Ground clearance

[Esslinger Eng]

If I may ask, what sort of ground clearance is adequate on a suspended ~200-250mph lakester that will be raced at both El Mirage and Bonneville?

[Dynoroom]

It depends on how heavy you are, how much suspension travel you have, how firm or soft your chosen damper & spring rates are, & how good/bad the courses are.

We are ridged mounted in front & suspended in the rear (long wheel base helps).
We run about 2" to 2.5" at both El Mirage & Bonneville. Best speeds to date are 216 & 241 at said venues.

[Rex Schimmer]

Is it flat bottom or round bottom? and as Mike said "Does it have suspension?"

Rex

[Esslinger Eng]

I'm trying to steer away from a flat vs round bottom debate...  I was guessing somewhere between 2 & 3 inches of ground clearance would suffice at ride height with a mechanical limit of around 1/2" to 1" of clearance with both front and rear suspensions bottomed out and the tires loaded as usual.  Does that sound doable then?

[krusty]

Yes. Our "high car" (rear engine modified roadster) is a combination of flat and rounded and has approximately 2" of clearance on the bellypan, which is full length, but not the full width of the body. I run 1/2" to 3/4" of bump travel (mechanically limited) on double adjustable Ohlins dirt racing coilover shocks. We set records in B/GRMR and B/FRMR last week with mid 250 averages on the poor quality last mile and a half. Car has exit of 264 with C engine on better salt.   Edit: 3800 - 4100# (depends on engine E,D,C,B).

vic

[jimmy six]

Consider the problems if a flat tire occurs; by there look most don't. Just a thought.