Western States Modifieds
Rules and Regulations
These rules and regulations 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 operation of all WSM events and by participating in these events, all participants are deemed to have complied with these rules. No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from compliance with these rules and regulations. They are intended as a guide for the conduct of the sport and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death. The WSM race director shall be empowered to permit reasonable and appropriate deviation from any of the specifications herein or impose any further restrictions that in his opinion do not alter the minimum acceptable requirements. No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from such alteration of specifications. Any interpretation or deviation of these rules is left to the discretion of the WSM officials.
Table Of Contents
Section 1 - General Rules
Section 2 - Safety
Section 3 - Race Procedure / General Format
Section
4 - Body / Roll Cages / Frame
Section 5 - Suspension
Section 6 - Electrical System
Section 7 - Fuel System
Section 8 - Tires & Wheels
Section 9 - Braking System
Section 10 - Transmission / Drive Shaft / Rear End
Section 11 - Engine
These rules and regulations shall apply at all WSM sanctioned events
General Rules
Section 1
1. These rules have been set by the WSM and are subject to change without notice. Any changes will be made available to drivers at their racetrack and/or announced at drivers meeting. The WSM will also publish any amendments to these rules on the WSM website at www.westernracer.com.
2. All participants are expected to be familiar with the rules and regulations. An expressed ignorance of the rules will not be recognized as a valid argument for failure to comply with the rules.
3. Drivers are responsible for the conduct and actions of their car owners, crew members, sponsors and family members.
4. Absolutely no alcoholic beverage or other illegal chemical substance may be consumed by a driver prior to, or during, an event. The duration of the event shall also include all support class events run as a part of the overall program. The use, sale or distribution of illegal drugs at any time shall be cause for immediate and indefinite suspension from all WSM events.
5. Participants will conduct themselves as professionals. Any unsportsmanlike conduct by a participant shall be grounds for disqualification and ejection from the facility. This will be strictly enforced.
6. Any participant who defies or violates the intent or spirit of the rules shall be considered to have engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct and shall be dealt with accordingly and swiftly. Unsportsmanlike conduct shall include, but is not limited to, participant entering another driver’s pit area; threatening or touching an official; throwing a tantrum or acting outrageous due to an official decision; removing helmet during race conditions; use of profanity or obscene language directed at officials or other participants; intentionally making contact with another racecar following the finish of race or during a race under non-racing conditions (i.e. caution periods); fighting; and/or publicly criticizing officials, rules, decisions or sponsors.
7. No equipment or racecar will be considered as having been approved by reason of having passed through inspection unobserved.
8. Lighted signaling devices, hand signals or any other equipment or methods used for communication during an event between a non-competing participant and a driver is not allowed.
9. Radios and any other devices used for transmitting or listening are not allowed on the racecar.
10. Transponders will be required on all cars. Teams will be required to provide the numbers from theirs or rent one from the track.
11. No computers allowed on the racecar, including, but not limited to, electronic traction control devices.
12. All racecars are subject to inspection by an official at any time. Any driver whom refuses to allow any inspection by an official, or terminates an inspection in progress, will be disqualified from the event and be subject to an extensive tech inspection prior to participating in any future WSM events.
13. Approval of a vehicle by a WSM official shall mean only that the vehicle is approved for participation in a competitive event and shall not be construed in any way to mean that the inspected vehicle is guaranteed mechanically sound or safe. Be it further declared that the inspector(s) shall not be liable, nor shall the WSM, for any mechanical failure, nor for any losses, injuries or death resulting from same.
14. Minimum age requirements are determined at individual WSM Series Tracks in accordance with their insurance requirements.
15. No driver or crew member may enter the racing area until he/she has completed all releases, registrations and/or entry forms. No person will be allowed to sign release and waiver sheets for anyone other than themselves.
16. No driver changes will be made at any time without previous notification of officials. All changes must be made in the pits only, at discretion of officials.
17. Except in rare instances, decisions of officials are final and binding without exception. In some cases, track procedural or safety rules may take precedence over WSM rules.
18. It shall be the responsibility of the driver and crew to tear down a car for inspection when requested to do so by officials. Failure to comply will result in disqualification and forfeiture of prize money and points.
19. All cars are required to assist in wheel packing the track.
20. The overall weight of the racecar shall be measured at the conclusion of an event with the driver in the seat, wearing complete racing apparel. Bypassing the scales and going to your pit spot will result in disqualification. Finishing positions to be weighed will be determined by the WSM officials and announced prior to the start of your race.
