Modstox Competition Racing Rules
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Please contact; Gary picken or Craig Mack via E-mail.
Modstox Competition Racing Rules
(REV. F)
A Modstox is a low cost single seat open wheel race car powered by a four cylinder Reliant engine fitted into a box section ladder type chassis with front and rear bumpers for contact racing. The minimum age is 14, however under 18’s will be required to satisfy the Club that they are competent (e.g. ex Ministox drivers or attended practice sessions at Hednesford, Buxton etc), have parental approval to compete and be subject to age constraint limits set by individual track promoters. The regulations below define what is permissible both in terms of construction and racing rules. Unless it states that you can do it within the rules drivers should presume any variation from the rules below is not permissible. The Modstox Committee accept no legal or financial liability/responsibility arising to any individuals driver or car where any variations outside the rules below nor any racing incident. The Modstox Racing Club is a member of Oval Racing Council International (ORCI).
i. The chassis is to be a welded steel construction (steel only, no non-ferrous materials such as aluminium or such alloys). The chassis is deemed to include main rails, roll cage, bumpers, side iron/nurf rails and under carriage frame work. Panels, bonnet, sump plate and firewalls are not included, but must be metallic and are usually made from aluminium.
ii. The main chassis rails are to be constructed from a minimum of 40mm x 40mm box section and a maximum of 60mm x 60mm, with a minimum wall thickness of 3mm. Cars raced prior to 2008 are allowed to use 40mm x 40mm box section with a minimum wall thickness of 2mm. All cars must have a 6mm holes drilled in the chassis to ascertain the material thickness during scrutineering.
iii. The chassis rails must be built symmetrically about the centre line of the car (e.g. – two main chassis rails must be a mirror image of each other).
iv. The engine, gearbox, rear axle and seat may be offset a maximum of 51mm (2”) either side of the centre line of the chassis.
v. Ballast is allowed but must be securely fixed to the car and in plain view, this means no solid rails, liquids, sand, lead or similar.
i. The chassis shall have an integral roll cage fully welded to the chassis consisting of two main hoops running from front to rear and two intermediate/side hoops all made from a minimum diameter of 30mm with a minimum wall thickness of 3mm (2.5mm wall tube allowed but with a minimum diameter of 38mm) producing the basis for a 6 leg roll cage, no box section allowed in the construction of the main hoops. All cars must have a 6mm holes drilled in the main hoops to ascertain the material thickness during scrutineering. (rivet or
ii. The side bar/door bars shall be placed at approximately elbow height running from the front hoop to the rear hoop and integrate the central hoops, it shall be fully welded to all 6 legs and positioned a minimum of 300mm above the chassis rail (or imaginary line drawn between the front and rear bumper), this shall be made from a minimum diameter of 25mm with a minimum wall thickness of 2.5mm (cars constructed with equivalent box section and raced before 31/12/2007 can continue to race). Two vertical stays each side must connect each side bar/door bars to the chassis and be constructed with a minimum of 25mm tube or 25mm x 25mm box section and be equally spaced between the front and side/intermediate hoops. (See drawing right for minimum structural requirements).
iii. The minimum width of the rear of the roll cage at shoulder height should be 635mm (25”).
iv. The roof plate must measure as a minimum 610mm (24” long) long x 508mm (20”) wide x a minimum of 3mm thick and welded on all sides to the roll cage (the roof plate may not be lightened in any way). (2mm roof plates on cars raced prior to 2008 can still race).
v. The remainder of the roll cage to be constructed with a minimum of diameter 25mm with a minimum wall thickness of 2.5mm or 25mm x 25mm box section with a minimum wall thickness of 2.5mm.
i. Bumpers are to be a minimum of 75mm (3”) and a maximum of 100mm (4”) deep. The front bumper must be a minimum of 1320mm (52”) wide and a maximum of 1448mm (57”) wide. The rear bumper must be as wide as the outside of the rear wheels/tyres.
ii.
