The local racing season is ready to gear up and thus begins the flood of technical inspections and questions.
Here, submitted for your reading pleasure, are the rules and regs coming out of Mineral Wells, WV and the AMRA series, compiled by competition director Scott Wolfe.
MINERAL WELLS, WV - The American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) annual tech and inspection meeting was a success, as the organization established new guidelines concerning nose pieces and other body specifications. In most cases changes were "minor, or areas needing clarification," noted AMRA president Larry Keefer.
"Overall, if you were fully legal last year, you will be legal this year."
Nearly 25 participants and most all AMRA tracks were represented in some way at the session led by veteran inspectors Jason Roberts and Ed Venham. Venham is expected to fill the role of a roaming AMRA technical inspector. Most of the tech was directed towards the Malta Windows and Doors Modified Division.
Some rule verifications were made for the Tru-Tech Late Model series, whose rule book significantly mirrors the Lucas Oil rule book and runs under an open tire rule. There were no major changes to the late model rules, however, wheel base and engine set back are tech areas that will be regularly inspected. Snell ratings should be up-to-date in all driver helmets, as well as all lap belts and shoulder harness restraints.
Some of the main areas of concerns of the day were with the Malta Modified nose pieces. Aftermarket nose pieces will be allowed if they "do not cover the bumper" and fall within the guideline dimensions of the nose rule. "So far we have found that one aftermarket nosepiece fits the rule, and others do not. Each nose will be evaluated at tech," noted AMRA Director of Racing Scott Wolfe.
Nose pieces should fit between the legs of the bumper and be behind the front bumper rail. Noses should be flat with a 1" drop/dip tolerance in the center of the panel. They may not cover any part of the bumper.
Nose pieces should have no rearward facing louvers, or any other type of device which may create any type of opening which may be construed to be effecting air flow other than into the radiator. Nose pieces may not have any type of wing, or be shaped in a concave or convex manor. Minimum of 4 inches ground clearance. 6" car number on nose of car required. Other details of the nose can be found in the AMRA rulebook.
Only Hoosier tires which are recognized as approved by AMRA are allowed. Hoosier Racing Tires 2 ply E-Mod 26.0 & 26.5 & 27.5 x 8.0-15 in soft, medium and hard compounds, M100 and 26.5 & 27.5x8-15 in the A40, D40 & H40 compounds are the only legal sizes and compounds allowed.
Mud Plugs are now allowed on all wheels. Carbon fiber drive shafts are permitted for safety purposes.
Older tech issues reiterated were that only one shock per wheel is allowed, Aluminum shocks are allowed, but the new steel shock rule with a weight break of 50 pounds is recommended--"Any driver utilizing steel welded bearing, non-adjustable, non-Shrader-valved shocks will be given a 50 pound weight break."
It was noted that this year's East Bay Nationals winner won on a similar steel, non-adjustable shock.
It was also reiterated that all cars must run the AMRA, Hoosier Tire, Poske's Performance Parts, Wrisco Aluminum and Bazell Fuel Decals to receive inspection points and to maintain eligibility for point money. All cars must run all sponsor decals to be eligible for sponsor products. The penalty for not running sponsor packets will be "no points awarded for that night."
Keefer added, "We have a great sponsorship program. Sponsors drive racing and sponsors drive this organization. Our sponsors are among the best in the racing business and have made it possible for drivers to receive well over half a million dollars in cash and product prizes over our 19 years of existence. Most of our drivers honor this rule; however, an increasing number did not honor this fully last season."
"What's good for the whole (group) is good for everyone."
Brakes were another area of concern. O.E.M. style calipers or stock replacement calipers only. Caliper must retain stock GM slide pin mounting but may be constructed of either cast iron or aluminum. Cast iron vented brake rotors only; may not be modified; ie...drilled, scalloped, etc. Front rotors may be re-drilled for different bolt pattern and/or larger studs.
The interior of the car must be level with the top of the doors from side to side. Level with the doors with a 1" dip/ag tolerance at the midpoint of the interior left to right/door to door; or at one any point between the two door panels.
Several instances of 'switching drivers' were reported last season. Drivers may be asked to remove their helmets at the scales to ensure that the driver assigned to the car is actually driving the car.
GM602 and GM604 Crate motors will receive a 100lb weight brake at the scales and must have a certified tag and OEM seal system GM604 and GM602 Crate Engines. No counterfeit bolts or seals. If you have a crate engine, please call the AMRA office for verification prior to any racing.
The AMRA banquet is a first-class event and an event sacred to the racing community and its sponsors. If drivers or an owner representing the drivers do not come to the banquet they will not receive any point fund money. The banquet is a two way street to honor both drivers and teams; and contributing sponsors, thus teams are expected to participate.
Drivers can earn bonus points as a means of keeping drivers loyal to AMRA tracks and to keep drivers loyal to the Road Warrior Challenge. A driver may exchange 5 weeks after they reach the 15 week mark. After reaching 20 weeks drivers will receive 2 bonus points for each AMRA track they run at, example: if we have 26 weeks of racing and you race on Friday and Saturday night for the last 6 weeks, drivers would be awarded 24 points. This bonus only occurs after the 20 week mark.
Bonus points: if you race at a track four weeks in a row you will receive 25 points, up to 100 points (provided you pass tech) or you can choose to get the 25 points at a Road Warrior show, up to 100 points, these bonus points will be added to your weekly points. (100 bonus points total; not 100 plus 100)
Octane Racing Products will be on board as a sponsor of AMRA in 2012 and will add $1000 to the AMRA National Points fund, again making the modified national points' $5000 to win. Octane will add contingency awards in random drawings at the banquet to racers displaying the Octane Racing Products decals.
Malta Doors and Windows is the Title Sponsor of the AMRA Modifieds and Tru-Tech Automotive for the Late Models. Other fine sponsors of the MALTA AMRA Modified series are Dave Poske's Performance Parts, Wrisco, Hoosier Racing Tire/Hoosier Tire Ohio Valley, Carthage Auto Parts, AERO Racing Wheels, Rocket Chassis, Lincoln Welders & Lincoln Electric, Hypercoils, Bazell Race Fuels, Alky Racing Alcohol and Sunoco Race Fuels, Impact Racing, ADP Rivets, RCI, OTR Filters, MSD Ignition, Wilwood, Kluhsman Racing Components (KRC), Evans Vinyl Signs, WV Tax & Bookkeeping, Winters Performance, Bilstein Shocks, PST Drive Shafts, Schoenfeld, Killer Bee Race Bodies, The Bumper Man, and Pike Street Lanes.
Please visit www.amramodified.com.
