Tacoma Dome Small Car Rules - 2012

Small Car	Big Car	SUV/Suburban/Pickup
1st place $400	1st place $400	1st place $400
2nd place $200	2nd place $200	2nd place $200
3rd place $100	3rd place $100	3rd place $100
4th place $75	4th place $75	4th place $75
5th place $50	5th place $50	5th place $50

a.) Competition Regulations

1. Any vehicle that does not ARRIVE at the venue WITHIN TWO HOURS of the start of the show time may only compete with the permission of the event manager.
2. At anytime the USHRA reserves the right to stop the event immediately by displaying a red flag, light, or airhorn. Any driver failing to bring his or her car to a stop IMMEDIATELY following the official's decision may be disqualified from competition.
3. All decisions of the USHRA officials are final.
4. Vehicles must pre-stage in their position within two minutes of being called to stage by the USHRA or Clark MotorSports.
5. Any vehicle with excessive smoke may be disqualified.
6. If the driver's door bar falls down, you will be disqualified.
7. Any vehicle rolled over may be re-inspected for safety before being allowed to continue to run.
8. Any vehicle involved in a fire may not continue in competition until re-inspected.
9. All drivers must remain in the vehicle with harness and helmet on until the checkered flag is displayed unless instructed otherwise.
10. Any vehicle not engaged in live action for sixty seconds will be disqualified.
11. Competition will continue until the last vehicle remaining or until the event time limit has been reached at discretion of USHRA.
12. Intentional driver door hits WILL result in immediate DQ!
13. Any vehicle that causes a red flag may be disqualified.


b.) Course Regulations

1. A course will be designated by the USHRA. At the discretion of the USHRA, it may be modified at any time.
2. Deliberate contact to force an opponent outside designated boundaries is not permitted and may result in disqualification.
3. A vehicle that has all four tires leave the competition boundaries at the same time may be disqualified.

1. All Competitors are required to wear an approved protective helmet (minimum snell90/ DOT 218) during competition.
2. A minimum of a one layer fire safety suit is MANDATORY and must be worn while in competition. NO open toed footware.
3. A three inch, four point harness/restraint system is mandatory.
4. Neck collars that are approved for motor sports are highly recommended.
5. Center of steering wheel, driver's door and any roll bars within reach of the driver while buckled in must be padded.
6. One inch roll bar padding is required within eighteen inches of the driver's head.

Mini Cars

(a) Any year sedan, station wagon, coupe is allowed.
(b) The vehicle must have a 4-cylinder engine and originally been available with a 4 cylinder engine from the factory.
(c) The vehicle must have a curb weight that does not exceed 2800 lbs.
(d) No four-wheel/All wheel drive vehicles or convertibles are allowed.


What must be removed

(a) All glass, including windshield, must be removed.
(b) Flammable materials inside the car must be removed. These include the carpet, the rear seat, and interior trim including side and roof liners.
(c) All light covers/bulbs, side mirrors, hubcaps, grills, side chrome, plastic, and pot metal must be removed. Side chrome shall mean anything below the window frame.
(d) All trailer hitches, related brackets, reinforcements and hardware will be completely removed.


Gas Tank/Fuel Pumps

(a) A limited capacity (of 6 gal. or less) metal tank or racing fuel cell is required as a replacement gas tank. You must solidly mount it in interior of the car, ahead of the rear axle, using a minimum 2” strap or 5/16” chain. The tank must be located at least 8” for mini cars, from the inner door panels. The stock tank must be completely removed or three 1/2" or larger holes drilled in it.
(b) Metal splash shields must be installed between gas tanks and drivers and must be securely fastened. Exception: Racing fuel cells do not require additional splash shields.
(c) Gas lines and fittings must be leak proof. No exceptions. Rubber fuel lines located inside the passenger compartment must run through a second larger hose such as a garden hose to prevent accidental spillage on the driver in case of a leak. A hole must be made in the floor board for fuel runoff.
(d) Electric fuel pumps are optional. If an electric fuel pump is used, you must have an on/off switch that is positioned so that up is on and off is down. The switch must be easily visible, be in a square painted yellow and “off” must be clearly marked. The letter “E” must be on your signboard.


