PORTLAND SPEEDWAY

2001 GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIED RULES

 

THIS DIVISION RACES ON THE THIRD-MILE CLAY OVAL

 

DISCLAIMER:

The rules and/or regulations set forth herein are designed to provide for the orderly conduct of racing events and to establish minimum acceptable requirements for such events.  These rules shall govern the condition of all events, and by participating in these events, all participants are deemed to have complied with these rules.

 

NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY SHALL RESULT FROM PUBLICATION OF, OR COMPLIANCE WITH, THESE RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS.

 

The Portland Speedway Race Director shall be empowered to permit minor deviations from any of the specifications herein or impose any further restrictions that, in the judgment, of the Race Director do not alter the minimum acceptable requirements.

 

Interpretation and Application-If there is a disagreement or dispute regarding the meaning or application of the Portland Speedway Grand American Modified Division rules, the interpretation and application by the Portland Speedway Officials shall prevail.

 

Finality of Interpretation and Application-The interpretation and application of the Portland Speedway Grand American Modified Division rules by the Portland Speedway Officials shall be final and non-appealable.

 

DRIVERS:

Drivers must be NASCAR members 16 years or older, and be registered as a Portland Speedway Driver. Drivers and crewmembers 16 thru 18 must present a notarized Minor Release, for the current calendar year, to Portland Speedway before they will be allowed into the Pit Area. Drivers must read and sign the Portland Speedway “General & Racing Rules”.

 

NUMBERS:   

Portland Speedway numbers will be assigned with paid NASCAR license application.  Contact the Portland Speedway Office for your racing number.

1.        A minimum 6” high white number is required on the upper right side of the windshield.

2.        A minimum 20” high, 3” stroke numbers is required on both doors (and only the door area).

3.        A minimum 24” high, 3” stroke number is required on the top of the car – facing the outside (or right side of the car).

4.        Driver’s actual first and last name must be lettered in 3” minimum letters on left (driver) side of roof and must be current.

5.        No Metallic or reflective numbers allowed.

6.        All numbers must be legible with paint schemes approved by Track Officials.

 

A.    ELIGIBLE MODELS:

  1. The Grand American Modified racing division is open to any American compact passenger car, 1970 or newer.  No panel vans, trucks, station wagons, or sports cars.

 

B.  FRAMES

  1. Minimum wheelbase 108”, both sides.  Maximum overall width (front or rear) shall not exceed 78” from the outside of tire to outside of tire.
  2. No part of racecar can be lower than 4” from the ground, (EXCEPTION is front cross member and oil pan).
  3. Factory production complete full 1970 or newer parallel American passenger car frames only.  Frames may be cut in rear only at point not farther than 36” from center of rear end housing. A maximum two (2) inch wide by three (3) inch high frame stiffener may be welded directly to outside of frame rail.  The remanufactured rear kick-up frame section must be similar in design to the original frame sections. 
  4. Frames may not be widened or narrowed and must be able to support roll cage on both sides.  Must be full and complete both sides.  Front cross member must remain full and intact where joined at the frame rail, center of cross member may be notched for radiator and/or steering clearance only
  5. No Jeep, Bronco type, or 4-wheel drive frames allowed.  No sports car frames allowed.  No front wheel drive frames allowed.

  

C.   BODY PREPARATION (Exterior/Interior)

  1. Firewall and floorboards are mandatory.  All body parts should be recognizable as factory production vehicles.  Fiberglass or metal duplicates of body parts are permitted.  No plastic body parts allowed.  Body must be the same width, front to rear, and parallel to the frame.
  2. Original roofline of vehicle must be maintained.  Must be fiberglass full size roof. No wings, spoilers or any other ground effects are allowed anywhere outside or inside car.  Sail panels must be the same on both sides of car. 
  3. Engine compartment will remain open, no side panels; hood sides may have maximum four-inch drop and must be enclosed at the rear of hood; maximum hood scoop height 6”.  Passenger side of body must be no farther forward than rear of block.  Rear of bodies to be solid panel at least 8” high.  No panels in front of right door to engine compartment.  No inner panels.
  4. Driver and passenger side windows must have at least 12” openings, measured at center of window.
  5. Roll bars are not acceptable as a substitute for body panels.

 

D.   WINDSHIELDS:

1.        Must have a minimum of three (3) windshield bars in front of driver.

2.        Stock appearing front windshield and rear window support units.  May utilize a flat half-windshield, with no wings mounted to roll cage.   Cowl panel in front of driver can be no wider than cockpit and no farther back than the steering wheel.

