[Mopar93]

Last night, several Spartan Speedway officials sat in a room for over 5 hours discussing the upcoming season, going over the rules for the classes, discussing the race procedures, etc.

The rules for 2007 were finalized and Chuck Ewing is working on editing the changes, additions, and corrections and will email them to me within the next few days so that I can post them on the website for everyone to see.

I'll also post the highlights and changes here in this message thread as soon as I have them. Keep an eye on this message thread...

I can say in advance that no major changes were made. We made some minor changes and did some tweaking here and there, mostly for improvements to the individual classes. We added some text to various parts of the rulebook that should have been in there all along. We edited some of the wording to make it more understandable. We made some aspects of the rules a little easier to find.

We discussed each of the following, but spent the most time on the Pure Stock class:

Super Late Models
Modifieds
Street Stocks
Pure Stocks (RWD and FWD)
Pony Stocks

Shortly after the first of the year, a meeting will be scheduled for everyone to attend. An announcement will be made as to the place, date, and time. The purpose of the meeting will be to talk about the upcoming season, explain the rules and race procedures, the schedule, etc. Hopefully everyone can attend the meeting.

-Maurice

[lansingsportsrage.com]

Maurice, are you saying you held the rules meeting and settled on the rules and never gave the drivers the opportunity to participate ?

[Mopar93]

[queenbee]

Patrick:

The people that were involved at the meeting, honestly, don't you think that they had both the competitors and the tracks best interest in mind?

Let me tell you the staff that was there wants all the classes to survive which in hand also wants the track to survive so...with that said lets keep things positive and not negative.

[lansingsportsrage.com]

I don't have a problem with it, I just wanted to clarify it.

Previously it was stated that there would be an open drivers meeting to discuss rule changes before the final decision makers gathered and developed the 2007 set of rules.

[Bardenracing42]

Patrick,

Under the "Street Stocks" topic, I created a thread titled 2007 rules - preliminary discussion. This thread was created on August 27th 2006, and has been replied to almost fifty times and viewed over five thousand. That gave almost 3 months for drivers, owners, even fans to partcipate in a discussion on rules.
Also there were three separate nights that were devoted to rules discussions on the Tuesday night chatrooms. I believe you participated in these.
I also believe that you have personally used the discussion board to give input on proposed rule changes.

My point is that there has been ample opportunity for everyone to give their input as to what the rules should look like in 2007, and this input was closely observed and consisdered by the same people that were sitting in that meeting (until almost midnight) last night. I am only trying to convey that you or anyone else shouldn't feel as though you don't have a voice just because you weren't there last night. Your thoughts, comments and feedback (whether it were online or in person to the track officials during the season) was useful and appreciated.

Caroline hit the nail right on the head with her comment about the people in that meeting and what their intentions are. Everyone in that room had the same objectives as you and many others: Our love for short track racing, our love for both Spartan and Springport Motor Speedways, and our commitment to keeping these tracks alive and well.

I guess what it comes down to is having a little trust that the meeting was comprised of regular old folks who just want the same thing everyone else is looking for; a place to race and have fun doing it.

As Maurice stated in the beginning of this thread; there were not real wide, vast, earth-moving changes made to the rules. If you look at the input all over the message board, I think you will see that is what the majority of people were saying; that the rules need to be left alone for a while instead of re-vamping them every year. As was the feedback from a number of people, it was mainly minor tweaks and clarifying the language.

The rules are a small factor in making the 2007 season work. The much bigger picture is having all participants (drivers, owners, crew, spouses, officials, management, etc.) understand that things are tough all over. Everyone plays a part in our success by coming in with the attitude that they aren't going to sweat the little stuff and we're all just going to focus on racing and having fun doing it. Is that too much to ask?

[Gusey Racing]

One thing to remember is that not everybody has accesss to a computer or the time to be online and read all of the ideas and add their thoughts to the discussion. Unless they have called in their ideas on the phone to the track. I was just thinking that it might be one argument you might hear.

Any idea when the rules for pure stocks will be posted?

Also if Springport doesn't get sold how many races (if any) might be run their?

