1.1 USMTS rules shall apply at all USMTS events. All participants (including drivers, crewmembers, owners, sponsors, etc.) are subject to the rules of USMTS and are expected to know the rules and any claimed ignorance of the rules will not be accepted or tolerated as an excuse.
1.2 USMTS Officials shall have full authority over USMTS events. At the discretion of the USMTS Officials in charge, any competitor may be disqualified for the rule violations, hazardous equipment or hazardous actions.
1.3 All USMTS racecars are subject to inspection by a USMTS Official at any time. Any driver that refuses to allow a pre-race or post-race inspection to be conducted, or terminates an inspection in progress, shall be fined $1,000 and suspended for five events, lose all season points and forfeit all money and awards won at that event.
1.4 Approval of any USMTS racecar by USMTS Official shall mean 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 USMTS Official shall not be liable, nor shall the USMTS, for any mechanical failure nor for any losses, injuries or death resulting from same.
1.5 Drivers, owners and crewmembers will conduct themselves as professionals. Any unsportsmanlike conduct by drivers, owners and/or pit crewmembers shall be grounds for disqualification and/or punitive action by the USMTS and will be strictly enforced. Drivers are responsible for the conduct and actions of their owners and pit crewmembers.
1.6 Absolutely no alcoholic beverages will be consumed by drivers or their pit crews prior to or during a USMTS event. The duration of the USMTS event includes all support class races run as a part of the program. Use, sale or distribution of illegal drugs at any time shall be cause for immediate, indefinite suspension.
1.7 All drivers must be at least 16 years of age (proof of age required). Drivers under 18 years of age will be required to have a signed and notarized Parental Consent form by Parent or Legal Guardian and said document must be in the hands of a USMTS Official before participation of said individual will be allowed. (Note: The USMTS may require Participant to undergo physical examination before said individual is allowed to compete in any USMTS event.)
1.8 Drivers must support any and all official USMTS sponsors by properly displaying all USMTS decals and sponsor decals to participate in any USMTS point funds. These decals must be displayed on both sides of the racecar and must be of the original size given to the driver. Failure to display the required decals, as set forth above, will result in a loss of 10% of all cash won at the event in which the decals were not displayed and loss of any and all contingency awards for said event. Also, if any driver notifies a USMTS Official before the finish of the final B-feature that another driver does not have the proper sponsor decals on his car and that driver does not have the decals on for the A-feature, then the 10% fine will be awarded to the driver that reported the infraction. The first driver to report the infraction will be the one rewarded and all reports will be kept confidential as to who reported the infraction. The 10% award will be mailed after the event.
1.9 Drivers in the top 10 in regional points will be paid point fund money at year-end based on the percentage of the events that they competed in, times the amount of money scheduled to be paid for their final position in the point standings. In national points, drivers will be paid by the percentage of races attended for year-end point money.
1.10 A “rookie” is any driver that has not finished in the top 10 in points in any USMS/USMTS season, or any driver that has not finished in the top 10 in national points. New rookie rule for 2006: Any driver not competing in ten events in a given year with the USMTS.
1.11 No equipment or racecar will be considered as having been approved by reason of having passed through inspection unobserved.
1.12 USMTS reserves the right to add to, delete supersede or modify any rules, exhibits or drawings that the USMTS deems necessary for the betterment and/or safety of racing. All amendments are effective on the date of publication by the USMTS regardless of when a person subject to the rules receives actual notice of the amendment.
1.13 Every driver must inspect the racing surface and the track area to learn of any defects, obstructions, or anything, which, in the driver’s opinion is unsafe and the driver shall report that condition in writing to a USMTS Official. Any driver entering any racing event is considered to have inspected the track and determined that all conditions are satisfactory. If the driver does not feel that the conditions are satisfactory, then the driver should not race. The driver further acknowledges that he is aware that auto racing involves risk and that by competing in an event, the driver assumes these risks with full awareness and responsibility.
1.14 Any person who defies or violates the intent or spirit of the USMTS rules shall be considered to have engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct and shall be dealt with by the USMTS.
1.15 All illegal parts discovered through inspection shall be confiscated by USMTS officials and forfeited by the participant to surrender illegal parts for confiscation shall result in a separate penalty, in addition to any other penalties for illegal parts under these rules, of two times the estimated value of the illegal parts (as determined by the USMTS).