 

E.   CAR WEIGHT/BALLAST WEIGHT:

1.        For all Grand American Modified Events all cars, regardless of the cubic inch displacement, must weigh minimum of 2500 pounds after the race with the driver.  Fluids or solid weights will not be permitted to be added after the race.

2.        All weights must be block form of no less than five (5) pound blocks. (No pellets).

3.        All weights must be painted white with car number painted in contrasting colors.

4.        Weights must be securely attached to mainframe rail or major cross member structure.

5.        No “Outrigger-type” ballast weight brackets.

6.        Non-flat top and compression motors will add 100 lbs.  Left side % will be 57%

7.       Left side % will be no more than 58% for racecars complying with all Portland Speedway engine rules (see J. below).

 

F.   SEAT AND SEATBELTS:

1.        Seats must be mounted inside frame rail and ahead of the rear tire.  Bottom of seat can be no lower than the bottom of the frame rail.  Seats and seatbelts must both mount to roll cage.

2.        Lap belt and shoulder harness must be not less than three (3) inches wide.  An anti-submarine belt (crotch belt) with metal-to-metal fasteners and quick release features are mandatory. 

3.        Belts and harness must be less than five (5) years old,  recommended one (1) year old.

4.        Arm restraints highly recommended.

5.        Aluminum seats only.

 

G.   WINDOW NET:

A nylon ribbon-style window screen is mandatory.  The ribs must be a minimum ѕ inch material.  Minimum window screen size

will be 22 inches by 16 inches.  Must release from top with seatbelt type latches.  Must be attached to the roll cage top and bottom.

 

H.  HELMETS:

1.        Racing helmets are mandatory.   It is recommended that helmets meet the specifications set forth in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Regulations or meet the specifications set forth by the American National Standards Institute Inc.

2.        It is recommended that all drivers record blood type, Rh factor and any allergies to an adhesive label inside the driver’s helmet.   It is also recommended for drivers to remove their dentures while competing in an event.

 

I.   GROUND CLEARANCE: 

1.        Minimum ground clearance of all components will be four (4) inches, measured with driver in normal driving position.

2.        Fuel cell will have a clearance of ten (10) inches.

 

J.   ENGINES:

1.        No aluminum heads or blocks!  Stock cast-iron blocks and cylinder heads only.  No porting or polishing, or deburring of cylinder heads or intake manifold.

2.        Flat top pistons must be used.  No portion of the piston may protrude above the top of the block surface.

3.        Any American made engine may be used as long as the rear of engine (bellhousing flange) is mounted at least 72” forward from the center of the rear axle.

4.        Engine offset must be kept within one (1) inch of centerline of front cross member with engine level.  Engine height minimum will be twelve (12) inches from ground to front center of crankshaft.

5.        “Wet” oiling system only.  NO EXTERNAL OIL PUMP.  Oil coolers must not protrude above interior of cockpit.

6.        All engines used in competition must be able to be used in conventional passenger car without alterations.  Castings and fittings must not be changed.  No machine work on outside of engine or on front or rear of camshaft.  No magnetos.

7.        Alternator must be a separate component, and mount on front of engine if used.

8.        Engine must be naturally aspirated.  No turbo chargers or super chargers. May use any two (2) plane manifold, aluminum or cast-iron.  No high-rise.

9.        Compression or dome-piston engines see Weight rule (E-6 above).

 

K.    EXHAUST SYSTEMS:

1.        All cars must be equipped with complete exhaust systems including mufflers.  The entire exhaust system must be in good working order with no leaks.

2.        Exhaust systems must be mounted in such a way as to direct spend gases away from cockpit of vehicle and away from areas of possible fuel spillage.

3.        No Grand American may exceed 98 dba at 50 feet, or current Portland Speedway regulations.  Readings will be taken while car is moving on the racetrack.  THIS RULE IS STRICTLY ENFORCED.  Any car exceeding noise requirements anytime will not be allowed to compete until repairs are made.

 

L.   CARBURATOR:

1.        One 2-barrel or one 4-barrel carburetor allowed. Must be naturally aspirated. 

2.        No fuel injection allowed.

3.        Two (2) return springs are required.

 

M.   AIR CLEANER:

1.        Air cleaners mandatory.

2.        Only a round metal air cleaner housing is permitted.

 

N.   BATTERY:

1.        The battery must be mounted in a location acceptable to Track Officials.

2.        Battery must be securely mounted and covered.

3.        Any type passenger car battery allowed.

 

O.   ELECTRICAL:

1.        No electrical monitoring devices, capable of storing or transmitting information (except approved tachometers), allowed on cars.

