My boy wants fenders for his MA car. I don't know jack about fenders. I've never used them. I know they help a car but I feel like I may do more harm than good. I do not have a test track to see. Thoughts???
To fender or not to fender
- Thread starter NeedforSpeed
- Start date
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Vitamin K
Guest
My quick take:
- Yes, fenders help. In classes that allow fenders, almost all of the winning cars will be using them.
- That said, fenders are NOT the biggest impactor of speed. Alignment, weight distribution and wheel and axle prep are going to be more important. Homemade fenders can take a lot of time, so decide where you're going to put your efforts.
- For the Mid-Americas, your axle and wheel selection are going to be crucial. Bluntly put, if you want to be in the hunt for the top-ten, you're gonna need to run lightened wheels. Racing axles are probably non-negotiable, too. So like your time budget, also think about your money budget...i.e., you can buy Gee Fenders, but don't buy them in lieu of a set of Mid-America wheels.
- Yes, fenders help. In classes that allow fenders, almost all of the winning cars will be using them.
- That said, fenders are NOT the biggest impactor of speed. Alignment, weight distribution and wheel and axle prep are going to be more important. Homemade fenders can take a lot of time, so decide where you're going to put your efforts.
- For the Mid-Americas, your axle and wheel selection are going to be crucial. Bluntly put, if you want to be in the hunt for the top-ten, you're gonna need to run lightened wheels. Racing axles are probably non-negotiable, too. So like your time budget, also think about your money budget...i.e., you can buy Gee Fenders, but don't buy them in lieu of a set of Mid-America wheels.
We bought a set of Rage wheel and some 92's with the middle groove. We got in the top 30 last year and our car had a scratched wheel bore(stupid fuzzy pipe cleaner) and the drill job was bad. I feel like if we fix those two things and do a couple more we can move up. I thought about getting the Nitros this year but the description kinds contradicts itself. One place it says "YOU MUST RUN THESE WHEELS REVERSED IN THE REAR so washers and spacers are REQUIRED!!!" and in another it says "The wheel is made to run normal or reversed on the rears!". I probably just don't understand because I know less about running a reversed wheel than fenders. I'm not scared of trying to figure it out but I don't have the time to dedicate to it right now. Are the Nitros even allowed at MA scout graphite class?
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Vitamin K
Guest
NeedforSpeed said:
Looking at the DD4H site, it appears that Nitros have all of the lettering and markings intact, so, yes, they should be good to go for the MAs.
It's a little confusing, because there are both Nitros and Mid-America Nitros offered for sale. I'm not entirely sure of the differences, but it appears that the Mid-America Nitros require washers/spacers regardless of which configuration you run them in.
I believe that both versions of the Nitro are legal for the Mid-Americas.
Perhaps somebody else can clarify?
- Nov 24, 2011
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Vitamin K
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3phase said:
It doesn't seem like it should, especially since the weight difference seems to be at the hub, which is in a less critical spot (as far as rotational mass is concerned) than the outer edges of the wheel.
However, if John's actually tested the MA Nitros to be faster...
You lost me at "rotational mass" haha.... I thought spacers only had to be used when the wheels were run in reverse. Looks like I'll be searching the forum for info on that tonight.
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Vitamin K
Guest
NeedforSpeed said:
You can always call John, too, and ask him about his products. I'm told he is very helpful over the phone.
Thanks. I'm sure I will have to ask. From reading on here I know he has a lot going on so I don't want to be a bother plus I like to figure it out on my own. I'm a dork like that
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microbrush
Guest
If the Hub is cut down you would need to use spacers or more washers so the wheel does not rub the body. That would by why they would need spacers when used forwards or reversed.
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