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Speedworld Rules Officially Announces, Changes to Thunder Highlight New Rules

Scotia Speedworld has released their 2014 rules packages and within it comes some big changes for a handful of the six Weekly Racing Series divisions.

The Coors Light Trucks and Lightning classes saw minimal changes in the updated rules packages. Changes to the truck class include sway bar and brake additions.

6.2 – One brake bias valve or proportioning valve is permitted.

8.7 – Sway bar link have a 3 3/8 inch spacers and it is permissible to have a one inch difference in the spacers from one side to the other.
Complete Truck building rules can be found VIA THE SCOTIA SPEEDWORLD website here.
Only one rule change is seen in the  Lightning (Four Cylinder) rulebook:
2.3 – 1998 and older powertrains may be transplanted into 2000 body styles, providing all the 1998 and older electronics are used as well.
Complete Lightning building rules can be found VIA THE SCOTIA SPEEDWORLD website here.

On the opposite side of the pits, the  Thunder class is seeing two major changes, including the addition of the 1996 to 2000 generation Civics to the class, a new rule allowing a mirror and a spec tire for the 2014 season. Among the changes include:

Approved Models:

2.1.3. – Honda Civic models 1996- 2000 American and Canadian CX, DX and LX with the 1.6 D16y7 only.
2.1.3.1. – 2 door hatchback, 4 door sedans and 2 door coupe.
2.1.3.2. – 5 speed or 4 speed automatics. No CVT transmissions.
2.1.3.3. – No swapping newer powertrains to older models.
Camber:
7.2 – Camber on all four wheels will be no more than 1.5º (+/-), except the right front which is permitted to be 2.0 (+/-) post-race.
Mirror
15.1. – One driver side mirror will be allowed with a maximum measurement of 4 inches at any given spot.
15.2. – No convex or concave mirrors.
15.3. – Must not extend past body.
Tires
21.1 – Used Legend Car tires 2013 and older will be the Spec tire for the division. Teams will buy tires from Legend Teams.
What does it all mean? Well, allowing the next generation Civic into the class allows the teams more options when they are going out to find cars. How will they run? It remains to be seen. Keep in mind, only one “second generation” 1992 to 1995 Civic has won at the track since it was allowed in the class (Tim Webster, 2013). Some I spoke with said the car would be at a disadvantage due to the weight of the car, which is generally heavier than the previous two generations and some say the power of the car will be able to hold its own with the other cars in the class. Keep in mind, neither the Thunder or Lightning classes at Scotia Speedworld have a weight rule. On the same side of the coin, it is hard to find a Civic that hasn’t rotted or is on the way there for a decent price to build, giving the teams an extra generation of cars to look at when making their selection to build a car.

The tire rule is a first among Mini Stock/Four Cylinder classes in the region. A majority that were at the Scotia Speedworld rules meeting in December loved the idea of the tire. In fact, most traveling teams that go to New Brunswick tracks already race with the INEX approved tire, so to an extent, it has been tested. At this point, the cost is effective as well, with tires costing between $20 and $25 used from the Legend teams on average. With some teams currently going out, buying new sets of tires and getting them buffed and shaved, albeit against the old rules that a tire could be claimed by the track for $30, this will also lower those costs that lower budget teams that couldn’t afford to run out and give some TLC to their tires in the past. The Legend drivers will also put a bit of money back into their pockets after they are done with the tire. There is no set number of softness on the durometer rule, but Lawrence Hopper tells me that the current INEX durometer rule for the tires will be a guide for next season. At the end of the day, it is making the division closer, takes the guesstimate out of tires and at the end of the day will come down to more handling and driver ability than a guy or gal getting beat on tires each week.

Drew MacEachern, a veteran of over a decade in the class, tends to agree. “I like the new rule changes,” says MacEachern. “It will give us more options to find solid cars to build and the tire rule will bring costs down for the teams. It will also bring us closer together, tire wise and will bring us to a level playing field.”

Complete Scotia Speedworld Thunder rules can be found here.

The Legend and Bandolero classes will require either a fire suppression system or a 2.5 pound fire extinguisher with a metal bracket under the seat of the driver for 2014. The classes will also require a kill switch located in the rear window of the car (left hand side on the tin work) that will kill both engine and fuel pump should it need to be shut off because of an accident. The rule change is stated below.
SAFETY
1.1. FIRE EXTINGUISHER
1.1.1. A securely fastened, quick release 2.5 lb. fire extinguisher is to be mounted on the floor immediately in front of the driver’s seat.
1.1.2. Recharge slip dated no earlier than January first of the current year.
1.1.3. Bracket securing fire extinguisher to car must be metal. No plastic brackets.
1.1.4. Cars with working fire suppression system, do not require a fire extinguisher.
1.2. KILL SWITCH
1.2.1. Kill Switch is to be mounted on left side rear deck of interior tin.
1.2.2. Kill switch must shut off engine and fuel pump.
1.3. Full containment seats are recommended.
1.4. Manufactures safety belt replacement timeframe (3 years) is recommended.
Butcher Racing let me take a look at their #53 car at the 2014 INEX Winter Nationals. Below is a picture of their suppression system with a 2.5 pound extinguisher, which is mounted in the proper position. Click image to enlarge.
IMG_1109

These rules are in addition to INEX rules set forward and, as has been the case in the past, all Scotia Speedworld Track Rules and Procedures (procedures have yet to be announced) trump any rules in the INEX rulebook for these two classes.

Complete 2014 Scotia Speedworld Bandolero Rules can be found here.

Complete 2014 Scotia Speedworld Legends Rules can be found here.

As for Sportsman, we plan on taking a little more look in depth once the NAPA Sportsman Series releases their rulebook to see what the tracks have done in collaboration for the rules. In the meantime, you can check out the Scotia Speedworld Sportsman rules here.

Photo by McCarthy Photographic

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