Pushing 101
Without a good bumper you can never push...there are different sizes of bumpers out there; wide, narrow, permanent, removable, etc… you just have to pick one that is best for you. Some say that you can work a car around to get a good placement with a wide bumper... like a full width board from fender to fender. Others say that a narrow board is the way to go. The size of the board doesn’t prevent you from driving over a tire (shelving) if the driver forgets they are being pushed. They sometimes forget that a push truck can’t turn as tight as they can. No matter what size you have WATCH THE DRIVER AND CAR. They will let you know what to do. My bottom height off the ground at 11 inches, this is a good for working with sprints, midgets and mini sprints also.
I have used 3/4 –inch plywood and others have used 2x10's to finish the bumper. You can use what ever wood you want but use a lot of paint for the finish or cover it with conveyor belt or tire rubber for a facing.
You can mount the bumper direct to your truck frame like above or as a bolt on like below.
There is even the receiver hitch that can be used. This way it is easily removed for the week.
No matter how you mount your bumper, ensure that it is mounted solidly. Nothing is worse than your bumper breaking during your first push or doing an event.
Several friends have asked why I push or why do my friends … the answer is simple … pushers are a special breed of race fans!
I am using Bridgestone Dueler AT’s and find that a really wet track that I have problems. Others use Hankook DynaPro MT RTO3 and find that they provide excellent traction on and off the track. No matter what tire you use you need a tire that will bite into the dirt with very little spin. I use four wheel drive all the time, even when the track is dry. It seems to give you the best grip. If you are using a two wheel drive vehicle, you might have to add some weight for traction.
The last thing you need is wheel spin...setting there spinning your tires does little to get the show going and causes you embarrassment. Not to mention the grief from your fellow pushers later. One thing to remember if you get the sprint car sideways STOP and correct yourself, it only takes a second to ride over a rear wheel and do damage to a sprint that could take it out of competition from tires, shocks, chassis, tail tank, torsion arms, wings, etc ...
I think you get it.
Totally up to your preference. I am using Rancho RS5000 High-Performance Shock like the one on the left. You might have to use coil-over to beef up the front suspension like the Rancho RS9000X Pro Series Coil-Over shock on the right. Which ever shock you choose, you have to remember you’re carrying extra weight with the push bumper depending on the material used to build it.
The cleaner the better but it will get dirty guaranteed. There will be nights when you will want to hide in the pits trying not to go on the track. Having to wheel pack the surface is just part of being there. Do it with a grain of salt because the better the groove, the better the race. If you have a least a coat of wax it tends to shed the dirt quicker. But it will get dirty and scratched to include your windshield. Try as you want scratches happen; remember you are driving a truck not a Mercedes. Some key points to remember …keep a full windshield washer tank, a bottle of window cleaner, and paper towels in your truck. I use Rain-X and it lets the sticky mud dry and slide off. Another good tool to have is a squeegee. A water hose and squeegee can wash a muddy truck fast if you need to.
I've tried baby oil, Tire Shine, and Mudd-Off with varied results. It all depends on the track condition. If you are lucky enough to have sponsors remember to at least wipe their decals off once in awhile. If all else fails wait for the ride home and you will lose a few dirt bombs along the way and the rest will crack off like a hard boiled egg once it dries.
This is a no brainer. Your emergency flashers work in a pinch but are hard to see. I prefer a roof mounted light bar or strobe light.
It is always better to be seen and annoying than to get hit. It has happened!
A scanner is a good investment if you can’t afford a two-way radio. Being able to know what is happening on the track is a must. It helps keep the show moving. If a car has a problem you can get to it quicker if needed. Just remember to work with the track crew. Low cost two-way radios can be programmed to the track frequency, just be sure to check with the track before you use it. And remember …Don't try to run your own show.
The only way to learn is to do it...But if you follow what others have to say it surely will help you.
Remember a sprint car doesn't have a flywheel, clutch, transmission or starter. The rear end is placed in gear with a cable. The drive line can be damaged it you hit the car going to fast.
