I have a question....do the National Lightning Sprint rules require a fuel tank with a bladder like Midgets? I noticed a statement on here that the National Rules were designed with some things in mind and safety was one of them. I would hope that the rules include this. I really don't want to see someone burned some day because of a lack of safety standards in this class.

Ray

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_b7...dlE/edit?pli=1

With plastic tail tanks bladders are required, however unlike Fuel thirsty midgets on Methanol we start the Main with about 5 gallons of methanol, guys on gasoline use about 2 1/2 to 3 gallons, so provisions are made for small drag strip style fuel cells mounted under a fiberglass tail section. It's kinda of weird sticking that fuel stick down inside that bladder beneath the baffle looking for the fuel level. We like the tail tank so we use a bladder, while I feel like the guys with a 6 gallon drag style fuel sell mounted securely are just as safe in an accident.

Honest Dad himself

We switched over to the fuel cell quite a few years ago, and prefer this style of tank. With the tail tank we found that the pickup starts sucking air when you still had almost a gallon of fuel left in the tank. With this style, we can be down to less than a cup full, and it still picks it up. Net result is we can carry 7 lbs. less fuel with us going into any race.

The tank itself is nearly indestructible, it's positioned in the cage at a point that's extremely hard to get to on impact, and it carries an SFI rating. We feel its as safe as a tail tank/bladder combination, and are very comfortable running it.

Bill

So the National Rules state that a fuel tank and bladder meeting SFI spec 28.1 or 28.2 is required?

Ray

Click on the little orange link thing in my last post.

http://www.sfifoundation.com/wp-cont...8.1_092311.pdf


http://www.sfifoundation.com/wp-cont...8.2_071400.pdf

And it looks like the tail tanks and bladders carry an FIA or USAC certification I know that bladder sure has a lot of stenciling on it.

Honest Dad himself

Here is the verbage

A Midget/Micro/Sprint tank must have a bladder. No metal tanks without a bladder or fuel cell inside. A drag race type fuel cell will be allowed without a bladder. Rollover valves or a fitting with a hose used as a safe guard for rollover fuel spill and proper bulk head fittings used for fuel or electrical fuel pump in the tanks will be mandatory. An SFI rated fuel cell is highly recommended. All tanks/fuel cells must be securely mounted between and/or behind the chassis frame Driver/Owners in a safe place.

Wow it isn't even winter yet and the name calling and infighting has already started. The way I see it our class has more pressing problems than a supercharged Kawi. Everyone is all pumped up about the new 305 sprint car class coming to Bloomington speedway next year. If it spreads to other tracks in the Indiana area; I see it {have been wrong before} as being in direct competition with our class. If race tracks have weekly winged sprint cars they probably wouldn't want winged lightning sprints on the same bill. Andy has done a great job with the MMSA this year but if we lose more people to 305 sprint cars lightning sprint racing in Indiana will cease to exist!!!

I'm not the savior.... We just stuck to the rules, and we are making it what it is a "economic traveling racing series".
Not everyone likes to travel but it's a necessary evil... Much like a rock band looking for exposure.

Once you have a fan base you will succeed, our little cars accomplish that because the racing is 2nd to none.

The 305s will make it, and it won't hurt what we are doing a bit, in fact what the 305s need is a traveling series.. A tour where tracks can sample what they have to offer.. Yes a home track is great but you don't get exposure. A prime example would be our races in KY, those folks had never seen a lightning sprint. We were a huge success down south!

I used the lightning sprint as a feeder for the 305 sprint that I currently race. I originally thought about jumping straight to sprints but glad I didn't since I had no dirt experience and only raced on asphalt. I ran a season and a half with the lightning sprint and it taught me a lot with getting acquainted to dirt racing. Wouldn't have it any other way. We had a ton of fun racing them but 305 sprints are only 20 min from home............

Royal

I was wondering what happened to you? Have you had a chance to get to any races yet? New engines come along every year and we get faster all the time. Mini-Sprints are pretty well intrenched in the Mid West as well as a half dozen other Midget based race cars. The 305 sounds like a good way to go racing. In our size cars you and your wife could survive quite easily as a pit crew (you can just start it up and drive to the race track), moving a Sprint Car around and you will probably be looking for at least several more helpers. That is a Big Advantage to our cars, but 2 less pit passes for the track.

Indiana has Open wheel cars everywhere as does Illinois and Ohio. Race what you Enjoy, and can afford. The 305 is the type of car that would blend in and complement Bloomington's already very successful Sprint Car Program. I like the "wings" because it offers new drivers a bit more protection and help them finish races if they get into a turn just a little too hot.

(I think we been hijacked?)

Honest Dad himself