New Sport Mod Rules

[mindenmark]

Are 10-inch wheels allowed for your new Sport Mod Class?

Thanks - Mark

[honkytonkman]

I'm not speaking for the board of directors on this, but I was involved in suggesting some of the new rules. The intent of the rules is to allow Sport Mods or B Mods using Lovelock Speedway B Mod Rules to race in the Rattlesnake Raceway Rat Mod class. The new Rat Mod rules are designed to allow current (or future) Rat Mods to upgrade to some of the B Mod Rules.
If you have a Rat Mod that raced last under Rattlesnake rules (and it is legal under those rules) you can race it this year with 10" wheels. That's my understanding.
The question will be: Is a particular car a Rat Mod or a B Mod? Some of the rules are different for the different types of cars.

It will be an interesting year.

[mindenmark]

Thanks for the input Duncan! I'm putting the drive-train from the #9 Rat Mod into 2001 Hot Modified roller where the wheels are all 5*5*8. My Rat Mod wheels were 5.5 back and 4.75 front so I need to but at least a copy of 5*5's for spares. I also have a half dozen Towel City Tires and as you know they fit alot better onto a 10" wheel so thinking about going that route if it's legal? Another issue that could come up is engine size. Knock on wood I'm hoping my 305 Chevy will last the season but if it doesn't can I replace it with a 327?

If I do not hear anything on the forum in the next couple of weeks I'll make some calls and share what I learn.

Mark

[kettenracing]

I don't understand Duncans reply because one set of rules should apply to our whole rat mod class Loveock sportmods have nothing to do with it any more the rules were dictated to this class as he saw fit and 10 in rim ar okay in this class 327's are not 323 cu in limit any tire thats not a dirt boss is also okay as log as it is on a 10 in bead lock why sport mod or rat mod I saw the rules written to allow all to compete so lets race glad to see more cars out there ...14K Lee

[honkytonkman]

Since I wrote my first post on this I have had some more considerations! Personally, the way the rules for Fallon Rat Mods are written I think the one sure way to tell which is a Sport, or B Mod and which is a Rat Mod is simply the body work. Just my opinion.

A Rat Mod is an open wheel car with all body panels INSIDE the wheels and tires.

A Sport or B mod has the rear quarter panels OVER the wheels and tires.

A Sport Mod must adhere to Lovelock Speedway B Mod Rules, therefore B Mods can only run 8" wheels with any tire that will fit the rim.

Rat Mods can run 10" wheels with Towel Cities, Goodyear Eagles or Hoosiers except for the Dirt Boss. So say the rules.

That's my interpretation and opinion of the rules. But, I am not the Board or the technical director, so I could be wrong.

Also, the engine size is like Lee says: 323 cu. in. maximum for both kinds of cars.

Sorry if there was confusion over what I wrote earlier. My only reason for asking for new rules was to preserve and grow the class by making more cars eligible to race in the class and to make the cars as equal as possible. As of today, with Mark's car, I know of two other B mods being prepared and there may be more.

By the way, anyone with a Rat Mod, I have two banana type wings. They need to have the end plates replaced and I have a pattern for that; it's easy to do. I'll take $50 each or $80 for both, or make an offer. I also have three 10" Towel City tires left.
775-771-9260

[mindenmark]

On October 15th President Chris posted that the rat class was being bumped up to 330 c.i. (see below) but apparently that was changed back to the 323 c.i. limit sometmie after that?

the rats, are being bumped up to 330 ci and the track is going back to NOTraceing to the yellow. thanks chris

Read more: rattlsnakeraceway.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=984&page=2#3514#ixzz1lvnbIygD

[lumpy4080]

mark, when the board voted on the combining of the class they agreed that the track would stay with the 323 rule chris


the main reason is so that they can run at either track

[mindenmark]

Thanks for the reply Chris! The 323 cu rule is fine with me because as my competitors might tell you my 305 cu goes as fast as I need

I'm still unsure about my original question as to whether I can put 10" wheels on the sport mod I'm putting together? Are sport mods under Lovelock rules when racing at Rattlesnake and to follow up on Duncan's point what officially differentiates a sport mod from a rat mod?

Thanks Again! - Mark

[kettenracing]

duncan i want those 3 tires how much ill take them i sould be over that why next couple weeks Lee

[honkytonkman]

Lee, I'm sorry but those three tires sold in about 30 minutes of my posting. I'll look today and see if I have any more I can let you have.

Also, the wings have been sold, too.

As to Mark's question about the wheels, I am firmly standing on the rule's intent that Lovelock Sport Mods must run 8" wheels at both tracks. A Sport mod is an IMCA legal car modified to special sport mod rules, but the rear quarter panels must cover the rear wheels. The Fallon Rat Mod rules say the body must be inside the wheels and 10" wheels are legal.

Also, the 323" rule makes sense and I'm sorry I ever brought up the 327" idea.

[honkytonkman]

Lee Ketten:

I have three tires I can let you have. Might be Wednesday or any time after. $30 each.

[kettenracing]

thanks duncan ill use most anyting if your not in a hurry ill get them playday or call me and well set up a date that works for us both thank lee

[Brandy Christiansen]

Not meaning to butt in, but I'm hoping this will help with the discussion. I have posted a link for the Lovelock Speedway B Mod rules. The rear tires/wheels are not covered by rear quarter panels. Here are two rules that specifically address the tire issue.


Last line of Rule #5 Body - Tires must be widest part of car.


First line of Rule #14 Tires/Wheels - Any tire allowed that will fit on an 8”wheel.


www.lovelockspeedway.com/sport_mod_rules.html

Hope this helps. Have a great day.

Brandy Christiansen
Secretary Nile Valley Race Club / Lovelock Speedway

[honkytonkman]

Thank you Brandy for your input here.

There seems to be so much confusion over the new Rattlesnake rules that I really don't care now. I'm putting a car together the best way I can to what I think the rules are.

I can't really believe a car will be disqualified if one or both rear tires are a half inch or so inside the "rear fender". After a race the rear quarters are often so bent up no one can tell where they belong, anyway.

If someone wants to build a an older IMCA chassis and body to the Fallon Rat Mod rules, so be it. The new rules were really aimed at the older Rat Mods in order to allow upgrading them to some of the B Mod rules: engine, transmission, rear suspension (although Rat Mod rules go beyond B Mod suspension rules), weight, etc.

Just be aware that a Sport Mod with 10" wheels will not be legal at Lovelock.

The whole idea was the get more cars at both tracks.

[honkytonkman]

I promise this is my last word on this issue.

After reading the rules for Rat Mods/Sport Mods at Fallon and B mods at Lovelock, I find few differences. The Fallon rules do not mention the body work inside the tires anymore and, as pointed out above, the Lovelock rules say the tires must be the widest part of the car. The biggest discrepancy I found is that coilover shocks are allowed at Fallon and not at Lovelock. I don't really understand why they are not at Fallon, but I suspect that it is a money issue. Trust me, the tires do not know the difference between a coilover and a coil and separate shock, there is no performance advantage, except maybe a small weight difference. So, if a guy(gal) buys a roller chassis that already has coilovers, why make them change to non-coilovers? It's just an unnecessary expense.
That's it from me on this subject.