Welcome back to Street Outlaws Talks, your go-to source for all things related to the world of street racing and No Prep Kings. Today, we're diving into the latest updates to the No Prep Kings (NPK) weight rules, which are set to shake up the competition in the remaining races of the season.
Photo by Mallory Elizabeth Photography
The Inside Scoop on the New Weight Rules
For those who closely follow NPK, it's no secret that the weight rules play a crucial role in determining the performance of different car setups. While the racers themselves don't always share the specifics, we've managed to get our hands on the updated base weights for every combination in NPK, thanks to a recent post by Jim Howe in a Facebook group.
These new weight rules will apply for the remaining eight races of the season, and there are some notable changes that could impact the outcome of the championship.
What’s Stayed the Same?
Let’s start with what hasn’t changed. The weight requirements for nitrous and turbo setups remain consistent with the rules that were in place at the beginning of the season. This provides some stability for teams running these combinations, allowing them to focus on fine-tuning their cars without worrying about adjusting for new weight regulations.
Photo by Mallory Elizabeth Photography
The Big Change: Screw Blower Weights
The most significant update comes for cars running screw blowers. Midseason, NPK introduced different weight requirements based on the overdrive percentage of the screw blower. This is a crucial change, as the overdrive percentage can dramatically affect a car's performance on the track.
Here’s the breakdown:
98% Overdrive Screw Blower: This setup now weighs the same as a 140 S1 ProCharger, a decision that seems fair given the performance characteristics of both combinations. However, ProChargers face an additional weight penalty if they run with a larger cubic inch motor.
92% Overdrive Screw Blower: At this overdrive, cars are allowed to drop down to 2,785 pounds, with an additional 50-pound reduction if they don’t run a lockup converter. This brings the total down to 2,735 pounds.
82% Overdrive Screw Blower: For those opting for an even lower overdrive, the base weight drops further to 2,735 pounds, though the efficiency loss at such a low overdrive might not make this a popular choice among teams.
Strategic Implications for Teams
The updated rules create an interesting strategic landscape for teams running screw blowers. While the lower overdrive settings offer significant weight reductions, the trade-off comes in the form of reduced efficiency and power output. Some teams might find it challenging to get their cars down to the minimum weight, but those that can—like Kai Kelly with his new car—may have a competitive edge in the upcoming races.
For example, a car running a 92% overdrive screw blower at 2,735 pounds, without a lockup, could potentially become the combination to beat. This setup offers a good balance between power and weight, making it a serious contender on the NPK circuit.
Photo by Mallory Elizabeth Photography
The ProCharger vs. Screw Blower Battle
So far this season, ProChargers have dominated, winning six races, while screw blower cars have taken three victories. No turbo or nitrous cars have claimed a win yet, highlighting the effectiveness of the ProCharger and screw blower combinations in NPK.
However, with the new weight rules in place, the balance of power could shift. The 98% overdrive screw blower and 140 S1 ProCharger now have similar base weights, making it a toss-up as to which setup will perform better on any given track. Some tracks might favor the ProCharger, while others could see screw blowers coming out on top.
Photo by Mallory Elizabeth Photography
Looking Ahead
As we move into the final races of the season, all eyes will be on how these weight adjustments impact the performance of the top teams. The battle between ProChargers and screw blowers is sure to intensify, and it will be fascinating to see which combination comes out on top.
At Street Outlaws Talks, we'll be keeping a close watch on the action and providing you with all the updates, insights, and analysis you need. Whether you're a fan of the ProCharger, screw blower, or another setup, these new rules are sure to add an extra layer of excitement to the remaining races.
Stay tuned for more coverage, and as always, keep it locked to Street Outlaws Talks for the latest in street racing news and NPK updates!
Commenti