Bumper
height of front & rear bumpers must be 400mm from ground,
650mm
(2”) in racing trim. The 400mm measurement is to be measured at the intersection
of the midpoint of the bumper both vertically and horizontally (Generally at the
centreline of the car when viewed from the rear or the front). Bolt on bumpers
may be used. An over rider/cable bar (cowcatcher) must be fitted above the
front bumper at the fence side with a minimum height of 250mm (10”) high and a
maximum of 406mm (16”) high (See indicative drawing right). In addition Front
right (below the main over rider) and left rear bumper corners must have under
rider bars minimum 100mm (4”) high by minimum 150mm (6”) wide, construction to
be minimum of 25mm diameter tube or 25mm x 25mm box section (See indicative
drawing above).
iii. Nurf rails are required on both sides of the car and must be as wide as the rear wheel/tyres and main outer bar must be constructed from a minimum of 25mm diameter tube or 25mm x 25mm box section. Wheel guards/spring guards must be used on both sides at the rear only and be present during Scrutineering and at the start of each race unless damage has occurred. Wheel guards must be securely fitted and bolted to the car with a minimum of M10 high tensile bolts.
The roll cage and bonnet shall only be covered with metal panels; non metallic panels are not allowed. All panels including the bonnet must be securely fastened before going onto track at anytime. It is recommended that the rear panel of the roll cage be 2mm steel plate and welded on all sides.
The rear of the seat must be protected with single bar minimum diameter of 38mm x 2.5mm (or 40mm x 40mm box section) or 2 bars diameter 25mm x 2mm (or 25mm x 25mm box section) from the rear roof bar to the cross member connected to either side of the roll cage level with the top of the doors, with the cross member constructed with a minimum diameter of 25mm x 2 mm tube or 25mm x 25mm box section x 2mm wall. (See drawing within roll cage section).
i. The wheel base shall be between 1778mm (70”) and 2032mm (80”) measured with the front wheel parallel to the rears, taking the centre of each wheel.
ii. Only leaf springs are allowed for the springing media anywhere on the car, no coil springs, coil-overs, torsion bars or gas type suspension are allowed. Any leaf spring is acceptable as long as used in accordance with rules below.
iii. Shock absorbers must be as used on standard road going cars, special competition type shock absorbers are not allowed, this includes, any adjustable shock absorbers and modified shock absorbers, although repairs can be made with regards to mountings in the event of damage.
iv. Antiroll bars can be used but taken from a road going mass production vehicle, such as the ones that come with the Reliant rear axle. Mounting and connection is free, although rose joints cannot be used in the mounting or connection.
i. The track width of the front suspension must not exceed 1321mm (52”) including spacers and braking systems. This is to the face at which the wheel is bolted too.
ii. Transverse spring suspension (as used on Fiat 126), fabricated beam axles with trailing arms, independent front suspension options are allowed.
iii.
Front hubs and lower
wishbones are free as long as they originate from a budget mass production road
car and subject to the approval of the Modstox officials (No ford), the hubs and
wishbones may be modified, i.e. lightened, brackets added or removed etc. Hubs
and wishbones must be made of ferrous materials. Typical examples are Nissan
Micra, Vauxhall Corsa, and Fiat Punto etc. Top wishbones are free and may be
fabricated, but must be made of ferrous materials. Rose joints are allowed, but
not anywhere in the mounting of lower wishbones of independent suspension and
only one to mount the top wishbone 
to
the hub but not to the chassis (e.g. one rose joint per upper wishbone, if in
doubt ask) (See indicative drawing right).
iv. Steering arms may be cut and modified to alter steering speed but must be securely fitted. Leaf springs may be cut, mounted or used in any way on the front suspension, but must be the only springing media.
v. Panard rods can be used on beam axles.
i. Cars can only be rear wheel drive and must be driven by a solid type axle. Only the following axles can be used. Reliant Robin, Rialto or Regal and Morris minor axle and hubs. Axle tubes/half shafts may not be shortened or lengthened, although external axle bracing is allowed to strengthen the axle. Half shafts must be as supplied in the road car/manufacturer, no after market/up rated half shafts allowed.
ii. Reliant differential ratios are free including the use of the Reliant fox differential. Morris minor differential ratios can only be either the 4.22:1 or 4.54:1 ration as found in the Morris minor. Differential may be locked but no limited slip units.
iii.
