2019 THUNDER SERIES RULES
1: THESE RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS WILL APPLY TO ALL THUNDER SERIES
SANCTIONED EVENTS
2: THUNDER SERIES OFFICIALS SHALL HAVE FULL AUTHORITY OVER SANCTIONED
EVENTS, AND IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISPUTE, THE HEAD OFFICIAL'S DECISION WILL BE FINAL
3: ALL CARS ARE SUBJECT TO BE INSPECTED BY THUNDER SERIES TECHNICAL INSPECTORS
AT ANY TIME DURING THE EVENT
4: THE SERIES RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CONFISCATE ANY SUSPICIOUS, OR DEEMED ILLEGAL, COMPONENTS
5: THUNDER SERIES OFFICIALS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ALTER OR AMEND THESE
RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS IN THE INTEREST OF FAIR COMPETITION
MEMBERSHIP AND ENTRY FEES
1. ALL DRIVERS PARTICIPATING IN THUNDER SERIES SANCTIONED
TRACKS AND EVENTS MUST PURCHASE AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP AT A COST OF $75 PER YEAR. THIS
MEMBERSHIP MAKES THE DRIVER ELIGIBLE FOR ANY THUNDER SERIES POINTS FUND MONIES
AND CONTINGENCY AWARDS
2: ANY DRIVER PARTICIPATING IN A THUNDER SERIES EVENT THAT IS NOT A MEMBER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A $15 ONE NIGHT TEMPORARY MEMBERSHIP FEE.
EVENT CONDUCT AND PENALTIES:
1. UNDER GREEN FLAG OR CAUTION FLAG CONDITIONS, THE SERIES DIRECTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO INVOKE PENALTIES AND/OR SUSPENSIONS OF ANY DRIVER WHO’S ACTIONS ARE DEEMED TO BE OVERLY AGGRESSIVE, OR FALL INTO THE CATEGORY OF ROUGH DRIVING.
2. DRIVERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF PENALTIES THAT HAVE BEEN LEVIED BY THE SERIES DIRECTOR. ALL DECISIONS SHALL BE FINAL
.
3. NOTE: THIS RULE IS NOT INTENDED TO ELIMINATE COMPETITION OR ACCIDENTAL CONTACT. HOWEVER, IT IS INTENDED THAT DELIBERATE CONTACT AND/OR OVER-DRIVING WILL BE PENALIZED
.
4. ANY COMPETITOR THAT VERBALLY ABUSES A SERIES OFFICIAL BY USING PROFANE AND/OR DISRESPECTFUL LANGUAGE IS SUBJECT TO A FINE OF $100 FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE. A $300 FINE AND ONE-RACE SUSPENSION AND LOSS OF POINTS FOR THE SECOND OFFENSE. MORE THAN TWO OFFENSES AND THE COMPETITORS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A ONE MONTH OR MORE SUSPENSION AND LOSS OF POINTS
.
5. ANY PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION, EITHER ON THE RACE TRACK OR IN THE PITS, WILL RESULT IN THE
AGGRESSOR OR AGGRESSORS BEING SUSPENDED FOR ONE RACE; A LOSS OF POINTS; AND COMPETITOR WILL BE FINED $300 FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE. A SECOND OFFENSE WILL INCUR A SUSPENSION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON, AND A MINIMUM $500 FINE.
6. ANY DRIVER WHO ENTERS ANOTHER DRIVER'S PIT AREA WILL BE DEEMED THE AGGRESSOR. AWAY FROM EITHER DRIVER’S PIT AREA, BOTH DRIVERS WILL BE CONSIDERED AGGRESSORS. DRIVERS SHOULD BE AWARETHAT THEY WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MEMBERS OF THEIR RACE TEAM, AND THE ABOVE PENALTIES WILL APPLY EVEN IF THE DRIVER CONCERNED IS NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED.
7. ANY INCIDENTS THAT OCCUR DURING THE LAST FIVE EVENTS OF THE SEASON COULD RESULT IN PENALTIES BEING APPLIED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FOLLOWING SEASON.
8. ANY INCIDENTS THAT ARE JUDGED TO BE DELIBERATE ACTS OF AGGRESSION, WHETHER ON OR OFF THE TRACK, UNDER GREEN OR CAUTION, WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION AND A MONETARY FINE TO BE DETERMINED BY SERIES OFFICIALS.