Thanks
Adam Gusey

[Mopar93]

Hi Adam,

[KT]

I personally think this was done the right way. Last year they held those meetings and not everyone could attend, and rules got changed and car counts went down. The track kept responding with, "the drivers voted on it". Wheather you agree with the rules or not, the track should make their rules, and stick to them, and get them out in a timely manner. Then the teams can decide if that is a place that they want to race at. I would hope these rules are out for everyone to see by Wednesday at the latest.
_________________
Keith

www.myspace.com/ktfor3

[Mopar93]

Here is a rough draft of the Pure Stock RWD section of the 2007 rule book. Keep in mind this is a rough draft which means that there will still be some editing for content such as mistyping, grammar, text placement, etc.

Also, these new rules are designed to allow older Street Stocks which are no longer competitive in the Street Stock class to be easily downgraded to fit in with the Pure Stocks while still keeping the original Pure Stocks competitive.

NOTE: Changes and corrections to the rules are in BOLD print.

***********************************************


SECTION 16
PURE STOCK (RWD) RULES

Notice #1: The Pure Stock division is new for the 2007 season. It was added in an attempt to provide a more affordable option to racing. Due to the many makes and models available for use, restrictions and minor changes may need to take place during the season as we learn more about this new division.

Notice #2: Any interpretations of the rules are left to the officials, whose decisions are final. Just because it is not written, does not mean you can do it. The two words to remember in this class are STOCK ONLY. In the event a car is deemed to have illegal parts the car is subject to being banned from all future race events at Spartan and Springport Motor Speedways. The driver is subject to loss of points to date, all prize money for the night and suspension from the property.

Notice #3: If you are considering building or purchasing a Pure Stock we highly recommend you receive pre-registration approval prior to doing so. There may be cars that have been permanently suspended from Spartan and Springport Motor Speedways because of rule infractions. Any questions on new rules please contact, Chuck Ewing (517) 812-1853 or chuck@corriganoil.com

Notice #4: All cars are subject to inspection at anytime by Spartan officials and Spartan officials reserve the right to change, alter or remove, any rule from this book to level the field of competition. All decisions made by Spartan officials will be final.


A. BODY AND CHASSIS:

Any American made RWD, 2 DR, 4 DR, Station Wagon,1/2 Ton 2WD P/U (No Camaro, Firebird, Mustang, Convertible or 2 seat coupes).

The vehicle must remain in its original form. No alterations are allowed unless specifically stated in these rules. (See Notice #3)

1. Stock core support only, in stock location- 50 lb. penalty for replacement.



2. Wheel Base Minimums:


Car 108"
P/U (full size) 125"


3. Weights: (Post race with driver)


3200 lbs. For all V6
3400 lbs. For all others


4. All added weight must be secured with two, 1/2" bolts. Weight must be painted white with car number on it.



5. Bumpers must be stock appearing- no sharp corners. Rounded corners only.



6. After market, stock-appearing nose pieces may be used.



7. Tow hooks are required.



8. All doors must be welded shut, including tailgates.



9. Rub rails are allowed (no sharp edges).



10. Must be able to open the hood and trunk with out the use of special tools. P/U’s may have bed enclosed with aluminum or sheet metal but are required to have 3’ X 4’ opening panel at the rear. Hood pins are required.



11. Rear and side glass must be removed. Windshield may stay or be replaced with 1/8" thick Lexon. All other glass must be removed including but not limited to taillights, headlights, turn signals, mirrors, plastic, upholstery, carpet, etc.



12. Any after market add ons must be removed. Ex: trailer hitch.



13. Batteries to be mounted in trunk and secured by (2) two 1" metal straps.



14. Fuel tank to be mounted in trunk and secured by (2) two 1" metal straps (made for racing fuel cells are recommended). Tanks that protrude below frame rail are required to have a protective hoop. Minimum fuel cell ground clearance is 10". Fuel line must run below floor pan.



15. Front fender inner liners may be removed.



16. No frame alterations of any kind, except the rear frame rail may be replaced with square tubing if rusted out or bent from spring pocket back (at the discretion of the officials).



17. Stock appearing springs allowed, front and rear must be the same on both sides and equal. No spacer or cup adjustments of any kind allowed.



18. Must have stock floor pan from front firewall to rear of seat, in the event the floor pan is removed behind the seat, a 50 lbs. weight penalty will be assessed.



19. All holes in rear firewalls must be covered with sheet metal.



20. Must have stock front firewall and in stock location.

B. ENGINES:

1. Stock only to that make and model. No after market add on parts. Stock air cleaner. May use after market valve covers. No turbocharged or supercharged.



