Race Cars of Yesterday, inc.

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 Florida Motorsports Hall of Fame, inc. and Race Cars of Yesterday, 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 '40's and '50's. 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 Florida Motorsports Hall of Fame, inc./Race Cars of Yesterday, inc. events. (If car is rejected at an event, the driver/assignee may be assessed the fee the car would have been paid for that night.)

Any car that is rejected because of technical matters may be allowed to participate (at the discretion of Florida Motorsports Hall of Fame, inc./Race Cars of Yesterday, inc. officials) but will not be allowed to win or run up front in an event.

Any car/driver who has won a feature event in a calendar year is expected not to compete for the top three (3) positions in any feature left in the same calendar year.

*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, such as rack-and-pinion steering, disc brakes, etc. This does not extend to overhead V8 engines.

Body Style and Frames




• 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).
  
• Any American production car or truck frame is permitted. No tube or sprint car frames are allowed. Straight axle only, solid beam. Twin I-beams are OK but use leaf springs. Minimum wheelbase of 102 inches (102").
  
• Hoods are required. Hood must extend far enough forward to cover radiator (full uncut hood is suggested).
  
• All cars must be neatly painted, inside and out. Any damage done to cars must be repaired prior to the next scheduled club event!

Engines

The following engines are permitted:




• Ford - Any flat-head or 223, 240, 300 C.I. overhead six.
  
• Chevrolet/GMC - 216, 230, 235, 250, 261, 270, and 292/302 C.I. displacement.
  
• Chrysler - 225 C.I. slant-six or any flat-head six.
  
• Hudson Hornet - 308 C.I.
  
• AMC - 258 C.I.
  
• Any in-line 6-cylinder, straight 8 engine or flat-head V8, produced prior to 1965, are permitted.
  
• Any engines not mentioned above must be approved by FMSHOF/RCOY officials.

Carburetors




• 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.)
  
• Stock and Sportsman division cars must have only one carburetor (any exceptions to be made by FMSHOF/RCOY officials).
  
• Holley 4412 carbs up to 500 CFM are permitted. Two barrel only are allowed.
  
• All cars must have air cleaners.
  
• Two approved springs on throttle linkage.

Suspension




• No coil over shocks.
  
• No rack-and-pinion steering(*see first page for exceptions).
  
• No A-frame suspensions or coil springs, unless produced 1948 or earlier.
  
• Disc brakes may be run only on the front axle but no drilled rotors allowed. Must be pre-approved by FMSHOF/RCOY officials per each application and autorized on a one by one basis by officials (exception: those cars already built prior to June 2004 are to run existing brake system).

Tires




• All local late model, sportsman and modified take-offs and street tires are permitted.
  
• All tires must be safety approved.
  
• Maximum 10" tires allowed.
  
• All rims should be in good condition and be of the correct offset to clear all suspension.

Fuel Systems




• Fuel lines are required to be protected with a secondary cover with double clamps at each end and secured every 18 - 20 ".
  
• 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). All motors running an electric fuel pump will also run an approved safety fuel shut-off system.
  
• Fuel tanks are required to be securely mounted and fuel cells are encouraged.

Safety Requirements




• Racing helmet and firesuit must be approved by Safety Committee and should meet current industry Snell ratings.
  
• 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!
  
• Kill switch must be within one foot (12") of the driver with easy identification markings for rescue personell. If running an electric fuel pump, it must be wired through the ignition system so it shuts off with the engine.
  
• Brakes on all four wheels must be in working order. No three wheel brake systems permitted.
  
• Full firewalls in front and back. No holes permitted; must be "water" tight (or as close as possible).
  
• Exhaust must emit outside of the body of the car.
  
• Strong, unfrayed seat belts must be secured in an industry approved manner to the cage. Must be 3" belts. Shoulder harness (3") required. Crotch belt suggested. Recommend that shoulder harness be hung up to prevent water damage.
  
• Aluminum seats recommended, to industry standards.
  
• Padded headrest required.
  
• Roll bars to be 4 point. Gussets at all corners preferred. Minimum of 3 bars on drivers side; minimum of 2 bars on right side. Notch bars preferred.
  
• 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 inches (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.)
  
• Window nets required in drivers 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).
  
• Fireproof driving gloves are required; fireproof driving shoes are recommended. Approved neck brace is recommended.
  
• Drive shaft hoop is mandatory and must be approved by FMSHOF/RCOY.
  
• 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.

Transmissions




• 3 or 4 speed transmissions only - no automatics

Maintenance




• Engine compartment must be clean and painted, including the engine itself.
  
• 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 of the radiator and securely mounted (no antifreeze - use other lubricant).
  
• 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.
  
• Fan belts and hoses must be checked regularly and replaced if frayed or cracked.
  
• Engine fans must be run for cooling. (Electric fans not recommended - but if used, must be hidden behind radiator).
  
• 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.
  
• King pins, tie rod ends and all steering components must be greased before any usage of the car and checked for excessive wear and replaced if necessary. Safety inspector will check this.
  
• Brake shoes, brake lines, drums/rotors must be checked regularly for excessive wear/cracks/frays in lines, etc. (Brake fluid collects moisture - brakes lines plug up - check them on a regular basis).
  
• All FMSHOF/RCOY 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.

Race Cars of Yesterday, inc.

1831 26th Street North St. Petersburg, Florida 33713 (727)328-1936