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Mike Kamm
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Street Legal Menard Class
For all of you SL drivers who are looking for a bit more speed and traction, the SLM class has your name on it. With additional speed, comes the need for some additional safety equipment.
First and foremost is at least a four point roll bar like this:
This happens to be an Autopower four point bar. You can also make your own if you are so inclined. It is important to have the cross bar [it doesn't have to be removable like the one shown- it can be welded in too] so you will have a place to mount your four or five point race harness. These are available in any mail order race catalog like Summit, Jegs , etc. Leave the stock seat belts in your car for daily street driving. And don't forget the roll bar padding for your new bar as well.
Lastly, due to decreased visibility from the additional ice dust generated by the Menard tires, you will need a rearward facing amber fog light with a standard 55 watt halogen bulb. These can be found at any auto store, WalMart, etc. Mounting them can be done without drilling any holes in your car. I will be using a CB radio antenna mount that slides over the edge of my trunk lid. A thin piece of mylar film will keep the paint scratch free.
This class represents the only way you can experience the traction of Menard tires without a full eight point roll cage. The four point required for SLM allows you the comfort and convenience of having all of the roll bar tubing out of your way, in the back seat.
Used Menards can be had for between $50 and $75 each. New ones are generally between $160 and $180 each.
Some of you may have reservations about leaving the contact free environment of the Bridgestone SL classes. Well if you were paying attention to the rules proposals voted on this past June, you will already know that now the SLM and Open class races also have the No -Contact rule in effect as well.
So, the welcome mat is out. Time to bolt on the Menards. 
Last edited by Mike Kamm, 10/9/2008, 8:44 pm
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11/3/2006, 9:29 am
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Mark Long
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Re: Street Legal Menard Class
Do you balance Menards? I never remember seeing weights on them. They are recaps, correct? Are some better than others from the factory?
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Mark Long
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11/3/2006, 3:38 pm
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Dave 48A
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Re: Street Legal Menard Class
Yes they are recaps and I balance mine. Over the years there were some different rubber compounds some better than others most of the bad or not so good compounds are gone now. Occasionally you would get one that the recap was not on really straight or something but for the most part they are all very good.
Dave Burnham
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11/3/2006, 5:12 pm
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Mark Long
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Re: Street Legal Menard Class
What about home built screw tires? Do those get balanced? The screws, inner liners, and tubes must really put those out of whack.
Last edited by Mark Long, 11/3/2006, 9:47 pm
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11/3/2006, 8:19 pm
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Dave 48A
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Re: Street Legal Menard Class
Yup, I would balance them too. I have had screw tire wheels that had weights lined all around 1/2 of the inside and outside of the tire plus stick on weights also to get them balanced. If you don't make a small attempt at balancing them they shake like you wouldn't believe!
Dave
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11/3/2006, 8:25 pm
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Bryon 96A
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Re: Street Legal Menard Class
Dave,
Do you use tubes? I do not but with my 7 inch rims this year, it was a little harder to get them on the rims. I am afraid that they may pull off the bead. I have used a little more air than you guys in the past(25PSI) because of the heavy car.
Bryon
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11/3/2006, 8:26 pm
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Dave 48A
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Re: Street Legal Menard Class
I personally always use tubes its just a little more insurance and you can run lower tire pressures if you want. Last year the 29 car hit a snow bank in front of me and my LF wheel just clipped his bumper or something. I couldn't see him in his white out. It pealed back my rim about an inch, the tire held air and I was able to finish the race. If I didn’t have tubes I would have been in the pits putting on a wheel and tire.
Dave
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11/4/2006, 9:13 am
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Mike Kamm
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The rumor mill is is in motion.........
I heard that this past season's SL champion, Tim Cotrofeld will add a roll bar and move up to the SLM class this year.
My plan is to do the same. I heard there were a few others as well. It will be interesting to see who else steps up to SLM for 2007. You might be surprised. 
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11/18/2006, 6:47 pm
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Turbo29DFC
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Re: Street Legal Menard Class
Did I read that correctly???
ROVER are you moving to SLM?
Oh Boy, there's gunna be a party in the house this year!
You'll be running with Stig Von blinkinstein and JR Hutchings!
Yikes!!
#29
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11/21/2006, 10:40 pm
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Mike Kamm
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Re: Street Legal Menard Class
quote:
Turbo29DFC wrote:
Did I read that correctly???
ROVER are you moving to SLM?
Oh Boy, there's gunna be a party in the house this year!
You'll be running with Stig Von blinkinstein and JR Hutchings!
Yikes!!
#29
DC~
Yep, going back to Menards for a change in speed. I might not be religious about it though. I'll probably dabble in SL4 too. And then of course the BIG race weekend in my Datsun B210. No championship point battles for me this year, just lots of variety. I'll be bouncing back and forth between FWD, RWD, and AWD.
Last edited by Mike Kamm, 12/19/2006, 7:45 am
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11/21/2006, 11:26 pm
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