FLORIDA LIGHTNING SPRINTS RULES 2021
Car and Safety Regulations
1. SAFETY
1.1 Approved aluminum seats must be used. No fiberglass or carbon fiber seats are allowed. Seats must be mounted with a minimum of 4 bolts. Bolts must be a minimum 5/16 of an inch in diameter and have a minimum two (2) inch fender washer behind them against the face of the seat. Full containment seat is HIGHLY recommended.
1.2 Seat belts must meet SFI 16.5 or SFI 16.1 and be within three (3) years of the date of manufacture. SFI label must be affixed to belts.
2. CHASSIS AND BODY
2.1 Wheelbase must be at least 65 inches and no more than 74 inches.
2.2 The overall width must be no more than 65 inches. This is measured with the car on the ground from the outside of the RR to the outside of the LR tires.
2.2a Right front tire may not be out past the right rear tire at any time.
2.3 Car and Driver Weight Rules
2.3a All STOCK BLOCK driveshaft driven cars must weigh a minimum of 1,100 lbs., including water, oil, fuel with the driver seated in the car and race ready....this is AFTER EACH RACE...Badger type (Built Stock Block 2.4) engines must weight 1200 lbs and a SP-3 RR
2.0 Focus "STOCK" with bellhousing and working clutch: 1,050 lbs
2.0 Focus w/o clutch: 1,075 lbs
2.3c All chain driven cars must weigh a minimum of (UPRIGHT 600/750-875 lbs...1000cc-950 lbs...1205cc-1100 lbs) including water, oil, fuel, with the driver seated in the car and race ready. AFTER RACE
2.3d. Additional bolt on weight must be mounted and fastened to the frame and/or chassis in a secure manner. Weight must be mounted in an area between bottom frame rails, front and rear axles and no higher than mid rails at cockpit. All weight must be mounted within the confines of the frame. NO BALLAST/WEIGHT IS ALLOWED IN NERF BARS, BUMPERS, OR FRONT AXLE. Added weight must be painted WHITE with car # clearly mark. All weight must be securely fastened with no less the 2 (two) bolts. It is highly recommended that weight or ballast is not used unless absolutely necessary.
2.3e NO rotating TITANIUM or CARBON FIBER ALLOWED PERIOD other then lower jackshaft in rearend maybe Titanium with D-2 cars
2.4 All cars shall be rear drive only.
2.4a For driveshaft driven cars the engine offset is limited to a maximum of one (1) inch, (two inches overall), from the chassis centerline as measured at the centerline of the crankshaft.
2.4b For cars utilizing a chain driven rear axle the engine must sit directly in front of the driver. The engine may be offset a maximum of six (6) inches as measured from the center of the engine to the center of the chassis.
2.5 V type engines are not allowed. Only inline four (4) cylinder engines are permitted.
2.6 Torque tube type drivelines must use only one u-joint. The torque tube must be bolted directly to the face of the rear axle center section without any interruptions; the torque tube must be one solid piece. Torque tube hoop or strap is required.
2.6a All driveshafts must be steel. No titanium or carbon fiber driveshafts are allowed. Titanium lower shafts in the rear end are allowed.
2.6b Only chain driven or driveshaft driven cars are allowed. Chain driven cars must have the final drive come from the original engine counter shaft sprocket.
2.6c Metal chain guards are required for chain driven cars .125 min. thickness.
2.6aa Chains must be located within the frame rails. Chain guards must be designed in a manner to completely shield and protect the driver and fuel tank from the chain. The chain guard must be made out of stainless, mild steel, or aluminum .125 mim thickness.
2.6bb Chain guards must extend from the firewall to the rear of the sprocket on top and from the top of the chain to the floor pan. The guard must also extend from the firewall to the back of the seat on the side of the driver. Chain guards must be designed so as to
not allow chains to damage or puncture the fuel tank in the event they become loose from the sprocket or engine.
2.7 Radius rods may not be attached within the inside confines of the cockpit.
2.8 The driver must be seated behind the engine on all 1000cc or automotive powered. The 1 1000cc "sidewinder" style of car that will be allowed to race is the #30 car that is grandfathered in.
