Shock Budget

[Gas-Push]

Hey everyone,I am currently helping my son doing market research on the shock industry for a school project. I am looking for feedback straight from the horses mouth.I have around 20 years experience as a pit member. But I am looking to hear what drivers, owners, crew members, and fans have to say.What is the biggest issues with your shock program? Cost? Technical feedback? Actual understanding of what each shock does? In your eyes, what are the benefits of having a good shock program? What can be done to improve your program? Any and all feedback is welcome and greatly appreciated!!

[drive3b]

The cost of shocks is way too high.

[thinkstomuch]

cost for the right stuff is high. Having to have so many differen't options instead of adjusting just one or two also raises the cost. not always knowing which shocks to use and why. to improve a program i found it is best to work with a professional builder not out of some catalog

[PenskeShocks]

Gas, as someone working in the industry, i can say the cost have climbed over the years, but so has the technology. Honestly what i see as the biggest issue is the lack of knowledge, and ultimately the mis-information either deliberately or innocently given to racers. We sell shocks that range from $300 per corner up to $1500 per corner. The internals are exactly the same, the more expensive shock, just gives you a larger adjustment window. With our shocks you can have them apart and back together in less than 5 minutes. If you really want to understand shocks, i recommend a shock class. Since your son is doing this as a project, i would extend an invite to you to come to our shop for a 1 day class to gather more knowledge on the shocks themselves.

[PenskeShocks]

to add, what has really hurt the market is racers who think they can buy wins. In the end, shocks are very similar, certain brands are higher quality and do cost more, but they are typically more reliable and repeatable. There are a lot of "shock guys" who sell the top secret build, when in the end, there is no HOT, SECRET, build. the trick is understanding your car, and driver, if you can figure that out, you have a big advantage over 90% cars out there.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

to add, what has really hurt the market is racers who think they can buy wins. In the end, shocks are very similar, certain brands are higher quality and do cost more, but they are typically more reliable and repeatable. There are a lot of "shock guys" who sell the top secret build, when in the end, there is no HOT, SECRET, build. the trick is understanding your car, and driver, if you can figure that out, you have a big advantage over 90% cars out there.

With all the specialists in today's dirt world, you can buy wins to a certain extent. Someone's years of research and experience can be gained if you buy a $100,000 dollar car or hire the right consultant.

It wasn't like that in the 1980s.

[Gas-Push]

Thanks for the feedback so far. This past weekend I talked to one of the bigger modified chassis builders. He said that he advises customers to get their shock package down before throwing adjustments at the car. For drivers out there, what is one thing that you wish your shock builder did that they currently don't do??

[Racer96m]

For me its not the initial cost of todays shocks, although it is high, but I dont run 1500 a corner shocks. The big shock builders do have classes and are free with the information, all you have to do is learn it, and yes todays shocks are easy to rebuild with minimal tools. The problem is you need the shock dyno and computer software to evaluate what the shock you just rebuilt is actually doing. I for one dont have the shock dyno in my stacker trailer, but the big guys that do, have an advantage over the have not's. Whats the old saying? "Speed Costs, How Fast Do You Want To Go?"

Dave

[Lizardracing]

It doesn't matter how many tools you have at your disposal, they are only as good as the operator who interprets the machine. Those who don't know but want to know will pay big bucks for it. I save money in racing by knowledge and time. I choose to gain the knowledge to build my own tools and equipment to build my own parts because paying someone else industry mark up really sticks it too me like an axe to the head.