2.        No digital gauges allowed on cars.

3.        No traction control devices of any type allowed. 

4.        No adjustable ignition control boxes allowed.  Only one (1) ignition box allowed on car.

5.        No timing retard controls allowed.

 

P.    RADIATOR:

1.        Aluminum radiators will be permitted. 

2.        All cars must have a radiator overflow can.

3.        Cooling systems may be modified, but radiator to be mounted in front of engine only.

 

Q.  CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION

1.        Transmission must have at least one (1) gear forward and one (1) reverse, plus a neutral position. Driver must be able to engage car in gear, with motor running and car not moving.

2.        Only OEM production-type transmissions will be allowed – 3 speed, 4 speed, and automatic. No 5-speed transmission, “in-and-out” boxes, or quick-change device allowed. All manual gear-type transmissions must have a standard OEM case. 

3.        Working disc-type clutch or approved cone-type coupler or disc-type coupler inside an explosion-proof steel bell housing.  The clutch assembly must be steel, except the housing, which must be steel and/or aluminum.

4.        Flywheel minimum 8 Ѕ inches diameter. Any magnetic steel flywheel will be permitted.

5.        Diameter of clutch disc must be a minimum of 5 Ѕ inches.

 

R.   DRIVE SHAFT:

1.        Drive shaft must be painted white and have two (2) 360-degree loops located within six (6) inches of both ends of drive shaft.  Must be of sufficient strength to contain drive shaft.

2.        The drive shaft, universal joints, and yokes must be magnetic steel and be similar in design to the standard production type.

 

S.   SUSPENSION AND STEERING:

1.        Front suspension steering must be unaltered, approved OEM and be in stock location and must be replaceable by stock parts.  Stock passenger car spindles only; no fabricated spindles.  Spindles can be ground for brake caliper clearance only.  Bottom A-frames cannot be altered or moved.  Both A-frames must be the same length.  Weight jack must be in original centerline of spring.  No offset lower control arm bushings.  Tubular magnetic steel upper A-frames allowed. Upper A-frames must mount in stock location.   Front sway bar must be approved OEM.  NO aluminum or fiberglass suspension or rear end parts allowed.  NO rack & pinion allowed.  Steering box must be steel approved OEM and must remain within original bolt patterns for the type of frame used.  Steel steering shafts and knuckles only.  NO center steering allowed.  In-cockpit steering may be modified to suit driver, but must be kept on left side of cockpit

2.        NO “homemade” coil-over, may be used anywhere on the racecar.

3.        One steel coil spring per wheel only.  No torsion bars allowed in rear.  Progressive springs allowed only on pull or lift bar.  Rear of frame may be altered to accept leaf or coil springs; any coil springs must be at least 4 Ѕ inches outside diameter.

4.        NO devices allowed that would enable driver adjustment to alter wheelbase or for weight jacking while car is in competition.  One (1) shock per wheel only.   Additional shocks in other locations permissible.

 

 

T.     SHOCK ABSORBERS:

        The use of shock absorbers must be acceptable to Track Officials and meet the following requirements:

1.        Heavy duty shock absorbers may be used if similar to original equipment.  (Steel)

2.        Shock absorbers must be available to all competitors and beused as manufactured by the shock absorber company.

3.        External adjustments will not be permitted on any shock absorbers.

4.        Any external method to pressurize the shock with gas will not be permitted. 

5.        Quick disconnect shock mounts will not be permitted.  The shocks must be attached with nuts and bolts.

6.        External shock absorber reservoirs will not be permitted.

7.        Remote or electronically controlled shock absorbers will not be permitted.

 

U.     BRAKES:

1.        Brakes must operational on all four wheels and must lock up all four (4) wheels during inspection.  Proportioning valve allowed, front to rear only.  NO brake shut-off or pressure sensors device allowed.  Brake lines must be outside frame rails and must be visible.

2.        Vented rotors only.  Rotors cannot be lightened.  Rotor may be redrilled for bolt pattern or larger studs.  Must be steel, approved OEM calipers, and cannot be lightened. 

