[Mopar93]

Transponder Mounting Location
Effective July 22nd, 2006

Transponders are used at Spartan Speedway and Springport Motor Speedway for computerized scoring during all race events including qualifying, heat races, feature races, and other special races.

The transponders must also be mounted on the race car during practice. They are checked by the scoring team during practice to make sure they are all functional and properly assigned to each car/driver combination.

The transponder MUST be mounted on the rear axle. It MUST be located on the back side of the right hand axle tube only. It MAY NOT be located on the top, front, or bottom of the axle tube.

The only exception to this is with the front-wheel drive Pony Stocks and front-wheel drive Pure Stocks. On these cars, the transponder MUST be mounted in a similar location as if the car had a driven rear axle. It MUST be located on the right hand side of the car and as close to an imaginary line drawn between the center of each rear wheel as possible. The actual location used on each car must be approved by a tech official on the front-wheel drive cars.

NOTE: If your exhaust is aimed in the area of the right side axle tube, be sure to have an alternate mounting location (such as the left side axle tube) approved by a tech official.

-Maurice

[SSracer6]

Maurice-

What changes were made to this rule???
I thought that was where your transponder was originally supposed to be mounted wasn't it?

-Ian Sprague

[Mopar93]

Hi Ian,

Yes, that's where it was supposed to be mounted, however it's never been enforced. Some were mounting on top of the axle, some on the bottom and some on the front. Then there were some who were mounting to the frame ahead or behind the axle.

We're just trying to get everyone in a uniform location. If somebody wants to locate the transponder to the frame they can as long as it is behind the rear axle and no farther forward. There is a disadvantage to this because it will be located farther back in the car. We just don't want anyone having an advantage with it being farther up in the car.

In any case, if two cars come across the line side by side, the tower will still do a visual on the finish of the first and second place cars. But if two cars are coming across for 7th and 8th place in heavy traffic, the scorers might miss it. And that's where the uniform location can really be important. If the 8th place car has his transponder located 12 inches ahead of the rear axle, he might get scored for 7th and it would be wrong.

-Maurice

[Mopar93]

I'm adding a reply to this message thread only so that it gets noticed once again. Everyone, please read the first message in this thread and notice the date it was posted. The transponder mounting rule has been enforced since last year.

Last night, I had to get about 6 teams to move their transponders because they were located either in front of, on top of, or below the axle tube. They must be either on the back side of the axle tube or further behind yet. They cannot be located any further forward in the car than the back side of the axle tube.

Most importantly, do not mount them so that the exhaust will harm them.

Also, if you are mounting them without using the standard plastic mounting bracket, make sure the two charging pins on the back side of the transponder do not touch any metal surfaces. They are designed to shut off if the two pins are shorted together. If that happens, the computer will lose track of your car and the tower will have to manually score you during the race.

-Maurice

[Racer7L]

The transponder MUST be mounted on the rear axle. It MUST be located on the back side of the right hand axle tube only. It MAY NOT be located on the top, front, or bottom of the axle tube.

NOTE: If your exhaust is aimed in the area of the right side axle tube, be sure to have an alternate mounting location (such as the left side axle tube) approved by a tech official.

This is a quote from the first post and it shows you how inconsistant maurice is, Right hand only, well my exhaust drops right on the right rear tube and the brake caliper is on the back side. So now where do I put it mauice will tell you then change down the road. Doug the flag man came over in his white pants ot on the ground and then told me to put it on the left tube away from the exhaust Thanx Doug for helping even when not your place and maurice not willing to help when it is his place.

We just don't want anyone having an advantage with it being farther up in the car.

Ok an advantage? Try measuring from the front bumper to the mountng location of the transponder, even on the front side of the trucks axle tube with 116" wheelbase and a 3 1/2" tube diameter and the bracket that would be give or take about 113" from the front axle to the transponer, now on a 108" car on the back of the axle that would be about 111" still at a disadvantage, but with a 112" car your looking at 115" maybe unfair.
maurice do something contructive at the track.

Also I was never told to move it maurice told my crew, if my crew has no voice with the track officials they should have no ears as well.

2007 Track Champion
the Disturbed one Dane Long

[Mopar93]

Dane, please read the entire first message. Here's the part you failed to read:

NOTE: If your exhaust is aimed in the area of the right side axle tube, be sure to have an alternate mounting location (such as the left side axle tube) approved by a tech official.

I don't understand why transponder mounting is such a major issue. Three different teams fussed about having to relocate their transponders last night. C'mon you guys.

[Bardenracing42]

In observation, It seemed to me like Dane's post had less to do about transponders than it does a personal issue. Whatever personal issues exist, those should be dealt with in person instead of ripping someone who is just doing their job about something as petty as moving a transponder bracket.

[Mopar93]

To be honest, this is the first I was aware there was any personal issue. I would not have expected to have this much trouble with transponder locations.

I think the wording of the transponder location needs to be simplified. Also, the left/right location doesn't matter any longer. We had it standardized on the right side last year, but this year, we talked about it and felt that whichever side was the easiest to use and away from the exhaust would be OK. So, here's the knew simplified rule:

"The transponder must be mounted on the back side of the rear axle. If it cannot be mounted on the rear axle, it should be mounted as close to this location as possible, but behind the axle."

That works for all RWD cars. For any FWD car such as the Pony Stocks, just find a suitable location that is reasonably inline with the center of the wheels as if there were a rear axle located there.

If we had to go into detail why every rule is written the way they are written, the rule book would be too thick and probably wouldn't get read thoroughly. But here's a detailed explanation anyway on why the transponder must be in a standardized location:

The transponders must be protected on the race car while still being able to function for scoring. If the transponder is mounted more than 2 feet above the track surface, the signal might be too weak to pick up. If there are any obstructions between the transponder and the track surface, the signal might be too weak to pick up.

The transponder should be located so that it is as safe as possible from any exhaust heat or debris on the race track. The axle tubes act as a shield for the transponder. The front of an axle tube is easily exposed to debris on the race track. The transponder is in a safer location if mounted "behind" a strong structure. Mounting the transponder behind the axle provides a safe location while still being able to get a clear line of sight to the race track surface. Note: The "loop" that aids in the signal for the transponder is mounted in a groove cut into the asphalt near the start/finish line. Any obstructions between the transponder and this loop can hinder the signal.

Even though there are variances in wheelbases and body lengths, with a standard mounting location on the back side of the rear axle, we can at least get ALL transponders mounted as reasonably close to each other as possible. This lessens the "window" of difference between each car and makes the job of the scorers easier with less possibility of a transponder scoring error when the cars are side by side at the finish line.

There, I hope that clears this discussion up.

-Maurice

[Jim Leasure]

Remember, drivers have an option to purchase their own transponder if they choose, they are not required to use the tracks. Cost = 360.00.

[monzilla80]

I moved my exhaust at the begining of the year on my truck because it was pointed at the right axle tube. Problem solved.

I run a longer wheel base than anyone at the track. ANYONE. The rules changed right in the middle of building my truck. I got screwed big time. The general attitude I got was "build something with the shorter wheel base". The rules state 108" for Pure Stock. Build a 108". Its not the track fault that I have a longer wheel base or shorter nose than someone else.

I either conform or get left behind. Its happening now and I know I have to change. So I change.
_________________
Its either gonna go or blow!

[rooster07]

so the transponder is a timimg and scoring device and we have to use it.
_________________
MATHEW VAINNER
"THE ROOSTER"07
PAPA MOTORSPORTS

[Jim B]

Yes, all competitors in an event are timed and scored by transponders.
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Jim Barker - Timing, Scoring & Other Stuff