The
axle must be mounted on two half elliptical springs as per original
configuration with axle either on top or below springs. The original solid
fixed end of the spring must remain on the front of car/spring (See indicative
right).
iv. Additional Torque devices, training arms and panard rods are allowed but no rose joints can be used to mount them or in their construction.
Steering design is free and rose joints may be used in the construction and mounting of the steering. This includes the connection of the steering arms to the hubs. Steering shall be via the front wheels only, but setting the rear axle at an angle is allowed as long as it does not contravene any other rules.
Brake type/designs are free, disk or drum brakes are allowed subject to the following. Calliper type and materials are free but the use of competition callipers, disks etc are strictly not allowed. Disks must be of a ferrous material and cannot be cross drilled. Only one master cylinder is allowed per car, no adjustable braking devices allowed including brake biasing, no electrical/electronic braking/traction aids allowed, brakes may only be located at each wheel (i.e. – no prop/differential brakes). There must be three brakes as a minimum on each car and operational when racing. Hubs may be modified to suit either drum or disk brakes.
Wheel material is free with a maximum wheel width between beads of 8” max. The maximum tyre price is £20.00 each. Once a tyre has been used at a meeting any driver active at that meeting may buy any tyre for the price of £20.00. This action must be taken with an official in attendance and must be written down at the time as proof of action taken. The present owner of the tyre may use it until the end of the meeting, if the tyre is damaged during this time the sale may be withdrawn. Any driver not agreeing with this sale will not race again until the sale takes place. Cars racing on loose surfaces may use any type of tyre (price rule stands). Loose surface is classed as shale only. Cars racing on hard surfaces i.e. tarmac/concrete may use up to two competition type tyres only e.g. compound tyres, slicks, intermediates, wets, Yokohamas, advan, Colway spots, Colway rally, Colway plus, Colway intermediate, Monarchsport sports etc. The other 2 tyres must remain standard road or remould type tyres (Price rule stands). Wheel spacers may only be used if they are securely fixed to the car and cannot fall off in the even if a wheel is lost. All wheels to have a minimum of 4 wheel studs. Broken wheel studs i.e. 3 is a scrutineering fail (safety grounds). It is recommended that wheel studs such as on the Reliant axles are upgraded to stronger/larger diameter.
i. The engine must be a Reliant 4 cylinder 850cc 40 HP engines and must remain standard production Reliant engine unless otherwise stated. Internal dimensions of engine must remain standard except for normal rebuild tolerances i.e. max +20 thou pistons, rings and shells.
ii. Non-standard i.e. re-profiled or competition camshafts may be used, “Piper” competition valve springs may be used. Head and block may be skimmed but not the pistons. No porting or polishing internally. Inlet manifold must not be ported or polished. Original cast iron exhaust manifold must be used – this MAY be port matched, but the head must remain standard in the ports. No crank or flywheel lightening. Items not mentioned must not be machined in any way, although balancing is allowed.
iii. Carburettor must be either SU 1.1/4 type or standard 1 1/8” zenith type no other carburettor is allowed Carburettor jets and springs may be altered or exchanged. Any air filter may be used. Electric fuel pump and pressure regulators are allowed.
iv. Sumps may be enlarged, but no dry sumps. Oil coolers are allowed.
v. Distributors must be standard Lucas type. Weights and base plates may be altered. Ignition systems must use standard points and condenser with no transistors or electric amplifiers. Alternators may be removed. Standard or electric fans may be used.
vi. Non standard after market parts are allowed on external side of engine i.e. plugs, leads, filters etc.
vii. No external mechanical induction systems are permitted.
