Hornets

Hornet Rules

SPECIFIC HORNET RULES – 2008

(New Rules are highlighted with bold/italicized print are in yellow)

The hornet class is designed for the beginning stock car driver. Any experienced driver or any driver registered in another El Paso County Speedway class must have track permission to compete in this class. Remember – this class is for fun, and to help new drivers gain experience at a reasonable cost. Hornets are cars that race – they are not racecars, and any car that violates the intent and purpose of this class may be excluded from this division.

1. SAFETY EQUIPMENT: Rules apply at all times car is on track. Snell-rated SA95, SA2000 or SA2005 helmet required. A single layer fire suit required. Driving gloves, shoes and neck brace required. Minimum three inch wide five point safety belt assembly required (Y-type shoulder harness not allowed), must be mounted securely to roll bar or original OEM seating mounting points, no more than three years old. Anti-sub belt (crotch strap) must be mounted to floor with large diameter washers. A racing seat is required-metal is highly recommended. Any poly seat must have 1/8” metal plates installed on both sides of seat where mounting bolts pass through the seat back. Seat must have a cover. No fiberglass seats permitted. Seat must be a minimum 4” from door bar. Seat must be securely mounted to floor pan and seat back bar. Window net required-must be mounted to the inside of driver door with a seat belt type latch on the top front corner. Kill switch required within easy reach of driver and must be clearly marked ‘OFF’ and ‘ON’.

2. DEFINITION: Any 1981 or newer 4 cylinder car is permitted. Front or rear wheel drive allowed. No all wheel drive permitted. Manual or automatic transmissions permitted. Maximum wheelbase is 106”. Maximum weight is 2100 w/driver before main event. No ballast permitted. No truck or SUV type vehicles permitted.

3. All body, frame, suspension, engine, cooling, transmission, brake and drive-line components must be strictly as-produced stock components, for that year, make, and model. Engine accessories such as smog pumps, A/C, etc. may be removed. Gas, brake, and clutch pedals, must be stock. If you the car you have needs more than a basic tune-up and new brake pads, you would probably be better off building a different car.

4. All glass, trim, lights, emblems, etc. must be removed from the car. No windshields or windows of any type permitted. Any mirrors used, must be original equipment-type. A minimum of 4 evenly spaced bars (3/8’s inch minimum steel) must be welded vertically across windshield opening in front of the driver. Screen may be fastened over the bars if desired.

5. All flammable materials-insulation, upholstery, carpet, etc. -- must be removed from the interior and under hood areas. Window regulators may be removed. Stock steering column must be retained. Parking brake may be removed. No gutting, cutting, or lightning.

6. Original horn must remain in working condition. A working car radio must be in stock location. No 2 way radios are permitted.

7. Only normally aspirated models are permitted - carb or fuel injection. No turbo charged or supercharged models permitted. All fuel lines, pumps, filters, etc. must be stock. (Extending fuel lines for fuel tank mounting permitted). Stock exhaust manifold must be retained with enough of the exhaust system remaining to exit behind the driver. Catalytic converters MUST be removed!

8. Battery must be securely fastened in the stock location with a non/conductive cover over the positive battery terminal. A coolant catch can must remain in the stock location.

9. Only mass/produced OEM factory aluminum or steel wheels and DOT street tires permitted. No after market stock car wheels (Bart, Bassett, Aero, etc.) permitted. All lug nuts must be installed-no broken studs etc. Tire/wheel combo must fit in an 8 ½” gauge in as-raced condition. All wheels and tires must be the same size and offset.

10. Stock gas tank or a fuel container of no more than 8-gallon capacity (boat tanks or similar container), must be securely mounted in the trunk area. It should be mounted in a location to minimize rupture

in a rear impact (at least 12” from rear bumper to fuel tank). Fuel container and lines must be completely covered by sheet metal and vented through the bottom of trunk floor. Vent line must have a roll-over valve installed – a pcv valve works well. Steel can fuel cells are recommended – 8 gallon max. capacity – must have ground strap. Pump gas must be used. Fuel tanks and mounts are subject to tech approval.

11. A 6-pt roll bar is required. This includes a main hoop constructed of a single piece of tubing, two bars running diagonally down to the back seat area from the main hoop, a seat back bar for seat and harness mounting and a diagonal bar from the main hoop to the floor access BOTH door openings. Roll bar must be constructed of minimum 1 ¾” diameter tubing with a minimum wall thickness of .095”. Basic stock – car type roll cage with door bars permitted. Driver inner door panel may be removed for arched door bar installation ONLY. Roll cages may have no more than 6 points attached to floor pan-no wedge bars or any extra tubes are permitted. Existing hornets may be constructed of minimum tubing of 1 ½” x .095 (pending approval of tech. inspector). Roll bars/cages must be welded to 6 x 6 x 1/8” steel plates that are welded to the floor pan. All joints must be fully welded. All welding is subject to tech inspection.

12. All doors must be welded or bolted shut. No reinforcement of frames, suspensions, body, bumpers, etc. permitted. Only stock bumpers permitted-no side nerfs, bumper loops, etc. permitted. Bumpers must be mounted by stock method, and have safety chains or cables from bumper to frame to prevent loss during competition.

13. Cars must be neat in appearance. Number must be 18” minimum on doors, 20” on roof, and 6” minimum on tail panel. Numbers must be neatly painted (brushed, or taped and sprayed). No vinyl numbers or lettering allowed. Numbers may be registered for the season for $50. Hornets will NOT be assigned a permanent pit space, so don’t register for one. They will be assigned open spaces on a nightly basis: first come – first served.

14. All anti-freeze must be removed and replaced with water ($100 fine for anti-freeze).

15. Hornets will not time in- a pill draw will be used to determine starting positions in the heat races. Main event positions will be determined by heat/or last chance race finishing positions. Race director (left turn/right turn) of any race will be determined by a coin flip by the head flagmen after the race line-up enters the track.

16. All normal track and flagging rules and policies apply.

17. Track officials reserve the right to determine the competition readiness and safety of any car or driver.

18. Minimum for the hornet class is 14 years. Any driver under the age of 18 years must have a signed parental release for filed with El Paso County Speedway before the driver will be allowed on the track.

READ THIS: If there is an item not covered or you’re not sure about something in these rules have it approved by a tech inspector, track promoter, or leave it stock!! Additional information call: 1-719-683-5638. OEM means: Original Equipment Manufactured with no additional modifications done by anyone!!

If it doesn't say you can do it, assume you can't!