Southwest Speedway

THUNDER FOURS
2009 RULES

GENERAL

1.Any American made (GM, Ford, Chrysler No convertibles) front wheel drive car or mini truck, (i.e. Dodge Rampage) with a four-cylinder, single cam engine (no dual overhead cam, super or turbo-charged or HO engines).
2.Geo Metro with 3 cylinder engine will be allowed.
3.No welding or posi-traction devices.
4.NO 4WD or all-wheel drive vehicles.
5.In all respects, the entire vehicle (except as specified) is to utilize STOCK and unmodified parts.
6.Drive-train must retain stock components, in stock configuration and location (no setback or alternative mounting of engine or drive-train).
7.No T-Top roofs. Sunroof cars will be allowed but hole most be covered with stock or stock replacement sheet metal.
8.The Thunder Four class is intended for first time racers as an entry-level class. Beginning racers only, NO ringers (experienced drivers) will be allowed (club will determine ringers). The intent is to learn about racing and more importantly to have fun.
9.Points we be awarded to the car number and NOT the driver.
10.The intent is to have other people build the car and have the opportunity to drive it. It is the responsibility of the drivers and car owners to divide any winnings and/or trophies among their team members.
11.It is recommended that you steam clean the engine and transmission before racing. Excessive oil and grease will start on fire when the engine gets hot.
12.Any car winning two features in a row will be required to start at the tail of the next event and will continue to start tail end as long as the car keeps winning consecutive features. It is our intent to make sure everyone has the possibility of winning and has the same chance as the next car.
SECTION 1 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1.Remove glass, trim, flammable items like carpet, insulation, headliners, excess wiring, etc. You are to strip the car of all components that could come loose, hit the driver, or start on fire, with the exception of the dash. The dash must be complete as is form OEM. Modifying or cutting of the dash will be allowed for roll cage clearance ONLY. The car as a while must be safe. Doors and panels must be secure. No protruding sharp edges, bumpers stock, complete and serviceable. All cars must have a minimum of a six inch hole in hood above carburetor OR throttle body for ease of putting out fires. All SRS components (air bags) must be removed. Any parts dragging on the track or dangling from the car will mandate an immediate black flag for that event.

2.Install minimum required 6-point roll cage as described. NO SHORTY, OFFSET, OR PARTIAL CAGES ALLOWED! NO front or rear hoops roll cage must be contained within the drivers compartment. The cage will be constructed at minimum of 1ae .095 roll bar tubing. This material goes by a lot of different names; seam split-resistant, cold rolled or seamless. If you consult anyone experienced in building cages, and suppliers of racing type tubing, they will provide you with what youll need. Contact our club inspector, president or other officials if you need more information. Enhancing the cage for safety and to defend from damage is allowed, subject to approval. Exhaust pipe is not acceptable. The cage will be secured at four points, sandwiched with 1/8 minimum steel plates to the floor, and two additional points to the rear of the car. The cage will come up around the driver, forming a rectangle on the roof, preventing it from collapsing in a rollover. Drivers door will have a minimum of three bars, with 1/8 steel plating from top to bottom to shield the driver from something punching through. Passenger side will have a minimum of 2 bars .90 degree joining points will have gussets welded in. The cage is to be welded and secured in a quality manner with the idea ultimately to protect the driver. Padding is required to protect the drivers head, hands or feet in an accident.

3.Floor pan, body and chassis must be complete OEM. Frame rails forward of front suspension mounting points may be replaced with new material as long as new material is at least as heavy as stock pieces were. Doors may be skinned to accommodate roll cage clearance only. Absolutely NO EXCESSIVE CUTTING WILL BE ALLOWED. All other components must be left complete and in tact. Doors, hatches and trunk lids are to be secured from opening. The hood and trunk need a minimum of 4 pins. If hood/trunk has hinges, 2 pins are acceptable.

4.WEIGHT: Check post race with driver in car.
◦1-1999cc must weigh at least 2000lbs. (Geo Metro will fit in this weight rule.)
◦2000-2300cc must weigh at least 2350lbs
◦Over 2300cc must weigh at least 2450lbs
ENGINE SIZE AND REQUIRED CAR WEIGHT MUST BE CLEARLY LETTERED ON THE LEFT-FRONT FENDER, DOOR OR ON LEFT SIDE OF HOOD FOR EASY VIEWING BY OFFICIALS. IF ACTUAL ENGINE SIZE AND LABELED SIZE DIFFER, DISQUALIFICATION FOR THE NIGHT WILL OCCUR.

5.TIRES/WHEELS
MAXIMUM of 6 inch STEEL stock wheels (NO racing wheels) with a minimum backspace of 2 inches. All lugs must be serviceable. 1 inch lug nuts are recommended. Reinforcing the right front wheel is allowed and recommended. All four tires must be of the same size and OEM to that make, model and year (plus or minus 1 size will be allowed). Maximum 70 series tires. 60 series tires or wider will NOT be allowed. Stock DOT tires only. No racing tires or mud/snow grips allowed. NO ALTERATION OF ANY KIND ALLOWED ON TIRES. (NO SHAVING, NO TIRE TREATMENTS, ETC).

6.SAFETY
A minimum Snell 95 rated helmet and a quality racing fire suit are required (neck braces and gloves strongly suggested). All cars required to have a least a 4-point racing harness with quick release (5-point is recommended). No bench seats. A window safety net must be properly installed, meaning it is to be attached top and bottom to the roll cage, not the door or roof. It must be easily accessible from the outside. A mandatory 8 lb fire extinguisher is required. It must be securely mounted within the drivers reach. These are available at any discount store at a minimal cost and most come with mounting hardware.

