Auto Racing Technology

This is the part where I tell you how I got interested in auto racing technology. My name is Kevin Katzenberg; aka Ltemodel, on many internet forums. I was raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin, definitely one of the most inclement places on earth. For me, racing life started at a very young age as a fan in the stands at many race tracks in the Wisconsin area. Home base for me was always the dirt track in Wilmot, WI. For me, growing up, the week long anticipation culminated into a trip to a race on a Saturday night. Nothing was better in life than to sit in the stands and get pelted with mud, or have to scream conversation with the people around you, because at that time race cars didn’t run mufflers. Ahhhh- -The joys of being young!

So, fast forward thirty some years, twenty-two of which I spent turning wrenches on race cars, I finally feel I have learned enough about auto racing technology that I might have something to contribute to beginning racers. My first ten years was spent in the dirt open wheel arena; learning a little about chassis dynamics, but mainly honing skills required to be proficient at maintenance.

Dirt Late Model Racing

Then after a short stint of racing a car of my own, I took a trip to Pennsboro, WV in 1997 to see one of the dirt late model racing’s crown jewel events “The Dirt Track World Championship”. I had seen dirt late model racing before, but that race really turned me on to the type of culture involved around late model racing on dirt. From the dedication of the fans (anyone who has ever been to Pennsboro knows what I am talking about), to the car building ‘team culture’, to the colorfulness of the drivers and crew members; I fell in love with that particular arena of auto racing. My focus at that point turned more towards the vehicle dynamics end of race cars. Trying to get 800 hp hooked up on a slick dirt track is definitely a challenge.

Traction, drive ability, and general auto racing technology became the focus of thought for me as I still bounced around working for many different late model racers, as a hobby, until the fall of 2002. I got a call, out of the blue, from a driver I had helped out in years past. He and a partner were starting up a car building business in southeastern Wisconsin, and they were looking for a fabricator/ welder. Finally I had the opportunity to be around race cars full time and get paid to do what I loved to do. I jumped at the opportunity. Now six years later Wild inc. is growing steadily and I have gotten the chance to infuse some of my own ideas into the collaboration of the cars that were being produced. During, what I call this second phase of my racing experience; I have attended many seminars, and read a number of books about vehicle dynamics and handling.

My Next Chapter in Dirt Racing Technology

Now, for me, the next chapter seems to be here. After getting asked many times for advice on handling, it seems some days the phone never stops ringing, and being told on multiple occasions that I should write a book; I decided to create this blog to try and help out beginning racers shorten their learning curve and hopefully through a good feedback system, continue learning myself. I really don’t believe there is any right or wrong answers to setting up race cars, just many varied opinions. If it works and the car is fast, that is great. If the car isn’t fast, just keep searching. My plan for this blog is not only to have written articles, but to dabble, eventually, in pod casts, videos, and even maybe some product reviews. In the future I might even add a forum to try and promote good conversation and interaction between people about race car dynamics. Just remember, it’s all about the fun.

Thanks,

Kevin