Changes to Setup Between AutoX and Drag

Help a new guy out

There doesn't seem to be anything restricting alterations to the car between different portions of the event.  Remove aero, ballast, change gearing, wheel and tire, etc. all seem to have been done in the past.  

It seems fair to me if all under budget.  Any informal restrictions based on past incidents I don't know about?

In reply to LionPride :

None that I know of

In reply to LionPride :

As long as all the parts for autocross and drags fit in the budget it's fine. 

All fair as long as everything on the car used at the event is budgeted. 

To be clear on what they are talking about.  For example you use four autocross tires and put on two drag slicks for the drags.  You would need to put two tires in the budget.  Choose your cheapest two.

Stampie said:

To be clear on what they are talking about.  For example you use four autocross tires and put on two drag slicks for the drags.  You would need to put two tires in the budget.  Choose your cheapest two.

Got it. But if someone wanted to swap a whole rear end (for example) there's no rule against it so long as long as it was included.

Nope. Few teams do it but gear changes, spring rates, aero, etc. changes are all legal. The benefits only really come into play if you have tested your theories in practice. Getting each setup right takes practice and time.

No rules against swapping. But remember that time (and light) can be a real issue. 

Usually at the end of the autox, everyone is tired and has been in the sun all day. Then we eat dinner, and after that drags start up, and in about 45 minutes it's starting to get dark.

I recommend against planning to try and do a 2 hour wrenching procedure right at that time.

LionPride said:

Stampie said:

To be clear on what they are talking about.  For example you use four autocross tires and put on two drag slicks for the drags.  You would need to put two tires in the budget.  Choose your cheapest two.

Got it. But if someone wanted to swap a whole rear end (for example) there's no rule against it so long as long as it was included.

Why swap a whole rear end if you can just put different size drag tires on and change your effective ratio?

Ed Mahle needs to chime in on this. Pretty sure he had an entire setup/suspension change between the AutoX and drags.

hobiercr said:

Ed Mahle needs to chime in on this. Pretty sure he had an entire setup/suspension change between the AutoX and drags.

I remember him telling me about his upper strut mounts (camber plates). They swapped from right to left and turned 90 degress. So autox setup had high camber, but drag setup reduced camber and increased caster. Genius!

Stampie said:

LionPride said:

Stampie said:

To be clear on what they are talking about.  For example you use four autocross tires and put on two drag slicks for the drags.  You would need to put two tires in the budget.  Choose your cheapest two.

Got it. But if someone wanted to swap a whole rear end (for example) there's no rule against it so long as long as it was included.

Why swap a whole rear end if you can just put different size drag tires on and change your effective ratio?

We won't be changing a rear end.  I just have some ideas for a future build.  

In reply to LionPride :

Good question!  I see you mentioned ballast.  Are there any safety restrictions that come into play?  For example if you remove wing, diffuser, extra seats, doors, hood, & trunk lid to reduce weight for the drags, what do you have to do (if anything) to meet safety requirements... arm restraints?