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WoO Announces Rules Changes

26 November 1997

[ Pennzoil World of Outlaw Series Logo ]
PLANO, TX - In an effort to maintain its high safety standards and curb rising costs, the Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series has conducted a comprehensive study concerning equipment rules and regulations for sprint cars. Equipment manufacturers, race team owners, drivers and promoters supplied considerable input into the study and, as a result, beginning next season, the following rules changes will take effect. Rear bumpers will be required to be made of steel only and be a minimum of one inch in diameter with a minimum .065-inch thickness. Front axles will be required to be made of steel only. The minimum sizes accepted will be 2-by-.156 inches, 2 1/4-by-.120 inches, 2 3/8-by-.095 inches. Except for brake rotors, no carbon fiber parts will be allowed in the suspension or drive line. No carbon fiber hoods, hood nose pieces or fuel tanks will be accepted. All cars must be equipped with a seat fuel/fume deflector. Fuel/fume deflectors must be wider than the driver's seat, extend from the floorpan, go under the seat and turn up behind the seat. Floorpans must be made of steel or aluminum only. No elliptical tubing may be used on or as part of a main frame structure after June 1, 1998. Only two mufflers will be allowed at World of Outlaws events: the 11-inch Schoenfeld (part #112535) or the 14-inch Flowmaster (part #53445-10). These mufflers must remain stock and cannot be altered. There will be two exceptions to the muffler rule. All West Coast tracks will continue to enforce their DBA rules, which preempts any particular muffler. The 10-inch Schoenfeld muffler will still be acceptable at Knoxville Raceway. The 1998 World of Outlaws Rule Book will suggest new chassis requirements with respect to minimum tubing size and thickness. These chassis suggestions will become mandatory in January of 1999, and will be strictly enforced. This grace period will provide race teams, manufacturers and tracks ample time to plan and adjust to these new standards. by Richard Day of Racing PR