Pro Truck Series Chassis Alternative Plans Announcement

[SPATS]

Driver Seat Racing, Inc., managing sponsor of the Southern Pro Am Truck Series is pleased to announce the plans for a chassis alternative that will make it easier for new teams to build trucks without the donor chassis scavenger hunt.The new tubular frame is a direct replacement for the metric chassis and will allow teams to repair crashed trucks faster and for a lower cost. The series technical inspector, Tommy King said “This chassis is pound for pound the same thing that is currently being raced, and it’s long overdue.”

The chassis specs will be provided by Andy Johnson of Johnson Chassis, Inc. located in Kannapolis, NC. In the coming weeks the specs will be added to the Southern Pro Am Truck Series rules for local builders to access. The clips and replacement frames are already available. “The objective is to build a replacement for the GM Metric frame, not an improvement,” said Andy Johnson. Full bare frames retail for $1695 and clips are $695.

The XYG inspection grid will be in use to ensure that the tubular replacement pickup points are “Stock”. The grid is a go/no go gauge for all the suspension pick up points. In addition to the chassis alternative, an alternative aftermarket lower control arm and rear trailing arms will soon be announced.

For Racing Schedule, rules, and inquiries or to contact a representative of the Southern Pro Am Truck Series, Please call 1-877-883-1082 or email info@driverseatracing.com

If you have a pro truck or are thinking of driving one, please race with or join us at Bronson Speedway on 3/29/14 for the points season opener. $1,000 to win!

[shorttrackcar1]

this is long over due this is also what the super stock class will need to do as well to keep their class going in the future good move spats.

[turnleft]

Spats

Great move with this chassis alternative. Should have been done years ago. I hope the SPATS series can gain some momentum, In my opinion, running at Bronson is not in the best intrest of the new series, that track just seems to far out of the way..... Just my two cents....Vince

[Lurkin]

I'm actually surprised that there are still stock metric frames to be had at all. This is not surprising, it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

[Bobby Diehl]

SPAT's reminds me of when FASTRUCK started.

Way back in 1999 (after ARTS Series imploded). It was the last ARTS banquet the FASTRUCK was born. When asked if anyone wanted to be on the Advisory Committee and seven Driver raised they hands. Drivers having a say in how the Series was run (they wanted a level playing field). There will be many new releases in the next few days. They will really have their act together. Don't worry went they show that they will put butts in the seats the tracks will call them (some already have). I have fielded 18+ phone calls today with interest in the Series. I can only said what I went through for 15 years. And they agreed. I saw $1000.00 to win first race. Check out how many fans will be in the stands. That's what the Tracks only care about. I hope dd38 can see this (just kidding Rick)......
Bobby Diehl
813-817 RACE (7223)

[andre]

It's funny how those metric frames are all gone for everybody in America, and these IMCA Mods builder shops still build those cars on those frames by hundreds a year???????????

Maybe they have their own secret frames factory right next to Area 51????

[Frasson118]

Andre know his shit. He brings VERY good points to his posts, from a 1200 mile away viewpoint.

[Benny The Mule]

I agree with Andre and Frasson. I can still find plenty of those 12year stretch MASS PRODUCTION cars. If you do not want to find, strip, clean and repair stock chassis these chassis are a great alternative.

[Lurkin]

Well they aren't making them in Detroit anymore, so they ARE going to all be gone someday, and in our lifetime, I think sooner rather than later. So, and I'm not a part of this new series, if they were all to be gone in say 10 years what would be your plan to make sure entry level racers have a cheap rear wheel drive car to replace them?

[andre]

Well they aren't making them in Detroit anymore, so they ARE going to all be gone someday, and in our lifetime, I think sooner rather than later.

I would not be surprise one day to see somebody starting to make them out of old GM dies. It has been done with many parts so far, so who's to know it won't happen. Hey! They're making Factory Racing Engine now you know!!!!!!

Entry level racers have a cheap rear wheel drive car to replace them?

There is no ''Cheap race cars''. Maybe cheaper, but not cheap, not in today's world. It cost the exact same amount of time, money and material to build a tubular race truck frame//roll cage for a local series than it cost to build a nationwide Super Late Model. So the price out the door will be the same for both. You can browse the net and check. They are all in the same price range. You can check my web site address in the bottom, I build some of that stuff, so I know a little about it. I was checking Mod Light lately, nice little thing, they are $20K a piece, and they fit in the back of a pick up truck 4 god sake!!!!

When people quit building their own, and started to buy everything, cheap racing went out the door.

[jw14]

I got a NEW stock front clip from Ellis racecar, so someone is making them in Ind.

[andre]

Care to elaborate who make them? Do they have the full frame too? Pricing?

A web site address?

[Circledude]

I wonder what the frame with a cage would cost?

[Lurkin]

I think you made the point that I assumed you'd get at, they'll all soon be square tube. So aren't these guys ahead of the game? I can't figure out why/how buying the die's and making aftermarket metric "stock" frames is going to be cheaper or even better than just building them out of square tube. How about we take the (old hand me down) late models and put 602's and skinny, hard tires and a weight rule, and I guess whatever body you want(but you better pick one that appeals to the kids)? Isn't that the same and easier?

I'm NOT being a smart ass, I'm genuinely concerned about the future of entry level racing and It HAS to be addressed for the sport to survive in my opinion.

[kendo]

I think you made the point that I assumed you'd get at, they'll all soon be square tube. So aren't these guys ahead of the game? I can't figure out why/how buying the die's and making aftermarket metric "stock" frames is going to be cheaper or even better than just building them out of square tube. How about we take the (old hand me down) late models and put 602's and skinny, hard tires and a weight rule, and I guess whatever body you want(but you better pick one that appeals to the kids)? Isn't that the same and easier?

I'm NOT being a smart ass, I'm genuinely concerned about the future of entry level racing and It HAS to be addressed for the sport to survive in my opinion.

S-10 frame,350 motor,and any body of choice from a junk yard would bring back affordable racing and cars with character.

No entry level class will pay $1700 for a frame plus another $1000-1800 to have a cage installed.