Modern Dirt Brake Choices and Use

Forward-looking Information for Modern Dirt Racing
 

- Bob Bolles With Randy Keene

Many aspects of the parts and pieces of dirt cars have evolved over the past 20 years or so. We’ve seen almost every part of the car evolve from fairly primitive designs to the most advanced configurations possible. Historically, the brake systems have been among the least evolved, mainly due to the fact that in years past, dirt racers used very little braking. Now, though, that has all changed.

A big influence in the change in how brakes are used in dirt racing involves the way the cars are setup and raced. The setups offer a more balanced approach whereby all of the four tires are doing work. We rarely see the left front tire up in the air.

This is true for the top three most popular types of dirt cars, the dirt Late Model, UMP/IMCA Dirt Modifieds and the NE Big Block Modifieds. (I have purposely not included the dirt Sprint Cars, as that is another story altogether.)

With this balance comes a more straight a head driving style, which has been popularized by the top winners in each division. Drivers like Billy Moyer, Scott Bloomquist, Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, Kenny Tremont, Brett Hearn, and our own David Reutimann, and his father Buzzy, all have more of a straight-forward style that has been bringing success.

A better understanding of the balance concept has helped bring about the change in setups. During the early to mid-’90’s, we saw cars running a softer right rear spring than the left rear, but we now see stiffer right rear springs over the left rear.

Shock technology has evolved a great deal, too. In 1995, it was rare indeed to see a dirt Late Model running gas-pressure shocks. These days, it is rare to see one not running gas pressure. I believe the Modifieds ran them before the Late Models did, using stock configuration Bilstein gas-pressure shocks.