Timing Strut for Sprinting

For those wishing to compete in a timed event such as the SELOC Sprint events a timing strut should be used to ensure the most accurate timing.

The specifics can be found in the 2006 MSA handbook but in essance the following covers the basics.

Height of Strut 254mm with a depth of 51mm, the bottom of which must be no less that 180mm from the ground and no more than 200mm from the ground. This strut must then be finished in matt black.

Below is a sugested approach for making one, many people make many different styles but this one seems to work ok for me.

• Note this was for a Series one Elise, it should be pretty much the same for an S2/340/Exige etc but just double check.

To make mine I went to local DIY stores and brought the following:

1.5m piece of Aluminum cornering for around £4 from B&Q

*Note technically this is a little thin as it is only around 40mm on its longest side and should be 51mm, if you can find a slightly thicker piece I would recomend it to avoid any issues with the course officials

2ft of 8mm threaded rod, 10x 8mm nyloc nuts, 10x 8mm capped nuts, Total for these 3 items was less than £4 from Wickes

I collated a small tool kit of the following:

Hack Saw, Pliers or mole grips, Metal File, Drill with 8mm bit suitable for drilling metal, 13mm spanner, Ruler'

http://gallery.seloc.org/albums/userpics/13397/kit_small.JPG

Assembly is pretty easy:

Cut 254mm off the Aluminum cornering or equivalent

Cut 11cm off the threaded rod with the hack saw, file off any rough ends off the rod

Next loosly screw rod into front towing eye

Then hold the piece of aluminum you have cut in front of the car and by using the ruler measure aprox 190mm from the ground mark the aluminum where it meets the rod coming out of the towing eye, this is where you will drill your hole.

• Note the location of the hole in the aluminum will vary dependent on the front ride height of the car

Next securing the aluminum in a vice or similar drill and 8mm hole, dependant on the type of drill bit you have you maybe wiser to 1st drill a small guide hole.

Next by holding the piece of rod in the pliers or mole grips thread a nyloc nut on each end, wind one down 2.5cm and the other 1cm.

The 2.5cm end is going to be the end that screws in to the towing eye.

On the 1cm end thread the drilled aluminum over the end and fix in place with the capped nut, you may find a 2nd spanner or a 13mm socket handy here to get them nice and tight.

http://gallery.seloc.org/albums/userpics/13397/strut_small.JPG

Next screw the whole thing into the front toeing eye until your reach the nyloc bolt at which point you should get a area reasonable amount of resistance to tighten against. During this procedure be carefull not to tighten it to much or you may scratch your front clam.

When you are happy with how everything fits you just need to give it all a quick coat of mat black spray paint and your done.

*Note its worth taking the 13mm spanner and a pair of mole grips or pliers with you when you compete on the off chance it works its self a little loose.