tpsrules

PRO SEDAN SERIES RULES AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

PURPOSE:

To promote and advance professional sedan racing on oval and road racing circuits in the Southwest. As an evenly competitive, efficiently organized and managed series with a continuity of rules and schedules and with quality officiating and administration and reasonable cost to benefit Pro Sedan Series members of Texas Pro Sedan.

CAR TYPES:

The Pro Sedan Class is limited to any four cylinder sedan (of the same type) sold in quantities of at least 5,000 units in the United States. Cars are limited to overhead valve or single overhead cam engine and will be constructed for racing in accordance with the technical specifications.

ELIGIBLE CARS:

Any TPS Sedan Class race car conforming to the standard of specifications set forth in the following pages will be eligible to compete in TPS sanction races. TPS Officials may invite non-regulation cars to a sanction race, i.e. compatible SCCA IT and SSC & SSB cars, Corpus Christi & Odessa Mini-Stocks and others. Invited cars will be subject to special regulations designed to assure even competition with TPS specification cars. These special regulations will usually be published or stated to entrant prior to race. Special regulations for invited cars will frequently be evaluated to assure even competition.

NUMBER AND CLASS/SPONSOR/TIDA IDENTIFICATION:

Pro Sedan Class race cars will display competition numbers on the front hood, rear deck, and on both sides of the body. Roof top numbers (facing the grandstand, towards the right side of the car) and rear area (above bumper) at least 4 1/2" are required. Car numbers must read easy, non-reflective and of a single & highly contrasting color to their background. Note: Blue or red on dark car or yellow or silver on white car is not an acceptable contrast. Two digit numbers will be legibly spaced. Three digit numbers, letters or illegible numbers will be disallowed. Number are authorized for a one season period. Numbers 09 thru 02 are not issued due to computer scoring limitations. TPS Logos (the initial logo is provided by the TPS) will be displayed at all TPS sanctioned races, and positioned on rear window' as indicated by TPS Officials. Replacement TPS Official Logos will be $ 3 each.

SPONSOR ADVERTISING:

Sponsorship identification and printing is free if it doesn¹t interfere with race car numbers, is in good taste and doesn’t conflict with TPS Series or host track sponsor contracts. Cars may be required to display TPS Series or individual sponsor decals in order to be eligible to receive prize money or applicable sponsor awards.

MEMBERSHIP:

Each driver is required to be a PRO SEDAN member in the Texas Pro Sedan of the current year. Seasonal driver membership dues are $ 70. Temporary Driver membership Dues are $ 25 (and is offered and allowed at the discretion of the TPS for events specified on the Entry Form and is good for one event and may not accumulate toward a $ 70 membership). Associate 'mailing List" memberships are $20 'for owners, crew, interested persons and may accumulate toward a driver membership. All non-memberships are good for the declared season regardless of fractional use. A Driver/Member (who did not compete in any race during the season) is considered to have been an Associate Member and is entitled to a $ 5O credit toward driver membership renewal. To be a TPS driver/member, the competitor be a driver who demonstrates acceptable race car driving techniques and be at least 16 years old. Parents of drivers age 16-18 will execute a notarized Parental Release for TPS file.

BEHAVIOR/CONDUCT:

TIDA Officials may temporarily or permanently suspend a TPS membership, or invoke penalty and/or fine (prize money or driver points), for cause (i.e. impoper driving technique, misconduct at race, and etc ..). Misconduct and/or misbehavior extends to the drivers crew personnel. The driver is responsible for his crew conduct. TPS Officials will temporarily or permanently revoke a TPS membership due to crew misconduct which is detrimental to the welfare of the TPS it¹s members, Officials or host tracks. Drivers are responsible to communicate this crew behavior/conduct rule to all persons on their crew.

RACE PROCEDURES MANUAL:

Is issued to all Drivers for prior study and compliance before, during and after TPS race competition. Members and crews are urged to become very familiar with these event governing. "Race ground rules."

