2008 V-8 MODIFIED RULES AND SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS

1.        BODIES: Cutlass Supreme, Grand Prix, Probe, Cavalier, Sunbird, Lumina, GrandAm, Daytona, Thunderbird (BUT NOT LIMITED TO), no fan or ground effect cars, no exotic bodies, front wheels and tires must be fully exposed.

A.         Maximum roof width 52" minimum 48", roof must be centered on roll cage. No offset bodies, must be centered on frame.

B.        Length of roof maximum 60" minimum 48", NO FLAT ROOFS.

C.        Overall height (top of highest point) maximum 61" minimum 52" from ground, measured from the ground.

D.        All roofs must be single ply one piece fiberglass, leading edge must be minimum 33" in front of rear axle centerline and maximum 48".  Maximum roof angle is 5^o.

E.         Rear deck/spoiler must not exceed 50" from ground to the tip of the deck/spoiler/trunk (with driver).   The measurements may be taken after the race.

F.         Window openings:

1.        Side minimum 12" vertical front and 14" vertical rear by 30" wide.

2.        Front window opening 8" vertical measured from lowest point of roof or roll cage to highest point on hood (including hood scoop).

G.        Maximum body width anywhere 68" minimum 44".

H.        Side door panel maximum 70" in front of center of rear axle, door must be straight up and down within that measurement. Variations for moldings will be acceptable. Front door extensions will be allowed up to 20" minimum behind front axle centerline. All doors, door extensions and rear quarter panels must have a max lip rounded or 90^o of 1 1/2" top and bottom, facing inside only.   The bottom 4” may be plastic of .90”;125” thickness.  Posts must be made from folded metal of minimum .050” and maximum .090” (no solid dome posts).

I.          Rear quarter panels must match, 2" fender flares are legal as long as a 68" maximum body width is maintained. Rear quarter panels can extend back to 48" maximum (measured from center at rear axle to rear and car including spoiler).

J.         No covered window openings, except for front screen WHICH IS MANDATORY, (no aluminum) maximum 1" x 1" openings recommended, screen must be suitable.

K.        Rear trunk lid must be fully enclosed from quarter panel to quarter panel.

L.         Front hood, nose, and front spoiler can be no wider than 36" and may not extend anymore than 20" in front of axle centerline, also they may have 2" max lips up or down on side following contour of body. Hood must have complete sides.   The nose piece shall end at the front of the stock towers.

M.       Hood scoop cannot start anymore than 25" forward of center of carburetor, hood scoop can be not wider than hood.   A 8” vertical measurement from the lowest point of roof/roll cage to the highest point on hood/scoop is required.

N.        Minimum ground clearance 2 1/2".

O.        Body and inner panels must be aluminum or steel.  Exceptions:  hood, nose, cowl, and rear inner fenders may be fiberglass. (Roof must be fiberglass only.)

P.         Tolerance permitted on all body dimensions is maximum ½”.

2.        ROLL CAGE: Round steel rollover bars are mandatory. Front and rear roll bars must be connected at tip (cage type). Proper bracing and triangulation on front and rear roll bars is recommended. A minimum of one diagonal bar across the top of the roll cage is recommended. Roll bars at 1 1/2" diameter by .120 wall will be the minimum size allowed and roll bars at 1 3/4" minimum .095 wall are recommended.   A minimum clearance of 1 ½” is required between the top of the normally seated driver’s helmet and the underside of the horizontal roll cage bars.   Shock resistant/flame retardant padding must be installed where the driver’s head, knees, and legs may be injured.  Padding must also be installed in the center of the steering wheel.

3.        CHASSIS:

A.         Only homemade box (2 x 4) frames permitted. The fourth side must be vertical. No holes may be cut in frame rails to lighten. Steel frame rails only. All frame rails must be .120" wall thickness only. At the discretion of the officials, it may be necessary to drill a 3/16" hole in frame for inspection of thickness.