Exhaust systems are free but must use the cast manifold as described rule 10 part ii above. A club supplied silencer is compulsory on all cars (price £15 to driver (2008)). Club Silencer may not to be tampered with in anyway; any silencer deemed to have been tampered with or not supplied by club prior to any race will be replaced at the driver’s expense. Exhausts must exit away from the car.
i. The Gearbox must be a standard aluminium 4 speed Reliant to match engine, as per Robin, Rialto & regal only. Gear selectors may be blanked off but internals and ratios may not be modified. Remote gear linkages are allowed.
ii. The prop shaft must also be a standard reliant Propshaft, but may be altered in length only to accommodate the car design. A transmission tunnel must be in place between the gearbox and the driver’s seat.
iii. It is also recommended that a hoop is also used under the seat to restrain the prop shaft if it was to come free during a race.
iv. Any standard clutch may be used.
Radiator/number and types are free but must be fitted forward of the firewall and the overflow pipe directed to ground. Radiators may be fitting within the nurf rails but should be securely fitted and protection in place to separate it from the driver.
i. Fuel cells must be a maximum of 2 gallon capacity and must be securely fitted. The cap must be screw on type. A breather pipe must be fitted to the top of the tank. This must rise above the highest part of the tank and then exit below bottom of tank. Fuel pipe must be metal or metal braided hose with a minimum amount of flexi hose to be used in joints i.e. 75mm (3”). Pressurised fuel systems are not permitted. A one action fuel tap, i.e. lever type, not screw type, must be within easy reach of driver clearly marked on-off. The fuel link from fuel pump to carburettor may be flexible pipe.
ii. The floor area and the engine compartment should have firewalls which must be complete, with the firewall complete vertically from the floor of the car to the bonnet and the floor area complete horizontally from the firewall back to level with the seat. Even if the fuel cell is fitted under inside nurf rail or behind the driver within the cab, there must be a firewall to separate the driver from the fuel cell. If the exhaust runs close to the fuel cell a heat shield must also be fitted (safety grounds). It is mandatory if the fuel cell is mounted behind the driver that there is some type of additional structural protection put in place, this is to protect if impact occurs during racing. This can be either a 2mm plate covering the rear of the cage (welded on all sides) or additional horizontal, vertical or diagonal steel work with a minimum of 25 diameter or 25mm x 25mm box section x 2mm thick.
All batteries must be securely fitted and covered with a non conductive cover such as rubber which will reduce any chance of sparking and also help reduce the chance of acid leaking in the event of a roll over.
Fireproof overalls must be worn when racing at all times, and be in good condition with no rips or tears (Nomex or Proban are acceptable). Also fireproof gloves; balaclava must also be worn at all times during racing. Drivers without these items will not be allowed to race. Crash helmets must be worn and conform to BS6658A, BS6658AFR, EC ER.22-05 and Snell standards and have the label in tact for Scrutineering. Eye protection must be worn and be shatterproof. Driver’s footwear must be suitable and have adequate ankle protection.
Fire extinguishers do not have to be carried on each race car, but one must be present at each race transporter for re-fuelling purposes.
It is recommended that a proper race seat is used such as Kirkey type seat. It must be properly supported and securely mounted within the car. It must provide adequate support, which includes head support.
A racing harness must be fitted & in good condition. 5-point harnesses are compulsory. If the harness is fitted to the rear boot cross member it must be protected from others bumpers by additional steel (plate or tube) and have 2 diagonal supports from the centre cage posts to the middle of the rear cross member where the belts are fastened to the car
Head or window nets are compulsory and must be fitted to the right hand side (fence side). Alternatively head supports such as ones produced by Kirkey may be used in place of a head net.
