Simple suspension needs for LSR

[jlmccuan]

I am building a chassis for a land speed car that will see time at the Ohio Mile and Bonneville. The build is a 1964 Studebaker GT Hawk to run in Production Supercharged Class. So it's a bit of a mix. Somewhat like a drag car, as running the Ohio Mile is essentially how much power you can put down in one mile from a standing start. Elapsed time is not considered, only speed through the lights. At Bonneville, other forces come into play as the greatly reduced traction and higher speeds are a larger issue than getting power down fast. However, normally traction is the issue at the big end as power to the ground increases as the square of velocity. In the class we run, no additions such as wings are allowed, however the Avanti guys have found putting the front on the salt and the rear up high generates enough down force to put 800HP down without spinning.

The chassis is an unequal A arm front and leaf spring solid axle with a torque radius rod above each spring mount. I would like to be able to run just a single leaf in the rear with a coil-over or air carrying most of the sprung weight rather than a stack of leaf springs. I need to be able to drop the ride height in front and raise the tail for the Salt, but get more of a drag car reaction for the Mile. If money were no consideration I suppose adjustable coilovers all around with a Panhard bar and the radius rods in the rear. The low bucks method I suppose would be air shocks with shortened coils in front and air shocks in the rear.

Any suggestions on what needs considered and some possible solutions? I'd rather have one solution that addresses both venues.

Thanks,
Jim
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