21. The driver is qualified and receives points, not the race car. Any driver wishing to change cars must be qualified to compete in the race for which he/she is changing cars, and must start at the rear of that race. Once a driver has changed race cars, he/she must finish the program in that race car. NOTE: This rule does not apply if a track has a policy prohibiting driver changes. Once race cars are staged, no driver changes allowed. Any driver allowing another driver to use his/her race car, or any driver changing cars when not qualified to do so, forfeits any points and money earned in that event.
22. The driver is sole spokesman for car owner and pit crew in any and all matters pertaining to the race and the driver only shall take part in any arbitration with the officials.
23. No driver, car owner, or mechanic shall have claim for damages or
Expenses, or otherwise against the WSM, promoter, or any officials, by reason of disqualification, confiscation, or damage to, either race car or driver or both.
24. All drivers, car owners and mechanics assume full responsibility for any and all injuries sustained including death and property damage, at any time they are on the premises, or en route to or from the premises
25. Minimum weight including driver and all gear is 2400 lbs
26. NO ENGINE CLAIM racing.
SAFETY
Section 2
1. Fire resistant suits, gloves, boots and neck brace required at all times.
2. Use of helmet restraints is highly recommended.
3. Fire resistant underwear and socks are highly recommended.
4. Halon fire extinguishing system highly recommended.
5. Driver’s side window net measuring a minimum of 16” X 20” and latched at the top of the window or Driver arm restraints required.
6. Kill Switch, clearly marked ON & OFF and mounted within easy reach of the driver required.
7. Minimum three-inch wide five point safety belt assembly required.
8. A Snell rating SA95, SA2000 or SA2005 is required on helmets.
9. The use of at least a five-point safety harness including a crotch belt is required. The system is to be mounted to the frame and not to the floor pan. The mounts must be run at the same direction as the belts are intended to secure the driver. Belts and harness are recommended to be no more than five years old. Belts cannot be frayed or worn.
Race Procedure / General Format
Section 3
1. The starting number of cars will be determined by the WSM race officials. This will be determined by the number of entries, condition of the track, size of the track and the type of event.
2. Participants’ failing to register and be present for the drivers meeting may not be allowed to compete in that nights events at the discretion of the WSM officials.
3. Drivers must register and draw pill for position immediately upon arrival in the pits.
4. Cars failing to arrive in the staging area prior to their race going out on the track can be started at the back of the field at the discretion of the officials.
5. No one other then race officials will be allowed on the track during racing conditions.
6. Courtesy laps will be given as time permits. With fewer than 5 laps remaining in the main event of the night no courtesy laps will be given.
7. Returning to the track under green flag conditions will be subject to the discretion of the WSM officials. This will be discussed and explained at the drivers meeting.
8. All work done on the car during race conditions will be done in the work area only. Any car leaving the track and returning to their pit spot will be considered done for that event.
9. Initial starts will begin at the cone in turn 4, if either of the leaders jump the start they will be set back one row on the restart.
10. Single file restarts will begin at the cone in turn 4, No passing is allowed until you pass on the high side of the cone on the front straight. Any driver passing on the inside of the cone, hitting the cone or passing another car prior to passing the cone will be set back 2 positions at the next yellow or scored back 2 positions at the end of the race.
11. We do not race to the yellow, positions will be reverted back to the previous lap.
12. Drivers charged with two yellows will be considered done for that event and will exit the track. If you stop on the track to avoid a wreck then you will be returned to your spot. If you contact a stopped car that has been charged with a yellow then you will be considered part of the yellow and will go to the back.
13. Rough driving will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form.
Body / Roll Cages / Frame
Section 4
BODY
Width must be the same, front to rear, and parallel to the frame. No side panels on engine compartment. Hood must be enclosed at rear. No panel in front of right door to engine compartment. No inner panels. No car covers. Must have front windshield and rear window support posts. Driver and passenger side windows must have at least a 12 inch opening (height and width), measured at center of window, between lowest point at top of window, whether roof or roll cage, and highest point at bottom of window, whether interior or body. May use full windshield, must be fiberglass full size roof, rounded down in all directions. No wings allowed. Maximum four-inch plastic skirting allowed on bottom of doors and quarters. All cars must have complete paint job or body wrap. No bare, polished or reflective exterior surfaces. Outside of tires must be widest part of car. Firewall and floorboards are mandatory. Minimum .125-inch aluminum or 16 gauge or .060-inch steel, complete floor is recommended. Minimum of 3 windshield bars directly in front of the driver. Deck must be the same width, front to rear, and parallel to the frame. Rear body panel is optional. SPOILER - The spoiler will be measured from the rear deck (bottom of spoiler) to the top of the spoiler and will be no more than six inches. Spoiler may be made out of clear plastic, Aluminum or sheet metal. Spoiler will not extend further than the rear deck platform on sides or rear location.
