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Supermodified racing
Supermodifieds are a class of open wheel race car that compete on paved short tracks throughout North America. The class was founded in the 1950s and is especially popular in the Western, Northeast, and Great Lakes regions. Supermodifieds have been called the fastest short track race cars in the world.
The frame of a supermodified is generally constructed from aircraft-quality 0.095-inch (2.4 mm) thick chromium-molybdenum ("chromoly") tubing with steel and aluminum components, and the body is fabricated from fiberglass and aluminum. The cars are powered by American fuel-injected V8 engines that run on methanol fuel and can produce in excess of 800 hp (600 kW). At a weight of around 1,850 pounds (840 kg), the cars achieve an enormous power-to-weight ratio.
Nearly all competitors on the West Coast choose to run aluminum small blocks ranging from 410 to 430 cubic inches (6.7 to 7.0 L), whereas East Coast cars run mandatory cast-iron big blocks with aluminum heads bored to the allowable maximum displacement of 468 cu in (7.7 L). Cars in the Midwest can run small blocks up to 412 cu in (6.8 L) or big blocks up to 481 cu in (7.9 L). Separate classes of supermodifieds utilizing small block 350 cu in (5.7 L) engines also run on the East Coast (e.g. at Oswego Speedway).
Modern era big-block supermodifieds use a radically offset chassis that is up to 18 inches (460 mm) to the left of center. The engine and drivetrain components are mounted in a specially-fabricated area placed outside the left side frame rails. The engine is thus a stressed member of the chassis. This allows weight distribution to favor the left side (often by as much as 70%) and thereby aid cornering around the left-hand turns of an oval track. The giant wings, generally a maximum of 24 sq ft (2.2 m2)' in area, are mounted on the frame in a manner resembling sprint cars and serve a similar purpose, designed to produce downforce and thus increase cornering capabilities at high speed. West Coast (ERA/SMRA) cars run a fixed wing, whereas East Coast (ISMA/MSS) cars generally run a wing mounted to the suspension or chassis by pneumatic struts. The racing slick tires used on supermodifieds are among the widest used in pavement oval racing.
Like sprint cars, supermodifieds do not have starters, batteries, or transmissions, and are push-started.
The combination of high power, light weight, and high cornering ability allows supermodifieds to average over 120 mph (190 km/h) on a 1/2-mile oval and 150 mph (240 km/h) on a 1-mile (1.6 km) oval, with top speeds over 190 mph (310 km/h).
The largest of the four major sanctioning bodies is the Liverpool, New York-based International Supermodified Association (ISMA), founded in 1974 by multi-time Oswego Speedway champions Jim Shampine and Nolan Swift to ensure the future of supermodified racing. With the help of local businessman Tom Heveron, they formed ISMA as a forum for owners and drivers to express their ideas and opinions as they felt that they were not allowed to do so under Oswego Speedway management. Their goals were to upgrade supermodified racing with better safety conditions, hold more events per season to insure sufficient purses, and aid drivers with race-related issues. The association worked with track management in making decisions and in discussing ways of improvement. The club encouraged new drivers and owners, involved other tracks in supermodified racing, and helped to make the division stronger and more well known to a wider audience.
As president, Heveron, with the help of Vice President Jim Shampine and Secretary/Treasurer Fred Graves, led ISMA through its developmental stages. ISMA negotiated with Lancaster National Speedway for a 40-lap race held on July 3, 1974, which Todd Gibson of Richwood, Ohio won. The following year, ISMA booked races at Fulton Speedway with a $5,000 purse and $1,000 to win.
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Supermodified racing
Supermodifieds are a class of open wheel race car that compete on paved short tracks throughout North America. The class was founded in the 1950s and is especially popular in the Western, Northeast, and Great Lakes regions. Supermodifieds have been called the fastest short track race cars in the world.
The frame of a supermodified is generally constructed from aircraft-quality 0.095-inch (2.4 mm) thick chromium-molybdenum ("chromoly") tubing with steel and aluminum components, and the body is fabricated from fiberglass and aluminum. The cars are powered by American fuel-injected V8 engines that run on methanol fuel and can produce in excess of 800 hp (600 kW). At a weight of around 1,850 pounds (840 kg), the cars achieve an enormous power-to-weight ratio.
Nearly all competitors on the West Coast choose to run aluminum small blocks ranging from 410 to 430 cubic inches (6.7 to 7.0 L), whereas East Coast cars run mandatory cast-iron big blocks with aluminum heads bored to the allowable maximum displacement of 468 cu in (7.7 L). Cars in the Midwest can run small blocks up to 412 cu in (6.8 L) or big blocks up to 481 cu in (7.9 L). Separate classes of supermodifieds utilizing small block 350 cu in (5.7 L) engines also run on the East Coast (e.g. at Oswego Speedway).
Modern era big-block supermodifieds use a radically offset chassis that is up to 18 inches (460 mm) to the left of center. The engine and drivetrain components are mounted in a specially-fabricated area placed outside the left side frame rails. The engine is thus a stressed member of the chassis. This allows weight distribution to favor the left side (often by as much as 70%) and thereby aid cornering around the left-hand turns of an oval track. The giant wings, generally a maximum of 24 sq ft (2.2 m2)' in area, are mounted on the frame in a manner resembling sprint cars and serve a similar purpose, designed to produce downforce and thus increase cornering capabilities at high speed. West Coast (ERA/SMRA) cars run a fixed wing, whereas East Coast (ISMA/MSS) cars generally run a wing mounted to the suspension or chassis by pneumatic struts. The racing slick tires used on supermodifieds are among the widest used in pavement oval racing.
Like sprint cars, supermodifieds do not have starters, batteries, or transmissions, and are push-started.
The combination of high power, light weight, and high cornering ability allows supermodifieds to average over 120 mph (190 km/h) on a 1/2-mile oval and 150 mph (240 km/h) on a 1-mile (1.6 km) oval, with top speeds over 190 mph (310 km/h).
The largest of the four major sanctioning bodies is the Liverpool, New York-based International Supermodified Association (ISMA), founded in 1974 by multi-time Oswego Speedway champions Jim Shampine and Nolan Swift to ensure the future of supermodified racing. With the help of local businessman Tom Heveron, they formed ISMA as a forum for owners and drivers to express their ideas and opinions as they felt that they were not allowed to do so under Oswego Speedway management. Their goals were to upgrade supermodified racing with better safety conditions, hold more events per season to insure sufficient purses, and aid drivers with race-related issues. The association worked with track management in making decisions and in discussing ways of improvement. The club encouraged new drivers and owners, involved other tracks in supermodified racing, and helped to make the division stronger and more well known to a wider audience.
As president, Heveron, with the help of Vice President Jim Shampine and Secretary/Treasurer Fred Graves, led ISMA through its developmental stages. ISMA negotiated with Lancaster National Speedway for a 40-lap race held on July 3, 1974, which Todd Gibson of Richwood, Ohio won. The following year, ISMA booked races at Fulton Speedway with a $5,000 purse and $1,000 to win.