Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC General > Motorsports

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-09-2009, 03:40 PM   #1
STi-MAN
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 70252
Join Date: Sep 2004
Vehicle:
05 STI
blue

Default Tow hooks, and Tow straps

so searched around a bit.

I need a front tow hook, or strap.. since i'm running a front mount. my stock tow hook wont work.

I was thinking of a strap like this? would the weight of the sti have any issue with a strap like this?

http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant...egory_Code=TOW

thanks in advance.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
STi-MAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 03-09-2009, 04:14 PM   #2
thewerxracing
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 141498
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Default

The STi might be a little too heavy for something like that.

"...recommended for Spec Miata..."

Give I/O a call and see what they think.
thewerxracing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2009, 06:05 PM   #3
RB5 Clone
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 30909
Join Date: Dec 2002
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: lastditchracing.net & 03 STI
Vehicle:
RA East Open Class
Champs 07-08-09

Default

after you whack something hard enough to need a tow strap, the STI might be too ON FIRE for a nylon web strap to do the job...

what kind of racing are you talking about?
RB5 Clone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2009, 06:27 PM   #4
STi-MAN
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 70252
Join Date: Sep 2004
Vehicle:
05 STI
blue

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by thewerxracing View Post
The STi might be a little too heavy for something like that.

"...recommended for Spec Miata..."

Give I/O a call and see what they think.
Yeah thats what i was thinking.. tho i've seen some sti's evo's bimmers with tow straps.. this is the only one that i could find.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RB5 Clone View Post
after you whack something hard enough to need a tow strap, the STI might be too ON FIRE for a nylon web strap to do the job...

what kind of racing are you talking about?
whack anything? even if theres suspension failure you'd need to get pulled off the track... and if the car was on fire.. then i guess they could tow it from where ever they'd like at that point.

I'm just talking about hpde's here
STi-MAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2009, 07:08 PM   #5
mla163
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 104922
Join Date: Jan 2006
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: NoVA
Vehicle:
2016 WRX

Default

2" nylon webbing is pretty damn strong. It might be good for 4-8000 lbs.
mla163 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2009, 07:44 PM   #6
thewerxracing
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 141498
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RB5 Clone View Post
after you whack something hard enough to need a tow strap, the STI might be too ON FIRE for a nylon web strap to do the job...

what kind of racing are you talking about?
Yeah, I didn't even think of that. Or "wall"-ing it hard enough to just cut the strap. Hmm...



OP. You're going on a track. You might hit something. What did you think you were getting into?
thewerxracing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2009, 09:39 PM   #7
MasterKwan
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 98961
Join Date: Oct 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: NOVA
Vehicle:
2003 WRX
Black

Default

The tow hooks on the stock u-brace are pretty stout. That's where I stick my jackstands when I lift the car. I'd ignore the naysayers and just use a nylon strap. If you total it out on track, it won't matter what they hook it to anyway. It's not like they're going to lift the car with the strap.
MasterKwan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2009, 09:55 PM   #8
XmanSTi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 65206
Join Date: Jun 2004
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Laguna Niguel
Vehicle:
1986 Brat
Red

Default

That nylon strap will work great. the way you want to mount it is to bolt it into the top of bumper beam, then wrap the strap all the way around the beam so that the tension is all on the strap itself rather than the mounting bolt. We have a similar setup on the rally car and it works great. We just cut the end off a Harbor Freight strap and used a large sheetmetal screw into the bumper beam. Like I said, all the strap tightens onto itself, not the screw. Tested tough by getting pulled off a soft berm when high centered with all 4 wheels off the ground. It works.
XmanSTi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2009, 10:29 PM   #9
skimobile
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 92114
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Westerly, RI
Vehicle:
03 WRX (NAVY Camo)
in"Special Ed." Run Group

Default

Got Pics?
Also, you can get tow straps here....
http://www.ltbmotorsports.com/sarapr.html
skimobile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2009, 11:23 PM   #10
XmanSTi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 65206
Join Date: Jun 2004
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Laguna Niguel
Vehicle:
1986 Brat
Red

Default

no detail pictures but here is the best I can do.


This is how I put it in. Took about 15 minutes.

Cut a slot in the bumper cover with the grille removed.
Drill pilot hole into top of bumper beam.
Slide the non-hook/loop end of the strap in through the slot.
Wrap strap around bumper beam, with cut end underneath so it is kind of wrapped back upon itself.
Slide strap to the side, screw large sheetmetal screw in through strap.
Arrange strap nicely and zip tie to secure as you see fit.

