Q: Who should attend?
A: Anyone who wants a better understanding of the factors that impact chassis set-ups. All of our seminars are open to all, and are attended by people who are involved in many different forms of motorsports. We gear some of our seminars specifically for quarter-midget participants, however. In the past our open seminars have attracted people involved in mini-sprint, Legends, midget, sprint car (both dirt and asphalt, winged and non-wing), supermodified, UMP modified and late model racing.
Q: What are the hours?
A: We start at 9 a.m. and stop at 5 p.m., with a one-hour break for lunch on your own. Please pack a lunch or plan to eat at a nearby fast-food restaurant.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Casual attire. Some of our seminars are held in race car shops. They can be drafty, so please dress accordingly.
Q: What will you cover?
A: We’ll discuss items relating to the set-up and operation of a race car, including the items that make up the “Pyramid of Grip”: spring rate, shock dampening, tire pressure, chassis roll, and chassis bind/chassis flex.
We’ll talk about maintenance, chassis set-up and analysis prior to the race weekend, a complete overview of the engineering forces in play, and how to choose the proper changes to make at the track.
The basic outline of our open “Pyramid of Grip” seminar follows.
- What is the ‘Pyramid of Grip?’
- Tire program prep and management
- Mounting
- Surface prep
- Pressurizing
- Stagger
- Spring rate choices
- Wheel rate
- Cross weight
- Frequency
- Panhard rods and Jacobs ladders
- Center of gravity
- Jacobs ladder
- Instantaneous roll center
- Radius rods, arm angles and roll steer
- Pro-dive/anti-dive
- Moment arm
- Roll steer
- Caster, camber, scrub radius and toe-out
- Caster
- Scrub radius
- Camber
- Toe out
- Ackerman
- Shock department
- Compress and rebound stroke
- Piston arrangement
- Velocities
- Gear ratio
- Anti-roll bars
- Purpose of an anti-roll system
- Loading on pavement tracks
- Loading on dirt tracks
- Cockpit adjustments
- Communication and driver development
- Walking the track
- Expanding communication
- Discussing changes with the driver
- Driver focus
- Track segments
- Driver feedback
Q: It’s been a while since I’ve been in school. What if I miss something?
A: Booklets and a set of DVDs are available for purchase. Please see the “Store” section for more information.
Q: May we ask questions?
A: Absolutely! It’s encouraged!
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Pricing may vary depending upon location of Seminar being held.
Q: How can I register?
A: You may register by filling out the registration form on this Web site any time of day or night, calling our office during regular business hours at (317) 486-9710, or sending your information to us by e-mail. Our e-mail address is danny@drinanracing.com.
Q: How can I pay?
A: You may pay by cash, a check made out to Drinan Racing Products, by PayPal to the e-mail address of danny@drinanracing.com, or by VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
To register, fill out the registration form on this Web site, e-mail us the information at danny@drinanracing.com, or call us during normal office hours at (317) 486-9710.
Q: What is your cancelation policy?
A: Due to the fact that our travel expenses and facility rental charges are non-refundable, we are not able to offer tuition refunds. You may, however, send a substitute in your place. Please let us know by e-mail as soon as possible if this is the case.
Q: Are there videotapes available?
A: Yes! A set of five DVDs of a previous “Pyramid of Grip” seminar is available for purchase. The cost per set is $65 for those who have attended any of the seminars and $95 for others.
Two booklets are also available. One focusing on quarter-midget set-ups costs $15, and the open-session booklet is $25.
You can order booklets or the DVD set by calling (317) 486-9710 or e-mailing DrinanRacing@sbcglobal.net. Payment must be received before the products are mailed.
Q: Can we get you to host a seminar in our area or for our organization?
A: We welcome that! Please call or e-mail us to discuss our availability. We have an incentive program available to racing clubs that support our seminars’ marketing program. Please call or e-mail for further details!