 

V.   REAR ENDS:

1.        Any approved OEM passenger car or truck rear end may be used. All brackets must be welded, not bolted to rear end housing

2.        No aluminum components.  NO quick change rear end or quick-change devices allowed.

3.        No cambered rear-ends, one piece flange only.  No electrical or mechanical traction control devices of any type allowed.

4.        Rear-ends may be locked by use of a spool, mini-spool, or welding.  NO ratchet-type, or limited-slip-type rear-ends allowed.

5.        The rear coils springs must be mounted both inside, or both outside the rear frame section.

6.        One (1) inch minimum diameter tubular rear trailing arms will be permitted.  Trailing arm may be adjustable but no springs in trailing arm.

7.        3rd link can be adjustable with Heim joints.  A rubber mount or spring mount will be allowed with shock.  NO coil over type allowed.

 

W.   BUMPERS:

1.        Steel bumpers must be used both front and rear, must be made of minimum 1 Ѕ inch magnetic steel tubing and must be able to support car if lifted by wrecker.

2.        The front bumper must be made of two (2) piece steel tubing four (4) inches to six (6) inches apart, center to center mounted to the front frame rails, spindle height, with two vertical connectors.  The front bumper must be convex in shape with rounded corners, and mounted to the outside edge of the frame rails, but not wider. Top bar must be directly above bottom bar so bumper is perpendicular to ground.  The maximum distance from the center of the front spindle to the front of the front bumper cannot more than 34 inches. 

3.        Rear bumper, steel nerf bars, and body must not extend beyond the middle of each rear tire, and must not contain any sharp edges.  The rear bumper must be constructed of square or rectangular bar material not less than three (3) inches in height. The bumper must be at axle height. The rear side rail bars must be attached from the rear bumper and extend to the outer edge of the rear tire.

4.        Approved side rail bars and scrub rails made of steel tubing with an outside diameter of 1Ѕ inch., No more than two (2) side rail bars per side will be permitted.  Bars must be four (4) to six (6) inches apart.  Bars to be full length from front to rear with minimum tire clearance. Side rail bars to be mounted between centerline of wheel and top of wheel.

5.        All cars must have four (4) tow hooks, one (1) on each corner of car.

 

X.   ROLL CAGE:

1.        Must consist of continual hoops not less than 1 1/2 inch minimum outside diameter, with a wall thickness of at least .090 inch.  Strongly recommend 1 ѕ inch O.D. .090 tubing.  Low carbon, mile steel tubing is recommended.  Must consist of a configuration of front and rear hoops connected by tubing on the sides or side hoops.  Driver’s head must not protrude outside cage with helmet on and strapped in driver’s seat.

2.        Must have minimum of one (1) crossbar in top halo of roll cage.  Roll cage must be securely supported and braced.  Must be frame-mounted in at least six (6) places.  No brazing or soldering allowed.

3.        Protection of feet is mandatory.  Bar across back of engine must be a continuous bar with no bends with vertical bars and rub rails, or similar protection.  No brace bars forward of cage may be higher than stock hood height.  Main cage no farther forward than engine plate. 

4.        Door bars - a minimum of three (3) bars on left, at least 1 3/4 inches OD.  Four (4) door bars on both sides are strongly recommended. The door bars must be welded to the front and rear of the roll cage members. Door plates required; must be 18-gauge or .049 inches minimum thickness metal.  Plates must be welded to bottom door bars. The top door bar must maintain a minimum vertical height of 15 Ѕ inches from top of the mainframe rail to its centerline. All door bars must be convex in shape.  The door bars must have a minimum six (6) vertical supports per side with two (2) equally spaced between each door bar.

5.        The vertical vent window bars must be welded from the upper surface of the top door bars on the right and left side to the front roll cage legs.

Y.   FUEL:

1.        May be either gasoline or alcohol.  No nitrous oxide.   No performance-enhancing fuel additives of any kind.

2.        Portland Speedway reserves the right to require all cars to use the same brand of fuels.

 

Z.   FUEL PUMPS/FUEL CELLS:

1.        The use of a fuel cell container is mandatory; cell must be encased in a container of not less than 22 gauge magnetic steel. Protecting tubing must cover the rear and extend past both sides of fuel cell.  Cell must be mounted securely behind rear axle and between the rear tires, no lower than ten (10) inches off the ground, protected by roll-cage tubing.

2.        Racing fuel cells required and must be mounted by at least two (2) solid steel straps, two (2) inches wide around cell.  Fuel cell must be encased in a 22 gauge magnetic steel container. 