The front aperture of the roll cage must be covered with steel mesh with a maximum size of 50mm (2”) x 50mm (2”) and must be securely fixed to the role cage.
i. Aerofoil’s or wings designs are free but must be made of metal materials, although wood forms or supports can be used. All aerofoil’s must be securely mounted and not inhibit a driver in any way.
ii. Large numbers must appear on both sides of the roof fin or aerofoil (If aerofoil not used a roof fin must be). Also a number behind the driver’s head, which must be clearly visible to lap scorers. The whole of the roof & fin area must be painted the correct grading colour Where cars are shared bolt-on 3” wide vertical aluminium strips at either end of the wing (or roof where no wing) to denote the correct roof colour and race number are required in each race If driver has incorrect grade colour, the driver will have to start at rear of grid until correct colour is displayed. Optionally superstars may display flashing lights. All cars must have drivers name, number and Modstox clearly sign written on them.
i. Prior to racing at each meeting each driver shall submit his/her car & equipment to the nominated Modstox scrutineer (s) (or chairman/vice-chairman in the absence of the scrutineer (s)). Scrutineering shall be carried out by a member of the committee in conjunction with a driver selected at random on the day. Drivers may be requested to assist/witness scrutineering of other cars. Failure to assist in this activity is deemed a disciplinary offence.
ii. If a car fails Scrutineering the driver is allowed to make corrective action at the track & resubmit for scrutineering. Scrutineering records are to be recorded in driver’s logbook. Failure for a driver to submit his/her logbook at the time of scrutineering shall result in a £2 fine per meeting. Any car subsequently failing Scrutineering or deemed unsafe by the scrutineer will not be allowed to race. Any disputes on scrutineers decision to be referred to Chairman & Vice-chairman for decision. The chairman/vice-chairman‘s decision is final subject to appeal procedures outlined below in section 5.
i. Car sharing is permitted subject to each driver paying the appropriate Modstox & track licence/day licence fees and complying with car identification rule 14 above.
ii. Drivers must line up in accordance with driver grading unless race line up is in accordance with a championship rules.
iii. Flag rule are as follows
GREEN – start or restart of race
YELLOW held static - reduce speed, localised incident
YELLOW waved – extreme caution, reduce speed to walking pace, adopt a single file, no overtaking
RED – stop immediately
BLACK – individual driver excluded
CHEQUERED FLAG – lead car completed full distance
CHEQUERED AND RED – end of race
iv. Jump starts- drivers found guilty of jumping the start will be docked 2 places in the race results. Decision to be made by the starter or steward of the meeting.
v. Racing shall at all times be in an anticlockwise direction. Side swiping other drivers on the straights is deemed to be dangerous/not allowed and may be subject to disciplinary action. Deliberate driving into stationary cars during racing is deemed to be dangerous/not allowed and may be subject to disciplinary action. Physical or verbal abuse of drivers, mechanics, team members or officials or any other person at any meeting is deemed to bring the sport into disrepute and may be subject to disciplinary action.
vi. Drivers are responsible at all times for the actions of them selves, their mechanics and team members on and off the track during the course of any meeting and any action deemed to unacceptable may be subject to disciplinary action.
vii. If you stop or crash out on track during a race indicate to marshals if possible that you are ok or not. Do not release belts, remain in car – it is the safest place.
viii. At the end of each race, assist in removing non-running cars from track.
Modstox operates a handicapped starting/race line-up system. Roof grades are taken on an average point’s per meeting basis. A new grading list will be issued after every 3 or 4 meetings.
Grades in descending order of achievement:
Superstars: 2 off. Gold roof, silver roof
Reds, blue, yellows: 2 off each, remainder white tops. These numbers exclude any drivers who cannot be graded/downgraded due to insufficient meetings in a grading period. Graders will use discretion to increase the numbers in each grade to suit increasing number of drivers.
New drivers may opt to start at rear of grid for their first three meetings. Drivers exercising this option should have a black cross markings displayed on the rear of their car.
Drivers must race in 2 meetings per grading period to be re-graded. Once a Driver has attained red top status, Driver cannot be re-graded lower than Yellow. Racers from other formulas shall commence at their retiring grade less 1 i.e. if were blue start as yellow. A driver returning to racing after a time off will race at their previously held grade.
