[Tom Wells]

Ed,

There is a solution: if you have access to an earthmover tire innertube you can make an energy-absorbent driveshaft!

Simply cut a lengthy strip of the tube 8" wide in a spiral fashion. Then wind the tube the same way the rubber band is wound in a model airplane. After you get enough turns in it, you can clamp each end into prefabricated transmission tailshaft and rear axle pinion gear clamps.

The advantage given by this arrangement is most noticeable during launch; you footbrake while you are feeding enough throttle to wind the rubber driveshaft as tightly as possible, storing energy to add to your engine's torque when you release the brake!

Another advantage is complete vibration isolation of the rest of the car from the rear axle, making its performance as smooth as possible.

Hope this helps,

Tom