1.16 All drivers are responsible for registering their cars each day of an event and having a number drawn for their starting position in heat races.
1.17 USMTS or the track promoter reserves the right to refuse to accept the entry of any car or participant. Furthermore, USMTS or the track promoter reserves the right to revoke or cancel any entry, or any participant’s claimed right to be on the track’s premises, if it is felt or determined that a participant’s presence or conduct is not in the best interest of the sport of auto racing, the other competitors, the spectators, the track management and/or the employees of USMTS.2. Car rules
2.1 Car Bodies
2.1a 1970 or newer American compact passenger car only (no panel vans or station wagons).
2.1b An aluminum half-windshield may be used on driver’s side of the front window opening only.
2.1c Stock appearing front window support units must be used (painted roll bars are not acceptable substitutes). Front window may have a support of no more than six (6) inches at bottom, going straight up to top for non-clear materials. Support may be up to ten (10) inches at bottom, going straight up to top, only if it is a clear Lexan material.
2.1d A minimum window opening of twelve (12) inches must be maintained on both side window openings.
2.1e Floor and firewall must be complete in the driver’s compartment. No interior sheet metal can be higher than or enclose a standard window opening. Sheet metal in the driver’s compartment must be horizontal from the top of the driver shaft tunnel to the right side door bars or angle from the top of the drive shaft tunnel upwards to the top of the right side door bars. Driver must be able to exit car from both sides.
2.1f All USMTS cars should be numbered with large legible numbers on both sides, on top and on the nose and real panels. Numbers on sides of car should be in contrasting color from the body and be at least four (4) inches thick and at least eighteen (18) inches high. Top numbers should be at least four (4) inches thick and twenty-four (24) inches high.
2.1g No streamlining at top of windshield. Bodies must have standard appearing windshield opening and corner post must follow standard configuration.
2.1h Original roofline of vehicle must be maintained with a maximum of five- (5) inches slope from rear to front. No more than one-half (1/2) inch stiffener allowed at the rear of the roof and must turn down perpendicular to the ground. O.E.M. Gremlin roofs are not legal.
2.1I Sail panels must be of matching design. May not have two different styles of sail panels.
2.1j No belly pans. A belly pan will be defined as any object or material that alters the airflow under the car.
2.1k No panel in front of right door next to engine compartment.
2.1l Side panels on engines are allowed for decal use purposes only, may not extend further back than the back of the block or will have to be removed and must be easily removable for inspection of car at any time.
2.1m No car will be allowed to compete with excessive body damage (excessive body damage to be determined by USMTS Officials).
2.1n Spoiler of 5 inches of total material will be allowed.
2.1o Rear view mirror will not be allowed.
2.1p The rear deck lid or trunk area must be covered. Rear of bodies to be solid panel at least eight (8) inches high, securely fastened and include car number.
2.1q Bumpers must be used both front and rear and must contain no sharp edges. Any inappropriate bumper will be disallowed. Front bumper should be mounted frame-end to frame-end with the bottom loop parallel to ground. Should be made of minimum 1-1/4 inch tubing and must be able to support car if lifted by a tow vehicle.
2.1r Rear bumpers, side rail bars, and bodies must not extend beyond the width of the rear tires.
2.1s Rear bumpers may be constructed of tubing or flat stock, and must protect fuel cell. Center of bumpers (front and rear) must be from sixteen (16) to twenty (20) inches from ground. Rear bumpers may be no more than two (2) inches wider than body on each side and may not be open-ended – they must wrap around and be connected to side rail bars. Rear bumper should be similar in nature to the diagram shown.
2.1t Body should extend no further forward than the back of the block.
2.1u The USMTS reserves the right, in the public image of the sport, to assign, to approve or disapprove any advertising, sponsorship or similar agreement in connection with any event. All cars must be neat appearing and are subject to approval of USMTS Officials to compete. All USMTS competitors agree to comply with the USMTS Officials decisions in this regard.
2.1v Aluminum roofs are allowed in any USMTS event.
