Drag Illustrated Issue 137, October 2018 | Page 64

PRODUCTS & PRESS

QA1 RELEASES CARBON FIBER DRIVESHAFTS FOR 5TH AND 6TH GEN CAMAROS AND 2018 MUSTANGS AND CHALLENGER SRT HELLCATS

Increase reliability and weight savings with QA1 ’ s award-winning REV™ Series carbon fiber driveshafts , now available for 2010-2018 Camaros as well as 2018 models of Mustangs and Challenger SRT Hellcats . Certified to the SFI 43.1 specification , these one-piece bolt-on driveshafts are wound in-house for built-in strength and high-speed capability while still providing weight savings over stock .

Rated for vehicles with up to 1500 HP with a max torque of 1000 lb * ft ( for applications with higher horsepower or torque , please call ), these driveshafts were designed to optimize strength and performance . A version of QA1 ’ s 3M™ Matrix Resin was designed specifically for high temperature applications , so this protection is wound directly into the tube during manufacturing . The fiber is also wound at specific angles for each application to ensure ultimate torque capacity under the most extreme conditions while maximizing critical speed .

Once the tube is wound , a highstrength structural adhesive bonds the tube to the CNC machined forged tube yokes using a proprietary 11-step bonding procedure , ensuring a more precise balance while providing increased assembly strength . The ends are completed with flange yokes and high-speed CV joints that include a high-speed sealing boot as well as high-temp grease . Durable Spicer Life Series 1350 U-Joints are used , which provide high torque capacity and are maintenance-free . Once the assembly is complete , every shaft is harmonic tested to ensure it meets requirements for noise , vibration , and harshness ( NVH ).

In addition to being stronger than steel and aluminum , QA1 REV™ Series driveshafts are lighter as

well . The driveshafts provide up to 50 % weight savings over the factory two-piece driveshafts , depending on the application . The strength and weight savings together provide extended transmission and differential life , quicker acceleration and more power to the ground .

Ready-to-order carbon fiber driveshafts are newly available for :

• 2010-2015 Camaros ( 5th Gen )

• 2016-2018 Camaros ( 6th Gen )

• 2018 Mustangs with Manual Transmissions

• 2018 Mustangs with Automatic

Transmissions

• 2018 Mustang GT350s

• 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcats

Extensively tested before , during and after production to ensure the highest quality , all QA1 driveshafts are proudly made in-house in QA1 ’ s Lakeville , Minnesota facility . QA1 also offers REV™ Series carbon fiber driveshafts in a variety of custom options ; visit QA1 ’ s website at www . QA1 . net for a custom order form and for a complete list of available configurations .

About QA1 : Founded in 1993 , QA1 is an industry leader in performance shocks , suspension components , driveshafts , rod ends , spherical bearings and related accessories for the motorsports and industrial markets . QA1 has more than 83,000 square feet of office and manufacturing space in Lakeville , Minnesota . The state-ofthe-art facility includes a complete line of CNC machines , hydraulic presses , filament winding and laser cutting equipment that permit all-inclusive shock absorber , suspension component and driveshaft manufacturing and assembly operations . QA1 ’ s quality system is certified to the ISO 9001:2008 standard .

RACE WINNING BRANDS ACQUIRES DART

Race Winning Brands , Inc . ( RWB ), a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries , LLC is pleased to announce the acquisition of Dart Machinery , LTD . ( Dart ), a performance industry leader and manufacturer of high-performance engine blocks , cylinder heads , and intake manifolds .

Dart ’ s founder , Richard Maskin , will continue to play a leading role within the organization as a partner and Chairman of Research & Development . Maskin founded Dart Machinery in his two-car Oak Park , Michigan garage in 1981 . Maskin is an icon within the racing industry stemming from his technical acumen . The 2015 Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee has earned multiple National Hot Rod Association Pro Stock world championships as an engine builder , while Dart-equipped racers have dominated professional and sportsman racing for decades .

In addition to retaining the current Dart management team , including Vice President Dave Tratechaud , former Dart General Manager Ted Keating returns to the organization in a new role as President .

Race Winning Brands is the leading manufacturer of high performance and racing related components sold to the automotive and powersports markets . RWB is headquartered in Mentor , Ohio

and markets its products globally through a portfolio of leading brands , including JE Pistons , Wiseco Performance Products , K1 Technologies , Diamond Pistons , Trend Performance , Rekluse Motor Sports and ProX Racing Parts .

“ Dart is an iconic brand and a global powerhouse in high performance blocks , cylinder heads and intake manifolds ,” said Brian Reese , Chief Executive Officer of Race Winning Brands . “ The Dart team has built a new manufacturing center of excellence in Warren , Michigan to power the brand with leading-edge products . We plan to leverage Richard Maskin ’ s championship engine building expertise across RWB ’ s portfolio of race winning products . This strategic acquisition helps drive our mission of leading racers to victory and enthusiasts to enjoyment , while extending RWB adjacently into new engine parts categories .”

“ This move is about supporting the racers and preserving the Dart legacy ,” explained Maskin . “ By joining forces with Race Winning Brands and welcoming Ted Keating back , we will be accelerating new product development investments and further our focus on serving racers and engine builders . We already have several exciting new products in development . As shareholders in RWB , Dave Tratechaud and I are impressed with the RWB vision and future .”

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