RPW Exclusive: Woodhull Rolls Out New Rules; Changes For 2019

Column By: ROBERT SYMONDS / RPW – WOODHULL, NY – Throughout the years since Ted and Brandi White had taken over owner and promoter status at the Woodhull Raceway, the Tech Inspectors along with Ted White have met with the drivers of their respective classes in regards to rule changes for the upcoming race season. The 2019 season Rules Meetings were no different.

On November 11th, the Woodhull Volunteer Fire Department gracious hosted the event as they continue to do each year. Drivers in the Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, and Crate Late Models all gathered for the upcoming season rule changes to either discuss making some changes or discuss changes that will be coming to all classes of competition.

Universally some changes have been announced prior but were re-iterated at the meetings. One major announcement is that Woodhull Raceway will be moving to a transponder system. This system will in hindsight move help shorten a show time. Though the system is currently not in place, more information would be given to drivers as far as car placement and purchase of transponders at a later date.

Additionally another change made prior to these meetings was that the Crate Sportsman Modifieds would have move to GM sealed motors only starting in the year 2020. This means that GM or RUSH seals are only allowed up until 2020 when it turns only to GM Seals.

First meeting was for the drivers of the Hobby Stock division. One of the rule changes widely agreed upon was the use of a bead lock on the right rear time. Throughout 2018, Hobby Stock drivers would, more often than not, find themselves with a right rear tire flat. This is attributed to the heavy track conditions on some race nights due to the heavy rain seen in the area throughout the season. Another rule, that was accepted, is for skid rails to be allowed. A 2 inch round or 2 inch square tubing was allowed for skid rails.

Next meeting was for the Mini Stocks. In 2019, the Mini Stock drivers are now allowed the use of roller cams. At this point, a question shouted from the crowed of drivers asking how big could the cams be and the answer received from Kevin VanAmburg was “As big as you want.”

A couple other major rule changes included that the door bars now had to be plated with an 1/8th inch steel to protect the driver, and that OEM Aluminum Calipers allowed though they have to be same size per side.

Some bigger changes came out of the Street Stocks including truck bodies are now allowed (steel or aluminum), transmission tunnel for shifting has to be plated (for driver protection), spindles has to be OEM, and also the rear bumper cannot be square tubing, must be round.

After the meetings concluded, the tech inspectors worked with the head of Woodhull Raceway’s PR Steven Ovens to get the changes up on the Woodhull Raceway website.