I used a sheet metal screw we had around the shop. Looked something like this:
XmanSTi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 02:00 AM   #11
STi-MAN
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 70252
Join Date: Sep 2004
Vehicle:
05 STI
blue

Default

really great info.. thanks alot guys.
STi-MAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 09:53 AM   #12
RB5 Clone
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 30909
Join Date: Dec 2002
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: lastditchracing.net & 03 STI
Vehicle:
RA East Open Class
Champs 07-08-09

Default

next and most obvious step is to check in with scrutineers for whatever series you want to run, and see if nylon strap would be legal

scca mandates metal tow points of a certain size opening (so tow trucks can attach to your car with a shackle instead of just a hook) , for instance. some hpde events follow scca's lead on this, others have their own way of doing things.

so don't ask us, ask them what really count on the question--your event scrutineers. how much would it suck to cut up your bumper cover/grille, mount a strap and then have the tech guys tell you "wtf were you thinking on THAT??!!"
RB5 Clone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 10:42 AM   #13
MasterKwan
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 98961
Join Date: Oct 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: NOVA
Vehicle:
2003 WRX
Black

Default

There are no requirements like that for HPDE's. Basically HPDE's are street car events. There are no scrutineers. Typically they check the torque on your wheels and make sure you got all the junk out of your trunk and then you're allowed onto the track. The only real reason to put a tow hook on an HPDE car is to protect the body work when they tow you off the track because they will pull you off the track and if it messes up your bumper, so be it.

Time attack street classes seem to be like that too though I have less experience with them. The T/A's I've run had no requirments for tow hooks or for any kind of cage/rollover protection either.

This is just my experience, I don't run SCCA HPDE's so, their requirement might be different but, because it's street cars in a non-competitive environment, I don't think so.

This is why I think some of you are over-reacting.
MasterKwan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 12:13 PM   #14
STi-MAN
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 70252
Join Date: Sep 2004
Vehicle:
05 STI
blue

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RB5 Clone View Post
next and most obvious step is to check in with scrutineers for whatever series you want to run, and see if nylon strap would be legal

scca mandates metal tow points of a certain size opening (so tow trucks can attach to your car with a shackle instead of just a hook) , for instance. some hpde events follow scca's lead on this, others have their own way of doing things.

so don't ask us, ask them what really count on the question--your event scrutineers. how much would it suck to cut up your bumper cover/grille, mount a strap and then have the tech guys tell you "wtf were you thinking on THAT??!!"
wow... you need to calm down just a tiny bit. for the HPDE's i run. all i need is a tow hook front and rear so that they can pull me to the pits incase anything does happen.

to be clear. if my car catches fire.. its basically totaled most likely. they can tow it front where ever they like. If my car rolls or slams into a wall.. same deal.

Most people at the hpde i run at dont even run with the req front and rear tow hooks.

If i get more serious and run in a certain class.. I will get a metal one.. if need be.. but right now its more cost efficient. Anyways thanks for your help.
STi-MAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 01:26 PM   #15
RB5 Clone
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 30909
Join Date: Dec 2002
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: lastditchracing.net & 03 STI
Vehicle:
RA East Open Class
Champs 07-08-09

Default

whole different mind set here, am used to having the cars gone over pre-event with a fine tooth comb. hpde tends to be much more laissez-faire as regards saftety gear.

back on topic, why wouldn't the tie down eyes under the front work if stock tow hook is gone due to fmic? paint em blaze orange so workers can find em in a hurry if need be. maybe you don't need to fabricate anything at all.
RB5 Clone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 01:31 PM   #16
STi-MAN
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 70252
Join Date: Sep 2004
Vehicle:
05 STI
blue

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RB5 Clone View Post
whole different mind set here, am used to having the cars gone over pre-event with a fine tooth comb. hpde tends to be much more laissez-faire as regards saftety gear.

back on topic, why wouldn't the tie down eyes under the front work if stock tow hook is gone due to fmic? paint em blaze orange so workers can find em in a hurry if need be. maybe you don't need to fabricate anything at all.
im running a under panel, and am subframe less.. so i believe those tie downs are gone. at any rate my car is lower then stock and if it was off in the dirt most likely tie points under the car wont work and would cause more damage to the front bumper.
STi-MAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 03:05 PM   #17
MasterKwan
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 98961
Join Date: Oct 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: NOVA
Vehicle:
2003 WRX
Black

Default

Yeah, HPDE is for us pretend racers.
MasterKwan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 03:21 PM   #18
STi-MAN
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 70252
Join Date: Sep 2004
Vehicle:
05 STI
blue

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterKwan View Post
Yeah, HPDE is for us pretend racers.
AMEN.
STi-MAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 03:35 PM   #19
boost junkie
Top Scoob 009
 
Member#: 68273
Join Date: Aug 2004
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: IAG Performance
Vehicle:
2012 WRX
GD Race Car

Default

To people who say a tow hook isn't necessary for HPDE...you make no sense. The same exact thing can happen to a car on track whether or not it's being driven competitively. Last year I had an intercooler coupler blow off and had to be towed in. I had no tow hook so they hooked the strap to one of the tiedowns on the stock subframe. It ended up getting caught on the tie rod and wrapped around it, bending it horribly. It also damaged my bumper and destroyed the front undertray. Needless to say my weekend was over (this was on Saturday). Immediately after that I had a tow hook welded to my bumper beam so I don't encounter the same problem ever again.
boost junkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 03:36 PM   #20
RB5 Clone
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 30909
Join Date: Dec 2002
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: lastditchracing.net & 03 STI
Vehicle:
RA East Open Class
Champs 07-08-09

Default

Hey now...

