MASSILLON, Ohio (Jan. 23, 201) — Standards Testing Laboratories Inc. (STL), an independent testing facility for tires, wheels and related automotive components, has been chosen to test drag race wheels to meet SFI Foundation Inc. specifications.
SFI, a non-profit organization established to issue and administer standards for specialty/performance automotive and racing equipment, has a formal relationship with more than 200 race sanctioning bodies, STL said, providing an SFI standard compliance label for use on race-related products.
"Drag cars are reaching speeds in excess of 320 mph, and that entire load from the motor has to go through the wheel. It is our goal to make racing as safe as possible, which is why we evolve our requirements to deal with faster, more powerful cars," SFI President Arnie Kuhns said.
"We have worked with STL for more than 30 years, and we choose them because of their unique capabilities and the fact that they make their own testing equipment.
"Drag race wheel manufacturers—many of whom don't have in-house testing equipment—understand the need for an independent lab like STL."
The field conditions in the lab are based on real-word testing environments, STL said, so its standards must be met in order for products to be used in sanctioned race events.
SFI specifications for drag racing include:
- 15.1—Drag Race Drive Wheels;
- 15.2—Drag Race Front Wheels;
- 15.3—High Horsepower Drag Race Drive Wheels;
- 15.4—Top Fuel and Funny Car Drag Race Drive Beadlock Wheels.
To ensure a manufactured product complies with approved SFI specs, STL said it locates weaknesses commonly found in drag race wheels by using STL's Road Hazard Impact Machine, Radial Fatigue 2 Position Tire Test Machine and Dynamic Cornering Fatigue Machine.
"Our Road Hazard Impact Test Machine, for example, simulates the wheel stand slam often performed in drag racing, testing front wheels for weakness after that type of impact," said Cheryl Schnuth, vice president, marketing, for STL. "The Dynamic Cornering Fatigue Machine tests the mounting face and support features where the rear wheels bolt to the hub."