B.        Chassis width shall be as follows: Front 24" minimum 35" maximum. Rear 26" minimum 35" maximum. All measurements shall be taken from outside of frame rails. These measurements shall be taken at both top and bottom of frame at its longest length. Clips, subframes, etc. will be considered part of frame. Minimum length of (2 x 4) frame rails must start maximum at 14" in front of rear axle centerline and extend to front of radiator. All kick up material must be same specs as roll cage or frame material.

C.        Minimum frame width must be 26" measured at rear roll bar (top and bottom), left and right frame rail must measure equal distance from drive train centerline.

D.        Minimum wheelbase 106" maximum 110".

E.         Rubrails and rear bumper must be minimum 1 1/2" O.D. x .095 wall. All bracing on both must also be minimum 1 1/2" O.D. x .095 wall, maximum wall thickness must be .120 with no solid or ballast added. ALL CARS MUST START THE RACE WITH ALL BUMPERS & SIDE RAILS IN PLACE.

F.         Front bumpers must be a minimum of 1 1/4" diameter x .095 wall. No "V" shapes.

G.        ALL BUMPERS MUST HAVE ROUNDED ENDS WITH NO SHARP EDGES.

H.        All roll cages, bumpers, and rubrails must be round steel tubing ONLY.

I.          Rear end or chassis must not be offset anymore than 4" from center at the inside tire width, measured from the inside of the left rear tire to the inside of the right rear tire, at axle height, front end the same.

J.         Conventional open or closed quick change rear end ONLY. Modified type front spindles with steel bearing shafts recommended. OPEN TUBE REAR END, STEEL OR ALUMINUM LEGAL.

K.        No independent suspensions front or rear. No "A" frames or ball joints utilized for steering axis. (King pin only.) All brackets on front axle must be bolted or welded.

L.         Engine must be centered in chassis and placed in an upright position, engine set back minimum 32" for small block; 30" for big block and maximum 42" for both small and big block. Measured from the center of front axle to front face of block. No rear engine cars.

M.       Fuel Cell ONLY. Fuel cell height 12" minimum from ground to bottom of tank. Fuel cell must be fully encased in a steel container with a minimum thickness of 20 gauge. An optional aluminum container may be used with a minimum thickness of .060". Fuel cell must retain foam inside. Fuel lines must siphon from top only. Fuel tank vent line must have an in-line one-way valve for the prevention of fuel spillage. No auxiliary tanks. Recommended that fuel cells meet FIA/SPEC/FT-3 Specification. Integral ball check valve highly recommended for filler neck and vent tube.  

N.        Only two (2) universal joints per driveline.   Two steel safety rings, diameter to suit x ¼” wall thickness x 2” long each fastened by two 3/8” grade 5 or greater bolts to the torque arm side plates or the frame, must be installed around each u-joint.

O.        All suspension systems must be mechanical with no form of hydraulic, air, electrical, radio, or computer assistance for adjustments, in or out of cockpit may be used with the exception of brake bias and the RR panhard bar rod, no other form of cockpit adjustments is permitted.

P.         Only one (1) radiator allowed and it must be centered in front of motor in a vertical position. No auxiliary cooling tanks allowed in driver’s compartment.

Q.        Only one (1) oil tank, cooler, and battery will be the only exceptions to be mounted outside of frame rails. All these items must be fully enclosed by body.   Highly recommended:  Oil coolers and lines be mounted under decks.

R.        Seat and steering wheel must be centered in frame. HIGH BACK SEATS ONLY. NO FIBERGLASS SEATS.

4.        TRANSMISSIONS: Approved North American manufactured transmission only, standard, and must bolt to bell housing, no overdrive transmission allowed. Neutral and reverse gear must be in operating order. From a neutral position with motor running a car must be able to go forward and backward. If a conventional clutch and pressure plate are used, a steel bell housing must be used.

5.        MUFFLERS: All cars must have approved muffler exhaust system. Exhaust may not point to ground. Schoenfeld Part #112535 is the minimum requirement. Mufflers must be securely attached.

6.        TIRES: D.I.R.T. soft track tire rule will be in effect.   Hoosier tires allowed are LF 11/82-15; RF 13/82-15; LR 13/89-15 or 13/87-15; RR 13/92-15.   Tires must be positioned on the car in accordance with this language.  Right rear must be run on right rear, left rear on left rear, etc.

