| In racing, the standards of tomorrow are created by | | | | was facing its own test. Previously, these cars had |
| the testing of today. No part gets into a | | | | steel bodies and body replacement was a time |
| manufacturer's catalog or onto a retailer's shelf | | | | consuming and costly step for the teams. It was a |
| without going through some type of testing. | | | | necessary evil because many have sponsors who |
| When a change comes about in the sport, the | | | | want their products to stand out, and it won't |
| process that brings on the change involves testing. | | | | happen on a battered body. |
| At the PRI show in Orlando in December 2005, there | | | | "We'll be getting these bodies from one |
| was plenty of interest in an engine sitting on a stand | | | | manufacturer, who will have a distributor network. |
| in the NASCAR booth. The engine was a piece that | | | | We know the teams were spending $10,000-$15,000 |
| could be destined for use in the Grand National West | | | | to hang a new body. The lesser teams were forced |
| and Busch East series if all goes well. At the point of | | | | to buy bodies that had been cut off other cars. The |
| the display, initial testing had been done, but there | | | | composite bodies are much more cost effective. |
| was more to come. | | | | They are pretty flexible and much easier to repair," |
| The next phase of testing happened at USA | | | | said Roy. |
| International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida, in | | | | Roy said the Richard Petty Driving Experience had |
| mid-January. It was the same location as the | | | | switched to the composite body and found |
| previous tests. There may have been some changes | | | | substantial time and labor savings. The bodies will be |
| from the display engine to the track, but those | | | | used for the Busch East and the Busch West series, |
| changes were not obvious. Some parts may have | | | | but there's a small concern. The rules are not exactly |
| been swapped to see if a certain manufacturer | | | | the same, as one series uses cars with a 105-inch |
| should be preferred over another. After all, one goal | | | | wheelbase and the other requires a 110-inch |
| of the test is to determine the menu of best parts | | | | wheelbase. To accommodate this, the manufacturer |
| for the competitor. | | | | will sell the bodies without the wheelwells cut out, |
| Wegner Automotive Research has played a key role | | | | leaving it to the teams. Fitment is not expected to |
| in the development of the engine and was on hand | | | | be an issue. The 105-inch car that was tested looked |
| at the test to make adjustments and try new | | | | fine. |
| components as needed. | | | | Chevrolet Monte Carlo Race Car front drivers side |
| For the test mule, NASCAR reached out to Grizco | | | | view side half |
| Racing, the North Carolina-based team that finished | | | | The car on pit road. This gives you a good look at |
| First and Second in NASCAR Busch North Series point | | | | the composite body, another innovation in the works |
| standings last year. (Note: The Busch East Series is | | | | for Grand National competitors in 2006. The body |
| the new name of the Busch North Series.) On the | | | | could save the teams time and money during the |
| first day, veteran Brad Leighton took the wheel for | | | | course of a season. |
| the laps around the 3/4-mile speedway. On day two, | | | | While the body was facing its own perusal, the |
| the chore fell to series Rookie of the Year Sean | | | | engine was getting plenty of fine-tuning. Squirters in |
| Caisse. Defending series champion Andy Santerre, | | | | the carburetor were changed after a few laps during |
| who will focus on a management role with the team | | | | the morning session. Near the end of the morning |
| in 2006, supervised the testing. | | | | run, a new intake manifold was brought in for a trial |
| The engine had been developed by renowned engine | | | | by fire. |
| builder Carl Wegner of Wegner Automotive | | | | At the end of the testing, the car was transported |
| Research, and Wegner's team was present to handle | | | | back to North Carolina. The engine was removed and |
| all adjustments. After having 17 percent humidity for | | | | the time-consuming process of parts analysis was set |
| the first day, the reality of Florida kicked in as the | | | | to begin. |
| humidity was 80 percent on day two. Air | | | | Roy remarked that there was a growing interest in |
| temperature lingered in the mid-60s with the track | | | | the Busch East Series, and the development of the |
| temperature starting off at a cool 59 degrees. | | | | engine and body could really spur the continued |
| Weather readings were regularly taken throughout | | | | growth. |
| the day. | | | | "From what we've seen, this engine holds up well," |
| After a period of adjustments, including spring | | | | said Santerre. "It runs very competitive lap times. For |
| changes and the early discovery and replacement of | | | | anybody new coming into the Grand National division, |
| a faulty brake rotor, the laps started to mount. The | | | | they should be able to put this type of engine in their |
| goal on this day was to run about 400 laps, which | | | | car and know they're going to be competitive at the |
| would be close to 300 miles. That is well in excess of | | | | racetrack. If this motor doesn't show any signs of |
| the ordeal these cars typically endure on a given | | | | fatigue after this test session, I think that's a great |
| weekend. | | | | sign for the future of the spec engine." |
| On hand to watch the test was NASCAR Busch East | | | | The last day of testing included several long-distance |
| Director Lee Roy, who explained the idea behind the | | | | runs, and the car showed no obvious signs of |
| new engine. "Our objective is to develop an engine | | | | reduced performance. The true test comes when |
| that will keep a similar horsepower figure, lessen the | | | | the parts are removed and inspected. NASCAR |
| rpm, and cost less than half of what the competitors | | | | officials will make a determination on specific parts to |
| are paying now for a built engine. Carl [Wegner] | | | | be required in the engines, which will allow the |
| came up with a good package that hits the goal on | | | | engines to be built by anyone. A complete parts list |
| the cost. With effort to get a spec engine and the | | | | was expected to be available a few weeks after the |
| composite body, we are taking two of the areas of | | | | latest testing, with the possibility of more testing |
| largest cost and cutting them by half or more. We | | | | down the road. There is no set timetable since |
| think that will help us keep the competitive nature of | | | | NASCAR wants to be certain of its engine before |
| the series and help the series grow." | | | | offering it to competitors. |
| While the engine was the main attraction, the body | | | | |