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATI0NS (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

1. BODY:

A. The stock frame, sub-frame or body pan main frame will be utilized between axle center lines. A fabricated frame between the axle centerlines) may be optionally utilized. Fabricated frame is defined as "any frame deviation from stock which replaces frame structure." Fabricated frame equipped cars are limited to 54% side to side weight offset. Stock frame equipped cars will be to 58% weight offset on oval tracks and 55% side to side weight offset on road courses. Note: TPS Officials will continue to monitor the equity of all side to side percentage rules and adjust (plus or minus) as performance justifies.

B. Body and all body components will present a neat, complete and professional OEM appearance and will retain the original stock contours and shape as seen from any angle. "Bubbles" for carb or door bar clearance is allowed if appearance is reasonable and does not distort OEM appearance. Similar components may be interchanged as long as the same basic body is used. "Outrigger" jack points and exhaust tube ends protruding beyond the body line sides are not allowed. The Inspector(s) will have sole approval of the finished car's appearance.

C. Fenders may be widened or flared up to three (3) inches. Flares will be permanently affixed and maybe (all or part) metal or fiberglass. Tires and/or wheels may not protrude outside bodyline. Total fenders, hood, rear deck and doors may be metal or fiberglass. Front and rear inner fender panels may be removed. Grill material may be substituted. OEM grill appearance 'must be reasonably maintained. All body panels will be firmly secured. Holes or vent devices are not allowed in coach work. Running boards are optional if original (i.e., VW).

D. Front and rear bumpers and brackets are optional. If visible, must mount near OEM position, retain OEM or smaller characteristic (homemade not allowed), use no over-ride bar, present no hazard to others.

E. OEM windshield and rear glass is required and must maintain OEM appearance and angle. Lexan may be substituted. Use of quarter-window glass is optional. If used, it must be OEM or Lexan. Door windows will remain open at all races. [NOTE: Side door window vents ARE allowed as long as they: * Use OEM safety glass or Lexan, * Do not present a sharp edge hazardous to driver, * maintain an escape opening of 17" x 24" or OEM size.] Front or rear OEM glass will be secured with metal tabs (front), metal tabs or straps (rear) at least three inches (3") long, one-half inch (0.5") wide, one-eighth inch (0.125") thick and firmly secured to body. Front and rear Lexan will be secured with multiple rivets or bolts. Inside windshield bracing is recommended. Side "snorkel" vents may be installed in the triangle and rear quarter window area and should be transparent.

F. The latches for doors, hoods and decks may be changed as long as the new system is at least as secure as the original. Hatchback type cars will add a rubber strap or hood pins to reduce chance of accidental opening. Welding, bolting or riveting permissible.

G. Air dams, intakes, covers, or front spoilers will not exceed the most forward point of the cars vertical body plane. Rear spoilers are not allowed unless OEM on make and model car submitted for approval.

H. Fuel cell is mandatory & must be used. Fuel cell protection bars are recommended. Fuel cell will be located within body centered near the original gas tank location will be firmly secured and subject to safety approval by the Inspector. A positive locking fuel filler cap must be used & breather vents shall be designed so fuel will not escape if car is upside dawn. If cap is located directly on the fuel cell, a check valve Isn't required. If it is not located directly on the fuel tank, a check valve must be installed to prevent fuel from escaping if the cap or filler neck is torn off. Fuel cell breather must vent outside the car. Cars will not leak fuel.

2- INTERIOR:

A. The lightening of floors, doors, underside or interior panels of body and removal of window mechanisms and upholstery is allowed

B. The original seats may be removed and the drivers seat replaced with one more suitable. A securely fastened standard or competition seat is required. Incorporation into the roll cage is considered the best seat securing system. A padded headrest, on seat or roll cage, is mandatory.

C. Air ducts are allowed inside the car so long as they do not interfere with drivers vision. Vent holes in windshield, side, hood, fenders, top or rear deck are not allowed (See Glass-Lexan rule, para i.e. for vent allowances)

D. Firewalls will isolate the driver from the engine and fuel tank or cell. Firewall holes for tubes, cables, etc. will be sealed. Firewalls and floors may be replaced but Trust be metal. Engine firewalls will be metal.

E. Seat belts will be competition type with five (5) attachment points, two (2) on the waist, two (2) for upper torso, and a crotch harness is required. The locking mechanism will be metal-to-metal quick release lap belt will be three inches (3") wide, shoulder straps and crotch harness two inches (2") wide (at least) and firmly attached to the car.

