Every race car requires turnaround work between rounds, some combinations simply demand more than others. A bracket racer may only need to add fuel and hook up a battery charger before heading back to the staging lanes. Mountain Motor Pro Stock (MMPS) teams, however, have a much longer checklist to complete in a very short amount of time.
Any successful racer will tell you that rounds are won just as much in the pits as they are on the racetrack. MMPS teams live by that philosophy. These cars are among the most highly optimized machines in drag racing, which means virtually every critical component needs to be inspected after each pass.
Engine inspection and valvetrain maintenance are two of the most important tasks completed during a turnaround.
A crew member gives the top end of the engine the white-glove treatment to ensure everything is functioning properly. Valve lash is checked, valve spring pressure is measured, the springs themselves are carefully inspected, and the overall condition of the engine is evaluated. A small issue discovered in the pits can prevent a major failure on the next run.
The clutch and transmission also receive extensive attention between rounds.
Once the transmission is removed, the clutch assembly comes apart for a complete inspection and refresh. Every component is cleaned, inspected, and evaluated before adjustments are made. If changing track conditions call for a different transmission gear ratio, a crew member will disassemble the transmission and make the necessary changes. At the same time, the clutch discs are inspected for wear, and the crew determines which discs will be reinstalled for the next round.
While all of this work is taking place, the data collected from the previous run is being analyzed. Crew members combine that information with current weather and track conditions to determine what tuning adjustments are needed. Once those decisions are made, any required changes are completed before the car is reassembled and prepared for its next pass down the quarter-mile.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep one of these high-revving machines competitive, you’ll want to watch the latest episode of Dragzine’s Tech Inspection. John DeFlorian walks viewers through the complete Mountain Motor Pro Stock turnaround process, providing an inside look at the intensive maintenance and preparation required between rounds.
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