About Us
Limited Modlites, Maximum Excitement!!!
What does that mean?
Here is our story...
Two guys sat on a tailgate after a race in October of 2005 talking about a different type of race car; they had talked about this many times. One had a short stint in a 360 Sprint Car and the other in an IMCA modified; both had raced street tire dwarf cars (Desert Dwarf Car Club) for six or so years and were back in dwarf cars. The two guys had been talking about the modlite, but in its current form (back east) it may be too expensive and was struggling with car count.
The idea was born to bring modlites to Arizona but in a limited form. The modlite chassis was being built by a number of race shops so there was no need to reinvent the chassis. The “change” would be in the bolt on parts. Limits similar to the street tire dwarf car guys… limit the race parts that cost the racer the most money; tires and engines…
Tires – Use the Hoosier 205-60-13 medium on all four corners. Hoosier is a race tire with a recognizable name (credibility), proven on 1000 pound cars (dwarfs). No stagger; street tire guys didn’t have stagger and both guys knew it was not needed to go fast. No stagger saved cost, one spare, not a rack of tires for setup; one compound, medium, again cost effective but race able.
Engines – This was a tough issue. The idea is to limit the engine. In the small block Chevy world the parts in the engine are limited. In the motorcycle engine racing world that is not possible. But we could limit the engines that are allowed. The big four Asian motorcycle manufactures improve their product on a yearly basis. If you have ever raced a motorcycle you know this; after a couple of years your dirt or street bike is obsolete. That is true with the motorcycle engine racing community also. A 05 Suzuki GSXR1000 makes 11% more horsepower than a 04. In the small block Chevy world that’s 65 horsepower! All things equal which would you choose? So we picked any 1000cc engine that is rated at less than 170 horsepower. And we drafted rules that do not allow any modifications to the electronics or hardware (except for a TFI). The idea is to limit engines so that the playing field is as equal as possible and remains that way for years to come.
Another part we choose not to allow is the torque absorbing devices. We have a good tire, plenty of bite. Torque links would allow more traction, which is hard on the engine, unless you have a little more hp to use it… and you know how this story ends up…
We recognized that the limited modlite stifles ingenuity, they would be our members; that was the racer we were looking for. We are a place for those that are done with change; a racer that wanted something fast, and cool looking, but not have to work on it all week and spend the 401K.
The first two Modites arrived in Arizona in November of 05. One is currently piloted by 16 year old Kelly Ryan #15; and the other by the current point leader #51 John Priest.
This is a short blip of our story. It’s been a long road, but the road is getting better all the time. We are going to average a shade under twenty cars for 07. We race at five different tracks in Arizona. Steady growth is our goal.
The two guys are Tony Martin and Art Garcia. We didn’t do this alone; we have had lots of help. People just as committed to this as we are.
For more information email us @ SWModlite@cox.net or just ask on our open message board.
Thanks, SWMLA #19AZ Art Garcia
What does that mean?
Here is our story...
Two guys sat on a tailgate after a race in October of 2005 talking about a different type of race car; they had talked about this many times. One had a short stint in a 360 Sprint Car and the other in an IMCA modified; both had raced street tire dwarf cars (Desert Dwarf Car Club) for six or so years and were back in dwarf cars. The two guys had been talking about the modlite, but in its current form (back east) it may be too expensive and was struggling with car count.
The idea was born to bring modlites to Arizona but in a limited form. The modlite chassis was being built by a number of race shops so there was no need to reinvent the chassis. The “change” would be in the bolt on parts. Limits similar to the street tire dwarf car guys… limit the race parts that cost the racer the most money; tires and engines…
Tires – Use the Hoosier 205-60-13 medium on all four corners. Hoosier is a race tire with a recognizable name (credibility), proven on 1000 pound cars (dwarfs). No stagger; street tire guys didn’t have stagger and both guys knew it was not needed to go fast. No stagger saved cost, one spare, not a rack of tires for setup; one compound, medium, again cost effective but race able.
Engines – This was a tough issue. The idea is to limit the engine. In the small block Chevy world the parts in the engine are limited. In the motorcycle engine racing world that is not possible. But we could limit the engines that are allowed. The big four Asian motorcycle manufactures improve their product on a yearly basis. If you have ever raced a motorcycle you know this; after a couple of years your dirt or street bike is obsolete. That is true with the motorcycle engine racing community also. A 05 Suzuki GSXR1000 makes 11% more horsepower than a 04. In the small block Chevy world that’s 65 horsepower! All things equal which would you choose? So we picked any 1000cc engine that is rated at less than 170 horsepower. And we drafted rules that do not allow any modifications to the electronics or hardware (except for a TFI). The idea is to limit engines so that the playing field is as equal as possible and remains that way for years to come.
Another part we choose not to allow is the torque absorbing devices. We have a good tire, plenty of bite. Torque links would allow more traction, which is hard on the engine, unless you have a little more hp to use it… and you know how this story ends up…
We recognized that the limited modlite stifles ingenuity, they would be our members; that was the racer we were looking for. We are a place for those that are done with change; a racer that wanted something fast, and cool looking, but not have to work on it all week and spend the 401K.
The first two Modites arrived in Arizona in November of 05. One is currently piloted by 16 year old Kelly Ryan #15; and the other by the current point leader #51 John Priest.
This is a short blip of our story. It’s been a long road, but the road is getting better all the time. We are going to average a shade under twenty cars for 07. We race at five different tracks in Arizona. Steady growth is our goal.
The two guys are Tony Martin and Art Garcia. We didn’t do this alone; we have had lots of help. People just as committed to this as we are.
For more information email us @ SWModlite@cox.net or just ask on our open message board.
Thanks, SWMLA #19AZ Art Garcia