         For updates on Hoosier Tires issued by DIRTcar NorthEast on March 21, 2008, please click here.

NOTE:   No tire softener or any liquids will be allowed inside or outside of tires. Heating of tires by torch, blankets, or exhaust system is not allowed. Durometer readings will be taken periodically. Any form of tampering with the tires such as above mentioned will result in complete disqualification. NO POINTS; NO MONEY.

7.        ENGINE BLOCK: Only American manufactured V-8 engines (GM, Ford, or Chrysler products).

8.        CARBURETOR: Engine limited to one American manufactured carburetor not to exceed 4 venturii and one 4-barrel intake manifold. No in-line venturii. No fuel or air shall enter by any means other than stock operation of carburetor. Fuel injection, super chargers, or mechanical turbo chargers are not legal.

            A.   Intake must be cast iron or cast aluminum only.

9.        FUEL: Gasoline or methanol legal, no additives, no nitrous oxide (Speedway. may conduct fuel checks during the season).   No racing fuel in drums may be brought onto track premises.

10.      CAMSHAFT: No overhead cams. Only 2 valves per cylinder allowed. Titanium valves and retainers are allowed. No hollow stem valves, no liquid cooled valves.

11.      IGNITION: Any kind of ignition mechanically driven in stock position. No crank trigger ignition systems. Only one spark plug per cylinder.

12.    Weight Rule:

• Unlimited 361 CID or less – Cast Iron Small Block: 2400 track scale pounds

• Cast Iron 467 Big Block & Large Small Block: 2500 track scale pounds

• 08 – Unrestricted Big Block: 2700 track scale pounds

All weights are minimum, with driver, after the race, at speedway, on speedway scales.  Track scales will be official, no protest or appeals are allowed on their findings.   No weight pack may exceed 75 lbs.    Weight packs must have a minimum of two 1 ½” securing bolts of grade 5 or higher.  The bolts must be fastened to the frame by a suitable clamp.   No bolts welded to the frame.  Clamp around weights are permitted.  All weight must be painted white or orange.

13.      NO RADIOS !!

14.      ANYONE FOUND TO BE SPEEDING IN THE PIT AREA WILL BE FINED $25.

15.      No traction control of any kind – mechanical or electronic allowed.  Only one ignition box allowed and it must be located in engine compartment.  All wiring from distributor/magneto to ignition box or tachometer must be in plain view for inspection and have no splices or interruption in these wires.  Speedway will have the right to confiscate any part of the ignition system for further inspection.  If parts are confiscated, prize money and points will be held until results of inspection are known.  All legal parts will be returned within 5 days.  Violation of any of these rules will result in disqualification.

NOTE:  The preceding rules and regulations are designed to provide for the orderly conduct of racing events and to establish minimum acceptable standards and requirements for such events.  By participating in these events, all participants are deemed to have complied with these rules and regulations.  No expressed and/or implied warranty or safety assurance shall result from publication of, or compliance with, the preceding rules and regulations.  They are intended as a guide and are in no way a guarantee to any participant, driver or official, against injury or death.  Any of the preceding rules maybe subject to revision if it is felt that the change would be in the interest of safety or the Division.  Track Officials have the right to make decisions and to rule accordingly, in the interest of safety, without recourse from the drivers and/or owners.  Track Officials will decide anything not covered in the preceding rules and regulations if, and when, it becomes necessary.

                                **  Any changes to rules from previous year are underlined  **

 

MANDATORY SAFETY RULES

1.        All cars are subject to inspection at any time and must be free from mechanical defects and be in safe racing condition.

2.        Driver’s seat must be securely fastened to frame or cage 3/8" bolts minimum. It is recommended that seats mounted over drivelines have a minimum 1/8" steel plate under and up the back 4" and be as wide as seat.