2. Engine location: forward most spark plug hole in line or ahead of the upper Ball joint checked on drivers side.



3. Engine may be rebuilt to stock specs; no more than .030 clean up allowed with OEM style pistons. No made for racing pistons allowed.



4. Engine must maintain 15 lbs. of vacuum at idle, in gear, with foot on brake.



5. Single exhaust only with max O.D. 2.5", stock mufflers with a single inlet and single outlet. Last 6" of exhaust must exit behind driver and be fully visible. No exhaust leaks allowed. No headers.



6. Carburetors must bolt on stock manifolds (no spacers).

C. DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS:

1. Transmission must be stock automatic, no power glides. Must have an overflow can mounted outside of driver’s compartment and be connected to the transmission vent. Must have locking style dip stick. Transmission coolers are allowed.



2. Stock diameter working torque converter, OEM only, with a 1" inspection hole.



3. Drive shaft loop required and to be mounted 1/3 of the way from the front of the shaft.



4. No welded or posi-traction rear ends.



5. No aluminum wheel allowed. Standard off set wagon wheels or steel racing wheels are okay. 8" maximum width.



6. 1" Lug nuts are required, 5/8" wheel studs recommended.



7. D.O.T. street radial tires only. No bias ply or made for racing. Must have the same tire and rim off-set all around. Maximum width 235. No less than 70 series (no 65, 60, 50, etc.). Minimum tread wear rating of 300.

D. BRAKES:

1. Must have 4 wheel hydraulic brakes in working order. (OEM ONLY)



2. No aftermarket rear Disc Brakes.



3. No cockpit brake adjusters.

E. SAFETY:

1. A four point cage with four driver’s side door bars, three right side door bars and a 1/8" steel plate on drivers side door bars from front upright to rear upright and from top door bar to frame rail is mandatory. A front hoop may extend into the engine bay area. Tubing must be .095 gauge, 1.75" O.D. and must be padded around driver.



2. Made for racing aluminum seat, properly mounted is required.



3. A 5 point harness, properly mounted with a 3 year maximum date is required.



4. Driver’s side window net with quick release is required.



5. A 2lb., currently dated B or C type dry chemical fire extinguisher is required within driver’s reach.



6. Fuel injected vehicles are required to have fuel pumps wired to stop any fuel from being pumped when engine is not running.



7. A collapsible after market steering column and disconnect steering wheel is okay.



8. Steering wheel center must be padded.



9. Master shut off switch to main battery cable, placed near "A" pillar for easy access by driver and safety crew is mandatory.



10. Refer to section 04 for additional safety requirements.

[Mopar93]

For the Street Stock class:

The biggest change to the rules for 2007 is the elimination of the 3 different wheelbase weights.

For 2007, all wheelbases will be a minimum of 3200 lbs.

For the Pony Stock class:

Tires:

At the start of the 2006 season, there was talk about implementing a "spec" tire. This meant that everyone would be running on the same tire. Some competitors liked this while others didn't. Everyone said it should stay as it is for the remainder of 2006 and that's what we did.

For 2007, we are making a change to the tire rule, but not requiring a spec tire.

Any DOT street radial tire with a maximum width of 195 and no less than a 70 series may be used.

Exception: Sumitomo brand (and any derivative of the Sumitomo brand) tires may not be used on the front on any car. Neons are limited to a maximum width of 185 on the front.

Front tires must be the same size left and right. Rear tires may be different from the front and also different between left and right.

All four wheels must be the same size and same offset.

In all cases, a minimum TREADWEAR rating of 300 is allowed. No special or custom tires. No recaps. Tires used may be subject to approval of the tech officials. Wheels must be stock OEM steel wheels. Wheels may not be modified such as relocating the center section to alter the offset.

Suspension:

No modifications will be allowed to the suspension components such as the lower control arms.

Camber limits:

8 degress right front. 2 degress everywhere else.

Camber may only be adjusted within the limits of the original factory adjustment capability. No modifications allowed to increase camber to the allowable limits.

[Ed]

So no stick shifts still in the ponies?

[Mopar93]

No, sorry, no stick shifts.

-Maurice

[Champ2x36]

[lansingsportsrage.com]

Great Job on the Pure Stock RWD rules... that looks really competitive, really fair between the old street stocks and last year's Pure's.

Is FWD Pure Stock going to be run a separate class or are they done ?

What is American Made ?

What constitutes "No special or custom tires"