2011 Demo Derby Construction Rules
Section 1 Car Preparation
(a)
All glass, including windshield, must be removed.
(b) Flammable materials inside the car must be removed. These include the carpet, the rear seat, and interior trim including side and roof liners. Trunks must be free from any debris. As well, the inside of the doors must be clear of all glass and debris.
(c) All light covers/bulbs, side mirrors, hubcaps, grills, side chrome, plastic, door handles and pot metal must be removed.
(d) All trailer hitches, related brackets, reinforcements and hardware will be completely removed.
(e) Stock fuel tanks must be removed.
Section 2 Fuel Systems
(a) A limited capacity (of 6 gal. or less) metal tank or boat tank is required as a replacement gas tank. You must solidly mount it in interior of the car, ahead of the rear axle. The tank must be located at least 12” from the inner door panels. The stock tank must be completely removed. If using a metal boat tank, you must have it placed in a metal frame and securely fastened with metal strapping or chain. NO PLASTIC TANKS!!
(b) Gas lines and fittings must be leak proof. No exceptions. Rubber fuel lines located inside the passenger compartment must run through a second larger hose such as a garden hose to prevent accidental spillage on the driver in case of a leak. A hole must be made in the floor board for fuel runoff.
(c) Electric fuel pumps are optional. If an electric fuel pump is used, you must have an on/off switch that is positioned so that up is on and off is down. The switch must be easily visible and "off" must be clearly marked. The letter "E" must be on your signboard.
(d) Gas tanks may not be bolted to the frame in any fashion. Gas tanks MAY not be used as a kicker to keep the frame from dropping or moving forward or backward.
Subject to Tech Approval
Section 3 Batteries
(a) Batteries must be re-located inside the car. Your battery box must be of metal construction, full enclosed, and securely fastened to the floor. In NO way may it be connected/bolted to the frame. The lid must be securely fastened shut using 5/16" bolts or 2" straps. (I.e. seat belts). NO RATCHET STRAPS OR BUNGEE CORDS OF ANY TYPE.
(b) Two (2) batteries maximum
(c) Switches or wires used for powering off the car must be within reach of the driver while harnessed in. There will be no acceptable excuse for not being able to turn off your car in an emergency situation.
Section 4 Safety Bracing
(a) A front cross brace must be installed above the steering column from window post to window post (in the former position of the dashboard). It must be made of a minimum 2" pipe or square tubing with 1/8" wall thickness and be securely fastened into position. The dash bar in no way may touch or be bolted to the floor or the frame of the vehicle. If a 2 piece pipe is used, it must be securely fastened so that it cannot collapse. (Welded or minimum 3/4" bolt)
(b) A rear cross brace must be installed from door inner skin to door inner skin, as close to the door post(B pillar) as possible, and at least halfway up from the floor. It must be made of a minimum 3" pipe or square tubing, with plates welded on the ends. The end plates may not extend more than 15" past cross bar (towards rear of car). The cross brace must be bolted with minimum of two (2) ¾" bolts per side, extending through the side irons. If the cross brace is collapsible, it must be pinned with a ¾" bolt (minimum) or welded so it can’t rotate. Optional: If floor boards are rusty, you may run MAX 2" Pipe or square tubing over to the inner rocker panel sheet metal. It must be welded, no bolting of this bar! This bar MAY NOT be welded to the frame!!
(c) All cars must have a minimum of 1 upright (vertical) post. Upright must be located directly behind the driver's seat. The upright must be made of a minimum 2" pipe or square tubing with a minimum 4" x 4" plate welded to the top. The upright will extend from the roof to the cross bar, or to the floor and be located as close to the seat as possible. It must be attached with minimum of two 3/8" bolts on each end. Note: If using a two-piece upright, the female end should be above the helmet level, unless the upright is welded or solidly pinned with a ¾" minimum bolt. Optional: May add 2nd upright on passenger side of vehicle. Uprights may in no way be connected to the frame.
(d) Both front doors must be reinforced with a minimum 8" wide, 3/16" thick channel iron. The side iron must not be more than 6’ in length and must begin ahead of the front door seam and be no more than 6" in front of the front door seam. The iron must be bolted with a minimum of three (3) bolts (3/4" min) that extend through the inner panels. Backing plates (washers) must be used and must be a minimum of 6" x 6" x 3/16" thick on both front and rear ends of the door bars. The front bolt must be located no further back than the front fender/front door seam and at least one other bolt must go through the plate connected to the rear cross bar. The ends of the side irons must be cut at a 45-degree angle.