ROLL CAGES
(A) Must consist of continuous hoops not less than 1.75 inch outside diameter and must have a wall thickness of at least .095-inch. Low carbon, mild steel tubing is recommended.
(B) Must be frame mounted in at least six places. No brazing or soldering allowed.
(C) 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. Must have minimum of one cross bar in top halo of roll cage. Roll cage must be securely supported and braced. Roll cage must be padded at all points within reach of the driver.
(D) Protection of feet is mandatory. Bar across back of engine 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 further forward than engine plate.
DOOR BARS:
A minimum of three driver side door bars, at least 1.5 inch O.D., must be as parallel with the ground as possible and located perpendicular to the driver so as to provide maximum protection for driver, but without causing undue difficulty in getting into or out of vehicle. The side bars must be welded to the front and rear of the roll cage members. Must have at least one cross door bar, minimum 1.25 inch O.D., on passenger side of car, either horizontal or angled. Recommend steel door plates, 18 gauge or .049-inch minimum thickness metal. If installed, these will be securely welded to outside of door bars on driver’s side. Plate must cover the area from the top door bar to the bottom door bar and from the rear down post to five inches in front of the seat. Steel door plates must be visible.
FRAMES
No part of race car frame can be lower than four inches from the ground (exception is front cross member and oil pan). Factory production complete full 1964 or newer parallel American passenger car frames only. Frames may be cut in rear only at point not further than 36 inches from center of rear end housing. No front clips or tube type allowed. Maximum two inch wide by four inch tall frame stiffener may be welded directly to outside of frame rail. 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 rails. Center of cross member may be notched for radiator and/or steering clearance only. No Jeep, Bronco (etc.) or four wheel drive frames allowed. No sports car frames allowed. No front wheel drive allowed. Minimum wheelbase is 108 inches, both sides. Maximum overall width (front or rear) shall not exceed 78 inches from outside of tread to outside of tread. All side bars and bumpers must be capped on all end points.
Suspension And Steering
Section 5
(A) Front suspension must be unaltered approved OEM and be in stock location, and must be replaceable by stock parts. Outer tie rod end and adjustment sleeve may be replaced by a minimum .625-inch rod end and steel tube. Weight jack must be in original center line of spring. 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 (exception: can weld shock mount on A frame). No offset lower control arm bushings. Tube-type upper A-frames allowed and can be moved. Aluminum or steel A arm cross shafts allowed. Front sway bar must be approved OEM. No aluminum or fiberglass suspension or rear end parts allowed. Steering box must be steel approved OEM and must remain within original bolt pattern for type of frame used. No rack & pinion allowed. Steel steering shafts and knuckles only. In cockpit steering may be modified to suit driver’s taste, but must be kept on left side of cockpit. No center steering allowed.
(B) Aluminum or steel coil over kits allowed on rear only.
(C) Rear of frame may be altered to accept leaf or coil springs; any coil spring must be at least 4.5 inches outside diameter. Steel springs only. No torsion bars allowed in rear. One coil and/or leaf spring per wheel.
(D) No devices allowed that would enable driver adjustments to alter wheelbase or for weight jacking while car is in competition. No air shocks or air bags allowed.
(E) One shock per wheel only. Additional shocks in other locations permissible. No covers on suspension parts except clear cover on slider and a shield to protect the shocks. This shield can cover no more than the front half of the shocks. No front coil-over, air, or remote reservoir shocks. No Schrader valves allowed. Trailing arm mounting hole covers allowed.
(F) Suspension and rear end parts must be steel, no aluminum or titanium parts allowed.
(G) Front half of shock may be shielded.
(H) Magnets will be used to check for aluminum parts.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery must be securely mounted. One 12 volt battery allowed. Battery posts must be covered to prevent inadvertent sparking. Magnetos or crank triggered ignitions are not allowed. Only one coil permitted. All wiring must be accessible for inspection. No traction control devices permitted. Kill switch must be highly visible, clearly marked and mounted within easy reach of the driver.
