I noticed..........

[Alan]

.....when one of the four-wheelers went to pulll a car off, something hanging below the chassis. Is this a magnet to pick up any debris that might be on the track that is magnetic??? Have they always been there, or was I just paying attention yesterday?


What's up 'Mater friends????

 

[rollingthunder]

that is what i thought it was for to pick up anything metallic on the track.

 

[.]

Are you talking about the skid pads under the rear of the chassis that the car will slide on if a tire blows?

Give me a minute and I'll see if I can find a picture.

 

[Outlaw Eric]

Is this a magnet to pick up any debris that might be on the track that is magnetic???

Most engine parts are aluminum and would not be picked up by the magnets...

My bet is you saw the skidplates?

EDB

 

[.]

Found it....

Is this similar to what you saw?

 

[Just Paul]

Yes, there are very strong magnets on the car , but not for debris, it's actually supposed to make the car stick to the track better becasue there is rebar running through the concrete, and the magents pull the car towards the track.


Sorry, I could not resist.

You probably saw a skid plate as shown above.

Or, some dragsters have 2 little fixtures on the bottom rail about halfway between the nose and the cockpit for the trailer dolly.

 

[Bullet]

It's a special aluminum magnet.

 

[Outlaw Eric]

The other bracket is for the Pro Jacks to hook to...

EDB

 

[Alan]

Sorry guys, I should have been more clear.....

The item hanging was on the four-wheeler, hanging by 2 straps/chains a few inches below the skidplate of the four-wheeler....

 

[FC Girl]

Skid plate. Some a/fuel cars have them too. T/F Dragsters definitely have them.

It's a piece of titanium and they are on almost All McKinney Cars. They do their job by keeping the bottom frame rail off the asphalt/concrete and lifts you up a couple of inches if you have a blow out or ???. It basically saves your ass for a little longer especially in a dragster. They also have a tendacy to ruin the belly pans because of where they are attached on a T/F Dragster.

 

[FC138fan]

Sorry guys, I should have been more clear.....

The item hanging was on the four-wheeler, hanging by 2 straps/chains a few inches below the skidplate of the four-wheeler....

Alan, I think I'm the first to realize what your talking about.. I think... in front of the quad that they pull the cars off at the top end of the track, underneath the front of the quad, a bar suspended by chains. I didn't even wonder what that thing could be - just assumed it was a step or something, but it makes sence that it would be a magnet. In fact, that's a pretty good idea... if it isn't a magnet they should use it.

 

[.]

Sorry guys, I should have been more clear.....

The item hanging was on the four-wheeler, hanging by 2 straps/chains a few inches below the skidplate of the four-wheeler....

I understand what you're saying now. It's possible that it's a magnet.... it's actually very common to have a magnet like you described hanging from the back of fork lifts in lumber yards, brick yards and warehouses to pickup nails that have come loose from wood pallets. I think it's a great idea for the NHRA to have them on all their track equipment, including their four wheelers. I bet you'd be surprised at how many screws, rivets, dzus fasteners, and other misc. steel pieces fall off race cars. Probably not as common with the pros since their between round maintenance is fairly thorough but some sportsman racers don't necessarily practice the best routine maintenance..... unfortunately.

 

[Bross Hawg]

I understand what you're saying now. It's possible that it's a magnet.... it's actually very common to have a magnet like you described hanging from the back of fork lifts in lumber yards, brick yards and warehouses to pickup nails that have come loose from wood pallets. I think it's a great idea for the NHRA to have them on all their track equipment, including their four wheelers. I bet you'd be surprised at how many screws, rivets, dzus fasteners, and other misc. steel pieces fall off race cars. Probably not as common with the pros since their between round maintenance is fairly thorough but some sportsman racers don't necessarily practice the best routine maintenance..... unfortunately.

If you are using STEEL rivets, dzus fasteners, etc...you aren't exactly worried about weight are ya? Most screws used are stainless, so unless someone invented a non ferress (sp?) magnet, I don't see it doing much good. Most parts on the pro cars are aluminum, mag, titanium, carbon fiber, etc. Just sayin..

 

[.]

If you are using STEEL rivets, dzus fasteners, etc...you aren't exactly worried about weight are ya? Most screws used are stainless, so unless someone invented a non ferress (sp?) magnet, I don't see it doing much good. Most parts on the pro cars are aluminum, mag, titanium, carbon fiber, etc. Just sayin..

No, I'm not using STEEL rivets or dzus fasteners..... I was just trying to make a point. I have no idea what Alan saw hanging from the four wheeler but his description sounds exactly like the hundreds of magnets I've seen hangin from fork lifts. I was just sayin!


The pros may not use many steel fasteners but can the same be said for all sportsman racers?

 

[Z28LT1]

I understand what you're saying now. It's possible that it's a magnet.... it's actually very common to have a magnet like you described hanging from the back of fork lifts in lumber yards, brick yards and warehouses to pickup nails that have come loose from wood pallets. I think it's a great idea for the NHRA to have them on all their track equipment, including their four wheelers. I bet you'd be surprised at how many screws, rivets, dzus fasteners, and other misc. steel pieces fall off race cars. Probably not as common with the pros since their between round maintenance is fairly thorough but some sportsman racers don't necessarily practice the best routine maintenance..... unfortunately.

maybe I should have has a Magnet on my a$$ last August.

 

[.]

maybe I should have has a Magnet on my a$$ last August.

Yeah, that might have helped keep you seated on your four wheeler....... and prevented you from wearing a neck brace.