Section 5 Seat and Seat Belts
(a) Approved safety harnesses are mandatory. They must be mounted to stock mounts or have a 2" minimum flat washer where it is mounted through the sheet metal.
(b) Seat can be OEM stock of any make/model car (Honda Prelude/CRX seats not recommended). Put a headrest on upright behind the seat if seat was not equipped with a headrest. (Mandatory)
(c) No fiberglass/plastic racing style seats
Section 6 Building, Welding & Securing
THERE WILL BE NO OTHER WELDING OTHER THAN WHAT IS STATED BELOW. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WELDING, PLEASE CALL THE HEAD TECH OFFICIAL!! IF WELDING IS FOUND ON THE FRAME OR SHEETMETALTHAT IS NOT SPECIFIED BELOW, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CUT OR LEAVE!
(a) Doors: You may fully weld the doors. You may use filler no larger than 2"w X 1/8"t or 3/8" re-bar or equivalent. If bolting the doors shut, you may use up to 4 1/2" bolts per door. If chaining the doors shut, you may use 2 chains, no larger than 3/8” per door.
(b) Trunk lids, tailgates and hoods must be secured shut with bolts, chains or welds as follows:
(c) Hoods can be bolted in a maximum of 6 places other than stock. Bolt size must be a minimum of 5/8" and a maximum of 1". Only 2 bolts, in an area on either side of the radiator can extend through the frame. MAX plate size is 6" x 6". Bolts must not exceed 4" above the vehicle surface. HOODS MUST BE OPEN FOR TECH!! NO EXCEPTIONS
(d) Chains must be a minimum 3/8" & maximum of 1/2" welded type. A bolt no smaller than 3/8" & maximum of 1/2", with washers, must connect the chains.
(e) Trunks may be fastened in a maximum of 6 places using chains, bolts or welds of which only 2 may go to the frame. Welds cannot be more than 6" long or if using flat plates, they must not exceed 6" x 2"x 1/8" in each place. If bolting, plate size cannot exceed 6''x6''. All thread (1" max) may go through frame or be welded to the side of the frame. Cars must have an inspection hole in the trunk.
(f) Bumper swaps are allowed, however you must use factory hardware (brackets/shocks) that either came with the bumper or came with the car you are putting it on. You MAY NOT use both!! Any questions....call tech.
(g) Front and rear bumpers may be welded solid. (I.e.-bumper to bumper, shock to shock, bracket and bracket to frame) No extra metal.
(h)Bumper shock itself may be collapsed and welded. No added material.
(i)You may weld outer skin to inner structure of bumper.
(j) To simplify most of the bumper welding rule, we are allowing you to weld from the front A-Arms forward. You may only weld the top seam. Width of the weld will not exceed 1/2''.
Section 7 Window / Window Screen
(a) A protective screen of ½" wire mesh or smaller may be installed in front of the driver. A car with a sunroof is allowed as long as the opening is securely covered with sheet metal and deemed safe by tech officials.
(b) One "strap"(max 2) 3/16" thick x 2-1/2" wide flat stock down the center of the windshield from top to bottom. Window bar(s) must be bolted with a minimum of 5/16'' and maximum of 1/2" bolts. Window bars CANNOT be welded in place. No sheet metal screw allowed to fasten window bars.
(c) Optional rear window bars may be added no more than 6" extension on roof and in no way contact the deck lid, trunk pins, trunk plates or frame. They may be no bigger than 2-1/2"x 1/2"
inch thick flat stock. Max 2 each parallel with roof. Window bar(s) will be bolted with a minimum 5/16'' and a maximum of 1/2" bolts. Window bars CANNOT be welded in place. No sheet metal screws to fasten window bars.
Section 8 Radiator
(a) No cooling system other than stock is permitted. Radiators and/or fans can be removed. Expansion tanks must remain in engine compartment as close to the stock location as possible. Radiator support or radiator attachment will be no stronger than stock. Tech decision is final
(b) Transmission coolers other than stock, if used must be in an enclosed box inside the vehicle. Transmission coolers and all hoses must be leak proof. No screw type clamps on any transmission hose connections inside the car.
