RACE CARS OF YESTERDAY, INC. AND FLORIDA MOTOR SPORTS HALL OF FAME, INC.

CAR BUILDING RULES

March 2009

(Supersedes all previous RCOY car building rules)

 

RESTORING OR BUILDING A CAR

 

These are the guidelines to be followed by anyone restoring or building an antique stock car. 

 

The primary thing to remember is that the main objective of Race Cars of Yesterday, Inc. and Florida Motor Sports Hall of Fame, Inc., is to preserve the history of stock car racing as it began in the late 1940's and 1950's.  The outside appearance of the cars must remain totally as they were in the '40s and '50s.  The interiors may be altered from vintage in the name of safety.  Such things as roll bars, seats, seat belts, window nets, fire extinguishers, fabricated floor boards, electrical wiring, fuel lines, fuel tanks, fuel cells, lexan windshields, removable steering wheels, etc., may be updated.

 

Any car that is rejected because of safety matters WILL NOT be permitted to participate in Race Cars of Yesterday, Inc/Florida Motor Sports Hall of Fame, Inc., events.  (If car is rejected at an event, the driver/assignee may be able to correct the safety matter and, with official review, re-enter the event – see Mr. Dave Rudenis).

 

Any car that is rejected because of technical matters MAY be allowed to participate (at the discretion of RCOY/FMSHOF officials). 

 

*Any car that ran in the vintage era and has a proven history will be allowed to run certain things that are otherwise not allowed, if they were so equipped when they originally ran. This does not extend to overhead V-8 engines. Any questions in regards to any exceptions to these car building rules will be referred to Mr. Dave Rudenis for further clarification.

 

 

BODY STYLE AND FRAMES

 

1.          Any American stock body styles 1948 and earlier are allowed.  Modified bodies are permitted but body style must be modeled after a race car that ran in the vintage era and must be built to resemble the car (verification by photograph, if available).

 

2.         Any American production car or truck frame is permitted.  No tube or sprint car frames are allowed.  Straight axle only, solid beam.  Twin I-beam are OK but use leaf springs.  Minimum wheel base of 102 inches (102").

 

3.         Hoods are required.  Hood must extend far enough forward to cover radiator (full uncut hood is suggested).

 

4.         All cars must be neatly painted, inside and out.  Any damage done to cars must be repaired and repainted prior to the next scheduled Club event! Any club car that has missed two (2) events in a row because of unrepaired damage shall be subject to repossession by RCOY for non-compliance of agreement.

 

ENGINES

 

The following engines are permitted:

 

1.          Ford                 -           Any flat-head or 223, 240, 300 c.i. overhead six

 

2.         Chevrolet/GMC            -           216, 230, 235, 250, 261, 270 and 292/302 c.i. displacement. 

 

3.         Chrysler           -           225 c. I. slant-six or any flat-head six.

 

4.         Hudson Hornet -           308 c.i.

 

5.         AMC -                          242 c.i., 258 c.i.

 

6.         Any in-line 6 cylinder, straight 8 engine or flathead V-8, produced prior to 1975, are permitted.

 

7.         Any engines not mentioned above must be approved by RCOY/ FMSHOF officials.

 

CARBURETORS

 

1.          Any number of carburetors are allowed for the modified division, but the carburetor must be vintage**.  (You may run any stock production 2-barrel carburetor.  If carburetor is not vintage, it must be completely covered by a large air cleaner). (**See Engines regarding carbs.)

 

2,         Stock and Sportsman division cars must have only one carburetor (any exceptions to be made by RCOY/ FMSHOF officials).

 

3.         Holley 4412. Two barrel or smaller only are allowed. (See Engines regarding Holley carbs.)

 

4.         All cars must have air cleaners.

 

5.         Two approved springs on throttle linkage.

 

Note: Revisions to carburetor rules can be made at any time, by RCOY/FMSHOF officials.

 

SUSPENSION

 

1.          No coil over shocks.

 

2.         No A-frame suspensions or coil springs, unless produced 1948 or earlier.

 

3.         Disc brakes may be run only on the front axle.  Must be pre-approved by RCOY/ FMSHOF officials per each application and authorized on a one by one basis by officials.

 

TIRES

 

1.          All late model, sportsman and modified racing tires and street tires are permitted.

 

2.         All tires must be safety approved (you may be asked not to race due to old tires).

 

3.         Maximum 10" tires allowed.

 

4.         All rims should be in good condition and be of the correct offset to clear all suspension.

 

 

FUEL SYSTEMS

 

1.          Fuel lines are required to be protected with a secondary cover with double clamps at each end and secured every 18-20 inches.