2.2 Roll cages
2.2a Round steel tubing, seamless roll-over bars are required for the basic roll cage, and must be acceptable to USMTS Officials. Acceptable tubing is as follows: 1- 3/4 inches x .090 inch or 1-1/2 inches x .095 inch for mild steel and DOM tubing. 1-3/4 inches chrome-moly tubing. Aluminum and/or other soft metals not permitted. Roll bar connections must be welded.
2.2b All roll bars within the drivers reach must be padded with padding acceptable to USMTS Officials. Fire retardant padding is recommended.
2.2c Roll bar installation and workmanship must be acceptable to USMTS Officials.
2.2d Must be frame-mounted in at least six (6) places.
2.2e Must consist of a configuration of front and rear hoops connected by tubing on the sides or side hoops.
2.2f Driver’s head must not protrude above cage with helmet on and strapped in driver’s seat.
2.2g Must have a protective screen or bars in front window opening in front of driver’s face.
2.22h Protection of feet mandatory – bar across back of engine with vertical bars and rub rails or similar protection.
2.2I No brace bars forward of roll cage may be higher than the stock hood height x .083 inch for
2.2j A minimum of three (3) driver side door bars must be parallel to ground and located perpendicular to the driver so as to provide maximum protection for driver, but without causing undue difficulty in getting in or out of the vehicle. The side bars must be welded to the front and the rear of the roll cage members. Door bars less than .090 thickness, should have four (4) bars at least 11/2” in diameter at a minimum of .083 thickness and be gusseted in place. The door bars must have six (6) vertical studs per side of 1-3/4” x .083 minimum seamless round tubing equally spaced.
2.3 Battery
2.3a Must be securely mounted and shielded. One 12-volt battery only.
2.4 Wheels
2.4a All wheels must be fifteen (15) inches in diameter and eight (8) inches in width. No stickers required.
2.4b Wheels must be reinforced steel only.
2.4c A bead lock or locking device may be used on the right rear wheel only. The bead lock may be mounted on the outside of the wheel as long as it does not add over ¾ inch to the wheel width. Steel or Aluminum allowed.
2.4d No homemade mudcaps / wheelcovers allowed.
2.4e No wide five wheel adaptors allowed.
2.4f Steel or aluminum spacer between hub and wheel allowed, so long as overall width of car does not exceed the seventy-eight (78) inch limit.
2.4g Aluminum or steel lug nuts legal.
2.5 Tires
2.5a American Racer G60 IMCA Stamp or non-stamped tire legal. All non-stamped tires must be Asphalt (no Dirt).
2.5b No Softening. Grooving and siping is track's discretion.
2.6 Frame
2.6a Any factory production complete full 1960 or newer parallel American passenger car frames only. Frames may be cut in rear only at a point not further than thirty-six (36) inches from center of rear end housing.
2.6b Frames may only be altered for the installation of springs and shocks. All frame components must be made of steel and be welded.
2.6c Frames may not be widened or narrowed and must be able to support roll cage on both sides. Must be full and complete on both sides. Front cross member may be notched for radiator clearance only. Minimum frame and body height from ground is four (4) inches (exception is front cross member).
2.6d No Jeep, Bronco (etc.) or 4-wheel drive frames allowed. No sports car frames allowed. No front wheel drive allowed.
2.6e Rear of frame may be altered to accept leaf or coil springs.
2.6f No hydraulic, ratchet or electric weight jacks anywhere on car. No aluminum jack bolts allowed.
2.6g Minimum wheelbase of 108 inches, both sides, no tolerance.
2.6h No tubular front clips allowed.
2.6I Maximum overall width of car (front or rear) shall not exceed seventy-eight (78) inches from outside of tread to outside of tread no tolerance.
2.6j No air bags allowed.
2.7 Brakes
2.7a Must be operating on all four wheels and must lock up all four wheels during inspection. Must have caliper and rotor on all four wheels.
2.7b No electronic brake actuators will be permitted.
2.7c Calipers cannot be lightened and must be O.E.M. Steel or aluminum calipers legal.
2.7d Rotors cannot be lightened or drilled. Rotors may be re-drilled for different bolt pattern or larger studs. Steel rotors only.
2.7e Brake bias allowed. Front to rear only.
2.7f No Brake Shut-offs.
2.7g Brake lines must be visible.
2.8 Fuel cell
2.8a Commercially manufactured fuel cells are required and must be mounted by at least two steel straps, two inches wide around cell.
