Setting Up Your Modified Race Car
Coming up with a set up to simply go out and turn laps is pretty simple, but for most, turning laps is not the only thing we want to accomplish. We want to be competitive, we want to race door to door for the lead, and ultimately we want to win!
As a racer myself I love the challenge of finding a set up that works for me and fine tuning that specific set up. I recommend using the Longacre Chassis Set-Up/Tire Chart as part of your routine. The question is how do you go about finding the set up that will work for you? The first thing I will tell you not to do is go out and try to out dollar the competition. Racing is an expensive sport and you can’t buy experience. Set yourself a budget and only buy the necessary components needed. When looking at buying a part I always think first: is it necessary? Second: Will it make me faster or potentially faster?
Here are some instructional DVD's that will help guide you through your setup:
IMCA Modified Chassis Setup DVD, C & K Motorsports
The driver plays a huge role in the setup of the car. They have to be able to know and remember what they feel from each change made to the car. This is another reason we recommend making only one adjustment each time you race. The driver must learn to not only feel changes in the car, but describe what they felt in the car to the person helping them. The more you can help that person understand what’s going on, the more they can help you.
If you are not able to determine what is going on, or how your car felt, I would recommend trial and error. It is a good way to try something that is completely different or just something you think might work. I couldn’t tell you how many times I have thought about something and decided to just give it a shot. I have had great defeat in these cases and great victory in these cases, but I learned from every experience.
This entire sport is a learning experience; those that learn quickly will succeed in a much faster manor than others. No matter what you change make sure to write it down and document the way it made the car feel. Document how the car drove into the corner, through the corner, and off of the corner. You can never keep enough records.
Another way to get your car set up and going in the right direction is to have a weekly maintenance routine. After you race your car or even practice, the first thing you should do is wash it. Get it nice and clean before you start to adjust or try to work on it. After you wash the car, go directly to the scales. Once you have looked over the scale numbers and percentages, write everything down and begin to adjust if need be. When you get done scaling the car and documenting all information, you have one final task ahead of you. You will need to do a complete bolt check of the car. Put a wrench on every single nut and bolt. This may seem simple because it is! Unfortunately it is commonly overlooked and often causes major problems for the racer.
When you call in to Speedway Motors to speak with a technician, like myself, we will ask you questions like; Was the car tight or loose? Where on the track was the car tight or loose? Was it tight or loose on throttle or off throttle? With this information we can help you select the correct adjustments that will help you get headed in the right direction.
