[Cory]

I can't speak for the new IFI traction wheels, but if you were to run last year's version outside the frame like that, they'd last maybe 3-4 matches. You definitely want to protect them somehow.

As to snaprings, you can use them to space your sprockets and such. Make sure you leave yourself some wiggle room between the groove and the sprocket, or else the snapring will not properly seat itself. In the past we've just machined nylon/aluminum tube to the proper length and slid it over the shaft.