Could some one give me some details on what the inspectors look for on your I-500 sleds, exactly what gear you need, I know there a loop holes.
I would have been there right with you guys this year, travel time, expense, not knowing if I was legit on the sled inspection and not having the safety gear. Needless to say a pit crew.
John Sandberg over on arctic insider told me to pack up and come up and not to worry about a pit crew, plenty of people there to offer help. Easy to say but not easy to swallow when you are hours from home.
So please give me the nitty gritty details...
My sled in my opinion is close to being ready right now...Remember the "itch"was finally scratched sled......
come on paul,
man up, rainville made the trip and his sled didn't even runn when here got there from new york, and we got him on the track! we would have got you out there.
jddecalguy
(just ribbing ya!)
Chris Dotzler
Palisade, MN
to many old sled...so little time!!!
Why do you keep asking about loopholes? Build the machine to the rules stated, be legal, get in the ditch and prove yourself. Don't worry about what rules to bend, worry about testing what you have done to meet the rules, and get the proper safety gear.
Kenny Waters(boy)
Rochester, NY
Mechanic for founding VDR teammate JDJR
Opinions are worthless...Education is priceless
Aspiring to be the Charlie Daniels of the torque wrench
'74 X-6
'75 X-8
'75 340S
'77 340 Liquifire
'78 440 Liquifire
'80 Spitfire
'80 Liquifire (completed VC and sometimes raced)
'81 Liquifire (bib #212f Red Lake Vintage CC Sled)
'82 Liquifire
'83 Liquifire
'83 Sprintfire (1 runner +2 parts sleds)
'96 Indy Storm (hated by JDJR and Thundercats)
When I saw you guys building these sleds, I was wondering to myself.....
Handle bar risers with ZR bars ? Cat clutching and non factory juice brakes (remember me questioning that) ? Plastic ski's ? Anything else I have missed guys ? special mods, just what is the limit on mods. Where is the limit ? What did you guys see that day that could have given you an edge but be legal per the rules posted in the usccracing link ?
Were the officials skeptical on any mods but let it be.....a loophole but passed inspection.
All of the modifications we made were per the USCC rulebook. For instance, the rules state:
5) Any ski shock allowed.
6) Any ski allowed. Skis may be reinforced on top-side only.
9) Any commercially available handlebar allowed. May be altered to fit driver. Open ends must be capped. Handlebars must be padded. Column or post must remain in its OEM position. Grips and controls may be modified. Throttle will be opened with a thumb mechanism (no twist grips).
11) Brakes may be changed or altered, but must be operational at all times. Brake components must be commercially available. Brake disk may not be modified in the pad contact area. Brake disk hub may be modified for mounting. OEM diameter and thickness must be maintained. The brake disk material may not be substituted with any other material.
Just these three rules cover your above points. Those rules allow for the ZR bars, Cat clutching, plastic skis, and juice brakes. They also allow for custom titanium skis, (any ski allowed) brakes off of a '68 Buick Electra (Brake components must be commercially available. Brake disk may not be modified in the pad contact area. Brake disk hub may be modified for mounting. OEM diameter and thickness must be maintained. The brake disk material may not be substituted with any other material.) and Harley ape hangers (Any commercially available handlebar allowed).
Personally, I think we pushed the envelope a little far for the first attempt at this. It is easy to see that the most unmolested of the Deere sleds went the farthest. That doesn't mean with enough time and pressure diamonds can't be made, but, rather development takes time.
Please read the rules with comprehension, I know you used to work with NASCAR, the rulebook is pushed there every day. Take for instance, the rules also say to use the stock carburetor body. The rules don't state that the carbs need to function as stock, but rather "use" the stock body. Given time, I am sure we will hoof the power jets and jet the carbs like normal ones, just plugging the power jet feature.
That is what the rest of us are doing, let us know your interpretation of the rules.
Kenny Waters(boy)
Rochester, NY
Mechanic for founding VDR teammate JDJR
Opinions are worthless...Education is priceless
Aspiring to be the Charlie Daniels of the torque wrench
'74 X-6
'75 X-8
'75 340S
'77 340 Liquifire
'78 440 Liquifire
'80 Spitfire
'80 Liquifire (completed VC and sometimes raced)
'81 Liquifire (bib #212f Red Lake Vintage CC Sled)
'82 Liquifire
'83 Liquifire
'83 Sprintfire (1 runner +2 parts sleds)
'96 Indy Storm (hated by JDJR and Thundercats)
here is what i can tell you about racing a race like this....
1. stop worrying about skating on the outside of the rules! Make it run and run well, relieablity is 95% of a race like this.
2. test, test, test, and when you think you got it test some more. this means your sled and your body.
3. know your sled. odd sounds, flat spots in the power curve, how it rides, etc...
4. and the most important. worry about finishing the race not winning the race. if you use the first 3 rules the finishing and winning will come together.
jddecalguy
Chris Dotzler
Palisade, MN
to many old sled...so little time!!!
I noticed alot of orange attire and stated by the rules, this is a requirement.
the uscc site does state rentals.
Tek vest i am hoping will pop up on craiglists and e-bay..hopefully..
My gear is Arctic Leather Bibs and Jacket, all black and green, is there throw over vests in orange there or is something like costruction hi-vis vests ok ?
My helmet is a full face, not the open face enduro type, any suggestions ? Its all black also...
ME
