Question about divisional races

afret · 04-13-2016, 09:04 PM

When are you required to specify what class (stock) you are running? Do you have a chance to weigh the car at the event first to decide or do you already have to know when you do the paperwork?
It's basically a new combo and the local track (Spokane) wouldn't allow the use of their scale at a test and tune. There are a couple of bracket races before the divisional so hopefully they will open the scale then.

Thanks!

RJ Sledge · 04-13-2016, 09:27 PM

Afret

Hey buddy, just pay at the gate, get pitted, unload the car warm it up and pull up on the scales, have somebody follow you down to the scales as sometimes there is nobody reading the scales for the driver. Most of the tracks I go to always face the monitor towards the scales where you can read it from the car. Then you can figure out what Class to run and either add or subtract weight from the car and then fill out your Tech card and go to Tech, which is usually in the staging lanes, but that's just in Div 4.

RJ

MikeMoller · 04-13-2016, 11:19 PM

You could get weighed at a scrap yard or lumber mill yard. Load the car on the trailer and weigh the whole rig, go unload the car and go back and reweigh the rig, the difference is the car weight. It will get you in the ball park, those scales around here are state certified on a regular basis and I have found them to be pretty accurate. Might be able to do the same at a truck stop with scales.

nhramnl · 04-14-2016, 08:12 AM

Or call the local fabricators in your area (or even speed shops, if there still are any) and ask to "rent" their wheel scales for a couple of hours. Usually, they'll want a pretty hefty deposit (so you return them), but most guys I've dealt with are pretty cooperative. Take them home, throw the car up on them and you'll even get corner weights and front/rear weight distribution.

jmcarter · 04-14-2016, 08:51 AM

Truck scales at your local Flying J, Love's, etc. are normally pretty accurate as well. Your first weigh is ~10-12 bucks but subsequent weighs within 24 hours are only a buck or so. The good thing about that is you can get axle weights for your tow vehicle as well as trailer and you'll see how your tow vehicle axle weights may need to be adjusted with your weight transfer bars if you're using a weight distribution hitch. Weighing with car off the trailer can give you a accurate number for the car but for only a buck you can get the axle weights of the car itself. Don't expect 50/50 like a BMW but you can get close. If you want wheel weights (it's vital if you need to tune and you'll be surprised how much weight can be jacked corner to corner) then the aforementioned speed shop rental is good (try a shop specializing in dirt tracks). Also, many of your good motorhome dealers have weight pads, just be careful of their hourly rates so ask beforehand.

afret · 04-14-2016, 10:35 AM

Thanks very much for all the great ideas!!

04-13-2016, 09:04 PM	#1
afret Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 35 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Question about divisional races When are you required to specify what class (stock) you are running? Do you have a chance to weigh the car at the event first to decide or do you already have to know when you do the paperwork? It's basically a new combo and the local track (Spokane) wouldn't allow the use of their scale at a test and tune. There are a couple of bracket races before the divisional so hopefully they will open the scale then. Thanks!

04-13-2016, 09:27 PM	#2
RJ Sledge Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 790 Likes: 504 Liked 291 Times in 92 Posts	Re: Question about divisional races Afret Hey buddy, just pay at the gate, get pitted, unload the car warm it up and pull up on the scales, have somebody follow you down to the scales as sometimes there is nobody reading the scales for the driver. Most of the tracks I go to always face the monitor towards the scales where you can read it from the car. Then you can figure out what Class to run and either add or subtract weight from the car and then fill out your Tech card and go to Tech, which is usually in the staging lanes, but that's just in Div 4. RJ

04-13-2016, 11:19 PM	#3
MikeMoller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 637 Likes: 27 Liked 254 Times in 78 Posts	Re: Question about divisional races You could get weighed at a scrap yard or lumber mill yard. Load the car on the trailer and weigh the whole rig, go unload the car and go back and reweigh the rig, the difference is the car weight. It will get you in the ball park, those scales around here are state certified on a regular basis and I have found them to be pretty accurate. Might be able to do the same at a truck stop with scales. __________________ Mike Moller NHRA 203 Q-R-T/SA Last edited by MikeMoller; 04-13-2016 at 11:22 PM.

04-14-2016, 08:12 AM	#4
nhramnl Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 507 Likes: 8 Liked 358 Times in 83 Posts	Re: Question about divisional races Or call the local fabricators in your area (or even speed shops, if there still are any) and ask to "rent" their wheel scales for a couple of hours. Usually, they'll want a pretty hefty deposit (so you return them), but most guys I've dealt with are pretty cooperative. Take them home, throw the car up on them and you'll even get corner weights and front/rear weight distribution.

04-14-2016, 08:51 AM	#5
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,307 Likes: 2,413 Liked 3,226 Times in 981 Posts	Re: Question about divisional races Truck scales at your local Flying J, Love's, etc. are normally pretty accurate as well. Your first weigh is ~10-12 bucks but subsequent weighs within 24 hours are only a buck or so. The good thing about that is you can get axle weights for your tow vehicle as well as trailer and you'll see how your tow vehicle axle weights may need to be adjusted with your weight transfer bars if you're using a weight distribution hitch. Weighing with car off the trailer can give you a accurate number for the car but for only a buck you can get the axle weights of the car itself. Don't expect 50/50 like a BMW but you can get close. If you want wheel weights (it's vital if you need to tune and you'll be surprised how much weight can be jacked corner to corner) then the aforementioned speed shop rental is good (try a shop specializing in dirt tracks). Also, many of your good motorhome dealers have weight pads, just be careful of their hourly rates so ask beforehand. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

04-14-2016, 10:35 AM	#6
afret Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 35 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Question about divisional races Thanks very much for all the great ideas!!