2010 Thunder Car Division Rules 1/28/10

Chief Tech Inspector: Lloyd Larmon llarmon@frontiernet.net 315-767-7819

If an issue arises that is not addressed within these rules the Chief Tech Inspector will render the deciding factor.

At any time a discrepancy arises regarding any part/component or entire car being allowed will be the absolute decision of track officials.

Any changes from the car’s original OEM specs must be approved by the Chief Tech Inspector.

In the event that any car and or driver has been competing with a rule infraction in the past, regardless of the infraction or the length of time will have no involvement with the tech decision if found not in compliance to these rules concerning any tech inspection or protest situation.

If any disagreement arises concerning part/component being OEM available at time vehicle was produced then driver of affected vehicle must IMMEDIATELY produce the EXACT model/year factory repair manual to support any dispute to the OEM status of part/component. Keeping in mind no performance models or sports cars as determined by tech official. Chief Tech Inspector will enter the final decision with or without the manual.

The above statements apply to all tech inspections and protest situations.

Any car that becomes overly competitive, action will be taken to determine the reason. Tech Inspectors decision is final.

1. CAR ELIGIBILITY: 1970 to current foreign or domestic street/passenger 4 cylinder vehicles only. Piston/cylinder type engines only. No convertibles, performance models or sports cars (as determined by tech official). No four wheel drive---shaft or other connecting link (front or rear) must be completely removed to render it 2 wheel drive. Fuel injection or carburetor allowed must match model/year/manufacture, no conversion carburetor to fuel injection or fuel injection to carburetor. All parts and components of entire car must be stock OEM or direct aftermarket replacement and remain in original location for model/year/manufacture, unless otherwise specified in these rules. No multi carburetors. No aftermarket performance parts or components.

Spoiler: Securely fastened, no wider than body, maximum height 5"- measure from deck straight up (not at an angle) to top of spoiler, at backside of spoiler.

NOTE: Any altering, fabricating, relocating, reinforcing, or otherwise changing any part or component from its original form or location must be inspected and approved by the Chief Tech Inspector. SLIGHT relocating of components due to damage or rust problems is acceptable, but must be inspected and approved by tech inspector.

SAFETY NOTE: All rules regarding safety are with the intentions to assist in the defense of injury and in no way offer any assurance of absolute protection. It is the responsibility of driver, crew member(s), car owner(s) and or anyone in the presents of hazardous conditions to maintain their personal safety.

2. SAFETY EQUIPMENT: Rules apply at all times. One way Radio required at all times when on track, Frequency 154.515. Snell-rated SA2000 or newer full faced helmet designed specifically for auto racing required. Roll bar padding required in driver compartment (Fire retardant recommended). SFI-approved full fire suit, fire retardant neck brace, gloves and shoes required. Recommended: Fire retardant head sock and underwear, collapsible steering shaft.

3. CAR SAFETY REQUIREMENT: Driver-side window net required, minimum 16 inch by 20 inch ribbon or mesh style, and must be mounted so latch is at top front of window. Minimum three inch wide SFI-approved five point safety belt assembly required (Y-type shoulder harness not allowed), must be mounted securely to roll cage. Within 3 years from date of manufacture. Ignition kill switch required within easy reach of driver and must be marked “OFF” and “ON”.

All doors must be welded shut. Interior must be gutted. All glass and molding must be removed. A suitable mesh screen must cover entire windshield opening. There must be a full fire wall between driver and engine compartment. No mirrors. Floor must run door to door and front to rear. Inner fenders may be removed. No enclosing of interior or drivers compartment.

Unibodies tied together mandatory. As follows: Minimum 2x2x.095 steel on driver and passenger sides. From front firewall area to rear wheel well opening area. Must be welded to floor continuous at joining area both sides of 2x2. Must be welded to cage uprights continuous at joining area. No weld burn thru permitted. Cage and unibody tie must be inspected by tech.

