Electrathon America Forum

electrathon · administrator

Ground clearance

Kyle Keenan · Veteran Member

Perfect, it's super clear! Just wait until teams push the issue by using Birch....

bd64 · Senior Member

Maybe not so clear -- is that a 2 x2 straight for the lumber yard that measures 1 1/2 X 1 1/2 or a piece of milled stock 2 X 2. It is still a good idea.

electrathon · administrator

bd64 wrote:
Maybe not so clear -- is that a 2 x2 straight for the lumber yard that measures 1 1/2 X 1 1/2 or a piece of milled stock 2 X 2. It is still a good idea.

Yes, a milled 2x2 measuring out at 1 1/2"

We constantly have trouble with this rule durring races.

Stevie G · Member

"Clearance between the vehicles lowest point and the ground must exceed the height of the tires sidewalls to prevent the vehicle from sliding on the ground in the event of failure of any or all of the tires."

It kind of depends on what tires the cars are running doesn't it? If you use the 2x2 and a car shows up with 700's, they would be "Too low" by your gauge, but technically in spec.

Maybe a series of gauge blocks based on the different tires available...?
Hey, I'm new here and just trying to contribute. Devils advocate if you will.

Kyle Keenan · Veteran Member

Basically they want to throw out the above statement and put in the 2 x 2 rule.

bd64 · Senior Member

If the 2 X 2 rule is adopted the car with 700s would out of spec because it is a new specification.

electrathon · administrator

Kyle Keenan wrote:
Basically they want to throw out the above statement and put in the 2 x 2 rule.

Basicly, yes. I am trying to have a simple enforcable rule that will be easy to enforce. Complicated rules tend to be ignored by both the builders and the officials.

Aaron

electrathon · administrator

Stevie G wrote:
"Clearance between the vehicles lowest point and the ground must exceed the height of the tires sidewalls to prevent the vehicle from sliding on the ground in the event of failure of any or all of the tires."

It kind of depends on what tires the cars are running doesn't it? If you use the 2x2 and a car shows up with 700's, they would be "Too low" by your gauge, but technically in spec.

Maybe a series of gauge blocks based on the different tires available...?
Hey, I'm new here and just trying to contribute. Devils advocate if you will.

Unfortionatly, the sidewall of the tire is only one consideration. A car with no nose or tail with 1" sidewall tires will require 1" of ground clearance. The same car with a 4' nose may require 3" of ground clearance. If it has a flat the nose will lower and rub on the ground. Even more clearance would be needed if it had 2 flats. Less needed if it has 3 flats. It is very complicated and almost impossible to enforce durring inspection. It also changes durring the race if the cars frame starts to bend.

Stevie G · Member

As long as the end result is safety, go for it.