SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1543401
A LIVE PERFORMANCE FOX’s Live Valve Technology Is Reshaping Off-Road Capabilities By Dan Sanchez Photos Courtesy of FOX The reality of off-road shocks controlled by an on-board computer system is here. FOX’s Racing Application Development program (RAD) has taken decades of research and put it into play in both OE and off-road competition, and is now available to enthusiasts. According to Dane Garvik, FOX Marketing Manager, Live Valve Technology can make shock adjustments 200-times a second, reacting to multiple inputs such as vehicle pitch, yaw, heave, braking, acceleration, and more. “In simple terms, when a vehicle equipped with FOX’s Live Valve Technology hits a rut, catches air, makes a tight turn, or even goes from the dirt to the pavement, the Live Valve System reacts instantly and adjusts the shocks accordingly,” says Garvik. • Dane Garvik FOX Marketing Manager The idea of making multiple shock adjustments in a fraction of a second, is to keep the vehicle stable, level, and with traction under any circumstances. For the driver, it means the ability to maneuver over off-road terrain while feeling more confident and comfortable doing it. “The idea is that with comfort comes confidence, and with confidence comes control,” adds Garvik. “After lots of testing, the first market availability of Live Valve Technology was made through the Polaris RZR program, making it available on various models for enthusiasts. Then it moved into other UTV partner platforms as well as the Ford Raptor . Every Ford Raptor from 2019 and on, including F-150, Ranger, and Bronco Raptor models, incorporates our Live Valve Technology right from the factory.” • FOX Live Valve Technology is now available for select vehicles as an aftermarket upgrade Taking all they’ve learned from its OE applications, FOX has been able to create its first line of aftermarket systems to give enthusiasts better control and safety on specific vehicles. The aftermarket versions of the Live Valve System are currently available for 2021+ Ford Bronco, 2018 + Jeep JL Wrangler, 2020 + Jeep JT Gladiator, 2024+ Toyota Tacoma, and Ford F-150 Gen 14 SuperCrew trucks (2021,2023, and 2024+) models. SENSE, INTERPRET, AND ADAPT FOX started by taking its racing internal bypass suspension system and equipped it with electronic solenoids, computing hardware, and software that can make instant adjustments. The Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) senses vehicle pitch, yaw and roll. When combined with vehicle data it receives from plugging into the vehicle’s factory ECU, via the vehicle’s CAN bus connection system (no wire cutting or splicing), inputs such as steering, brake pressure, throttle, and speed allowing the Live Valve System build a complete picture of what’s happening to the vehicle in real time. The system interprets and adapts by using FOX’s proprietary software-based algorithm to calculate the precise dampening force needed at each wheel. This is done through a separate Live Valve ECU mounted into the vehicle. Drivers can also manually select from three modes through a Live Valve Mode Selector that can be mounted on the vehicle’s dash, (off-road, on-road) including a custom mode that is specific to the vehicle. In each mode the driver can refine the settings by selecting Comfort, Balanced, or Sport Tuning. A FOX Connect app for mobile phones, also allows drivers to make the same adjustments, and includes real-time telemetry with GPS to monitor the system. • The FOX Connect app can make adjustments and show real-time telemetry CHANGING BAJA RACING In Baja racing, FOX continued using it on Polaris Factory UTV team vehicles, gaining success with SCI Motorsports and winning races and SCORE class championships. According to Garvik, FOX began working on four-inch bypass shock systems for SCORE Trophy Truck applications, starting with Justin Lofton who was one of the first to adopt and test the system. Other racers have also come to adopt it include, Rob MacCachren, Chris Polvoorde, and all of the Herbst team drivers and race trucks. • Polaris Factory Racers used FOX Live Valve Technology and won back-to-back championships “The days of approaching a tight off-road turn, setting the vehicle by accelerating or stepping on the brake, and re-balancing the vehicle as you come out of the turn, are gone when using the Live Valve System,” said Garvik. “For example, Rob MacCachren has helped us with tuning the system in the Fastball Jimco Trophy Truck. He had to adjust his style of driving, and learned he can drive the truck more like an on-road race car. He can now point it in the direction he wants to go rather than having to set it up first. He’s finding he can go into turns harder and with more speed, then exit with more speed.” According to Garvik, younger racers such as Chris Polvoorde instantaneously took to the system equipped in his race truck. “It’s the seasoned veterans who have used passive shocks for decades, tell us they feel they can push the limits farther and reach new boundaries. After trying the system and using it in races, MacCachren told us it feels softer, but also firmer. Although it sounds redundant, it makes perfect sense to us.” • Rob MacCachren in the Jimco Fastball Trophy Truck adjusted his style of driving and gained more speed The ability of race systems to have custom tunes also makes the truck better for teams sharing driving duties in a race. “This allows one racer who wants the truck set for speed, and another setting for the co-driver who feels faster using a softer setting for comfort,” said Garvik. The next goal for FOX’s Live Valve program is to launch more applications in the near future. Garvik adds they will also continue working with race teams who want to try the system on their vehicles and working with drivers to fine-tune the system and their skills to achieve more victories. SJ