CAGE:

*A mandatory 6 point roll cage must be used to surround the driver and must be constructed of 1 1/2" or 1 3/4" outside diameter steel tubing with a 1/8" wall thickness. Welding of joints must be continuous around the entire joint, no partial beads or spot welding. Welding will be of good quality, excessive slag and overheating of steel (burn through) will be cause for rejection.

* Driver and passenger sides must have a minimum of 3 horizontal pipes each side, same specs as cage.

*Any part of cage within reach of any part of buckled in driver must be padded.

*All cages, including mounts must be inspected and approved by tech.

* Highly recommended minimum 16 gauge steel plate welded to outside of left side drivers roll cage bars.

Lift off hood/trunk allowed. Hood and trunk must be securely fastened in correct position when starting the race. OEM hood latch must be removed from system. Hood must be able to be quickly opened by safety crew.

Any material added or removed from car in the interest of safety will be strictly decided by the tech inspectors to be legal or not.

4. ENGINE: Engine and parts/components and all specifications must remain OEM specs. Note: compression ratio must be OEM specs - however 10.0:1 will be the maximum allowed regardless of OEM specs. No performance parts allowed. OEM or aftermarket direct replacement parts/components only. Any engine is subject to being unacceptable to participate by track officials.

4a. MANIFOLD VACUUM: Engine vacuum will be one of the methods used to determine camshaft is within OEM specs. Any engine with a vacuum figure that is significantly lower, as determined by tech, than a comparable engine will be reason for suspicion, further action may be executed.

4b. HOSE ADAPTER: All competing engines must have a hose type nipple threaded into intake manifold capable of accepting the use of a vacuum gauge.

5. FUEL SYSTEM: Gasoline only, 95 octane maximum. No additives.

5a. Fuel Cell: Maximum 16 gallon racing fuel cell is allowed. (See fuel pump)

5b. OEM Fuel Tank: Original style fuel tank may be relocated to trunk area and must be OEM or direct replacement aftermarket tank.

5c. Fuel Pump: Mechanical or electric fuel pump must be OEM or direct aftermarket replacement. Electric fuel pump must be OEM wired.

5d. When Converting to Fuel Cell (15 gal max) or Relocating OEM Fuel tank: Fuel cell/tank must be in 20 gauge minimum steel container with a 1 1/4” x .095” minimum tubing to protect the back of the fuel cell/tank from rear end collision. Fuel cell/tank must be securely fastened in trunk above level of OEM trunk floor, behind rear tires, no further forward than factory seam where rear frame rail can be replaced, with minimum two solid steel straps around entire cell/tank, two inches wide and .125 inch thick. Metal firewall must be between driver and fuel cell/tank. All cell/tank mounts must be steel, securely welded to frame/cage. No adjustable fuel cell/tank mounts. Fuel cell vents, including cap vent, must have check valves. If fuel cell does not have aircraft style positive seal filler neck/cap system - a flapper, spring or ball type filler rollover valve is required. Fuel lines through driver compartment must run through metal pipe or metal conduit. One fuel filter only, cannot be in driver’s compartment. All fuel system changes must be inspected and approved by Chief Tech Inspector.

5e. All manual throttle systems must have two throttle return springs in working order.

6. SUSPENSION: All parts and components must be OEM or exact aftermarket replacement and remain in original location for model/year/manufacture, unless otherwise specified in these rules. Castor/Camber and Toe does not have to be within factory specifications.

7. BATTERY/STARTER: One 12 volt passenger car battery only, must be securely mounted between and above frame rails, and positive terminal must be covered. Battery must be in Marine type case if mounted in driver compartment. Battery not allowed within 3 feet of fuel cell in any direction. Starter must bolt in OEM location. Car must have capability of starting without being pushed or pulled. Car must leave line up area on demand, unaided, or go to rear of that race.

