Yay or Nay on Wheel Studs?

[nasa]

Other then its easier to mount the wheels and quicker, which is a consideration, what are the benefits or draw backs to using wheel studs?

[Knestis]

You can use longer-than-stock studs to allow spacers behind wheels, to widen your track (within the limits of the fenders, of course).

Do the math to see what the whole project will cost before you commit to it. It is one of those, "Gee, this won't cost much" things that tend to add up really quickly. For many of us, spending the money on tires or track time (aka practice) is money better spent.

Kirk

[Bill Miller]

I'm a big fan of studs. Wait, that doesn't sound quite right! http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif

Seriously, I've been really happy w/ the wheel studs on my car. Sure makes getting wheels on a whole lot easier (my crew guy likes that! http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif ). Figure a min. of $5/stud&lugnut. All of a sudden you're looking at $100 or so to set the car up. Well worth it IMHO. Oh yeah, you definately want spares! Not because the studs break, but because you don't want to get stuck in case they do! Which, everyone knows, will happen if you don't have spares. http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif

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MARRS #25 ITB Rabbit GTI

[dave parker]

I agree with Bill. Wheel studs are the way. Get a few extra just in case. The first night enduro that you do the crew will thank you for the extra bucks spent on the wheel studs. Especially when they give you a pit stop which includes a driver change,two front tires, 11 gallons of fuel,and a windshield wash in 38 seconds.
dave parker
wdcr itb#13

[Bill Miller]

Hey Dave, most of the enduros that I know of require a 90 sec. pit stop if you're refueling! http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif

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MARRS #25 ITB Rabbit GTI

[Knestis]

That is disappointing news, Bill. I really HATE that kind of rule. I do understand the thinking but, rather than punish the teams that can get it done well AND quickly, they should just make the ones that do stupid stuff (like spill gas) spend some time sitting there thinking about their indiscretions.

Kirk

(edit - if you are running enduros or rallies, the studs make way more than $100 worth of sense)


[This message has been edited by Knestis (edited July 12, 2002).]

[racer_tim]

San Francisco Region's 4 hour enduro requires 2 ea 5 minute pit stops.

Safety is the key, with fueling, changing tires, drivers, other fluids, etc.

Everyone is on the same playing field.




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Tim Linerud
San Francisco Region SCCA
#95 ITB GTI, GP for 2002

[twist]

Having just completed my first mini enduro, and finishing 1st in class http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif, I can say the mandatory pit time took some pressure off, not alot and we still had some franticness, some due to inexperience granted but I do believe it makes things safer. I see the point about leaving it up to the teams who perform better to be rewarded for that , but again for safety I think these rules have there place and where put there from experience. I saw other teams , some with alot of experience make mistakes while others where flawless. When it comes down to it we are talking enduro, as in any race finishing is the objective and a mistake made in haste that knocks you out while you have some time to give up would be bad. I actually entered for the sake of seat time but really liked the format. All of our 3 stops, 3 hour race, included driver changes, trying to beat the clock while getting belted in would really not be wise. All this said, experienced prepared teams can do it all quicker and safely. But don't we always have to worry about the other guys too? A quick example, in qualifying a guy pulled up to the grid late and from what I could see of him pulling on his gloves as he rolled through, rushed- on his second lap his hood flew up and slammed against his windshield, luckily without incident to anything but probably his drivers suit, bet he wished he took an extra minute to check the simple stuff. Oh yeah wheel studs would have made our tire change to rains easier.

[dave parker]

Bill
Yes the 12 at the point does require a 90 second pit stop when refueling. It is also highly entertaining(and somewhat dangerous) to stand in front of the car with a fresh driver ready to go out and battle and hold them in the pitbox for the remaining 52 seconds. But wouldn't you rather hold them that long than add that 52 seconds onto the pitstop?
After all to win a enduro one must be on the track...not in the pits.
Good Luck
dave parker
wdcr itb#13

[Bill Miller]

Dave,

I had to do just that w/ our car at both Summit and Moroso. You can fill a 22 or 25 gallon cell pretty quick w/ an overhead rig! http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it/biggrin.gif At Moroso, we were able to fuel the car, do the driver change, put 4 tires on the car, and still have to wait!!!

At Summit, you figure the pitstop is 1 lap.

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MARRS #25 ITB Rabbit GTI