New Series Started In the Carolina's. What Do Yall Think About These Rules?

[Phillip Michael Knight]

The Lightning Late Models is a new Series started in the Carolina's to help drivers afford Late Model racing again. So far the Car Counts have been around 14-18 at the tracks they have ran at. Below are the rules for the Lightning Late Models, what does everybody think about them?


LIGHTNING Late Model Rules
BODY:
Weight -
With 602 motor: 2250 lbs.
With 604 heads: 2400 lbs
Built motor with flat tappet cam: 2400 lbs
Built motor with roller cam: 2500 lbs
After race with driver.
2. All dimensions-see diagram .
CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION:
1. Engine setback- 6" maximum, measured #1 spark plug to top center ball joint.
2. Rear of car may be open.
3. 76" maximum width on body. 1" tolerance.
4. 101" minimum wheel base.
5. 8" rear spoiler, 45" max. height from ground NO TOLERANCE.
6. No part of body may extend beyond the plane established by the 76" width.
7. Rear bumper may not extend over ½ width of rear tire on each side. Ends must be capped and should be
angled so as to not be a puncture danger in the event of a wreck. May be curved inside rear quarter panels
at 90 degree angle.
8. Front push bars allowed, may not exceed width of front chassis rail.
9. Suspension- OPEN- ANY TYPE, see shock rules. No stacker springs allowed.
10. Front and rear wrecker pick ups are MANDATORY
11. No part of frame may be aluminum or titanium.
12. J bars only allowed
13. No hydraulic or remotely adjustable 4 link bars allowed
14. Chassis to be tube type only. No factory “clips.”
SHOCKS:
Pro Shock WB74 or WB75 on front
Pro Shock WB94 or WB95 on rear
Pro Shock WB74 only for 5th
Shock claim rule is $100 per shock
No bump stops permitted
Only one shock per wheel and no phony shocks
Shocks will have factory applied tracking numbers applied
ENGINE #1
1. Cubic inch- 365 cubic inch max. NO TOLERANCE.
2. Block- ANY CAST IRON.
3. Crankshaft– 48 lbs. minimum
4. Rods- Any Steel
5. Pistons– Any Flat top only
6. Camshaft- Any add 100 lbs. for roller type over flat tappet cam
7. Heads– Cast iron (230 runner maximun) or Chevy 604 aluminum heads. Port and Polish OK.
8. Valves-stainless steel only, no titanium
9. Lube Systems– wet sump only
10. Intake- ANY
11. Exhaust System- ANY
12. Engine protest will be accepted on block, crank, cams, pistons, cubic inch, carb, and valves.
ENGINE #2:
GM 602 Crate Motor stock per GM manual.
FUEL SYSTEM:
1. Fuel- gasoline ONLY. No performance additives allowed.
2. Carburetor– Box stock Holley 4777C. Choke flap may be removed. No 4 corner idle. Will be
checked regularly and have a $500 claim rule. Jet changes allowed.
3. Fuel Pump- any mechanical, NO ELECTRIC.
4. Fuel cells MANDATORY (mounted in metal cans)
IGNITION SYSTEM:
Any type may be used. No traction control allowed.
DRIVE LINE:
1. Clutch assembly- ANY
2. Flywheel- ANY must have scatter shield
3. Transmission- ANY, must have working reverse.
4. Drive shaft- ANY must have hangers
5. Rear End- ANY
6. Must have operational 4 wheel braking system. Proportioning and RF brake shut off valve permitted.
TIRES and wheels:
Hoosier Spec 1350, 1600, RR option: Hoosier Spec 1350,
Grooving and siping are not allowed. Tires must match the benchmark sample at the independent
laboratory. No tire enhancers allowed. Steel or aluminum wheels only. No carbon fiber or titanium.
SAFETY MANDATORY :
1. Roll cage- MANDATORY-Must have minimum of three (3) bars in drivers door. No aluminum or titanium
cages permitted.
2. Window net- MANDATORY
3. Fuel cell- MANDATORY (mounted in metal can)
4. Seat belts-Five (5) point system- MANDATORY
5. Wind shield screen- MANDATORY
6. Fire extinguisher- with gauge, mounted in a quick release harness in reach of driver-MANDATORY
7. Battery-Must be mounted outside of drivers compartment or in enclosed bolted down metal box.
8. Fuel lines-must be under car or in tubing.

[bite me too]

boy I bet Stan Lester never thought he'd start such a trend...and then get sh*t on in his backyard over and over again.

[weatherman85]

Does the series have a website? I know East Lincoln Speedway in NC has this division run every other week.

[Phillip Michael Knight]

Does the series have a website? I know East Lincoln Speedway in NC has this division run every other week.

I don't think they have a website but the promoter for Lightning Late Models is always on www.Dirtracefans.com

[MRM]

Isn't this more for a limited or steel head late model than a super late model?

[Phillip Michael Knight]

Isn't this more for a limited or steel head late model than a super late model?

yes that is correct

[GRT24]

That's pretty much the sportsman class around north ga and super bomber at dixie speedway. Not being allowed to groove or sipe is kinda crazy though to me.

[a25rjr]

Really! A coilover kit on a late model. There's plenty of coilover shocks available for under $200!

If you cant afford that, you probly shouldn't be in a late model.

[MRM]

yes that is correct

The way things are going now, we need something like that here in East Tennessee.

[Phillip Michael Knight]

The way things are going now, we need something like that here in East Tennessee.

There is a lot of drivers with Crate Late Models and Limited's going to this series in the Carolina's. They say it is cheaper this way racing a Late Model.

[weatherman85]

I'm for anything that'll help keep the sport alive and possible grow. If this series helps with that than I'm good with it.

[partguy]

602 would need much more than that to compete.

[Krooser]

Darn... I wanted to build a $200,000 titanium chassis.

Battery must be outside the drivers compartment but it's OK for the fire extinguisher to come lose in a roll over and knock you in the head... seen it before.

Not a fan of the shock rule unless the drivers get some cash outta it. Would have been better just to specify non-rebuildable twin tube shocks only.

Other than that it's not a bad set of rules.

[GRT24]

602 would need much more than that to compete.

I will disagree with you on that. I have seen 602 running similar classes around dixie and north ga. A 602 wins almost every week at north ga in sportsman class. His lap times are faster than most steel heads. Jeff Smith stripped the crate class the first night he went to dixie in Spencer Singletons car with a 602. The 602 Motor doesn't have a lot of horse but it is very torquey little motor. My cousin took his 604 out and got a 602 to run sportman at nga and super bomber at dixie and loves it. He runs well with it at big tracks like Rome too.

[Aces&Eights]

No thanks, not a fan of shock rules that specify my valving. Not interested. The Fuel series tried that with the shock rules and backed off after push-back from racers. KEEP ALL YOUR 602's, what a crap motor.