.9 Only standard type Midget Car bodies, tail tanks and hoods will be permitted. NO Square tail tanks.
3. FUEL SYSTEM
3.1 Constant Flow Mechanical or EFI with plenum or individual runner intake. Any programmable ignition/fuel injection systems are allowed, but must be readily available and have supported software. No carburetors.
3.2 Square plastic fuel tanks must have a midget style tail cover and may not extend past the rear torsion tubes or lower rear cross member. No aluminum or metal tanks allowed. Conventional plastic midget style tanks are required if the tank extends past the rear torsion tubes or lower rear cross member. The fuel must be carried on the centerline of the chassis and be located behind the driver. All tanks must have either a FIA or SFI safety rating. All fuel tanks must be approved by SSMS officials.
3.3 All fuel tanks must have a minimum of four mounts to the chassis.
3.4 Fuel tanks may not be mounted to the chassis utilizing any portion of the access plates or the nut plates bonded into the fuel bladder.
3.5 A protective cover may be used on the top of the tail tank providing it is no more than 9 inches in height, 12 inches in length and not wider than the top (head rest) of the tank.
3.6 The engine must be equipped with fuel shut-off devices (1) located within easy reach of the driver and safety workers.
4. STEERING AND SUSPENSION
4.1 Removable steering wheels incorporating a quick release mechanism conforming to SFI Specification 42.1 are mandatory. Pip pin type mechanisms are not allowed.
4.2 Welded aluminum or titanium suspension parts are prohibited with the exception of the jacobs ladder (Watts link).
4.3 A drag link strap is highly recommended.
4.4 No Manual or electronic weight, shock, sway bar or any suspension item adjuster allowed. No in-cockpit adjustments of anykind at ANYTIME and must be removed or completely disconnected from the race car, No taping of knobs.
5. TIRES AND WHEELS
5.1 The number of allowable wheels is restricted to two (2) front wheels and two (2) rear wheels on each car.
5.2 The diameter of all wheels must be 13 inches on all automotive powered cars. 10" or 13" on Motorcycle driven cars
5.3 The wheel width is limited to eight (8) inches for both front wheels.
5.4 Max. 12” right rear wheel and maximum of ten (10) inches in width on left rear for 1000cc or under chain driven cars. Max 10" right rear and maximum of 8" left rear for 1200cc and D2 midget cars.
5.5 The manufacturers and compounds listed below are the ONLY approved tires:
A. Right Rear – Hoosier SP2, SP3 or American Racer SD38, SD40, SD44, SD48 with a maximum tread width of 13 inches. (Minimum of 37 durometer (0) tolerance) before and after race.
B. Left Rear – Must be Hoosier or American Racer with a maximum tread width of 10 inches.
C. Front – Must be Hoosier or American Racer
ENGINES:
No purpose built race engine blocks, race engine cylinder heads or race engine crankshafts are allowed.
No purpose built race engines are allowed.
7.1 The use of starters and a declutching device is optional on driveshaft driven cars but are mandatory on chain driven cars. If utilized by a driveshaft driven car they must have a neutral position in the final drive.
7.2 All engines must be normally aspirated, internal combustion, four cycle, reciprocating piston type, incorporating a maximum of four (4) cylinders and a maximum four (4) valves per cylinder. Engines must be production engines from a car or motorcycle manufacturer and reasonably available. No engines may be used from motorcycles or cars (automobiles) that have not been sold in the United States of America by an official authorized manufacturer dealership. No purpose built race engine blocks, race engine cylinder heads or race engine crankshafts are allowed. No purpose built race engines are allowed including but not limited to: Esslinger, Toyota, Chevy, Mopar, Gaerte, Cosworth etc. No Honda F20C, F22C1 or type R engines are allowed.
All engines must be pre-approved by SSMS before allowed in competition.