8. BUMPERS: Fabricated or O.E.M. bumpers, no sharp edges. Must have suitable lift chain/hook front and rear centered and be easily accessible to safety crew. Rub rails are optional: 1 X .095 minimum and must be mounted flush to body. Ends must be capped off.

9. EXHAUST: Connection to engine must be OEM for make/year/model. Must extend behind driver’s seat at least 12 inches, remain under car at all areas and be securely mounted. Maximum pipe diameter size; 3 inches anywhere beyond engine connector. Mufflers are optional.

10. TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/REAREND: Must match make/year/model. Differential gears may be welded-no other source of locking allowed. Posi traction/limited slip type system allowed if matches make/year/model. Gear ratio for all components must remain within OEM specs for make/year/model.

11. BRAKES: All four brakes must be in working order at all times, no bias adjusting system.

12. TIRES AND WHEELS: Any DOT labeled tire. Must have the original DOT label, size, and name clearly legible. 13” min 15” max. 8 inch max width. Mix/match brands/sizes allowed. Grooving allowed. Wheels: Any 8 inch maximum width 13“-15” wheel. Mix/match wheel sizes allowed. Wheels may be reinforced. Wheel spacers, offset wheels, plugs or securely fastened covers are all allowed. No bleeder valves. Oversize studs and lug nuts are recommended.

13. WEIGHT: 1 lb per cc 1800 lb min, weight min must be labeled on both sides of hood. Any car that can not sufficiently prove the engines CCs to the tech inspector will be assessed a minimum weight by the tech inspector. This decision will be final.

Tech INSPECTION Policies and Procedures: An inspection can be demanded anytime once entered pit gate and or after any race event, any position including did not finish. DRIVER only can refuse a tech inspection and will forfeit the affected event money and points as well as all points accumulated at the affected track (lose of accumulated points applies only to refusing a tech inspection-does not apply to refusing a protest). Not being the driver’s regular car has no relationship to the outcome regarding any tech inspection, driver or tech official’s decision.

Tech AREA Policies and Procedures: Questions/input will be addressed as possible by the officials. Verbal or physical action directed toward officials or other racers will not be tolerated. Driver along with anyone else that has been allowed in tech area must remain with their designated car unless otherwise instructed by official(s).

TECH INSPECTION situation - Only driver/car will be allowed in tech area, driver must remain in car until otherwise instructed by official(s)-a designated number of crew members per car will be allowed by tech officials IF and WHEN needed.

PROTEST situation - Only driver/car being protested will be allowed in tech area-a designated number of crew members will be allowed by tech officials IF and WHEN needed.

PROTEST: Chief Tech Inspector has the authority to disallow any protest he feels inappropriate or has not properly followed protest procedures and his decision(s) will be final concerning any issues. Driver only can refuse to be protested and will forfeit the money and points for the affected event only. There are two types of protest, visual or major. Protest must be LEGIBLY hand written IN DETAIL, with EXACT amount CASH only US funds, submitted by driver or one crew member to Tech Inspector within 10 minutes of end of feature. Visual and major protest.

FOUND LEGAL: Car being protested receives protest money.

FOUND ILLEGAL: Protester is refunded protest money. MULTI-ITEM PROTEST: Maximum of 4 items allowed per protest, all must be entered at same time. The written protest must specify which protested item is the first ($200) item, rendering the remaining protested items $100 each. This will determine the outcome concerning the protest money. Each protested item and its determined dollar amount will follow the same policy as listed above in the found legal and found illegal sections. Concerning disqualification: Any 1 protested item deemed illegal by Chief Tech Inspector will render car and driver disqualified from the affected event. Not being the driver’s regular car has no relationship to the outcome regarding any protest.
Visual Protest: $75.00 per issue/component
Major Protest: $200.00, $100.00 for each addition item during protest.

$500.00 will be ADDED for any protest item requiring removal of engine, transmission, transaxle, rear end housing, crankshaft, oil pan. As determined by tech.