9. SERIES OFFICIALS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO INCREASE THE ABOVE PENALTIES, DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE INCIDENT
ENGINE RULES:
⦁ CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE PART NUMBER 88958602/19258602
⦁ THE SEALED ENGINES MUST REMAIN INTACT AND NOT BE TAMPERED WITH. ANY SEALS THAT HAVE BEENREMOVED OR TAMPERED WITH WILL MAKE THE ENGINE ILLEGAL AND NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COMPETITION. THEPENALTY FOR ANYONE TAMPERING WITH SEALS, MODIFYING ANY INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS, OR CHANGING THE PARTS FROM STOCK AS DELIVERED SEALED FROM THE FACTORY WILL BE SUBJECT TO EXPULSION FROM RACING WITH ANY CRATE RACIN' USA SANCTIONED EVENT FOR THE REMAINDER OF SEASON ANDFUTURE SEASONS.
⦁ ANYONE RUNNING A RESEALED ENGINE WILL BE REQUIRED TO CARRY A PENALTY OF 50 POUNDS 25 WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE IN FRONT OF THE RACK AND THE OTHER 25 WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE IN FRONT OF THE MOTOR PLATE. THIS CAN AND WILL BE TAKEN OFF AND WEIGHED.
⦁ IN THE EVENT OF SOMETHING LIKE A LIFTER BUSTING OR BUSTING AN OIL PAN WE WILL HAVE THUNDER SERIES SEALS THIS YEAR SO WE CAN RESEAL SOMEONES ENGINE. AT ANYTIME IF A HEAD OR TIMING COVER HAS TO COME OFF THE 50 PENALTY WILL HAVE TO BE INFORCED
⦁ NO CHANGES ARE ALLOWED TO THE ENGINE – INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INTAKE MANIFOLD, HEADS,VALVE COVERS, FRONT COVER, OIL PAN, HARMONIC BALANCER, OR ANY OTHER PART/OR PARTS ON/OR IN
⦁ NO VACUUM PUMPS
⦁ ALL CRATE ENGINES MUST REMAIN STOCK AS THEY CAME SEALED FROM THE FACTORY. CRATE ENGINES MUST NOT BE ALTERED, MODIFIED, OR CHANGED FROM FACTORY SPECS
⦁ THERE WILL BE A $1000 PROTEST ON A CRATE ENGINE. IN THIS EVENT IF IT IS A GM SEALED ENGINE THE SERIES WILL PROVIDE OUR THUNDER SERIES SEALS TO RESEAL THIS ENGINE AND THE WEIGHT PENALTY WILL NOT BE ADDED AS LONG AS THE ENGINE IS DECLARED LEGAL. $800 WILL GO TO THE ONE PROTESTED $200 WILL GO TO THE SERIES
9: THERE WILL BE A $3800 CLAIM RULE ON A CRATE ENGINE. IF YOU CLAIM THIS ENGINE YOU ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ENGINE
CARBURETOR RULES:
1: ONE 650 4 BARRELL CARBURETOR
2: ENGINE MUST BE NATURALLY ASPIRATED
3: MAY USE ONE 1 INCH, ONE PIECE, CARBURETOR SPACER (.040 TOLERANCE MAXIMUM) AND TWO STANDARDPAPER GASKETS (MAXIMUM 0.070
INCH THICK); ONE GASKET BETWEEN INTAKE TO SPACER AND ONE GASKET BETWEEN SPACER TO CARBURETOR
4: WILL BE CHECKED WITH THE GO NO GO GUAGES.
5: NO SUPER BOWLS OR ICT BOOSTERS
DISTRIBUTOR RULE:
1. MSD IGNITION SYSTEM. NO CRANK TRIGGER, DISTRIBUTORLESS MULTI-COIL,
OR MAGNETO IGNITION SYSTEM. 6AL OR 6ALN, or MSD 6CT IGNITION BOX ALLOWED. (NO 6CT PRO) MUST BE A 6300 CHIP OR SET AT 6300.
2. NO ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL DEVICE
3: CAN RUN HEI TYPE DISTRIBUTOR BUT MUST HAVE SOFT TOUCH BOX WITH 6300 CHIP.
4: IF YOUR CAR HAS TWO MSD BOXES IT MUST HAVE A 6300 CHIP IN EACH BOX NO MATTER WHAT.
STARTER RULE:
⦁ ALL CARS MUST HAVE WORKING STARTER
EXHAUST RULES:
1. COLLECTOR TYPE HEADERS REQUIRED. MUST HAVE FOUR (4) TUBES INTO ONE (1) COLLECTOR OF A
CONSISTENT DIAMETER
2. MUFFLERS NOT REQUIRED UNLESS TRACK MANDATED. IF/WHEN MANDATED: MUFFLERS MUST HAVE SOME TYPE OF INTERNAL NOISE DAMPENING CHARACTERISTICS (BAFFLES, EXTRUDED HOLES, SCREEN, CHAMBERED, ETC.) MUFFLERS MUST MEET LOCAL SPEEDWAY’S NOISE DECIBEL REQUIREMENTS. EXTERNAL MUFFLERS ONLY.
