Event Rules and Pit Area

"No welding except in areas defined in rules, i.e. doors, bumpers, and rust patching"

• Entry fee must be paid prior to car inspection.  Any car that cannot be made legal will lose the paid entry fee.  No Refunds!  Bring a car that meets the posted rules and there will be no problems.
• All drivers MUST sign the entry form, insurance waiver, and release form. Pit passes must be purchased by all others before entering the pit area.  No one under the age of 14 will be allowed in the Pits.
• All drivers MUST be 16 years or older and MUST be able to provide proof of age at the request of the Officials.  NO Exceptions.
• All drivers MUST attend the driver meeting prior to the event.
• Officials and flagmen MUST be obeyed.  Their judgment is final.  No arguing, fighting or disobeying the ruling of the officials or flagmen.  Any disregard to this statement will result in disqualification.
• Any reckless driving in the pits or areas surrounding pits will result in immediate driver disqualification.   Keep it at an idle!
• Absolutely no Alcohol or illegal substances on the premises or the pit area.  This includes Driver and Pit Crew.  Any disregard for this will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the premises.  Coolers are subject
• to inspection by officials at any time!
• All work MUST be completed before arriving at the facility!

Competition Rules

• During the competition drivers MUST wear DOT or Snell approved helmets and approved eye protection.
• Drivers MUST wear seatbelts.   This will be checked upon entry to the competition arena.
• Cars may maneuver forward or backward.
• The first hit of the race MUST be made on the car directly opposite of them.
• No intentional driver’s door hits.
• No getting out of the car unless instructed by an official or flagman.
• Sandbaggers will be disqualified.  You MUST make hits that show damage.
• One fire rule.  You will be disqualified after the first fire.
• Maximum of 60 seconds between hits.  If your car dies or you are hung on another car, you have 60 seconds to re-fire the car or get free and make contact with another car still moving in the competition.
• No team driving.  This will be the flagmen’s decision.
• Your stick MUST be broken if car is disabled or disqualified.
• Cars MUST participate in one of the heats before it is eligible for the Consolation Heat.
• Cars MUST stay within confines of the competition area.
• Cars may not be intentionally knocked through the competition barriers.  This is for the safety of the audience.
• Any car intentionally attempting to put a car through or on the barrier will be disqualified.
• The number of cars registered will determine the number of cars per heat. The last three running cars in each heat will be allowed to go to the feature. The consolation heat winner will be allowed to go to the feature.   The feature winner is the last car running and has made a legal hit in the time allowed.

Protest Rule

1. Protest must be made within 5 minutes of end of heat race or feature.
2. Pay $100.00 to head official and state your protest.
3. Be specific on what you are protesting.
4. If protest is found to be true, you will receive your $100.00 back and violating driver will be disqualified.
5. If protest is found to be false, you will lose your $100.00 and the driver being protested receives the $100.00.