3.        Driveshaft cover mandatory.  All cars with open driveshafts must have a tunnel, minimum of 1/8” thick steel from 2” under front edge of seat to back of transmission covering shaft and “U” joint on top and both sides down to floor boards.  It must be held in place with a minimum of 4 (four) 3/8” bolts at bottom to a substantial cross-member.  This drive shaft cover must be a solid unit with no cutaways for lightening purposes.

            NOTE:   Closed drive type cars, torque tubes or bells that already have a 360^o covering from “U” joint back to seat will be accepted as is.   It is recommended that any car that has a suspension link such as a torque arm, coil over, or trailer bar in the driver’s compartment, have a steel cable (1/4” in dia. or more) or clamp around it limiting its range should it break loose from its mount.   It is also recommended to have these parts free of sharp edges and padded.

4.        Mandatory functional padded head rest must be in line with center of driver’s head.

5.        All cars must have 4 (four) wheel hydraulic brakes, all in good working order. Steel rotors only.

6.        Belly pan must extend from rear motor plate to rear of seat.

7.        Battery must be properly secured and must have top and terminals completely covered by rubber.

8.        Fuel lines, power steering lines, and fittings running through driver’s compartment must be of approved type. (Braided lines recommended.)  NO CAST IRON FITTINGS.

9.        Exhaust headers must be safe for driver and recommended to exit past driver’s seat.

10.      Firewalls, both front and rear are mandatory. The rear firewall must extend from top of fuel cell to belly pan. Minimum .050" thick aluminum or steel only.   A minimum amount of sheet metal may be cut out for drive shaft clearance. The front firewall must isolate driver from the engine compartment.

11.      All cars must be equipped with 5-point seatbelts to “SF1 16.1 specifications”.   All belts must be securely fastened to frame or cage.  The sternum shoulder harness is highly recommended.   Belts older than 48 months will not be allowed.  Damaged belts will also not be allowed.

12.      Tri-City Speedway highly recommends all drivers wear newest Snell approved full-face helmet and clean one piece SFI drivers suit, underwear, head sock, gloves, foot socks, and shoes to SFI specification 3.2A & 3.3, arm restraints and neck brace.  

13. Retention of Vehicles and Parts as per Insurance Requirement:

         Participant hereby grants Tri-City Speedway full and unconditional permission to collect and retain vehicles, parts of vehicles, equipment, or any other items used in conjunction with participation that are owned by or in the possession of participant or present at an event (collectively “items”), including such items that may be relevant to the investigation of an accident; the inspection or testing of such items, or for any other purpose Tri-City Speedway may exercise this right to take and retain items at any time when Tri-City Speedway determines in its sole and absolute discretion that such actions are necessary.  When an item is suspected of being out of compliance with a Tri-City Speedway rule, or when an item has been involved in an incident, Tri-City Speedway may in its sole and absolute discretion collect and retain such items if Tri-City Speedway believes it necessary to do so to further investigate, make a final determination, and/or preserve evidence, all in Tri-City Speedway’s sole and absolute discretion.  At any time that Tri-City Speedway collects and retains items, Tri-City Speedway will try to safeguard such items and return such items when Tri-City Speedway has completed its work with them, but Tri-City Speedway makes no representations or warranties that the items will not be lost, damaged, destructively tested, destroyed, or otherwise affected.  The rights granted to Tri-City Speedway in this subsection shall also apply to any Tri-City Speedway track officials.

 

Transponders will be used for scoring at Tri-City.   Once you have your transponder, you will need to provide us with the ID number to enter in our scoring system.    Transponders must be mounted on the inner right side sheet metal surrounding the fuel cell no more than 24” behind the rear axle centerline (151” – 153” from front bumper) at a height of 12” to 18” from the ground.   For optimum function, the transponder should be mounted as close to the ground as possible.   Transponder must be mounted vertically with no obstruction between the transponder and the ground.  It is recommended that a shield be installed in front of the transponder for protection from clay and debris.  The shield cannot be made of metal or carbon fiber.   If using a  rechargeable transponder with a mounting bracket,  it is recommended that the transponder be reinforced with tie wraps or the like to prevent dislodging.  Do not rely solely on the cotter pin.