Batteries

(a) Batteries must be re-located inside the car. Your battery box must be of metal construction, full enclosed, securely fastened to the floor and securely fastened shut using 5/16” bolts or 2” straps.
(b) Switches or wires used for powering off the car must be within reach of the driver while harnessed in. The will be no acceptable excuse for not being able to turn off you car in an emergency situation. The main power switch must be CLEARLY marked OFF!


Safety Bracing

(a) A front cross brace must be installed above the steering column from window post to window post (in the former position of the dashboard if dash is removed). It must be made of a minimum 2” pipe with 1/8” wall and be securely fastened into position. If a 2 piece pipe is used, it must be securely fastened so that it cannot collapse. You may leave the dashboard in on a mini car.
(b) A rear cross brace must be installed from door inner skin to door inner skin, as close to the door posts as possible, and at least halfway up from the floor. It must be made of a minimum 2” pipe, with plates welded on the ends. The cross brace must be bolted with minimum of one ¾” bolt per side, extending through the side irons. (You must use two bolts per side if your upright is not attached to this cross brace-see rule c below) If the cross brace is collapsed, it must be pinned with a ¾” bolt (minimum) or welded so it can’t rotate.
(c) All cars must have an upright (vertical) post behind the driver’s seat. The upright must be made of a minimum 2” pipe with a 4” x 4” plate welded to the top. The upright will extend from the roof to the cross bar, or to the floor and be located as close to the seat as possible. It must be attached with minimum of two 3/8” bolts on each end. Backing plates must be used and must be a minimum 2”x2” to 6” x 6” x 1/8” thick on both top and bottom (if extending to the floor boards) ends of the upright (see diagram) Note: If using a two-piece upright, the female end should be above the helmet level, unless the upright is welded or solidly pinned with a ¾” minimum bolt.
(d) You may add two kickers from the rear cross bar assembly to the floor area, as long as they do not extend beyond the rear seat area. No more than 2” in diameter. 4” x 4” plates may be used on the ends. Not to connect to frame.
(e) Both front doors must be reinforced with a minimum 8” high, 1/4” thick channel iron. The side iron must not be more than 6’ 6” and must begin ahead of the front door seam and be no more than 6” in front of the front door hinges. The channel iron must be centered on the door in a horizontal manner. No sloping side irons. The iron must be bolted with a minimum of two bolts (3/4” min-1 ½” max) that extend through the inner panels. Backing plates must be used and must be a minimum of 6” x 6” x 3/16” thick on both front and rear ends of the iron. The front bolt must be located no further back than the front fender/front door seam and at least one other bolt must go through the plate connected to the rear cross bar. The ends of the side irons must be cut at a 45-degree angle.
(f) OPTIONAL: “K” bracing is allowed to run from the rear cross brace to the frame.


Harness/Seat

(a) Approved 4-point harnesses are mandatory. They must be mounted to stock mounts or have a 2” minimum flat washer where it is mounted through the sheet metal. Do not attach to your cross bar or upright.
(b) Seat can be OEM stock of any make/model car (Honda Prelude/CRX seats not recommended). Put a headrest on upright behind the seat if seat was not equipped with a headrest (Required).
(c) No fiberglass/plastic racing style seats.


Building, Welding, & Securing

(a) All doors must be securely fastened by either welding, pinning them with a minimum ½” bolt or chaining them in a minimum of one place. If the side iron extends the full width of the door no other fastening methods are required.
(b) Trunk lids, tailgates and hoods must be secured shut with bolts, chains or welds as follows:

(1) Hoods can be bolted or welded in a maximum of 6 places other than stock. If welded the welds cannot exceed 6" long in 6 locations. Bolt size must be a minimum of 5/8” and a maximum of 1”. Only 2 bolts, in an area on either side of the radiator can extend through the frame. All bolts must have washers twice the size of the holes for bolt clearance, but not exceed 6” x 6”. Bolts must not exceed 4” above the vehicle surface.
(2) Chains must be a minimum 3/8” welded type. A bolt no smaller than 3/8”, with washers, must connect the chains. Larger chains and bolts are acceptable as long as they are not used for reinforcing. Tech crew’s decision.
(3) Trunks may be fastened in a maximum of 6 places using chains, bolts or welds. Welds cannot be more than 5” long or if using flat plates, they must not exceed 5” x 1 ½” in each place. Bolts must have washers that are twice the clearance hole size, but not exceeding 4” x 6”. Cars must have an inspection hole in the trunk.

