The New Beast Midget, Etc...

Shawn · 8/19/08, 3:34 PM

I just wanted to start a thread about some "technical" things that I've been noticing in the midget and sprint car ranks.

One thing that I've noticed this year, Beast Chassis is trying some different things, including the new dirt sprint car that Damion Gardner drives. After quite a few years of just being involved on the asphalt, they rolled out the new dirt sprint car and won. I mentioned it then, but someone informed me that it was kind of a "one-off" deal and they weren't building a bunch of them. I also noticed that they quit using the front sway bar (I think that's it!) after the first few races. However, they're far from the only ones. It seems to me that the sprint cars are going back to "Pre-Yeley" times when that configuration wasn't used. Once the Twister Chassis came in with J.J., everyone went that direction with their front ends. Those times appear to be coming to and end. Now, you can even see an older Stealth being used by Walker Racing, with success. It also seems that the winged cars hold their own and are also having success, like Brady Bacon in the XXX Chassis. My question is, why the change? Could it have been a fad? Heck, maybe the tracks are coming back to be in favor of the non-front sway bar cars.

Okay, the above paragraph kind of ties in with this, but I've noticed the "new" Beast dirt midgets. They are going the other way, by adding all of the front end tricks, etc. Also, it looks like they went with "bars", instead of coils. Plus, the shock mount is almost against the downtube, instead of having the shock mount that sticks out quite a bit further. Bobby East and Shane Cottle both drive the new Beasts, but haven't set the world on fire. However, I've noticed some improved results. One last thing about them, they look like the frame is bent differently, behind the drivers left arm (Maybe the A-Frame?). How would all of these things help a midgets performance? Ideas? I know that there are other midgets that have used the front sway bar, like Loyet's Spike Chassis, but that's about it. Heck, even the Bullet's, GRP's, Twister's, etc. don't have them hooked up.

Beast's New Beast Dirt Midget (Bobby East)...
(Dave Merritt Photo)

Beast's Old Beast Dirt Midget (Michael Pickens)...
(Jeff Arns Photo)

Finally, I'll admit, I'm not very mechanical (TQ97 could confirm), but these things interest me a bit. I like to see people trying new things, but don't quite know what the advantages are, so that is why I ask. Plus, I've got a little free time at work today! :kookoo

Honest-Sam · 8/19/08, 4:37 PM

My view of the Beast dirt sprinter is that it was done more for Jason Leffler than it was Daryl and Damion. Jason is Bob East's son-in-law I think(someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this). If it works out, they're likely to have an exclusive car that nobody else can get. Not a bad plan.

Anti roll bars on sprint cars: I've noticed an awful lot lately, that while many cars physically have the front anti-roll bar in the car, it isn't hooked up most of the time. Not until feature time, anyway. Sometimes, not even then. It's just easier to leave it in when not in use. Perhaps this is what's leading some guys back to not having one at all.

On the midget side, my opinion on the front ends is that there are simply two schools of thought. Coil over(mover the shock/spring as close to the wheel as is practical) vs. torsion bar/anti roll bar.

There are others that post here often who could elaborate on these things. Hoffman and Baue are two that come to mind. There are several others.

8/19/08, 4:59 PM

You are correct Jason is Bob's son-in-law, but I can tell you this Bob and Daryl are buddy buddy he built that car for Daryl, not Jason.

nonwingfan33 · 8/19/08, 5:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racecar

You are correct Jason is Bob's son-in-law, but I can tell you this Bob and Daryl are buddy buddy he built that car for Daryl, not Jason.

This is correct from my talks with the people close to it. The new beast chassis is Daryl's design.
Brian

Honest-Sam · 8/19/08, 5:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racecar

You are correct Jason is Bob's son-in-law, but I can tell you this Bob and Daryl are buddy buddy he built that car for Daryl, not Jason.

I was close!:O:

Is it a one off deal that will never be in production?

hogan6 · 8/19/08, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honest-Sam

I was close!:O:

Is it a one off deal that will never be in production?

If it goes into production, they'll have plenty of stock. The car started near the front quite a few times during ISW but, didn't finish there. Happy Daryl needs to go back to the drawing board. All things cycle through. Before long it will back to standard 4-bar cars w/o sway bars etc.

8/19/08, 3:34 PM	#1 The New Beast Midget, Etc...
Shawn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 452	I just wanted to start a thread about some "technical" things that I've been noticing in the midget and sprint car ranks. One thing that I've noticed this year, Beast Chassis is trying some different things, including the new dirt sprint car that Damion Gardner drives. After quite a few years of just being involved on the asphalt, they rolled out the new dirt sprint car and won. I mentioned it then, but someone informed me that it was kind of a "one-off" deal and they weren't building a bunch of them. I also noticed that they quit using the front sway bar (I think that's it!) after the first few races. However, they're far from the only ones. It seems to me that the sprint cars are going back to "Pre-Yeley" times when that configuration wasn't used. Once the Twister Chassis came in with J.J., everyone went that direction with their front ends. Those times appear to be coming to and end. Now, you can even see an older Stealth being used by Walker Racing, with success. It also seems that the winged cars hold their own and are also having success, like Brady Bacon in the XXX Chassis. My question is, why the change? Could it have been a fad? Heck, maybe the tracks are coming back to be in favor of the non-front sway bar cars. Okay, the above paragraph kind of ties in with this, but I've noticed the "new" Beast dirt midgets. They are going the other way, by adding all of the front end tricks, etc. Also, it looks like they went with "bars", instead of coils. Plus, the shock mount is almost against the downtube, instead of having the shock mount that sticks out quite a bit further. Bobby East and Shane Cottle both drive the new Beasts, but haven't set the world on fire. However, I've noticed some improved results. One last thing about them, they look like the frame is bent differently, behind the drivers left arm (Maybe the A-Frame?). How would all of these things help a midgets performance? Ideas? I know that there are other midgets that have used the front sway bar, like Loyet's Spike Chassis, but that's about it. Heck, even the Bullet's, GRP's, Twister's, etc. don't have them hooked up. Beast's New Beast Dirt Midget (Bobby East)... (Dave Merritt Photo) Beast's Old Beast Dirt Midget (Michael Pickens)... (Jeff Arns Photo) Finally, I'll admit, I'm not very mechanical (TQ97 could confirm), but these things interest me a bit. I like to see people trying new things, but don't quite know what the advantages are, so that is why I ask. Plus, I've got a little free time at work today! :kookoo

8/19/08, 4:37 PM	#2 Re: The New Beast Midget, Etc...
Honest-Sam Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 683	My view of the Beast dirt sprinter is that it was done more for Jason Leffler than it was Daryl and Damion. Jason is Bob East's son-in-law I think(someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this). If it works out, they're likely to have an exclusive car that nobody else can get. Not a bad plan. Anti roll bars on sprint cars: I've noticed an awful lot lately, that while many cars physically have the front anti-roll bar in the car, it isn't hooked up most of the time. Not until feature time, anyway. Sometimes, not even then. It's just easier to leave it in when not in use. Perhaps this is what's leading some guys back to not having one at all. On the midget side, my opinion on the front ends is that there are simply two schools of thought. Coil over(mover the shock/spring as close to the wheel as is practical) vs. torsion bar/anti roll bar. There are others that post here often who could elaborate on these things. Hoffman and Baue are two that come to mind. There are several others.

8/19/08, 4:59 PM	#3 Re: The New Beast Midget, Etc...
Racecar Posts: n/a	You are correct Jason is Bob's son-in-law, but I can tell you this Bob and Daryl are buddy buddy he built that car for Daryl, not Jason.