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POINTS ARE AWARDED AS FOLLOWS: Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Heats 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Finals 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 Championships 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2
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If only 1 or 2 races are run at a meeting both these races will be for heat points. The third race only will carry double points unless the first race is a championship race which automatically acts as a final and carries double points
Points Championship –Silver Roof – total cumulative points gained throughout season irrespective of number of meetings attended.
British Championship – Gold Roof – Qualify throughout the year. Highest points scorers at front. Only drivers having scored points in qualifying rounds eligible to take part in this race.
Tyrefit Trophy – Qualify throughout the year. Highest point scorers at front. Only drivers having scored points in qualifying rounds eligible to take part in race.
Northern & Midland Championship – based on accumulated points over 2 meetings (excluding grand national/all comers race)
Shale/Clay Shifters Championship – Qualify on the day, line-up in graded order
Champion of Champions – Qualify on the day, line-up in graded order
Newcomer of the Year - The highest points scoring driver throughout the season (irrespective of meetings) who has never previously raced Modstox.
Driver of the Year – voted for by drivers at AGM meeting
i. The Modstox racing club hold the right to refuse the issue of a driver licence. The Modstox racing club reserves the right to obtain a health reference as part of the consideration for a licence application. Anybody banned from another formula or promotion is also banned from Modstox.
ii. If any driver wishes to complain about another driver he must do so in writing within 7 day of the meeting in question and must give the complaint to the Chairman of Vice Chairman. Verbal complaints will just be classed as having a moan.
iii. If a vote is taken on a Club matter only active drivers are eligible to vote, no proxy voting allowed at AGM or any other vote. Membership does not give an automatic right to vote. Active driver is defined as those drivers holding a full (not day) licence and having raced at least once during the season immediately preceding the AGM.
iv. Modstox registered drivers are allowed to race other formulas. However no driver is allowed to race his/her Modstox at meetings other than those sanctioned by the Modstox racing club. Drivers in breach of this rule will receive a 12 month ban from racing Modstox.
v. Any driver/s subject to an active ban following any disciplinary action within section 2 are not eligible to attend or vote at the AGM during this term.
vi. Engines can be stripped at the end of any meeting without any warning. The Modstox racing club committee do not accept any costs or the task of re-assembling of any driver’s engines following a strip or inspection. If you are caught with anything illegal you will be banned.
vii. If you are banned by the Modstox unanimous decision of Chairman and Vice-Chairman you have the right to appeal against this, by signed statement by at least 5 other active drivers. Such an appeal would result in a review of the offence/disciplinary action, but may still result in the disciplinary action standing.
viii. The position of Chairman, Vice-Chairman & Treasurer shall be re-elected annually at AGM.
ix. The Modstox committee reserve the right to seek approval of rule changes/clarification outside the AGM if it sees fit, this would be carried out by postal vote and ballet counts being verified by the presence of all committee members at said ballet counts.
Modstox operates A Booking in procedure. The onus will be on drivers to book in on the Thursday (at the latest) prior to the meeting. Drivers who then fail to show will be fined 2 pounds as will any drivers who show up without booking in by Thursday, reasons are as follows.
1. To help identify car numbers in dealing with promoters
2. To prevent chairman spending time/money on phone bills chasing drivers who in some cases are antagonized by being chased
3. Seen as a way of fundraising for the Club.
All fines to be collected/paid to Chairman or Vice-chairman in his absence. (Special form requiring driver signature for financial audit purposes.) Non-payment of fines is a disciplinary offence.
Gary Picken #93 Dave Wood Craig Mack #156
Chairman Vice Chairman Vice Chairman
Tel : 01782 327708 Tel : 07979 307 144 Tel : 07958 920 390
Mobile:07786 854534
gp93@gprracing.wanadoo.co.uk beechfarmfc63@hotmail.com Modstox156@hotmail.co.uk