Car Preparation Rules

Body, Frame, Suspension

• Any year OEM frame and body of passenger car or station wagon except the following: 1964-1973 Chrysler Imperial or LeBaron,  Imperial sub frames, Ambulances, Hearses, Limousines, Pickups, or Jeeps.
• All glass, headlights, taillights, chrome molding, and plastic must be removed before reaching racetrack.
• Rolling down windows is not permitted.
• No flammable materials such as carpets, upholstery, headliners and rear seats can be left in the car.
• Cars must be clean and free of loose objects in the passenger compartment and trunk area.
• Rust can be fixed.  You must use the same thickness sheet metal, welded only and maximum of 2 inch overlap.
• Body modifications are limited to trimming and folding for clearance around wheel wells unless otherwise specified.  No bolts to hold inner and outer panels together.
• Hoods must have 10-12 square inch hole on either side of the air cleaner.
• Hood may be secured in six spots maximum by bolts and all-thread only.  Two all thread maximum and may only be used outboard of radiator.  Bolts and all-thread may not exceed ¾” diameter.  Washers may not exceed 6” diameter and ¼” thick.  Other than all thread, no other added  bolt may pass through the frame.
• Trunk lid may be secured in four spots by 2 bolts and 2 all-thread only.   Bolts and all-thread may not exceed ¾” diameter.  Washers may not exceed 6” diameter and ¼” thick.  Tucking of trunk lid is permitted.  Must be able to see inside of trunk on Fresh cars.
• Station wagon tailgates use same rules as trunk lid for sedans or Tailgate may be chained shut.  No all-thread may tie frame to top roof of Station wagon.
• All doors MUST be welded or chained closed.  Welded doors may be closed only with a steel rod 3/8” thick or less or a 4 inch metal band 1/8” thick and may be welded solid.  Driver’s door may be reinforced on the exterior with a maximum 6” overlap in front and rear of door.
• An interior cage may be constructed consisting of maximum 4” diameter pipe that runs from Door to Door behind Drivers Seat (pipe cannot be located more than 6 inches behind drivers door), a maximum 4” diameter pipe located in place of factory dash (no farther forward than base of windshield), and maximum 4” diameter pipe connecting pipes behind seat to dash pipe (driver and passenger side).  No down tubes or kickers allowed. Halo bars allowed but cannot be fastened to anything other than the cage and placed no farther back than 6 inches behind drivers door.  Exceptions to pipe size can be made if C-channel is used but no exceptions to placement of  C-channel.
• A vertical steel bar or chain MUST be run from the roof to firewall of the car to prevent hood from entering passenger compartment.  Two bars or chains are recommended.
• No welding of frame or frame seams for any reason.  No strengthening of frame.  All body mount and factory jig holes must be present.  No welding of frame to body.  Frame may be notched.  Rust may be fixed but must be same thickness steel and have factory body mount and jig holes.  No overlapping of metal on frame.   No “band-aids” may be added.
• No Skid plates of any design.
• Bumpers may be any year and any make of passenger car bumper.  Bumper shocks may be collapsed.  Maximum 6” piece of chain may be used from bumper mounting bracket or shock canister to back of bumper.  Bumper may be welded to shock canister and shock canister to the frame.  No extra metal may be added to make these welds.   Bumper ends may be trimmed and folding ends of bumper is permitted.  Chrome may be welded to backing of bumper but must be done with no extra metal added.
• Maximum Bumper height on fresh car is 22” as measured from level ground to bottom of bumper.
• Factory style leaf spring packs only.  9 leaves maximum.  Leaves must be stepped with at least 1” steps and not equal length.  2 spring clamps per side of leaf springs.  (8 total spring clamps).
• Coil to leaf spring conversions will not be allowed.
• Coil springs may be welded, bolted, cabled, or chained into place.
• No Fixed or Stiff Suspension.  Car must have at least 3-4 inches of give or bounce in Suspension. Tire bounce does not count.
• No bolts through A-arms to increase suspension height.
• No modifications or reinforcement to front A-arms.
• Tie Rods and ball joints may not be reinforced and must be factory.
• No air shocks, lifts, or homemade shackles are permitted.
• Car must be equipped with a readily accessible ABC type fire extinguisher mounted in the passenger compartment.
• Advertising and printing may be placed anywhere on the car except the front doors.  Front doors must be painted with numbers at least 12 inches tall.  No profanity of any kind will be tolerated.
• No extra weight of any type may be added to car.

Engine, Transmission, Rear-end

• Any engine and transmission combination may be used in any vehicle.
• Motor may be chained or welded to frame provided this does not strengthen the frame.
• Engine must be located with front spark plugs even with or in front of upper ball joint on a V-8 engine, the second spark plug on a inline engine must be even with or in front of upper ball joint.
• Distributor protectors may be used but cannot contact interior cage.
• Carburetor must have a cover.
• Hand Throttles are acceptable
• Engine oil coolers are acceptable as long as all lines used are high pressure or steel braided.
• Transmission oil coolers are acceptable as long as all lines used are high pressure or steel braided.
• 5 Lug maximum rear differential.  No floater rear ends.

Radiator

• Radiator must be mounted in stock location or run none at all.
• No reserve tanks of any kind.
• Nylon straps, #9 wire, bungee cords or steel bands may be used to hold radiator in position.
• No antifreeze in coolant.

Gas Tank and Fuel

• Original gas tank must be removed.
• Tank must be placed behind the front seat and close to the middle of the car.
• Tank must be no larger than 6 gallon capacity.
• Marine tanks or fuel cells are acceptable.  No plastic tanks (unless it is an approved fuel cell) or upright jerry cans.
• Tanks must be securely mounted and all connections must be secure and leak proof.
• Tanks must be covered.
• Electric fuel pumps are acceptable but must have shut off switch within drivers reach and clearly marked for fire officials.
• No Alcohol fuels will be allowed.  Fuel will be sampled.

Tires

• Maximum 15” rim
• Any Ply or Tread Pattern
• No Split rims, Screws, or Bead Locks

Brakes

• Brakes must be functional and able to stop the car.

Battery

• One battery only and must be securely fastened in passenger compartment.
• Battery must be covered and a passenger-type car battery.

IF it doesn’t say you can, you can’t!!!!!!!!

Procedural rules and time limits may be implemented, modified or changed, regarding the show do to the nature of a indoor show.

Procedural rules and time limits may be implemented, modified or changed, regarding the show do to the nature of a indoor show.

This derby will be run indoors on a rodeo arena.  We do not want to be picking up a lot of loose items out of the dirt.  If it can get knocked off the car, remove it before arriving or we will make you take it off (fiberglass, trim, shattered window pieces, etc).  The ventilation will not support 20 smoking cars.  If your car smokes (oil smoke), fix it or don’t bring it. We know the difference between steam and smoke.   We will not be having any heats that last forever.  If you plan to sandbag your way to a heat or feature win, forget it.  A derby is meant to destroy cars and this is what we expect.  Love taps will not be counted as hits and will get you disqualified.