(c)Transmission coolers may NOT be bolted to the frame in any fashion. Transmission coolers are NOT to be used as a kicker to keep the frame from dropping or moving forward or backward!! Subject to Tech Approval
Section 9 Motor Mounts/ Suspension
(a)Motor mounts and transmission mounts may be strengthened with bolts, welds or chains. Motor straps welded to the frame and bolted to the motor are allowed. Straps can be a maximum thickness of 3/8" flat bar and 2'' wide only and are limited to 2 straps each side. Engine straps may go no further than 3'' in front of forward most part of the cylinder head and no further back than 3'' past the rearward most part of the cylinder head. Engine supports may be used as long as they are not reinforcing the frame. Any questions, call a tech official.
(b) Any 5 lug rear end may be used.
(c)Lower/upper control arms maybe shortened or lengthened to achieve pinion angle. You may NOT reinforce the rear end control arms (trailing arms).
(d)Leaf conversions are NOT allowed. Suspension must remain stock.
Maximum of 9 leafs.
Section 10 Distributor Plates
Distributor plates, no more than 10" may be used. If using motor plate, the 2 may NOT be connected.
Section 11 Exhaust
Stacks must be a minimum of 18" from exhaust port.
Section 12 Carbs
You must have either an air cleaner or suitable flame arrestor. Two large holes, at least 6" in diameter, must be put in the hood for fire extinguisher access. Stack holes are acceptable for fire access holes. No alternative starting methods i.e. stating fluid etc....
Section 13 Brakes
Cars must have a minimum of two working hydraulic brakes.
Section 14 Tires/Wheels-Tie-Rods
(a) Any tire may used. Doubled and forklifts are ok. Tires must be filled with air and air only.
(c) Wheel wells may be trimmed. No shackles or reverse spring shackles will be allowed.
(d)Valve stem protection is permitted.
(e) Tie rods may be reinforced. Must have stock tie rod ends. No pipe tie rods.
Section 15 Sign Boards/ Flags
(a) Car numbers will be painted on the signboard. Numbers will be at least 18" high and minimum of 2" thick. Signs need to be in contrasting colors such as black numbers on a white background. If the signboard is unreadable, the car will not be permitted to race until it is corrected.
(b) Letter "E" is to be used on all cars with electric fuel pumps.
Section 16 Repairing Damaged Cars
(a) When repairing damaged cars, you may use for two (2) 4''x4''x1/8'' per frame section. Pieces cannot be any closer than 3". They may not attach to each other in any fashion. Repairs pieces must have an inspection hole drilled in the center of plate.
A frame section is one frame rail in front of or behind an OEM firewall. 2 plates RF frame, 2 plates RR frame, 2 plates LF frame and 2 plates LR frame. That's 8 total plates. You may not add any more than this. 2 PLATES MAX PER FRAME SECTION.
Section 17 Misc Can & Can't Do
(b)You may cut firewall for distributor clearance. You must cover with tin.
(c)You may shorten or lengthen the upper and lower control arms for rear end only. NO REINFORCING!!!
(d)You may clamp leaf springs. 4 clamps per leaf. 2"x1/4" MAX. 2 3/8" bolts per clamp
(e)Body mounts may be removed. If replacing bolts, you may use bolts/all thread no larger than 3/4". MAX 3"x3"x1/4" washer/plate. Washer may not cover body mount hole on exterior of frame. Must be able to see in the frame NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
(f)You may re-bolt hood skins. 15 bolts maximum. 3/8''max bolt size. 1" max washer size.
(g)You may re-bolt wheel wells. You are allowed 5 3/8" bolts with 1" diameter washers per wheel well.
(h) Fire extinguishers are NOT mandatory, although highly recommended. If a fire extinguisher is installed in the vehicle, it must be securely mounted and within drivers reach.
(i) You may chain the humps. You will be allowed 1 wrap of chain. It may go around the rear end 1 time and up through the body and around frame 1 time and be bolted together.
(j) You may add two (2) body mounts. No larger than 3/4" bolts/fasteners. MAX washer size is 3"x3"x1/4". Must be brightly painted for easy viewing.
