Altered class body stretch?

[javajoe79]

 The book says a 2% maximum body stretch is allowed in the cowl area forward of the firewall. Does this mean 2% of total body length or wheelbase?

 I know, I know call and ask the guy in charge of altered class..... spare me the lecture        I will if I don't get a solid answer here.

[Stainless1]

The wording has been there for quite a few years. 
Also note that "burden of proof" lies with the contestant.  Most of the % rules are based on WB... if you need that extra inch, I would get it in writing from the chair.

you already know my opinion doesn't count 

[jimmy six]

It's written "exactly"this way because there were a lot of NHRA pro stock cars being retired. At that time many were Pontiac Grand Ams, Olds Cieras etc. converted front wheel cars and Camaros/Firebirds and the ony difference between them and a " stock " body was additional length at the cowl. The additional wheel base of 2% were allowed too.

Don't write or read too much more into this. NHRA current pro-stockers are so much different today I'm not sure they would qualify....JD

[javajoe79]

I will be calling or emailing an SCTA person later today to be sure of this but we plan to use that 2% because we can as well as lengthen the wheel base by pushing the front wheel forward within the wheel well. The book does not mention any limit to wheelbase.

[dw230]

What does 2% figure out to be on your car?

DW

[javajoe79]

depends on if it's 2% of body length or 2% of wheelbase.    I just emailed Bobby Sykes and will post his reply to several questions that I had.

[dw230]

The rule reads 2% in the cowl. As you mentioned wheelbase is not addressed. This is not Smoky Yunick, where his famous theory was if it is not addressed in the rule book then it is not governed. JD wrote not to read too much into the rules.

DW

[javajoe79]

 I am just wondering what the 2% applies to. When you are talking about body stretch it would seem to make sense that the 2% would be 2% of the body, not the wheelbase.

 I know how it says this stretch is allowed in the cowl and that is where we would add it. It would be over 2" and I think that it's worth it. We are using a one piece fiberglass nose, that we have been approved to use, and it has extra material on the back end of it.

 So considering they allow this 2% I would assume that means the wheelbase can increase to match that 2% in body stretch. Also whether it is 2% of the body or 2% of the wheelbase matters in that it would be a difference of over an inch.

 I fired off an email this morning though so I will have official word soon enough.

 Thanks for the input DW

[revolutionary]

DW,

One of the things we are trying to figure here is if we can stretch the body by X and then stretch the wheelbase more for stability as we never saw anything in the book about wheelbase. If that is open, then we will push it out some.

[MRK]

Rookie chime in time.........

As I read the paragraph in the rule book, there is nothing stated about wheel base as it pertains to "body stretch". I believe that the 2 percent is taken from the body OAL and then applied at the cowl area. As far as altering the wheelbase goes, I don't see anything in either the Modified general calss descriptions or the Altered "sub" class descriptions and since you are allowed to use any frame in your class, a wheelbase modification would be allowed as long as it didn't violate any other part of the rules in your class.

DW, am I on target with this interpretation?

Cheers, Mike

[javajoe79]

Rookie chime in time.........

As I read the paragraph in the rule book, there is nothing stated about wheel base as it pertains to "body stretch". I believe that the 2 percent is taken from the body OAL and then applied at the cowl area. As far as altering the wheelbase goes, I don't see anything in either the Modified general calss descriptions or the Altered "sub" class descriptions and since you are allowed to use any frame in your class, a wheelbase modification would be allowed as long as it didn't violate any other part of the rules in your class.

DW, am I on target with this interpretation?

Cheers, Mike

 That is pretty much exactly how I interpret it and how we plan on proceeding. Just want to be sure before proceeding. I am still waiting for an email back for the official word.

[dw230]

I believe that the interpretation is acceptable. The modification, as mentioned in an earlier post, was done to follow mid 80s Pro Stock NHRA cars which began showing up on the salt. Later model coupes and sedans do not lend themselves to this mod but, since it is in the rule book the mod is allowed. The wheelbase issue is really a non-issue because the wb is not addressed. Keep in mind that the proof the modification is within specs as defined in the rule book is in the hands of the competitor. Be prepared with documentation that can be verified when in impound.

With all that said, since I have been removed from all board and committee positions I feel that I can no longer answer questions on behalf of the SCTA-BNI. Use section 16 of your rule book when asking technical questions that will need an "official" SCTA-BNI answer.

DW

[revolutionary]

Dan,

Thank you for the 'unofficial' interpretation. Even though you are no longer answering officially, it gives us a little more confidence moving forward that we are on the right path.

We took measurements of the OEM body length and wheel base before cutting it up and will keep those in our log book. I think I even have a factory service manual with that info but will look to see what is there.

[javajoe79]

Emailed a few days ago. Still waiting. I will call next week if I don't hear back.

[Dynoroom]

Since the rule book does not spell out the answer I might worry about what to do if the rule changes next year.

I say this because the opening lines for altered in section 5.D.2 all say the body is unaltered in height, width, length, or couture. The body panels must also be mounted in the original relationship.

As Dan pointed out the 2% stretch was added for mid 80's Pro Stock cars. As there may not be any of these running any longer the 2% rule might go away. A lot of work for 2" - 3"

Just food for thought...