I'am ready to put my rear fenders on and checked the Score Rule book as to what mod's were legal and found that flatening the outside edge is OK and then it went on to say that welding a 1/4 inch metal rod to strenghten the outer edge was OK. What are most of the racers doing -- is it necessary to weld the rod on the outer edge? I don't mind doing it if I need to but this build is taking way longer than I thought it would ----don't want to waste time on things I don't need to do just because the rules say it is OK. As always I sure appreciate all the help I get form all the great racers on this site---looking forward to that first race if I ever get this build done.

We Didn't flatten the fenders, front or rear on our new car at all and never had a problem with tires rubbing on the fenders. We have an IRS car and run 700-15 (the tallest) with the front tire edges shaved. with no problems. When we flattened the fenders on our 1st car, it seemed to make the fenders weak. This is what works for us.

We welded the 1/4\" rod in our fenders and the held strong for 13 races. I have four fenders in my truck that are being reinforced with rods this weekend. The only down fall is if they get hit, there hard to straighten.

If you plan to modify them then definately use the rod(headliner rods work great). We flattened our fronts without the rod and as chip said it just made them flimsey and prone to cracking.

only time in 33 years I flatend the edge was for BAP this year, and with the midnite race 2 fenders are really cracked. No need to do it in my opinion, they become real flimsey,,all the cars and fenders I have built in the past stayed stock without any problems

We flattened our fenders and after they not only looked bad, they became weaker and flimsy. I would not do it again, if anything, I would leave them alone, perhaps putting a rod into it after it's been bent once just to keep it alive for another race.