(c) Two body bolts after the firewall may be reinforced in any location so long as the backing plate is no larger than 4” x 4”.
(d) Welding over factory seams without adding any metal other than wire is permitted.
(e) Front and rear bumpers may be welded in spots on each side, push-in bumpers may be collapsed and welded solid. No extra metal, other than a small backing plate used to attach the bumper, may be added. You may only use bumpers within the same class you are running.
(f) A chain or cable must be attached to the frame on the front of the car for the tow trucks to use when the car needs to be towed off of the track.


Screen

(a) A protective screen of ½” wire mesh or smaller must be installed in front of the driver. A car with a sunroof is allowed as long as the opening is securely covered with ½” or smaller wire mesh.
(b) One or two “straps” 3/16” thick x 2” wide (round stock/channel acceptable) down the center of the windshield from top to bottom (minimum requirements).
(c) Optional rear window bars may be added no more than 6” extension on roof and 10” on deck lid, deck lid fastening points will count as two trunk hold downs. They may be no bigger than 2” box tube, 1/16th inch thick or ¼” thick flat plate, max 2 each parallel with roof.


Cooling System/Radiators

(a) No cooling system other than stock is permitted. Radiators and/or fans can be removed. Expansion tanks must remain in engine compartment as close to the stock location as possible. Heater cores must be secured and covered if left in the car. Radiator support or radiator attachment will be no stronger than stock.
(b) Transmission coolers other than stock, if used must be in the back seat area, below the window level. Transmission coolers and all hoses must be shielded from driver. A hole must be cut in the floor to allow for fluid run off or leaks.


Motor Mounts

Motor mounts and transmission mounts may be strengthened with bolts, welds or chains. Motor straps welded to the frame and bolted to the motor are allowed. Straps can have a maximum thickness of ¼” flat bar only and are limited to 2 straps each side. Engine supports may be used as long as they are not reinforcing the frame.


Distributor

Distributor plates, no more than 6” x 6”, may be used. They will be attached in no more than 4 places and must be mounted to the motor only.


Exhaust

Stacks must be a minimum of 18” from exhaust port. No flared tips are allowed.


Carburetor

You must have either an air cleaner or suitable flame arrestor. Two large holes, at least 6” in diameter, must be put in the hood for fire extinguisher access. The holes should not be directly over the air cleaner assembly. You may also cut out center of hood.


Brakes

Cars must have a minimum of two working hydraulic brakes.


Tires/Wheels, & Tie Rod

(a) The make of tires is optional. Only steel wheels will be permitted.
(b) Wheel wells may be trimmed. No shackles or reverse spring shackles will be allowed.
(c) Welding washers on wheels for valve stem protection is permitted.
(d) Tie rods may be reinforced.
(e) NO Studded tires, tires that have had studs removed are ok.
(f) Split rims and other multiple piece rims must be welded a minimum of 4 places (one to include the split) 4” long.


Sign Boards

(a) Car numbers will be painted on the signboard. Numbers will be at least 18” high and minimum of 2” thick. Signs need to be in contrasting colors such as black numbers on a white background. If the signboard is unreadable, the car will not be permitted to race until it is corrected. In the event of a rollover, your signboard must be able to collapse.


Repairing Your Car

(a) When repairing damaged cars, you cannot use material stronger than stock. This may be checked at anytime during the night of racing
(b) When repairing frame damage you may repair 3” past the damaged area on either/both sides, the total thickness of the material used can not exceed ¼” max. on two sides
(c) You may not reinforce control arms.
(d) When welding plates on for repairs, the plates must have either a 3/8" hole in the center or a 3/8" gap in the weld surrounding the plate to check plate thickness.