F. A fire extinguisher (utility or central) shall be easily reached by the driver and firmly secured. It shall be easily used, have a minimum capacity of two pounds (2 lbs.) and have a gauge to allow reading of charge.

G. A safety net, attached to the roll cage or window frame, is mandatory. The window net will have a quick release mechanism. Instrumentation is free. Instrument panel shall have no sharp edges.

H. Roll Cage. The main roll bar hoop must extend the full width of the driver/passenger compartment and must be a minimum of two inches (2") above the drivers helmet when seated normally (as near the roof as possible) and shall not be more than six inches (6") behind the driver. A similar hoop must be installed in front to support the pillars with horizontal bars connecting the front and main roll bar hoops at each side of the top. The front and rear hoops shall be united in such a way to protect the driver upon lateral impact. Three (3) drivers side door protective bars with two (2) upright connecting bars will be used. (Driver & passenger door bars should be positioned as close to door as practical.) Two (2) passenger side door protective bars with an upright connecting bar will be used. Rear hoop systems must have at least two (2) fore/aft braces. The material used around the driver will be steel with a minimum one and one quarter inch (1.25") outside diameter by ninety thousands (O.090) wall thickness Bending of roll bar tubing shall not collapse the tubing wall. Driver door and overhead steel protective plates, welded outside of bars are recommended. The Inspector has the option to allow variations, which he considers safe, or roll bar systems approved by other racing organizations. Please see drawing of example roll cage presented herein.

Note: Construction quality of this example may be exceeded. Example is to demonstrate minimum levels of roll bar quality & craftsmanship. This design example must be followed (in principal) during construction installation to be TPS approved for Pro Sedan Series races.

2-Engine:

A. Displacement multiplied by graduated weight formula equals minimum weight required

Pinto/Capri X 0.92 lbs per cc (see ~1 below)

under- 1399 cc X 0.95 lbs per cc

1651- 1700 cc X 1.01 lbs per cc

1400 -1449 cc X 0.96 lbs per cc

1701- 1750 cc X 1.02 lbs per cc

1450 -1499 cc X 0.98 lbs per cc

1751- 1800 cc X 1.03 lbs per cc

1500 -1549 cc X 0.99 lbs per cc

1550 -1650 cc X 1.00 lbs per cc

1801- 2150 cc X 1.04 lbs per cc

2151- 2338 cc X 1.05 lbs per cc

B. Weight rules and weight break reductions/additions:

1.Pinto/Capri & Dodge Charger, Omni, Daytona will be entitled to a weight formula of 0.89 lbs per cc as stated above providing engine components are limited to and must retain exact OEM design characteristics, ie: stock valve size ie: (Ford 1.736 & Dodge 1.575 intake & Ford 1.500 & Dodge 1.335 exhaust) flat top pistons, stock rocker arms and stock stroke crankshaft. Note: Similar cars to above type may be added. (Inspection to validate this weight reduction ~ be by: removal of head for physical measurement of valves, pistons, bore and stroke, visual piston inspection through spark plug hole or P&G test at the inspector's discretion.)

2. Air cooled cars may deduct 14% from the formulas as shown in 3-A above.

3. Cars equipped with an open differential drive line are allowed 5% of displacement weight reduction, ie: l6OOcc - 80 lbs…. 2OOOcc - 100 lbs , 2338cc - 117 lbs. etc. Inspection method is 1off floor at 3,000 rpm to prove open differential.

4.Front wheel drive cars will add the following percentage of displacement to the graduated weight formula shown in para 3-A ie:

0000-1599cc add 8%

1600 - 163Occ add 9%

1631 - l80Occ add 10%

1801 - 1900cc add 9%

1901 - 199~c add 8%

2000 - 2099cc add 7%

2100 -233&c add 6%

Note: FWD weight addition car performances will be closely moinitored to assure competitive equity

5. Maximum percentage weight offset rules summary: OEM (stock) type frame Oval 58% Road Race 55%. Fabricated (tube) Oval 54% Road Race 54%

6.Weight Transfer devices are allowed but may not be adjustable by driver in car or by remote control or when car is underway. Loose or easily moved ballast weight is not allowed.