7.The stock gas tank may be used provided that its STOCK location is in front of the rear axle and is securely fastened. Gas tanks behind the rear axle should be removed and placed in the trunk area with a steel firewall separating it from the drivers compartment. A fuel cell may (AND SHOULD) be used providing a firewall is installed between it and the drivers compartment and the cell is a maximum of 12 gallons. The area below the tank must have holes drilled, so fuel will not exit onto the trunk floor. ALL TANKS must be secured with 4 straps (USE NUTS AND BOLTS, NO SCREWS OR RIVETS).

8.Brakes must be operational at all four wheels at all times. ABSOLUTELY NO RACING OR PERFORMANCE ENHANCING BRAKE COMPONENTS ALLOWED.

9.Entrees will be painted and maintained reflecting a favorable image. Dents should be reasonably repaired week to week. Cars will be painted and touched up. All cars must enter each event with all body panels intact, NO EXCEPTIONS.

SECTION 2 WHAT YOU MAY DO:

1.You may use skirts, hood scoops, front damns and other items which improve the appearance of your car. But the must be securely fastened. Rear side windows may be tinned in. No rear wings or spoilers.

2.Remove items to lighten the car than can be unbolted ONLY (not torched, drilled or cut out). For example; hinges, latches, etc. NO EXCESSIVE CUTTING ALLOWED.

3.You may replace the stock steering wheel with a quick disconnect (knock off). Steering column must remain stock.

4.Suspension may NOT be altered in anyway. Stock or stock-type components (springs, struts, shocks, etc.) must remain OEM or OEM replacement. ALL suspension components must be in stock position using stock type components i.e. no shock towers, tie rod end shocks, or screw jacks permitted. NO CUTTING/LENGTH CHANGE ALLOWED TO CONTROL ARMS.

5.Exhaust must exit behind driver and must be securely fastened. Mufflers and converters may be removed. You will find your car will perform better with a complete exhaust system. Todays computer controlled cars need the back pressure of the exhaust system to function properly. No after market headers, racing mufflers or component will be allowed.

6.You may relocate the battery. Battery must be mounted securely and safely in a marine or metal type box. Battery must be covered at all times while the vehicle is competing.

7.You may replace stock sway bar hardware to permit adjustment. Sway bars must be stock to that vehicle.

8.An aftermarket plastic nose/tail allowed but must be above STOCK bumper.

9.A minimum of 4 windshield bars must be mounted in front of driver. Windshield screens are required and must cover the entire windshield area.

10.ENGINES:
ALL ENTREES MUST RUN AN ENGINE THAT WAS AVAILABLE FOR YEAR AND MAKE OF VEHICLE. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU CAR ONLY CAME FACTORY WITH A 1.6L, YOU MAY NOT INSTALL A LARGER ENGINE.
Vehicle VIN plate must be in stock location (drivers side dash). This will tell what the components were for that vehicle from OEM and the tech inspectors will check. All engines must be STOCK as it came OEM. No racing or high performance parts allowed. No aftermarket cams, pistons, cranks, rods, heads, etc. of any kind. Fuel delivery system must be OEM. Aftermarket electric fuel pump will be allowed on injected engines. Carbureted or fuel injected engines allowed. NO modifying the fuel system in any way will be allowed (except as noted). Engine mounts must remain in stock location and stock type. Reinforcing mounts will be allowed. CHECK WITH OFFICIALS BEFORE YOU DO THIS TO MAKE SURE ITS LEGAL.

11.COOLING SYSTEM
Must remain stock. NO aftermarket aluminum radiators (exception would be cars with stock aluminum radiators). Radiator must be stock and in stock location with stock mounts. Radiator supports must be stock from fender to fender. NO rear radiators allowed. After market transmission coolers will be allowed. All lines inside drivers compartment (trans, fuel, etc.) must be covered and shielded from driver.

12.Ignition system must remain stock to that vehicle. No high performance coils or ignition parts of any kind.

13.TRANSMISSIONS:
Any OEM transmission will be allowed (manual or automatic). Must remain stock NO modifying with aftermarket racing or high performance parts. All transmissions must work and pull the car in ALL gears including reverse. Automatics must have a fully functional torque converter. Manual transmissions must have stock or stock replacement clutch assembly. NO high performance clutch assemblies allowed.

14.All vehicles must have adequate tow hook-ups, front and rear.

15.HAVE PRIDE IN YOUR CAR!
Writing, logos or pictures which are in poor taste, offensive, in poor sportsmanship, suggests bias, prejudice or profanity are NOT ALLOWED. Our association strives to promote the very best image of fair, honest and sportsmanlike competition.

ANYONE CAUGHT USING PARTS NOT SPECIFIED AS LEGAL BY THE RULES WILL LOSE POINTS AND PAY FOR THE NIGHTS EVENTS. ALL INSPECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE POST-RACE IN A TECHING AREA. WHILE CARS ARE IN THE TECHING AREA ONLY THE DRIVER AND INSPECTOR ARE ALLOWED NEAR THE CARS. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A DRIVER TO INSURE NO ONE ELSE IS AROUND YOUR CAR. ANY UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS DURING THE INSPECTION PROCESS MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FOR THE NIGHT.

ANY ARGUING WITH OFFICIALS OR INSPECTORS MAY ALSO RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION AND OR POSSIBLE SUSPENSION.

ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED THROUGHLY BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO COMPETE. ALL SAFETY NEEDS BE MET. IF OTHER ITEMS ARE NOT UP TO CLUB STANDARDS, THE OFFICIALS WILL INFORM THE DRIVER WHAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AND DETERMINE IF THE CAR WILL COMPETE THAT NIGHT.

IF YOURE NOT SURE, DONT DO IT. ASK FIRST.