FUEL SYSTEM
No additives permitted of any kind, must be automotive gasoline or alcohol. No nitro compounds or nitro containing compounds. Fuel system may be sampled at any point during the event. Failure to provide sample when requested will result in disqualification and possible loss of any and all series points. No electrical fuel pumps permitted. No fuel injection permitted, must be naturally aspirated. Maximum of 32 gallon fuel cell permitted. Must be commercially manufactured and be mounted using a minimum of two steel straps. Gas cap must be attached to the tank by a tether. Fuel cell must be mounted between the tires and behind the rear axle. Must have check valves and must not be mounted below protective tubing.
TIRES AND WHEELS
May use Steel bead lock on both right front and right rear only, cannot make the tire narrower than 8” or wider than 8.75”. Mud plugs may be used on all four tires. Only G60-15 Hoosiers and G60 (KK704) American Racer tires permitted. All wheels must be 8” steel rims. Aluminum or steel spacers allowed. No re-caps permitted. Grooving or siping of tires is permitted. No chemical softening or condition permitted. Steel lug nuts must be used. Rims must be steel only.
BRAKING SYSTEM
Section 9
Brakes must be operated on all four wheels during inspection. No brake shut-off or pressure sensitive devices allowed. Proportioning allowed, front to rear only. Brake lines must be outside frame rails and visible. No extra or unused brake lines allowed. Front and rear lines may not go to the same master cylinder. Vented rotors only, front and rear, no scalloped rotors. Rotors cannot be lightened. Rotors may be re drilled for different bolt pattern or larger studs. Must be steel, approved OEM calipers, and they cannot be lightened. Minimum OEM dimensions must be maintained for hubs, rotors, and calipers. No titanium products, parts or components allowed anywhere on race car. No gun drilled, tubular or hollow bolts or studs anywhere on car.
Transmission / Drive Shaft / Rear End
Section 10
All racecars must have the capability of starting without being pushed or pulled.
TRANSMISSION
Must have at least one gear forward, one reverse and a neutral position. With motor running and car in a still position, driver must be able to engage car in gear and move forward, then backward. OEM production type transmissions will be allowed three speed, four speed and automatic. No five speed transmissions, 'in and out' boxes, or quick change devices allowed. Functioning shifter must be in stock location on transmissions manufactured after 1995.
(A) All manual gear type transmissions must have a standard OEM case and must have a working disc type or approved cone-type clutch inside explosion proof steel bell housing.
(B) Automatic transmissions must remain in OEM stock appearing automatic case. Original bell housing must remain. Must have an approved scatter shield or blanket. Scatter shield may be constructed of quarter inch by three inch steel, 270 degrees around flex plate or flywheel.
(C) Internal clutch racing transmissions are allowed with any type of bell housing. Flywheel scatter shield suggested on aluminum bell housings.
DRIVE SHAFT
Minimum two inch diameter steel drive shaft and must be painted white. Steel slip-yokes only. 360-degree drive shaft loop required and must be constructed of at least .25 inch by two inch steel, or one inch tubing, mounted six inches back from front U-joint.
REAR END
Any approved OEM passenger car type or truck rear end may be used.
(A) No aluminum allowed, except lowering blocks, axle cap, and drive flange. A one inch inspection hole in center section is required. Full steel spool, steel mini spool or welded rear ends only. Steel axles only.
(B) No quick change devices allowed. No cambered rear ends, one piece drive flange only.
(C) No electronic or mechanical traction control devices allowed.
ENGINE
Section 11
No aluminum heads or blocks!
Stud girdles and shaft rockers are permitted. Stock diameter lifters only.
Mushroom lifters are not allowed.
Any American make engine may be used as long as rear of engine (bell housing flange) is mounted at least 72 inches forward from the center line of rear axle.
Engine offset must be kept within two inches of centerline of front cross member. Engine height minimum will be 11 inches from ground to front center of crankshaft.
All engines used in competition must be able to be used in conventional passenger car without alterations.
Motor mounts cannot be removed or altered. Castings and fittings must not be changed.
No machine work on outside engine or on front or rear of camshaft.
NO magnetos.
No total 'dry sump’ systems allowed.
Oil coolers must not protrude above interior. Recommend accumulators not be mounted between driver and left-side door.
Cooling system may be modified. Any overflow tubes must be directed to the ground, between frame rails.
Radiators are to be mounted in front of engine only
Mufflers are required; noise level limits will be enforced. 90 db at 100’
Rules are up and ready for a look see. Have a question? Send me an e-mail Jim Brown at wsmrules@gmail.com and we will check into your concern. These rules are open to change until January 1, 2008 the date they will become official. Major changes are not going to happen however, we will consider options and additions or subtractions until December 30, 2007. Rules developed by Jim Brown, race director.