What’s the infatuation with the shorty dragsters lately? How much lighter than a normal 235” to 245” car? Any real world benefits to it?

A couple of benefits that I have heard is easier to drive the stripe and they have have their own spot on the starting line. Also take up less space in the trailer and garage

quote:

Originally posted by bcMOD3X3X:
A couple of benefits that I have heard is easier to drive the stripe and they have have their own spot on the starting line. Also take up less space in the trailer and garage

That pretty much covers it. One other added benefit is that the chassis does not flex as much making the chassis less susceptible to damage in towing. I would still use a chassis support if possible in my opinion.

Rigid and the wheels don't hang out the back of the trailer.

Ran a 200 dragster from 1988 to 1995, it was fine, it did crack during towing so maybe not that much of a benefit. Fit nice in our 20 foot trailer and in one side of our two car garage so that was nice. Funny how cyclic everything is, I was running that, then everybody was going to 225 inch cars, picked up a nice used 225 when everybody was going to 4-link cars, now everybody wants a short dragster again. Same with wings, everybody had one, then nobody had them, now they are back again (as a mono strut wing). Maybe next will be a return to the little airplane looking front wheels.

want to get jump on small wheels? Just so happens I know where a set is.LOL

I can see the shorty dragster deal working great and gaining in popularity. Its like the Harley deal. It was long raked out,big tire huge motor and tricked everything. Then it went so more piratical,but still customized street hot rods and now its tricked out baggers that are getting to point of not being that great for cross country rides. Everything changes and most comes back around.

I had a 215" 4 link built by a friend and local chassis builder.

It was a very fast reacting car which can be an issue for Pro Tree racing and it never hurt a thing chassis wise.

I went 7.70's with it at over 170 and it was fine...sold the car and I believe its still being raced sometimes. The Chassis is 20+ years old....

My present car is a Racetech at 235" and I've run 7.40's at just under 180..

The Racetech feels more comfortable at any speed...No wing...Its like a Cadillac....LOL

It is slower reacting but not enough to be a problem....again Pro Tree racing....for full tree its not an issue...

It has cracked some chassis tubes more than once....I just fix it as needed...

I use an air bladder under it and always have.

If I had a choice I'm sticking with the longer wheelbase going by the 2 cars I've had and how they felt at 170 or better....

In tubing and aluminum they are approx 30 lbs lighter.

Like Keith mentioned, about 30 lbs lighter. As far as driving the stripe, that's preference. One thing I can see is that fitting one (or two) in the trailer is a heck of a lot easier. Driving around the pits would be easier. I'm interested to see when some builders start to make dual suspended shorties and how they perform.