 

 

2.         Fuel shut-off is required to be within easy reach of the driver (if you do not need to utilize an electric fuel pump - do not - a regular engine mounted fuel pump should be ample for most applications).

 

3.         Fuel tanks are required to be securely mounted and fuel cells are encouraged.

 

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

 

1.          Racing helmet, driver’s suit, gloves, neck brace and Hans type devices should meet current industry Snell ratings. Driver suit may be one or two piece, a minimum single layer Nomex but recommend double layer Nomex with  balaclava.

 

2.         Fire extinguisher with up-to-date inspection/certification must be securely mounted within easy reach of the driver.  Extinguisher must be easily removed for usage - NO TIE WRAPS! NO DUCT TAPE! NO WIRE!

 

3.         Kill switch must be within driver’s reach when belted in, and with easy identification markings. 

 

4.         Brakes on all four wheels must be in working order.

 

5.         Full fire walls in front and back.  No holes permitted; must be “water” tight (or as close as possible).

 

6.         Exhaust must exit outside of the body of the car, not under the car.

 

7.         Strong, unfrayed seat belts must be secured in an industry approved manner to the cage.  Must be 3" belts.   Shoulder harness required.  Crotch belt required.  Recommend that shoulder harness be hung up to prevent water damage.

 

8.         Aluminum seats recommended, to industry standards (other than aluminum must be approved by officials and

            the mounting of racing seats should be done professionally unless you are qualified to do so).

 

9.         Padded headrest required (or some other type of headrest approved by officials).

 

10.        Roll bars to be 4 point.  Gussets at all corners required.  Minimum of 3 bars on driver's side; minimum of 2 bars on right side.  Notch bars preferred.

 

11.        Push bars, nerf side bars and front and rear bumpers.  Front and rear bumpers to be no lower than nine inches (9") from the ground and no higher than a maximum of eighteen (18") from the ground.  (Nerf  bars  should be a double bar high enough to not allow a wheel to ride up/over it - open wheel cars especially.)

 

12.        Window nets required in driver's window and must be able to be removed from outside of the car with a quick disconnect seat belt buckle.  String type net (if available) preferred.  (On single seat, narrow bodied car, two window nets are recommended).

 

13.        Fireproof driving gloves are required; fireproof driving shoes are required. Approved fireproof neck brace is required.

 

14.        Drive shaft hoop is mandatory and must be approved by RCOY/ FMSHOF.

 

15.        The “safety system” of a car belongs to the Driver and as such, must be installed in a safe manner into any other car the Driver obtains.  In no way does this allow anyone to discard existing safety systems.  If they are not yours, return to D. Rudenis as soon as possible upon any change out(s).

 

 

 

 

TRANSMISSIONS

 

1.          3 speed or 4 speed transmissions only - no automatics.

 

 

REARENDS

 

1.          Quickchange rear ends are allowed – if club owned car, must be approved by D. Rudenis.

 

 

MAINTENANCE

 

1.          Engine compartment must be clean and painted, including the engine itself.

 

2.         There must be no oil or water leaks from the engine, transmission, rear end or radiator.  All cars must be equipped with an ample catch can attached to the overflow hose on the radiator and securely mounted (no antifreeze – use other lubricant).

 

3.         Engine oil, transmission and rear end grease must be checked before any usage of car and maintained at proper levels.  Any transmission with top shift must have rain cover boot.

 

4.         Fan belts and hoses must be checked regularly and replaced if frayed or cracked.

 

5.         Engine fans must be run for cooling. (Electric fans not recommended – but if used, must be hidden behind radiator, not in front, as there were no electric radiator fans when cars originally ran.)

 

6.         Battery must be located away from driver, be well secured, recommend front of firewall or behind rear firewall or behind driver. Battery must be entirely covered to prevent spillage due to any situation that may occur.   Terminal ends must be kept clean and in good condition.

 

7.         King pins, tie rod ends and all steering components must be greased before any usage of car and checked for excessive wear and replaced if necessary.  Safety inspector will check this.

 

8.         Brake shoes, brake lines, drums/rotors must be checked regularly for excessive wear/cracks/frays in lines, etc. (Brake fluid collects moisture – brake lines plug up – check them on a regular basis)

 

9.         All RCOY FMSHOF race cars should be washed and waxed prior to all events (it’s show business we’re in and it should look good!).  Car covers are strongly recommended.

 

10.        All lettering or numbering is to be hand painted on car (absolutely no vinyl lettering or numbering).  No inappropriate or suggestive wording, graphics, pictures.  If there is any doubt, see Mr. Dave Rudenis.  All sponsorship needs to be approved by Mr. Dave Rudenis prior to any placement on any car, that runs with RCOY.

 

These rules are subject to change at the discretion of RCOY FMSHOF Officials.