Formula Vee Safety PSA #1
Channel: Brian Styczynski
Date: 06/03/2021

2 easy and inexpensive tips for keeping your FV running on track all weekend.

I was able to finish 2 race weekends last summer despite unfortunate events that could have severally damaged my car. This was possible because of 2 easy low cost modifications. 

*sorry for the sound levels at 8:20 in*

It takes a lot of time and money to prepare a car and get it to the track. It is more fun to be on track instead of on the sidelines with a broken car or in the hospital. It is also more fun to be on track when there are less yellow flags, or black flags, or red flags. 

I want to thank Garrett and Maggie van Camp. They are retired engineers who have designed and help provide these 2 simple safety devices to the VSCDA Formula Vee drivers. They allowed me to continue racing at both of these events last year, and have helped many other VSCDA drivers do the same. They have convinced 100% of the VSCDA FV cars (usually 20 car field) to use these safety features. Garrett was the 1971 FV National Champion and still unbeatable in that same Lynx B today. 

The spindle bolt goes through a hole in the stock VW left spindle that is meant to route a speedometer cable. This is a weak point in a racing application. Using a 7” long 5/16” Grade 8 bolt, you can tether the wheel and drum to the kingpin in the event of a spindle failure. Double nutting the bolt loosely so that there is no pressure on the bearing, you should be able to spin the bolt with your fingers or wrench between sessions. If the bolt does not want to spin, inspect the spindle immediately, it may have started to crack. The head end of the bolt is beveled to fit neatly into the threaded end of the spindle and fit under the cap. (i accidentally said the head end fits against the bearing adjustment nut in the video).  At Road America, the spindle failed in a practice session and I was able to modify and install a new spindle only missing the next qualifying session. 

The Maggie Bar is a rear wheel protection device that prevents tire contact that sends open wheel cars rotating into the air. Maggie van Camp has created many for most vintage FV’s and can be adapted to most frames. She is very proud of the amount of cars currently running her modification and believes it has saved may lives over several decades. She would love to hear if anybody makes this change. After this incident at Grattan, both cars were able to continue the next 4 sessions, with only a toe adjustment on one car needed. (The Maggie Bar/Toe Link was replaced after that weekend.)

If you have advice or tips to keep fellow FV drivers from loosing time on the track, I encourage you to share a quick video or leave a comment.

Thanks to Jason White and Gerald Black for allowing me to use the videos.