7. All cars will be weighed wet without driver. Top-off gallons or equivalent lbs. will be specified before race

C. Maximum displacement for engines is 2338 cc. Engines may be modified as covered in following paragraphs.

D. Engines must be in the same family as make and model of car. Heads are limited to two (2) valves per cylinder except OEM 3 valve CVOC type configurations, ie: Honda, etc. Earlier or later model engines may be used, provided they retain the original design concept (i.e. Ford Fiesta allowed in Pinto or Cortina, Honda 1510ec or l6OOcc allowed in a Honda Civic to replace 1237cc). NOTE: Before purchase of replacement engine, members are required to obtain approval from officials. All engines mast be in OEM location.

E. The following engine components are free: crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, sleeves, pins, rings, retainers, rocker arm, cam followers, pushrods, valves and valve size, valve springs, flywheel. Camshaft is free but mast be in original location. After-market heads are allowed but only if they bolt to OEM intake & exhaust manifold location. (Note: Limitations listed above in Paragraph B-1 for Pintos and Capris will supercede free piston, valve and crankshaft rules listed in this paragraph to be eligible for 0.92 lbs./cc)

F. Exhaust system is free, and must exit behind the driver (if on the left side) or well away from the driver (if on the right side), be firmly secured and preferably floating to avoid fracture. Exhaust tube(s) may not exit through body work, but body work may be notched for exhaust clearance. VW Sedans using stingers protruding beyond the body line will safety stinger tube with cable or chain to prevent loss of stinger on track. Air cooled VW's may use a 'Tee Pee" type exhaust system. A minimum size hole in the engine lid is authorized.

G. Intake manifold(s) are FREE but must be in OEM location, must bolt to OEM head pattern, must be inside OEM bodyline (with minor non-air intake bubbles allowed for air filter clearance of hood.)

F. CARBURETOR. ALL CARS WILL use ONE Holley/Weber Series 5200 carburetor (32 primary X 36mm secondary). Air-cooled VW's may optionally use ONE Weber 44 IDF 2 bbl carburetor. Over 2,000cc front engine, rear wheel drive cars is: Ford Pinto, Capri, Mustang & Thunderbird may optionally use ONE Holley 2 bbl 5OOcfm # 4412 (Note: GM’s similar to above cars may be allowed to use the # 4412 if authorized by TPS. The # 4412 allowance is subject to adjustment as season performance is evaluated by TPS. The Holley/Weber 5200 or Weber 44 IDF or HoIley # 4412 May be optionally Modified ONLY as listed below:

* - Change jets

* - Modify or eliminate choke mechanism

* - Change or eliminate air cleaner (velocity stack optional)

* - Improve progressive linkage function

* - Machine thread side of throttle plate screws (only)

*- The secondary accelerator pump discharge nozzle may be made (optionally) functional.

*- Remove extra parts (ie: solenoid & brackets non-applicable to carburetor performance function). Required Modification: All carburetor inlet lines will use screw-in type fittings (pressed inlets not allowed). If either the Holley/Weber 5200 or Weber 44 IDF on air cooled cars is Not available, members may temporarily apply to TPS officials for permission to use an OEM carburetor provided it doesn¹t exceed 32mm primary and 36mm secondary and limited to the above-specified restricted modifications/changes.

G. The number and location of oil coolers is free. Oil coolers may Not be located in the drivers compartment unless separated from the driver by shields. The radiator (for water-cooled cars) must be in a conventional location with size free.

H. The lubrication system is free. Dry sump systems are optional.

I. A breather system from the engine is mandatory, and shall be directed toward a storage tank of at least one quart capacity. A radiator overflow catch tank of at least one-quart size will be used. All catch tanks will be attached securely and located outside the driver’s compartment, or separated by metal shields from the driver. Catch tanks for the transmission and differential are recommended.

J. Water, fuel or oil lines, tubing or oil filters located in the driver's compartment must be isolated from the driver by containment under covers, tubes or ducts that shield from pressure passage of liquids into the driver's compartment. Aeroquip type lines/hoses shall be considered adequate shielding.