Last but not least is the heaviest, and I mean the heaviest part in a car that can either be lightened, replaced or moved rearwards. It is the most difficult part of the car to talk about, but it should be addressed nevertheless. That part is THE DRIVER.
We touched on this very lightly (no pun intended) back on page one, but it is indeed important in the context of a dietary program.
In the scheme of things, it doesn't matter how light a car is because it can't autonomously travel down the track on its own, so it needs a pilot, and one that is preferably light, but heavy on the foot.
Since some of us have admitted of carrying more of our fare share of weight, it's easier said than done in trying to rid those pounds and keep them off, so in light of many broken New Year’s resolutions to trim up, perhaps this dilemma can be put to work in favorable ways this time around.
Some of us are not necessarily wider, but actually taller and that usually necessitates moving the seating rearward. Facilitating more legroom by moving the seat back not only entails making special brackets, but also finding the correct and safe way of anchoring the seats to the floorboard. The factory seat mounting bosses are essential to strength but are usually only in one spot which dictates the use of a sliding track of some kind. This would be beneficial if you can slide the position all the way back along with your weight without compromising the strength of the mount. Setting back weight, even a distance of two inches can make noticeable differences on how the car reacts depending on its tipping point. It's pretty much like setting back the engine and transmission a few inches.
In the case of door slammers, the drivers weight which is already off set to the left of the chassis should be exploited as much as possible in favor of weight distribution. Tube chassis guys have it more easily and that’s probably why flip top funny cars position the drivers in the center and rearward of the chassis.
The use of weight can work against you in one way and make up favorably in others.
Here are some home remedies that will tickle you pink as far as cutting unnecessary personal weight. Just don’t try it at home. LOL.
* Have an aluminum ignition key cut, Chrysler had stamped out thousands of blanks back in the day.
* Try and fast from eating before a race.
* Wear no underwear.
* Slip on a pair of lightweight dresser socks. Lighter than white crew socks.
* Shave that facial hair, the underarms and other hidden places, Go to the barber and get a crew cut while you're at it.
* All that $(-)it adds up, oh and speaking of that, go cut a log and that can result in a few pounds lost right there.