3.        Fuel cells are limited to 22-gallons (gasoline) or 32 gallons (alcohol) maximum capacity.  

4.        Fuel cells must have check valves.  Foam bladders are highly recommended.  Fuel pick-up must pull from top of cell.

5.        Plastic fuel filters will not be permitted. 

6.        ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.

 

AA.   WHEELS/WHEEL SPACERS:

1.        All wheels must be fifteen (15) inches in diameter and a maximum of eight (8) inches in width.

2.        Left side wheels must be 3 ѕ inches offset (backspacing); right side wheels must be a minimum of 1 ѕ inch offset (backspacing).

3.        May use bead lock on right rear only.  One (1) foam type or plastic mud cap allowed on right rear only.  Bleeder valves not allowed. 

4.        Wheel studs must be Ѕ inches minimum diameter with sufficient threads to extend through the lug nut.  Solid heavy-duty magnetic steel full threaded lug bolts and lug nuts must be used. 

5.        No wide-five wheel adapters allowed.  Aluminum or steel spacers are allowed.

6.        Outside clamp-on wheel weights will not be permitted. 

 

BB. TIRES:

Only Portland Speedway approved tires permitted, except for designated special events.  No more than one (1) new tire per car per feature race shall be allowed.  Tires must be used same event as purchased.  The above tire rules shall be administered as follows:

1.        Approved tires will be American Racer (McCreary).

2.        All tires shall be purchased through the designated dealer (A-n-T/Trackside in Portland).

3.        All drivers shall be allowed purchase a maximum of eight (8) tires for the beginning of the 2001racing season.

4.        Tires shall be registered to drivers by means of a numbering system.  It shall be the responsibility of each competor to insure that their tires have been properly registered with the dealer and designated Track Official.

5.        Any unregistered or improperly registered tires shall be considered illegal and may subject violator to disqualification.

6.        Any tire with less than 3/32” tread shall be considered “used”, and may be sold after the tire has been properly registered as a used tire with the dealer and the designated track official. 

7.        Any additional tires purchased specifically for test-and-tune purposes shall be properly registered with the designated track official. 

8.        Tires that have been altered by unauthorized treatments (e.g., shaving, siping, chemical soaking, etc.) will not be permitted.  Severe penalties for non-compliance including, but not limited to, fines, suspension, disqualification, etc.

 

CC   CLOTHING:

It is strongly recommended that at all times drivers wear driving suits, gloves, and shoes of fire resistant materials that effectively cover the body (strongly recommend fire retardant suit and undergarments). 

 

DD.   GENERAL RULES:

1.        Protests and other official rulings will be handled as in the NASCAR Rulebook, and Portland Speedway “General & Racing Rules”.

2.        Driver must read and sign Portland Speedway “General & Racing Rules”. 

3.        NO REAR VIEW MIRRORS ALLOWED.

4.        No radios or other two-way communication devices allowed.

5.        Traction control devices are not allowed. No on board computers or record keeping devices of any kind allowed.

6.       No titanium products, parts, or components allowed anywhere on racecar.  No gun-drilled, tubular, or hollow studs anywhere on the car.

7.       All gauges must be analog-type.  NO DIGITAL!

8.       Recommend on-board fire extinguisher system. Recommend extra 2 ѕ lb. extinguisher in pit area.

 

CLAIMS:

There will be no engine claims or shock claims for the year 2001.  IF THE RACERS DO NOT ABIDE BY THE ENGINE RULES THERE MAY BE A CLAIM RULE, OR CRATE MOTOR RULE, FOR THE 2002 SEASON.  

 

By racing a Grand American Modified at Portland Speedway a driver signifies his/her agreement to abide by these Rules as specified above.

We expect all participants to take pride in being part of our presentation, entertainment and racing.  Racing entertainment is what we sell to the public and we will not tolerate anything that distracts from a profession presentation.  Cars, in the opinion of the management or Track Officials, that detract from the show by their appearance, will be denied entrance, and/or the ability to race until they are deemed acceptable to Portland Speedway Officials and management. 

 

All rules are subject to interpretation of the Portland Speedway Officials.  Any equipment that Track Officials consider exotic or not in the context or spirit of the rules will be considered ineligible for competition.  

 

In the interest of fairness, the rules may be adjusted to create a balance in competition.

The Track reserves the right to inspect cars at any time and to impound any and all unapproved equipment.

 

 

 


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