1) The rules state that rust can be fixed using same thickness sheet metal...does this apply to floorboards and trunk pans as well? Yes

2) The rules state that body modifications are limited to trimming and folding for clearance... may we crease our fenders and create new body lines? Yes

3) The rules state that the trunk may be secured in 4 spots....a lot of promoters are allowing 6 bolts in the trunk...usually 2 all thread and 4 additional bolts...this may be something to consider. Considered but not allowed at this point

4) The rules state that we are allowed a 4 point cage using bars no larger than 4" in diameter. It states that the back bar must be within 6 inches of the front seat....it does not specify how far past the back bar that our side bar can be. Most promoters are allowing the side bars to proceed a maximum of 18" behind the rear bar. Without this specification...I am afraid that some drivers will consider this a "gray area" and run their side bars to the rear humps.
♦       An interior cage may be constructed consisting of maximum 4” diameter pipe that runs from Door to Door behind Drivers Seat (pipe cannot be located more than 6 inches behind drivers door), a maximum 4” diameter pipe located in place of factory dash (no farther forward than base of windshield), and maximum 4” diameter pipe connecting pipes behind seat to dash pipe (driver and passenger side).  No down tubes or kickers allowed. Halo bars allowed but cannot be fastened to anything other than the cage and placed no farther back than 6 inches behind drivers door.  Exceptions to pipe size can be made if C-channel is used but no exceptions to placement of  C-channel.

The cage rule copied directly from the rules.  No grey areas that I can see.  The rear brace location is based on the length of the drivers door and the rules state the side pipe must connect the front and rear bars.    If the cage is not a rectangle shape meeting these requirements it will not be allowed.  If cars show up with pipes to the rear of the car, they will be cut out or not run. 

5) The rules state that rust may be fixed but must be the same thickness steel on the frame. It also states "no overlapping" and "no band aids". Please define "band aid". A band aid is metal welded over existing metal.  With no overlapping, does this mean that I must cut the rust out of the frame and weld a piece of metal in the hole and make it flush with the side of the frame? Yes and if this is done, that area will be inspected thoroughly. All of the factory holes must be cut in the patch also. This is also a gray area...some guys will take advantage of this and replace frame sections that are not rusted or rotted just to get fresh metal and welds in particular places.

6) The rules do not state if we can replace body mounts. If so, what is the maximum size bolt we may use and are we required to put a spacer back in and if so what size?

“Body Mounts can be removed or left in place.  The body sitting on the frame is fine but do not weld the body to the frame.  Bolts only holding it down and no extra body mounts added.”

7) The rules state that we can not bolt our A-arms to increase suspension height....this is something that a lot of promoters are allowing and is something that I would consider allowing. No welding on the suspension is completely understandable...but a bolt can help a lot.  Was considered but not allowed at this point.

8) The rules state that there is no rearend bracing allowed. This is something that almost all promoters are now allowing simply because of the cost of replacement. These rear ends are getting very difficult to find and many drivers have began using this to protect our investments. I have personally spoke with multiple drivers who said they will not run this show because of this rule. No reinforcement of the suspension (control arms, ect...) is understandable, but rear end bracing is something I would seriously consider allowing.
Was considered And we will allow.

Note:  This is the only rule that we will change in our rules.  All others will be strictly in forced.


9) The rules state that the battery must be securely fastened in the passenger area. Can the battery be relocated the rear passenger area of the car or does it have to be in the front passenger area? Where ever you want to put it in the passenger compartment is fine.

I apologize for all of the questions, but I have a large group of guys that are considering building a car for this show but wanted some clarification on some things. I am also trying to avoid some of the "gray areas" that people try to take advantage of so that if I build a car to the rules that I have a chance to compete. Thank you for your time.

If someone shows up and expects to get in with their interpretation of the rules, it will not happen.  All of the questions are being noted and will be taken into consideration for the next derby.


As far as classes of cars on the full size, there is only one, what ever car you want to bring other than an imperial, jeep, truck, el camino, etc.   The rules state no welding of frame or frame seams and all factory jig holes must be present,  This is what will be adhered too with one exception.  The only exception is patching frame rust but it must be done with the same thickness metal, be butt welded and not overlapped, and have the factory jig holes.  No "bandaids" to patch prebent frames.  I know people will try and get something by but we will do our best to stop it. We will have a lighted scope to look in the frames.   If there are any suspect items found, the frame will be drilled with a 1/8" bit to see exactly how thick it is in multiple locations (top, bottom, and sides in front of the a-arms and the body mount area behind the a-arms).  As far as body mounts and bolts, nothing is stated in the rules so replace them if you like but dont add any extra.

Mini Car Derby and Figure 8 Rules

Front wheel drive only

4 or 6 cylinder

105" Wheel Base Max/Longer wheel base cars may be shortened up to 3" according to wheel base chart.

4 point roll cage and left side door bar madatory in figure 8 and optional in mini derby. Use big car rules for placement.

For all other specs refer to big car rules.

List of cars by wheel base.