2.8b Fuel cells must be enclosed in a steel container and must be protected in rear of axle by roll cage tubing mounted securely.
2.8c No part of fuel cell should be lower than protective tubing. Protective tubing should be no wider than six (6) inches on both sides of fuel cell.
2.8d Fuel cells vents must have check valves. Fuel cells limited to thirty-two (32) gallon maximum capacity.
2.9 Fuel/Fuel pump
2.9a Fuel shall be automotive gasoline or alcohol only – No additives of any kind.
2.9b The fuel shall not be blended with ethers or other oxygenates and it shall not be blended with aniline or its derivatives, nitro compounds or other nitro containing compounds.
2.9c No electric fuel pumps allowed.
2.10 Exhaust System/Mufflers
2.10a Must be mounted in such a way as to direct spent gases away from cockpit of vehicle and away from area of possible fuel spillage.
2.10b Use of mufflers is recommended. Mufflers may be required at some tracks – please check with your local track.
2.11 Weights
2.11a Loose objects and/or weights must not be used in driver’s compartment or outside of body or hood area. Any weights added to other areas of vehicle must be securely mounted and should be painted white and have the car number on it and attached with at least two (2)1/2 inch bolts. No weights may be attached to rear bumper.
2.12 Computers
2.12a No computers allowed on car, including, but not limited to, electronic traction devices. Any driver caught with traction control is subject to a $5,000 fine and a lifetime suspension from all USMTS point events.
2.13 Aspiration
2.13a One two (2) barrel or one four barrel or one Predator carburetor properly installed will be permitted. Must be naturally aspirated. No fuel injection.
2.14 Drive shaft
2.14a Loop required and must be constructed of at least ¼ inch by two (2) inch solid steel and should be mounted no more than six (6) inches from the front of the drive shaft tube. Two driveshaft loops of ¼ inch by one (1) inch solid steel fastened to the crossmember of the car is an allowable alternative.
2.14b Drive shaft must be painted white. Steel drive shaft only.
2.15 Transmission
2.15a O.E.M. production type transmissions – 3,4,and 5 speed and automatic. No “in and out” boxes. Must all be clutch operated. Bert and Brinn transmissions are also allowed. (With motor running and car in still position, driver must be able to engage car in gear and move forward, then backward at time of inspection.)
2.15b Clutch must be inside bellhousing for O.E.M. production type transmissions.
2.15c One forward gear and one reverse gear must be in working order plus a neutral position, and must be able to be shifted by driver.
2.15d All cars must be able to join lineup on demand, unaided, or go to the rear of that race.
2.15e Clutch type transmissions must be equipped with an explosion proof steel bellhousing. Aluminum must be SFI approved. GM bellhousing is not SFI approved.
2.15f Automatic transmissions must have a guard 270 degrees around flexplate or flywheel, must be constructed of at least ¼ inch steel. If preferred, an SFI approved aftermarket guard may be used instead. Bert/Brinn type with aluminum bellhousing must use above rule.
2.15g All vehicles must have the capability of starting without being pushed or pulled.
2.16 Rear end
2.16a Any passenger car type or truck rear end may be used. No aluminum allowed except lowering blocks, axle cap and drive plate.
2.16b No quick change devices allowed. No cambered rear ends (one piece drive flange only).
2.16c No traction devices allowed (includes Gold Track, True Track – type rear end components).
2.17 Steering
2.17a Steering must be O.E.M. No rack and pinion allowed. Must remain within original bolt pattern for type of frame used. In cockpit, steering may be modified to suit driver, but must remain on left side of cockpit. No center steering.
2.18 Radios
2.18a No transmitting or listening devices allowed in car.
2.19 Suspension – No aluminum or titanium! Magnet must stick to all components.
2.19a Front suspension must remain stock type for the type of frame being used. Steel aftermarket parts may be used as stock components as long as they mount in the stock location and are the same size as the O.E.M. parts. This does include lower tubular A-frames. If using lower tubular must match factory specs.
2.19b Stock passenger car spindles only; no fabricated spindles. Bottom A-frames cannot be altered, lightened or moved.