Have done a couple hpdes, and the instructors were like, 'oh jeez you rally guys just want to go out there and get sideways and hit stuff. None of that ***** for you today!"

Heh i was on such a short leash it was comical-- 1 wheel off and it was a big verbal spanking. "I did NOT cut that corner on purpose, the car just got turned in a leetle early!" etc etc. Even so, I loved every minute on the track and the experience has been hugely helpful on tarmac stages.

Howza bout declaring an attitude truce doods
RB5 Clone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 04:34 PM   #21
MasterKwan
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 98961
Join Date: Oct 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: NOVA
Vehicle:
2003 WRX
Black

Default

Quote:
To people who say a tow hook isn't necessary for HPDE...you make no sense.
I don't think anyone's saying that. What STI's saying and I think he's right is that all he needs is enough tow hook to get him off the track and if his car burns or is totalled, he doesn't need to care about what they hook it too, he'll be needing a new shell anyway. So, the nylon strap is fine and the whole possibility of it melting or getting cut if he hits something hard is a non-issue.

RB5, I don't blame the instructors for being anal. I'm buddies with one and you wouldn't believe the crap they have to put up with for free track time. You couldn't pay me enough to instruct. My life is worth more than $250 a track day.
MasterKwan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 06:58 PM   #22
WgnWheel
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 63605
Join Date: Jun 2004
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Moms...yours
Vehicle:
04 Wrx Wgn TimeAtk
10 Golf TDI, 08 Stang GT

Default

You should have a decent fire extinguisher in the car and you won't have to worry about having a "totalled" car in the event of a fire. Corner workers should also have them.

I've had a few friends cars catch on fire at the track, and were easily saved with extinguishers.

And you should have front and rear hooks in case of a mechanical.
WgnWheel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 07:17 PM   #23
RB5 Clone
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 30909
Join Date: Dec 2002
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: lastditchracing.net & 03 STI
Vehicle:
RA East Open Class
Champs 07-08-09

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterKwan View Post

RB5, I don't blame the instructors for being anal. I'm buddies with one and you wouldn't believe the crap they have to put up with for free track time. You couldn't pay me enough to instruct. My life is worth more than $250 a track day.
No sheet Master! I teach at Team O'Neil, and omfg strapping into some wicked STI/Evo/quattro next to some guy you don't know who's almost foaming at the mouth to show how badass he is...well let's just say that starting students out on a short leash is a key part of an instructor's skills set. once you find out they're competent, then things tend to be a whole lot more fun for both parties (and a lot more learning takes place).

Point of fact: the hpde guys I worked with were appreciative of my rally car having equal safety gear for both seats. They often have to put up with stock belts n seats while the driver has a race bucket and full harness. Some instructors are very reluctant to ride with a driver who doesn't provide equal opportunity safety for both seats, and I'm one of them. What kind of message does that sort of setup send? that's what!

As for pre-event scrutiny of the car, they went over mine pretty carefully. Maybe it was the fact it was an older suby, maybe it was the beat up rocker panels and dents and wrinkled skidplates they saw underneath...but the car was prepped to the max and they realized that and relaxed a bunch. They just wanted to see that the brakes and steering gear and wheels/tires were up to snuff. Huh, who'd-a thunk that stuff makes a difrence?
RB5 Clone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 07:58 PM   #24
DJSuperSoul
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 120004
Join Date: Jul 2006
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: beavertron
Vehicle:
2xx8 STI
grey

Default

boost junkie: next time just disconnect your maf, you can drive it in under your own power (if they let you do this on track is another thing altogether)
DJSuperSoul is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 09:40 PM   #25
boost junkie
Top Scoob 009
 
Member#: 68273
Join Date: Aug 2004
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: IAG Performance
Vehicle:
2012 WRX
GD Race Car

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DJSuperSoul View Post
boost junkie: next time just disconnect your maf, you can drive it in under your own power (if they let you do this on track is another thing altogether)
I know, but it's generally a terrible idea to get out of the car on or near the track surface. Even worse to get out and pop the hood to fix it. If you break down, you are expected to stay belted in and wait for the tow truck to pull you back to the paddock.
boost junkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New Lip, Hole, Tow Hook and Trunk *56k grab a novel* Sanchez Member's Car Gallery 66 10-21-2013 07:10 PM
Tow Hook/Strap Zebe Motorsports 0 08-02-2008 05:16 PM
Takata Ramps/Cusco Gloves/Nukabe Tow Hooks and MORE! RaceComp Engineering Accessories & Misc 84 02-10-2008 04:59 AM
Towing another car using the rear tow hook? athakur999 Newbies & FAQs 5 12-14-2006 09:28 AM
APS FMIC, bugeye WRX and the front tow hook. Kwyjibo Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2.0L Turbo) 9 10-19-2004 12:25 AM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:03 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.