B. Driveshaft driven engines
GM Ecotec 2.4L (LE5), or 2.2L (L61) - 88mm Bore X 98mm Stroke / 86mm Bore X 94.6mm Stoke
Honda 2.4 L (K24A1-A2) - 87mm Bore X 99mm Stroke
Chrysler World Engine 2.4L - 87.5 Bore X 101mm Stroke
Toyota 2.4L (2AZ-FE) - 88.5mm Bore X 96mm Stroke
Ford/Mazda Duratec 2.3L (23 I-4/L3) - 87.5mm Bore X 94mm Stroke
GM Quad 4 2.3L and 2.4L - 90mm Bore X 94mm Stroke
Ford 2.0L Focus/Scream Pre-2004 (see notes) - 87.5mm Bore X 83.1 Stroke
Engines must remain in stock displacement. Allowances are for cleanup.
Maximum displacement for 2.4L Engines: 2.4110 Liters (147.15 CID)
Maximum displacement for 2.3L Engines: 2.2868 Liters (139.55 CID)
Maximum displacement for 2.2L Engines: 2.2237 Liters (135.70 CID)
Maximum displacement for 2.0L Engines: 2.0115 Liters (122.75 CID)
Must use original manufacturers (OEM) engine block, OEM cylinder head, OEM crankshaft, Aftermarket FLATTOP pistons ok, (must have stock pin location), Any OEM camshafts from the same engine make/group (must have stock OEM #/stamp), OEM Rocker Arms (rockers cannot have any alterations to any locking mechanism, they must remain stock), and OEM valves. The same combination that was standard out of the factory when new in the passenger vehicle must be used. (*)SEE NOTE
Absolutely no head swapping, Example: 2.4 LE5 must have a 2.4 LE5 head. Each part must be from the same exact type engine, and manufactured for that particular engine.
Alterations to the OEM block and OEM cylinder head are limited to removing material for the express purpose of fitting the engine in the chassis only. You will be allowed clean-up on the head for warpage purposes only. Absolutely NO decking/cutting of block except for clean-up, (CLARIFY: Clean up is ok but the Piston must not protrude OUTSIDE of "BARE" cylinder deck). Blocking and/or opening lubrication and coolant passages will be allowed. The crankshaft may be balanced, and oil passages may be chamfered. Lightening the crankshaft beyond minimal material removal for balancing is NOT permitted. Adding, removing, lightening, chamfering or “knife edging” crankshaft counterweights is strictly prohibited.
Connecting rods, FLAT TOP pistons and valve springs, valve spring retainers and keepers may be replaced with aftermarket products, however valves, valve springs, valve spring retainers, keepers, and connecting rods made of titanium are NOT allowed.
Aftermarket PISTONS AND RODS must remain stock length and stock piston pin location. Piston pin must be of ferrous material, titanium or other exotic alloys are Not Allowed.
Amendment 1a. Piston must be 3 ring design.
Aftermarket cam gears, sprockets, timing chains, timing belts may be used. All other STOCK OEM cylinder head components must be used. Welding on the cylinder head will NOT be permitted. Porting of the cylinder head including intake matching is NOT ALLOWED,
see (*).
Machining, grinding, sanding, or etching of the intake and/or exhaust ports is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. No altering of the shape and/or size of the intake or exhaust ports from OEM specs is allowed.
Fuel Injection: Constant Flow Mechanical or EFI with plenum or individual runner intake. Any programmable ignition/fuel injection systems are allowed, but must be readily available and have supported software. No carburetors.
(*)Notes: We are aware that there are many “built up” 2.0 Ford Focus engines out there. While we do not expect Focus engine owners to “fix/replace” any possible changes that have been done to the engine, we do remind that the Focus/SCREAM engine can not utilize any other head except the 2000-2004 Focus factory head. No aftermarket heads of any kind. Porting and polishing of Ztec head is ok.
Focus Engines: Aftermarket pistons (JE), rods, cams, cam gears, springs, valves, retainers, keepers. Adding, removing, lightening, chamfering or “knife edging” crankshaft counterweights is strictly prohibited. Must remain stock stroke...2 mil over bore ok, JE piston # 298717 or 298718
Oil System: Wet Sump or Dry Sump
Engine Management: Systems may use the following sensors: MAP (manifold absolute pressure), TPS (throttle position sensor), Crank, Cam, Water temp., Oil temp., Oil Pressure, Oxygen sensor, Fuel Pressure, IAC (idle air control, MAT (manifold air temp.), and EGT.