3. NO TRI-Y HEADERS
4: $350 CLAIM RULE ON HEADERS. IF MUFFLERS ARE WELDED TO HEADERS THAT IS ONE PIECE AND MUFFLERS GOES WITH THE HEADERS IF THEY ARE BOLTED TOGETHER YOU CAN KEEP THE MUFFLERS.
FUEL:
1: Pump Gas or 110 Race Fuel only. No Additives. Non-Oxygenated fuels only. Must claim fuel type at tech shed. Lab Testing Enforced for both fuel options. No E85
SUSPENSION:
1: LATE MODEL SUSPENSIONS ONLY. NO SPRING LOADED OR SHOCK TYPE 4 BAR RODS. ONLY
STANDARD SOLID BAR 4 BAR RODS. NO TORSION BAR FRONT OR REAR SUSPENSION. SWAY BAR OK
2: ONE (1) COIL SPRING PER WHEEL HELPER SPRING OK. NO STACK SPRINGS ON ANY CORNER INCLUDING 5TH COIL. ONE PENSKE PYRAMID BLACK BUMP RUBBER ALLOWED ON RIGHT FRONT ONLY .BR_38 PART NUMBER.
3: WE WILL BE GOING BY THE DROOP RULE THAT THE SOURTHERN NATIONALS SERIES OF RAY COOK WILL BE USING. RULES AS FOLLOWS
1A:13 INCH MAX HEIGHT AT TOP OF NOSE PIECE (RF CORNER)
2A: SOLID ADJUSTABLE DROOP LIMITERS PERMITTED MUST BE METAL CONSTRUCTION ONLY: CHAIN ONLY. AXLE BRACKET MUST BE SOLID WITH NO MOVING PARTS. BRACKET MUST BE ON TOP OF REAREND.
3A: PRERACE TECH HEIGHT MUST BE BETWEEN 37” AND 39” (NO TOLLERANCE) T-BAR MUST BE STRAIGHT
4A: POST RACE TECH MUST BE NO HIGHER THAN 47” (1 INCH TOLLERANCE)
5A: LEFT REAR TIRE WILL BE ADJUSTED TO 6 POUNDS OF AIR
6A: CAR WILL BE MEASURED WITH THE LEFT REAR JACKED UP (BEHIND THE AXIL TUBE UNDER THE UNDER SWUNG) IN THE AIR UNTIL THE LEFT REAR WILL TURN FORWARD AND BACKWARD
7A: CAR MUST HAVE A FRAME (UNDERSWUNG) ON THE LR BETWEEN THE BELL OF THE REAREND AND THE BIRDCAGE WITH A JACKPEG OR WEIGHT CLAMP BOLTED ON FOR THE JACK TO LIFT THE CAR
8A: CHAIN MUST BE TIGHT WHEN THE CAR IS JACKED UP FOR INSPECTION.
9A- NO TYPE OF PADS WITH ANY GIVE ON TOP OF UNDERSWUNG BAR.
10A-IF RUNNING CHAIN LIMITER ON RIGHT REAR MUST UNHOOK BEFORE CHECKING DROOP.
NOTE: IF T-BAR IS BENT INSPECTOR WIILL USE A STRAIGHT EDGE ACROSS BACK OF CAR TO MAKE THE BEST CALL. IF CAR DOES NOT HAVE UNDER SWUNG BAR TECH WILL USE BEST JUDGEMENT TO TECH.
SHOCKS:
1: OIL SHOCKS (SPLIT VALVE PERMITTED) OR GAS SHOCKS PERMITTED. NON ADJUSTABLE/ NON CANNISTER ONLY. NO AIR SHOCKS ALLOWED.
1A- NO EXOTIC BIULT SHOCKS- 6 INCH BODY MEANS 6 INCH SHAFT 7 INCH BODY MEANS 7 INCH SHAFT. NO INTERNAL BUMPS
1B- THE NEW AFCO CRATE SPEC SHOCK SERIES PACKAGE WILL BE ELIGIBLE WITH A 25 POUND WEIGHT BREAK TO ANYONE RUNNING THESE SHOCKS (THIS MEANS ALL SHOCKS ON THE CAR TO RECEIVE THE WEIGHT BREAK).
