn't take a genius to figure out if you grind the rocker arms down you will gain an advantage, therefore this is a modification and should not be allowed.

Shimming of valve springs also creates an advantage to help alleviate "floating" therefore you can run gearing that the teams that aren't mechanically inclined or cant afford to risk coil bind and blowing a motor cannot, to help get the car off the corners. Everybody is in it to win it so to speak but it seems as with all of racing the more money you seem to spend the better chance of victory.

Frequent fuel tests should be a major part of tech inspections. There are many teams that feel the need to use top end lubes as well as the so called "fuel fragrance" to gain an advantage. A simple water test can prove whether or not a substance was used. Most top end lubes leave a residue in the tank for weeks after the substance is supposedly burned off. Therefore at any given time the fuel test can detect an illegal substance whether it has been used the night of the inspection or weeks prior.

Modifying the front axles by cutting off the ends and re positioning to create caster is illegal. A simple inspection as well as a protractor device can and should be used to detect such modifications. Grant it some contact damage may change the caster but in most circumstances it will be on one single end of the axle.

It is the driver and teams responsibility to scale their car every week before the main venues at any given track to insure themselves the car(s) make weight. All tracks scales are different and vary from class to class due to excessive use by other divisions as well as conditions of the track surface ( muddy ) and surrounding areas of the scales. Most tracks allow a car to be weighed a maximum of 3 times if legal weight isn't presently achieved.

Air pressure relief valves on valve stems to release air build up should be illegal. In most circumstances this is a huge advantage that is available if you have the knowledge they are available.

The use of "tornadoes" or other air flow improving products in the air filters are another huge advantage and are illegal. But in past conversations with some teams they have been used. This would be a costly mistake. These devices are expensive and can be seized, as well as can change the air fuel mixture therefore hindering engine performance or causing engine failure or head gasket problems.

Engine boring to gain horsepower has become a big issue in the slingshot division, and is a huge advantage. Some teams cannot afford to have their engines bored, therefore they are at an disadvantage. I personally feel the weight limit should be adjusted to accommodate this advantage. Easily being policed by engine seal numbers showing bore and/or tagged or color coded heads. The existing motors in competition can be easily policed pre race and recorded by removing the valley plate and looking for the stamp.

As of now there will be roving "authorized tech officials" traveling from track to track weekly next year. Tech will performed in an excessive manner. Any and all modifications in question will result in the surrendering of part(s), loss of points accumulated as well as all money earned. Engine seizures will play a big role in the division next year. If you are asked to supply an engine in question keep in mind it does NOT mean you are being accused of cheating. You have to look at this as a way of proving to other competitors that you are indeed legal.

There should be in NO way an excuse for an illegal part on your car. It is the responsibility of the driver, and car owner to inspect their parts as well as newly purchased "used " cars for illegal modifications and/or parts. If a modification or part is questionable it is YOUR responsibility to contact an authorized tech official or Speedway Entertainment representative for advice before the car is registered for competition.

This article was not meant to accuse individuals by any means of cheating or deliberately making modifications to gain an advantage. It is meant to let the teams know that in the upcoming race season the roving tech officials will be inspecting in an excess of just weights and tires. Keep in mind Speedway Entertainment keeps engine records and seal numbers of ALL engines with the dates of last service. Therefore if engines have not been serviced for years and are still being used weekly the engine most likely will be requested after the venue. This division was created for showcasing driving skills. Grey areas are being addressed and will be appropriately handled by stating in future rulebooks to keep everyone on an even playing field.

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