The use of Wheel Speed Sensors with management systems is prohibited.
Traction Control is illegal.
Any timing curve is OK, may be switchable with the MSD 6214 Midget Ignition System.
Counter Balance Shafts can be deleted.
No Glycol based coolant.
All engines must be normally aspirated, internal combustion, four cycle, reciprocating piston type, incorporating a maximum of four (4) cylinders in line. Engines must be production engines from a passenger car or motorcycle manufacturer and reasonably available in the United States. No engines may be used from motorcycles or passenger cars (automobiles) that have not been sold in the United States of America by an official authorized manufacturer dealership.
Motorcycle Engine Rules
Engine Specifications
A. Any 750cc-1000cc, normally aspirated, production motorcycle engine may be used. Engine model must be in production for two full calendar years prior to use. No limited production engines will be permitted. No current year production engines allowed. Serial number must be identifiable.
B. Engine case, cylinders, head, crank, rods, pistons, cams, valves, transmission, coatings, and clutch must remain stock OEM and operational.
C. Cylinder head may be milled for cleanup. Deck height must remain within .010” of OEM specification.
D. Degreeing of stock OEM cams is permitted.
E. All cars must be able to start the first race under their own power without assist.
F. Mufflers are mandatory.
G. Oiling system may be modified for reliability. Oil pan, pickup, cooler, lines, tank(s), and pump(s) may be modified or replaced. Cylindrical oil tanks must be mounted inside the frame rails.
H. Electronic or Mechanical Injection may be used. No weight penalty exists for either injection system. Carburetors are also permitted.
I. The motor plate may not be made from carbon fiber, or any type composite materials.
2. Electronics
A. Aftermarket Engine Control Module(s) or Fuel Management System(s) will be permitted. Electronics that provide traction control are prohibited. No aftermarket plug-in traction control devices, wheel speed, or chain sensors will be permitted. All electronic components may be inspected, sealed or confiscated by USAC or organizer at any time. The maximum penalty for utilizing traction control is a one year suspension from competition and loss of all points earned for the season.
B. All cars must be equipped with ignition switch or emergency shut-off located within easy reach of the driver.
3. Exhaust
A. Mufflers are mandatory. Exhaust system tail pipe(s) must not be any wider than nerf bar.
B. The car may be required to have a muffler if local conditions warrant. If so, this will be stated on each individual entry blank. The technical director may disallow a muffler that in their opinion is not within the spirit or intent of this rule.
Fuel and Fuel System
A. Maximum 112 octane gas, E85, or Methanol. No additives or oxygenated fuels will be permitted. All fuel is subject to testing at any time. Any fuel that does not conform to these standards, as administered at the track, will be considered illegal. The use of illegal fuel could result in disqualification from the event and/or the entire program.
B. All tanks must have a minimum of four mounts to the chassis.
C. Fuel tanks may not be mounted to the chassis utilizing any portion of the access plates or the nut plates bonded into the fuel bladder.
D. The engine must be equipped with a fuel shut-off device.
E. A Midget/Micro/L. Sprint tank must have a bladder by 2018. Metal tanks are not permitted. Rollover valves will be mandatory. All tanks/fuel cells must be securely mounted between frame rails and behind the driver.
Dimensions and Weight
A. The wheelbase must be at least 62 inches and no more than 76 inches. (Measured centerline to centerline)
B. All cars must weigh a minimum post-race including driver:
1. 750cc: 825 lbs
2. 1000 CC Stock Engine: 950 lbs
3. Over 1000cc: 1025 lbs
NOTE: Existing engines that are over 1000cc will be permitted to compete with specified weight applied.
Early generation 1200cc engines would be permitted to compete at 1025 lbs.
It has determined that VVT (Variable Valve Timing) VCT (Variable Cam Timing) has a significant advantage by allowing the timing of the cams and valve to advance and/or retard at given rpm of the engine giving it an advantage over the fixed cams of other engines.
VVT will be allowed on LARGER tracks (1/3 mile or more)
VVT will not be allowed on smaller tracks 1/4 mile or less
The intent of this rule is to ensure equal competition without adding additional cost and we feel this should allow this to happen.