Approach the sprinter slowly; remember the driver is only three feet in front of your truck. Roll up to the push bar easy, and make sure your square behind it. They have a tendency to slide sideways at times and you must be ready to adjust accordingly.
Don't push until the driver waves you on. Even if the pit steward says go take a look at the driver to see if he has his gear on or is adjusting something. You also have to watch for his pit crew, make sure they aren’t adjusting the air pressure at the last moment. Pay attention to the drivers signals. He may want you to roll him up the line a little bit and then push off. Or he may motion you to gently tap him to get his car in gear. Keep watching the driver. Don’t mess around here; get them rolling and up to speed quickly. It’s not a drag race though but they like to be rolling before they fire the motor...The driver won't fire until he gets the oil pressure up. He also needs some speed so the motor won't load up on alcohol. If you hear the motor pop as its try’s to fire don't stop pushing until the driver pulls away from you or waves you off. Sometimes the motor has to cycle a couple of times to get the fuel right.
Once its running ease off and turn away...But keep your foot near the brake petal. You never know the car may stop for some reason. Go in the pattern the other push trucks are using to keep flow back to the push off area...NEVER STOP AND BACK UP ON OR OFF THE TRACK..!!!! Always keep your eyes scanning the push off area for people walking in front of you.
When the flagman throws a caution flag for a spin or accident, try to work as a team with another truck to restart the sprint. One can turn the car around and the other can push it off. This will save time not having to stop and turn around to correct yourself. When turning a car remember the driver might do a 90-degree turn. Beware your bumper may catch and dig into their tire and you shelf the car, causing a very embarrassing moment. This is where the team works real well.
Always leave a lane open for the cars to get through..
If there is a red flag and it is not in your area of assignment, go to the cars stopped on the track and push them around to the front straightaway. Once you have all the cars on the front straightaway, pick-up a car on the outside row starting from the front. When the yellow flag is displayed and it is safe to push, start pushing and go around and pick up another. Always leave a lane open at the top of the track for cars that are running. If it all works like a well oiled machine then you have accomplished the job… well done!
Push trucks and wreckers … When there is a yellow or red flag, turn your overheads on to help inform the drivers. Remember if you push into the pits, turn off your overheads. This way if the race goes green you will not confuse the drivers.
Pushing out of staging can be a dangerous thing; drivers will always need help if they have motor problems or if they want to warm their engine. Watch out for quads and golf carts in front of you and don’t forget about the cars on the track already. If you push a car and stop in the chute area …. Use your radio and let the rest of us know where the danger is. Remember you are not alone and others are coming behind you.
I know most pushers will say wreckers are not made for pushing...Well we all know most tracks will use them if they need them. So bear with me, there really are some good pushers out driving wreckers
Wreckers are like the kid that grew up too fast and bullied the neighborhood kids. The first thing to remember when pushing a sprint car is to get square and straight behind them. If you start sliding a car sideways stop and correct yourself. There is too much weight on your truck and before you know it the car is sideways and you have driven over it. That is the main problem we usually have. On the track remember sprint cars are not stock cars and need a place to get by you on a caution. They can't stop and wait for you to turn around. Everything else for push trucks applies to you too.
Tracks that have closed ...
Always remember the owner is the boss and you are the guest. Even if you don’t like him or his call, it’s still his call.
Work with the track and Fire/Safety crews and help them out if they need you. Keep a dry-chemical fire extinguisher in your truck and a pressurized water fire extinguisher is a good idea too. Just in case the driver gets a hot foot or you have to dilute an alcohol fuel spill
Hopefully the few words of wisdom that I have given you will help all you new pushers and maybe even a few veterans. Remember, you have to be aware of your surroundings and your mirrors are your best friends … use them. You must know who is coming up behind you to be safe.
Remember ... have fun out there and be careful!
Thanks goes out to Jimmyjeep for all your help!!!
