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Ahead of the engine, the FWD car contains: Radiator, radiator cooling fan, coolant overflow, engine oil cooler, fuel system, battery, accumulator and more. Keep in mind that this stuff can’t be installed haphazard. Arrangement of the parts is thought out. Obviously, servicing the car at the track was a major consideration too.
What about the rear? Compared to the front, it’s dirt-simple. GM used a basic beam axle that ties directly into the OEM suspension mounts and shock/strut tower. For the most part, the rear end is simply along for the ride, but obviously, brakes are included in the equation.

Rear suspension is pretty straightforward (literally) on these cars. For the most part, a simple beam axle is used.

Here’s the Rulebook excerpt: Suspension, Rear: “Factory independent suspension may be replaced with straight-axle suspension, but must retain original upper mounting points.
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Strut tower braces, lower tie bars, sway bars, and limit straps are permitted. Rear suspension must maintain minimum shock travel of 1 inch. All rear suspensions must use at least one working shock absorber per wheel. Strut must attach to original OEM upper mount.”

Now, someone crafty might realize that a clever way to make these cars “hook” would be to use the wheelie bars to an advantage. You can, but the opportunity to use things like pneumatics or electronics to physically load and unload the wheelie bars at the most appropriate time has been eliminated by the regulations. What you’re left with is more or less a standard wheelie bar arrangement:

Wheelie Bars: “Permitted. Maximum length 65 inches from rear bumper. May be adjustable, but must be fixed during run. Any movement or adjustment during run prohibited. Pneumatics, hydraulics, electronics, etc. prohibited. Wheelie-bar wheels must spin free at the starting line. Any preload prohibited.
Permitted. See General Regulations 4:2.”

 

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