11 replies to this topic

[Eddie Fleming]

In the IRRA the guide flag rule is the flag can be no longer than 1.060 long and no more than (I think) .090 thick. The newer guides from Red Fox, Hp, JK and I suspect others are a little outside these specs. Yes they can be cut and trimmed but that is a aggravation for no purpose.

 

I would like to see the rule changed to allow commercially available guides. And if weight is added to the guide it can not change the size of the guide.

[brnursebmt]

Good luck with that, Eddie!

 

But I suppose you knew that going in.

[Eddie Fleming]

Good luck with that, Eddie!

 

But I suppose you knew that going in.

Yea I did. 

[JerseyJohn]

I totally agree !!!!!

[MSwiss]

Eddie,

I think you made your post based on the assumption no future ones would ever be any longer/thicker.

 

As an example, what if I'm currently working on a guide that is 1.250" long, allowing racers to shorten whatever end or ends they want, to achieve whatever characteristic they want.

 

With the rule written as you wish, without a dimension, said guide could be used uncut.

[Hot Slots]

All Comercially available guides approved.
 

[Eddie Fleming]

Eddie,

I think you made your post based on the assumption no future ones would ever be any longer/thicker.

I made no such assumption Mike.

[MSwiss]

So you are fine with any size, as long as it's available?

 

As far as the inspiration for your post, have you  been to a race lately where guide shoe tech held up the race?

[Dominator]

While I don't believe any of the newer/longer guides are shattering records there has been a decent amount of development by manufacturers in the last year.

Most of the newer guides are longer. Can it be measured on the clock? Of course, sometime they are better and sometimes not. It is just another tool in the box to help racers tune.

While I agree it's one more thing to tech there has to be a limit on the specs. If we don't have a spec guides will continue to get longer and wider.

As a point of reference I have tried trimming the front and back edge of guides to see if there was a noticeable difference in times and driving. I saw minimal difference at least on driver type tracks (flatter style kings for example).

[Eddie Fleming]

As far as the inspiration for your post, have you  been to a race lately where guide shoe tech held up the race?

I never said anything about them holding up tech or the race Mike.

[MSwiss]

Ok.

 

Anyway, I agree with Dom.

 

"If we don't have a spec guides will continue to get longer and wider."

 

I have nothing to add.

[John Luongo]

i think as time goes on and we continue to race on older experienced tracks with heavily worn V shaped "slots", a customizable or tuneable guide as mike mentioned, could be of value and simply another arrow in your quiver. if all guides meet a basic spec for overall length and width, being able to fine tune, shorten and narrow, these guides to match the slots of a particular track could help. i remember at one such track after a significant wall impact, my car began handling excellent do to the guide tongue being cantid. the tuneable guide should still pass maximum tech guidelines but would become another part to help your car set up for the track being raced on along with tire choices, chassis designs and body styles/mounts. interesting topic, thank you eddie.