Its been a few years since I have looked at the Thunder Car rules, What would you like to see changed for 2016? A few that jump out to me are the $750 claim rule is still there. It cost me $600 taxes in just for a new allstar cage kit, that's not even installed! I think it's also time for a minimum weight rule, you can keep the +50 for the guys switching to multi point in the 88-91 shells. To see the division continue to grow you need to help newer, heavier cars compete (IE Coupes & Sedans) without getting beat by the much lighter 88-91 Hatchbacks . What else stands out?
No one? How about the other tracks? How did the CB & Petty rules meetings go. Does it look like anything is changing for Minis
Hey long time no see! I really don't think the track needs to have a claim rule in our division anymore, especially with the difficulty we have finding new cars. However, I like the idea of a claim rule to keep us in check, so perhaps they can claim individual parts, so for example a strut, engine, transmission and so on. ( For example the track could reserve the right to claim a strut or shock for the cost of the average replacement at a local parts store). I do not think the weight really is going to make any difference unless everyone has or has access to scales, and at this point something like that will kill the division if we start spending on that stuff. We leave the weights alone its working ok at this time. The big issue at hand I see and have experienced is the VW rims, yes I used them last year, and if they're allowed I will use them again, but they are certainly an advantage, and certainly not easily available to anyone. I still cannot find any and I started looking mid summer. There is no company other than Aero or Bassett that can supply wheels that are 4x100 with a stock offset and a width of 5.5"- 6.0". You also CAN NOT buy the factory replacement VW wheels through ANY aftermarket company with a 5.5" width either, only 5.0". I say 5.0" stock Honda wheels only and get us back on a fair playing field.
@Kyle Gammon I had not thought about everyone buying scales, it really is a needless expense for a mini stock. The track does have scales however and we could drive across those pre race. If we are under we add gas or lead knowing if we are still under and the end of the feature it equals a DQ. I agree about the VW rims, If we stick to a stock civic rim it will take away the advantage/disadvantage. I have no interest in seeing the aero or basset rims become available anytime soon either. Stick to a stock 5.0 rim.
Yeah it would be nice if the track were to make scales available for us to use, even to get a base idea as to what our cars are for weight and perhaps see some left side weight percentages, bet some are a bit higher than we'd like. be closer to the same we can all be the better.
I raced a "heavy" car for 2015 and do like the idea of a min weight rule to make it easier for "all" makes to compete and not just be on the track, but maybe go for the win. The rules talked about for petty for 2016 are lower the ride from 6" to 5" and allow more camber to help those that break the RF rim. That would be cheaper then allowing racing rims.
As posted in another thread the Rules meetings will be held at the Quality Inn (next to the track) Wednesday, December 16th at 7pm for Thunder Cars!
Won't be able to attend those meetings, but will see how the rules are for 2016 if I'll be legal to race at Scotia or not.
I will be attending and will get some notes, SSW also has a Lightening Car division which is there other half of the mini stock division its mainly neon's and cavilers. Thunder Class is all 88-2000 Civics.
I wish. Years ago we could run them but they have been removed for 10 years now they are considered a sport model.
No changes this year except they are going to look into the VW rims a little more and make a discussion after Christmas if they will still be allowed.
I have been away from these things for years but from what I am gathering is VW makes a 5.5 wide rim and Honda only made up to a 5in rim. The cars are suppose to use stock parts. Some of the guys running them have mentioned handling advantages over the 5in rim, I'm not sure if that's from tire roll or a wider offset. Maybe @Kyle Gammon can explain it better he has tried both.
When I installed those tires and rims on the car which was a few weeks into the season, I finished in the top three 8 times out of 9, they work! I noticed a difference in how the tire sidewall sits, gained tread patch and the width of the car increased by an inch, goes without saying. the issue isn't so much that they exist and are being used the issue is that you cannot get them anywhere. hopefully they make the right call, we should be running the stock wheel, along with that they can be purchased at most tire/rim distributors whereas the VW rims cannot. Plus! there is another style of the vw rim out there that has holes in it for better venting to the brakes and are also lighter... only seen them on one car this year though.
Just copied this from the SSW website for all that haven't seen yet. Effective for the 2016 season, racing Helmets must be Snell rated and no older than 2010. DOT or M rated Helmets are not permitted. This is a requirement just received from our insurance provider. As we move forward it is important to plan for further race car and safety equipment upgrades. In 2017 all cars will require an approved racing seat and in 2018 all drivers must wear racing shoes. A head and neck restraint system is mandatory in Sportsman, Legend and Bandolero cars and is highly recommended in all other divisions.
Spent a few days hunting and finally found a set, there are one or two rims left around NS that I could find, there are a bunch in the states but the dollar is junk so hopefully it comes around before the season starts