2: THERE IS A $200 BUY RULE PER SHOCK. ALSO YOU CAN ADD $125 AND BUY THE SPRING AND COIL OVER KIT. MUST BE IN THE TOP 5 TO BUY. IF YOU REFUSE ANY CLAIM YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED AND LOOSE ALL POINTS AND SUBJECT TO SUSPENSION AND/OR FINE. IF THE SHOCK THAT IS BEING CLAIMED HAS A HELPER SPRING YOU CAN PAY AN ADDITIONAL $75 TO GET COMPLETE UNIT OR THE HELPER SPRING CAN BE REMOVED FOR ORIGIAL PRICE. THIS PROCESS WILL BE WATCHED BY TECH MAN AND THE PERSON BUY SHOCK. IF RUNNING THE SPEC SHOCK PACKAGE THE SERIES HAS THE RIGHT TO SWAP OUT ANY SHOCK ON THE CAR WITH A NEW ONE.
3: ONE SHOCK PER CORNER EXCEPT LEFT REAR. YOU MAY RUN A DRIVE SHOCK.
TRANSMISSION:
1: FIRST GEN STYLE BERT-BRINN-FALCON TRANSMISSIONS ALLOWED. ONE SHIFTER TRANSMISSIONS ARE ALLOWED WITH A 50 POUND WEIGHT PENALTY.
2: NO STRAIGHT DRIVES OR IN AND OUT BOXES.
3: IF RUNNING BALL SPLINE TRANSMISSION CARBON FIBER DRIVESHAFT MANDATORY.
DRIVESHAFT:
1: CARBON FIBER ALLOWED AND RECOMMENDED FOR SAFETY.
REAREND:
1: STANDARD QUICK CHANGEREAR END PERMITTED. NO TITANIUM OR EXOTIC MATERIALS AXILS, SPOOLS, GEARS, OR OTHER MATERIALS INSIDE REAR END.NO SMALL TIGER REAR ENDS.
BRAKE RULES:
1. STEEL BRAKE ROTORS ONLY. NO CARBON FIBER BRAKES. NO TITANIUM BRAKES OR OTHER EXOTIC MATERIAL BRAKE SYSTEMS
TIRES:
1: Hoosier Spec 1350 or American Racer Spec 48 only. No Siping. Can cut existing grooves with #1 Blade only. Spec 1600 or 56 right rear option.
2: NO CHEMICALS: TIRE PROTEST IS $125 PER TIRE AND WILL BE SENT TO A LAB FOR RESULTS. LAB RESULTS ARE FINAL. ACCEPTANCE FEE IS $125. WE WILL CUT TIRE WITH A GROOVING IRON BLADE AND TAKE TWO SAMPLES FROM EACH TIRE TO SEND OFF. IF TIRE SAMPLE COMES BACK WRONG YOU WILL LOOSE YOUR MONEY AND POINTS FROM THAT RACE AND YOUR ACCEPTANCE FEE MONEY. THERE WILL BE OTHER RACE PENALTIES TO BE DETERMINED BY SERIES.
WHEELS:
1: STANDARD 15X14 INCH WHEELS
CHASSIS:
1:2014 OR OLDER RECOMMENDED. ANY CAR 2015 OR NEWER WILL HAVE A 50 POUND PER YEAR WEIGHT PENALTY ADDED. THIS IS AN ECONOMICAL CLASS SO LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY. IF NEWER CARS START COMING THE SERIES/TRACK HAS THE RIGHT TO ADD MORE WEIGHT FOR EACH YEAR NEWER OF CAR
BODY:
1: MUST FOLLOW FASTRAK BODY RULES
*NO REAR MOUNT POWER STEERING OR REAR MOUNT FUEL PUMP. (IF YOU HAVE EITHER YOU WILL HAVE TO ADD 25 POUNDS PER ITEM).
WEIGHT:AND WEIGHT BREAKS
1: BASE WEIGHT IS 2425
2: ON BOARD FIRE SYSTEM GET 25 POUND WEIGHT BREAK
3: 1 POUND PER LAP BURN OFF FOR FEATURE RACE ONLY
4: WE WILL WEIGHT BY THE SCALES AT EACH TRACK. (5 POUND TOLERANCE)
5: NO WEIGHT BREAKS FOR CONTAINMENT SEATS OR NECK RESTRAINTS ANYMORE
Hobby Rules:
Frame & Chassis:
⦁ Automotive frames permitted
⦁ Automotive snout must include: cross member, spring pockets, horns, and attaching rail as one complete unit as it was assembled at the factory. May trim spring pockets for clearance of racing springs and spring buckets.
