Do I really need a tow hook for DEs?
 

I do about two a year in my 87 3.2. It's 90/10 street track. Was looking at the Rennline tow hook bumper shock install, but not sure if it's worth it. If I really need pulled off, they can attach to the tie downs by the T-bar covers in front, no? (This is where tow trucks have attached there hooks before). There was also somewhere to attach in the rear as well - can't remember where.

The other thing I am worried about is losing crush protection. Thoughts?

Pretty rude to run w/o front and rear tow hooks in place

All the time you are being pulled off track, everyone else is frying in the pits waiting on you, the quicker the hook up and tow the less fuming in the pits for everyone else

Well, where I DE tow hooks are found on the full race cars, and generally not on the DE only cars. Nobody gets dirty looks for not having a tow hook. Of course, we don't have any gravel traps, and not much to hit.

Your car should have a tow hook for the rear in the tool kit. If not, you can purchase one. It is inserted through a hole on the left side of the bumper, and hooks into a keyhole slot on the chassis. A spring holds it in place so it doesn't joggle out of the narrow part of the keyhole.

Other than gravel traps, it isn't hard or time consuming to hook onto either the stock tow hook under the front suspension, or to loop a piece of nylon around the front suspension A arm attachment. But the rear tow hook ought to work fine most of the time if the problem is that the car is stuck.

I certainly would not replace the bumper shock on your car. There are lots of ways to attach a tow hook without doing that if you are feeling peer pressure.

One other thought is that without a proper tow hook, recovery personnel are going to be left to their own devices to find something to hook to. That may result in damage to your bumper, bodywork, etc.

Question - if installed two rennline tow hooks in front, would you trust those to tie down your car on a flat bed, or for a dyno? Same for the rear?

I might be wrong, but I don't have a tow receptacle in the rear. Mine is an 87.

no, use the wheels to tie down.
there would be all kinds of movement with the suspension.

No tow hook at a DE? Don't be THAT guy.