2.19c Front sway bars may be used. They must be made of steel and may be attached to the bottom A-frame using steel heim joints. Sway bars must be solid full-length O.E.M. sway bars. Rear panhard bars may be used. They must be made of steel and may be attached by using a minimum ¾ inch I.D. steel heim joint.
2.19d Steel coil-over eliminators, or steel/aluminum coil-over kits allowed- must conform to shock and spring rules.
2.19e One shock per wheel only. No air shocks.
2.19f Only steel suspension or rearend parts allowed (jack bolts and mounting brackets may be aluminum).
2.19g All coil springs must be at least 4-1/2 inches outside diameter. Steel springs only. No torsion bars allowed in rear.
2.19h Steel tube-type upper A-frames allowed and can be moved.
2.19i A-arm cross shafts & swedge tubes can be aluminum.
2.20 Engine
2.20a All engines used in competition must be able to be used in conventional passenger car without alteration. Motor mounts cannot be removed or altered. Castings and fittings must not be changed. No machine work on outside of engine or on front or rear of camshaft.
2.20b No total “dry sump” systems allowed. “Wet” system must be operative and will go with engine claim.
2.20c Cooling system may be modified. Radiators and oil coolers must not protrude above interior.
2.20d Any American make engine may be used as long as rear of engine (bellhousing flange) is mounted at least seventy-two (72) inches forward from the center line of the rear axle, no tolerance.
2.20e Engine offset must be kept within two (2) inches of centerline of front cross member. Engine must be a minimum of eleven (11) inches from ground to front center of crankshaft.
2.20f Steel engine blocks only – No aluminum or titanium.
2.20g All overflow tubes must be directed towards the ground, inside the frame rails. Radiators must be mounted in front of engine only.
2.20h All wiring elements must be accessible for tech inspection. Any car advancing spots and missing will be black-flagged.
2.20i Aluminum heads legal must add fifty pounds in front of mid plate 2,400-pound weight rule. All cars with less than 23 degree heads must weigh 2500 lbs. and add fifty pounds in front of mid-plate if using aluminum heads. Any driver caught using less than 23-degree heads and weighing 2,400 will lose all points for season, and all money for that race. Only exception to this rule will be Chrysler.
2.20j Any car using flat tappet cams can weigh 2350 after race with driver.
2.20k ALL PART AND/OR CASTING NUMBERS MUST BE PRESENT. Any driver that has removed any numbers is subject to disqualification and suspension.
2.21 Ignition
2.21a No magnetos or crank triggered ignitions. No more than one coil may be used.
2.21b Kill switch required within easy reach of the driver. The switch must be clearly marked “off” and “on”.
2.22 Seats
2.22a Racing seats are mandatory, but must be factory manufactured and acceptable to USMTS or track officials. Positively no homemade aluminum, plastic or fiberglass seats allowed. Seat must be properly installed and seat back cannot be moved back further than rear edge of quarter post. High back aluminum seats only.
2.23 Overall Car Weight
2.23a 2400 lb. weight rule is effect for the modifieds after the feature with steel heads. Aluminum heads must have fifty pounds in front of mid-plate. Any car using less than 23-degree heads must weigh 2500 pounds. If using aluminum heads must weigh 2500 pounds and add fifty pound in front of mid-plate.3. Safety requirements
3.1 Helmets are required and must be approved SHCA or Snell-type full coverage and must be worn at all times the car is on the track.
3.2 Helmets should accompany vehicle at time of inspection.
3.3 Helmets of at least Snell SA95 or SA2000 rating are mandatory.
3.4 Complete one-piece or two-piece fire suits of a flame retardant nature must be worn by all competitors at all times the car is on the track, including packing, warm ups, hot laps and races.
3.5 Fire resistant gloves and shoes are mandatory.
3.6 Five (5) point safety belts, sub belt and shoulder harness required. No factory type shoulder belts or straps allowed.
3.7 Metal to metal buckles are required on shoulder and seat belts.
3.8 The shoulder harness should be mounted securely to the roll cage. Seat belts and shoulder harness recommended not to be more than one (1) year old.
3.9 Where the belt passes through the seat edges, it must have a grommet installed, be rolled and/or padded to prevent cutting of the belt.
3.10 A full-size window net mounted in the left side driver’s window or approved racing arm restraints are required. Window net mounts must be welded to the roll cage. All bars around driver must have roll bar padding.