⦁ Wheelbase of 103” on snout frames or stock for make and model on stock frame
Suspension:
⦁ Coil over springs permitted on rear. Outboard on front. No coil-over on front.
⦁ Jack bolts, racing springs, and racing shock permitted (4” min. spring.)
⦁ Racing leaf springs permitted – steel or fiberglass on rear (one type only)
⦁ Bottom A-Frame must be stock – no shortening or lengthening allowed
⦁ Top A-Frame may be tubular, but only be adjustable at the mounting plates to frame
⦁ Any GM or Ford spindle or racing spindle permitted
⦁ Front spring pockets must be in original location
⦁ No 5th coils. Air shock permitted
⦁ Lift bars permitted. Fiberglass/ pan hard bar/ solid rubber biscuit permitted
⦁ Coil over eliminators permitted
⦁ 3-link hook up/ no 4 link hook-ups.
⦁ Split valve steel shocks permitted (steel or aluminum)
⦁ No gas shocks permitted
Steering:
⦁ Rack and pinion permitted
⦁ Power steering permitted
⦁ Number 1 spark plug of Chevrolet must be no more than 2” to the center of top ball joint
⦁ Number 1 spark plug of Ford “302” & “351” must be no more than 4” to the center of top ball joint
Heads:
⦁ Cast iron ONLY
⦁ Straight plug heads or angle plug heads permitted
⦁ Vortec or 300lbs heads permitted
⦁ Approved stock replacement heads permitted
⦁ Double springs
⦁ Roller rockers permitted. No shaft rockers
⦁ Screw in studs and guide plates permitted
⦁ Stud girdles permitted
⦁ No more than three angle valve job
⦁ No porting, polishing, or port matching
Intake:
⦁ Aluminum intake permitted
⦁ Single carburetor type only
⦁ No porting, polishing, or port matching
⦁ No homemade intakes allowed
Carburetor:
⦁ Only Holly four barrel only, no more than 750cfm permitted
⦁ H.P. carburetor permitted. No special production
⦁ No matching, porting, or polishing
⦁ Choke housing may be removed cut must be consistent with top ring of carburetor
⦁ 1” carburetor spacers allowed
⦁ Maximum of two .060 gaskets allowed
Headers:
⦁ Any type permitted, but must run parallel to ground
⦁ Mufflers required
Rear End:
⦁ Stock type rear end or equivalent
⦁ May be locked
⦁ Quick-change rear ends permitted
Transmission:
⦁ OEM standard production 3 or 4 speed permitted
⦁ Mus have 1 forward and 1 backward gear
⦁ Bert or Brinn permitted
Body:
⦁ Ultimate, SAS, SESS, Fastrak, rules apply
Bumpers:
⦁ Must be track approved
⦁ No sharp or exploded edges
⦁ Bracing permitted
Engine:
⦁ 362 cubic inches maximum
⦁ Flat top pistons
⦁ Any hydraulic or solid lift cam permitted, no roller cams
⦁ Lifter valley may be polished
⦁ Headers permitted, exhaust must exit parallel to ground
⦁ Any stock, steel, or cast crankshaft permitted, stock stroke for motor
⦁ Stock appearing rods permitted, no H-beam, or billet rods permitted 6.0” maximum
⦁ Any wet sump oil pan permitted, internal pump only
⦁ Engine may be balanced, crankshaft must appear stock except for drilling or welding for balancing
⦁ No ground or knife-edge counter weights permitted
⦁ Sealed crate 602 allowed
Engine Placement:
⦁ Engine and drive line must be in center of car, half the distance of the ball joints
Flywheel and clutch:
⦁ Z-28 flywheel permitted
⦁ Little Clutch permitted
Ignition:
⦁ Factory electronic or HEI. MSD OK
Racing
⦁ Coil permitted
⦁ Add-on boxes and rev-limiters legal
Wheels:
⦁ Bead lock permitted
⦁ 14 inch wheel maximum
⦁ Steel and aluminum wheel allowed
Tires:
⦁ Hoosier 1350 spec or economy/ American Racer spec 48/48 open/ Hoosier FT 200. Grooving allowed no siping. No softening
⦁ Optional – 1600 spec/1600 economy/ American racer spec 48/48 open/ Hoosier FT 400 on the right rear
Weight:
⦁ 2600 lbs.
Numbers:
⦁ Must be 18” high and on each door
⦁ Must be visible and legible from scoring tower
