All Star Sprints To Implement Sprint Car Industry Rules Changes; Will Take Effect Beginning In 2019
Story By: TYLER ALTMEYER / ALL STAR CIRCUIT OF CHAMPIONS – BROWNSBURG, IN – The All Star Circuit of Champions has implemented rules changes that will take effect beginning with the 2019 season. These changes cover the following components:
- Chassis support bars
- Slip joints
- Wing T-post
- Steel left-front radius rod and rod ends
- Left and right nerf bars
- Elimination of bolt-to-bolt axle tethers
“Earlier this month during the Knoxville Nationals, we took a collective step forward by having initial discussions between tracks and series regarding the potential of a Sprint Car Council, which would identify best practices for improving safety, enhancing competition and facilitating participation by drivers and teams in multiple series,” said Tony Stewart, owner of the All Star Circuit of Champions. “After thoughtful debate and careful consideration, the All Stars made the decision to implement these rules changes to promote safety and competition in our series, with the added benefit being that our drivers and teams can freely participate in other series using these same specifications.”
Chassis support bars
In 2019, all chassis will be required to have additional bars installed to support and decrease the span between the front and rear uprights. The new support bars must be an addition to the front and rear uprights. Any attempts to manipulate the front and rear uprights to conform to these measurements will not be tolerated or allowed at the discretion of All Star Circuit of Champions Series Officials. The left- and right-side support bars do not have to be the same. These additional bars will be minimum 1.375 X .083 ASTM4130 normalized steel or equivalent material as per All Star Circuit of Champions current rule K.5.u.
Left- and right-side support bars may be one of two forms of a “Curved Support Bar” similar to current “Safety Bar” used in some chassis’ or a “Support Bar” similar to the All Star Circuit of Champions 2018 Rules Bulletin #1 dated March 9, 2018.
The Curved Support Bar will attach to the top rail to create a span between 15” and 20” from the front upright to the support bar. This measurement will be made from the rear point of the front upright to the forward point of the support bar. It will attach to the hip rail and have a gusset attached above the curve to the rear upright at the point opposite of the rear brace/shock mount bar. The outer most point of the curve will be between 4” and 7”, measured from the outer edge of the uprights.
The Support Bar will be attached to the top rail to create a span between 15” and 20” from the front upright. This measurement will be made from the rear point of the front upright to the forward point of the support bar. The bottom of the Support Bar will attach to the rear upright at the point opposite of the rear brace/shock mount bar.
Right side body opening shall remain the same per rule K.7.j. in the All Star Circuit of Champions Rule Book.
Slip joints
Slip joints will no longer be allowed in any form. Bolted or clamped slip joints will no longer be allowed. If a current chassis has a slip joint, it will have to be welded the full circumference of the tube to become solid.
Wing T-post
Wing T-post will be built from 1” X .083” minimum ASTM4130 normalized steel or equivalent material. No parts made from castings will be allowed on any wing T-post. Wing attachment designs will be subject to approval. Some approved design drawings are below.
Steel left-front radius rod and rod ends
The left-front radius rod is to be made of 4130 steel with steel rod ends.
Left and right nerf bars
All left- and right-side nerf bars must attach to the chassis at three points. Two-point side nerf hoops will no longer be allowed.
Elimination of bolt-to-bolt axle tethers
The 2019 season will be the last year axle tethers will be attached to the radius rod bolt on the axle. In January 2020, all axle tethers will either wrap around or clamp to the axle.
Also in 2019, all axle tethers will be required to attach to the front engine plate post or the rear bolt of the front radius rod and not the radiator post, per manufacturer’s instructions.