3.11 A quick release metal coupling on steering wheel mandatory. Absolutely no plastic couplings allowed.
3.12 Fire resistant safety neck collars are mandatory.
3.13 It is recommended that each car have built-in fire extinguishing equipment, but cannot be of the dry powder type (must be Halon 1211 or equivalent).
3.14 All entrants should have in their pit area as part of their equipment, at all times, a fully charged dry chemical, Halon, or its equivalent, fire extinguisher. Ten (10) or thirteen (13) pound fire extinguishers recommended.
3.15 Everyone must wear the required helmet, drivers suit and five point safety harness whenever in a race car, including packing, warm ups, hot laps and races.4. Engine claim rules
4.1 $650 claim. Any driver wishing to claim a motor must pull directly to the designated claim area. That driver will pull a pill from 1-5 and that is the driver that he/she will be allowed to claim. If the claimee decides that he/she does not want that motor he/she will still be charged one claim on the claim card. All drivers in the top five each race night are eligible to be claimed and must pull directly to the claim area.
4.2 Claim does not include – 1. Flywheel, 2. Clutch, 3. Pressure plate, 4. Bellhousing, 5. Headers, 6. Carburetor, 7. Starter, 8. Motor mounts, 9. Sending units and switches for oil prressure and water temperature, 10. Carburetor adaptor, 11. Fan and pulleys, 12. Clutch ball, 13. Clutch arm, 14. Throw out bearing, 15. Dip stick, 16. Water pump, 17. Fuel pump, 18. Distributor, 19. Plug wires, 20. External oil restrictors (must furnish plugs) and 21. Water outlet and restrictor.
4.3 First five finishers must report directly to claim area and are subject to engine claim by any other driver finishing sixth on back in feature. Any driver lapped by the leader is not eligible to claim. Driver allowed one claim only per event, regardless of the outcome of that claim. Drivers finishing farthest back will draw first.
4.4 Driver making claim must drive his/her race car immediately after finish of feature, under its own power, directly to the claim area.
4.5 ONLY drivers and officials allowed in claim area. Any car with crew members or any other persons associated with car entering the claim area will be immediately disqualifies and subject to fine and/or suspension.
4.6 Claims must be made within five (5) minutes of end of feature race, and claimed engine must be removed within one (1) hour from time of claim is made and driver agrees to exchange/sell claimed engine.
4.7 Claims must be made to Track Official and $550 cash and claim card must accompany declaration of intention to claim.
4.8 Only driver may claim engine and only driver may agree to sell or refuse to sell engine. First sell statement by driver is binding.
4.9 Refusal to sell will result in forfeit of all cash and contingency winnings for the event.
4.10 Any driver refusing to sell forfeits his/her right to make a claim in any USMTS points event for a period of one (1) year following refusal, plus all USMTS points accumulated up to and including event that claim is made.
4.11 First refusal to sell will result in the driver being suspended from all USMTS point events until a $1,000 fine is paid and received at the USMTS headquarters. Second refusal will result in driver being suspended for thirty (30) days and until a $5,000 fine is paid and received at the USMTS headquarters.
4.12 Any driver found to be claiming an engine for anyone other than his or herself will lose all USMTS points for entire season, all cash and contingency winnings for the event and be subject to a thirty (30) day race suspension and until A $1,000 fine is paid and received at the USMTS headquarters.
4.13 All claimed engines must be removed at the track.
4.14 Any sabotage of claimed engine or engine of buyer will result in driver being suspended for fourteen (14) days and until a $1,000 fine is paid and received at USMTS headquarters. All USMTS points will be forfeited for entire season, as well as the right to make a claim for a period of one (1).
4.15 No driver may claim more than three (3) engines during the USMTS season.
4.16 Drivers must have raced the three (3) previous events prior to the one in which he is claiming.
4.17 USMTS Officials have the right to disallow any claim at their discretion.
4.18 No driver receiving a provisional starting position in the feature is allowed to claim.
4.19 Driver must have a valid USMTS license to be eligible to make a claim.
4.20 USMTS or track officials have the right to claim any motor of any car in the A-feature field for $550 at their discretion.5. Decisions of USMTS Officials are final and binding without exception.
