ACT Introduces KONI Shock Option for 2014
American Canadian Tour Introduces KONI Shock Option in 2014
The American Canadian Tour (ACT) has announced that they have entered an agreement with KONI, one of the largest suppliers of shocks around the world, to introduce an additional shock option beginning in 2014. The shock which will be admitted to the approved ACT shock program is the new KON 30-7499.
Jim Ryan, automotive sales manager for KONI USA said, “KONI has enjoyed a successful relationship with the American Canadian Tour for over a decade. We were happy to enter a discussion on how we might be able to help racers from both the weekly affiliate tracks and the two touring series. The mission was to provide a shock that would in effect ‘tie down’ the front end of the race car while keeping within the ACT cost conscience business model. After a testing session last month, we were all very happy with the results, and KONI will begin the manufacturing process immediately.”
Two-time Thunder Road Champion Nick Sweet was asked to do the testing on the proposed KONI shock option. He said “I know ACT has been trying to keep our costs down, but racers are always trying to ‘get an edge’. We have restrictive 8” tires, crate engines, and KONI shocks that have done a great job for many years. It probably was time to try and upgrade the technology, and this new KONI option should do the trick.
The ACT Director of Competition, Dean Gallison conducted the test and reported, “The challenge for ACT always comes back to cost. We have the responsibility of making Late Model racing affordable for the many weekly racers in the ACT region, as well as the two touring series we operate. I thought the ‘tie down’ shock KONI built for us was exactly what we need to give every team an affordable way to compete with the demand for a more sophisticated race car.”
Sweet continued, “The shock KONI provided gave the car a lot of ‘attitude’. It was not a lot faster, but it sure got into and out of corners and seemed to stabilize the car. I now know what guys like about the feel of the front end hugging the race track. I think all ACT teams are going to like this option change.”
The shock will be exactly like the present KONI shocks mandated in ACT racing. Cost will remain comparable and approved ACT suppliers will be informed that inventory should become available toward the end of February or beginning of March in time for the opening event of the 2014 season to be held at the Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, April 13, 2014.
Sources: ACT PR