Whip Pararail track???

[stinger440]

I'm putting studs in my whip track for some oval racing. There is a raised rib something like every other row on the track. Its not a lug or anything and it runs across the entire width. I am wondering what exactly this is and can I drill through it to install studs? I don't want to compromise the strength of the track if this is a support bar of somesort.

thanks

[mooreperformance]

I believe you are talking about the fiberglass reinforcing rod.
I do not know if that is a good place to install studs.
Studs don't work very well on an all polyurethane track (work OK on a rubber track). You will barely notice an increase in traction with a polyurethane track.

In the late 1970's snowmobile racers never raced a sled with an all poly track. It simply did not supply the traction needed to win a race.
All tracks were cleated (back then). Ice picks were very effective when installed inside the cleat. Star shaped studs were effective when installed up against (behind) the cleat.

Studs/ice picks provide very little traction when installed in an all polyurethane track.

The reason why the excellent/durable polyurethane track is not used in modern snowmobiles is because they have a severe lack of traction in every snow/ice condition. Cleated polyurethane tracks were raced for a couple of years (Arctic Cat Z) but even these didn't supply the traction of a cleated rubber track.

If you want to win races on an oval track (or across a lake) you will need a cleated rubber track with ice picks/studs.

The best track for trail riding/sno-cross is a rubber track (not polyurethane) with studs.

If you want to win a grass race...polyurethane is excellent!

The reason why Scorpion stayed with all poly tracks longer than other manufacturers was the Pararail suspension. It worked good in low snow conditions. It was also the reason why Scorpions dominated grass racing!

[stinger440]

Thank you mooreperformance. Thats the kind of info I was looking for. The track and studs worked pretty good this weekend. I just wanted to add a few more studs to aid in corner grip. I will not be putting any through the fiberglass rods.