SAUCY SOWS

2025 ​THUNDER CAR RULES

1-937-585-9456

9872 Flowing Well Road, De Graff, OH, United States

IT IS UP TO YOU AS A DRIVER AND/OR CAR OWNER TO FOLLOW THESE RULES AND COMPLY WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES.  INSPECTION EQUIPMENT USED BY A TECH OFFICIAL WILL BE THE STANDARD OF THE RACE TRACK AND ALL TESTS WILL BE FINAL.

ELIGIBLE CARS

ANY RWD 1955 - PRESENT AMERICAN MADE FULL FRAME CARS. NO CONVERTIBLES, NO UNI-BODY CARS, MUSTANG, CAMARO, NOVA, FIREBIRD, ETC.

WHEELBASE

MINIMUM WHEELBASE 108"    MAXIMUM 116"

WEIGHT

1.  MINIMUM 3200 LBS. WITH DRIVER. OR 3275 LBS WITH A 400 BLOCK.

2.  MAXIMUM LEFT SIDE WEIGHT 56% WITH DRIVER.

3.  TRACK WIDTH MAXIMUM 78", MEASURED OUTSIDE OF TIRE TO OUTSIDE OF TIRE AT BOTTOM.

4.  MINIMUM FRAME AND BODY HEIGHT AT ANY POINT ON THE CAR MUST BE 6" AT ALL POINTS.

FRAME

1.  BODY AND FRAMES MUST MATCH AND BE GENERATION SPECIFIC.  ENGINE MUST MATCH MANUFACTURER.  (FORD IN FORD,  CHEVY IN CHEVY) AND CONFORM TO ALL RULES SET FORTH FOR THIS DIVISION.

2.  NO CUTTING, SECTIONING, NOTCHING OR MODIFYING OF FRAME ALLOWED.

3.  FOR RUST AND DAMAGE PURPOSES, ALSO SAFETY OF FUEL CELL MOUNTING AND REAR BUMPER MOUNTING, REAR FRAME CAN BE CUT OFF AFTER CENTER LINE OF REAR HOUSING TOWARDS REAR AND REPLACED WITH SQUARE TUBING.  THIS MATERIAL MUST RETAIN STOCK HEIGHT AND CONFIGURATION OF THE OEM FRAME.

4.  NO PART OF FRAME OR BODY WILL BE LOWER THAN 6" TO GROUND.

ROLL CAGE AND SEAT

1.  ROLL BARS MUST BE 1 3/4" OD WITH .095 WALL THICKNESS.  4-POINT ROLL CAGE (MINIMUM)  WITH FRONT AND REAR HOOPS.  NO OFFSET ROLL CAGES.  PERIMETER CAGES ONLY.  WELDED, PLATED TO PERIMETER FRAME.  MINIMUM 2-POINT IN FRONT OF DRIVER.  2-POINT BEHIND DRIVER (FRONT AND REAR WEIGHT PERCENTAGES WILL BE IN EFFECT).  ALL CARS MUST HAVE 1/4" THICK DOOR PLATES IN DRIVER DOOR BARS.  

2.  ALUMINUM RACING SEAT MANDATORY MOUNTED TO CAGE (FULL CONTAINMENT SEAT OR ADD ON KIT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IF DRIVER IS OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE.)

3.  CAGE MUST BE WELDED IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER, SEAT MUST BE MOUNTED IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER AND IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY TECH OFFICIAL.  

FRONT SUSPENSION

1.  ALL SUSPENSION PARTS MUST REMAIN OEM STOCK FOR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR BEING USED TO RACE.  NO OFFSET SUSPENSION PARTS OF ANY TYPE.  NO OFFSET BUSHINGS.  AFTERMARKET SPRINGS PERMITTED.  ADJUSTABLE CUPS PERMITTED.  

2.  STOCK OEM BALL JOINTS ONLY

3.  NO ALTERING SPINDLES, UPPER AND LOWER A-FRAMES.  1 1/4" MAXIMUM SWAY BAR ADJUSTABLE ON ONE SIDE (WITH THREADED ROD).  NO AFTERMARKET ALLOWED.  DRAGLINK, TIE RODS-OEM PARTS ONLY FOR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR BEING USED TO RACE.  UPPER AND LOWER A-FRAMES AND SPINDLES MUST BE THE SAME ON BOTH SIDES AND MATCH YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR BEING USED TO RACE.   

4.  SHOCKS:  SEALED, STEEL, NON-TAKE APART, NON ADJUSTABLE, ECONOMY STOCK APPEARING AND STOCK MOUNTING SHOCKS ONLY.  MAXIMUM RETAIL VALUE OF $130.

5.  SHOCKS MUST BE MOUNTED IN STOCK OEM LOCATION IN STOCK MOUNTS.

6.  SPRINGS MUST BE MOUNTED IN STOCK OEM FACTORY LOCATIONS.  NO WEDGE BOLTS, (ADJUSTABLE CUPS PERMITTED).  NO VARIABLE RATE SPRINGS.  NO CHASSIS LIMITING DEVICES OF ANY KIND.  NO BUMP STOPS (FACTORY RUBBER STOPS MUST BE REMOVED).  ALL SUSPENSION PARTS MUST BE STEEL OEM AND STOCK. (EXCEPTION AFTERMARKET STEEL SPRINGS.)  MAXIMUM 1 SPRING RUBBER PER SPRING.

REAR SUSPENSION

1.  STOCK REAR END FOR MAKE AND MODEL OR FORD 9" (PERMITTED), DRUM BRAKES/DISC BRAKES ONLY FOR ANY MAKE OF REAR END, CAN BE OPEN, POSI OR LOCKED.  

2.  OEM STOCK TRAILING ARMS FOR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR BEING USED TO RACE. NO MONO BALLS.  NO OFFSET SUSPENSION PARTS OF ANY TYPE.  NO OFFSET BUSHINGS.  UPPER AND LOWER STOCK OEM LENGTH ONLY, NON-ADJUSTABLE.  OEM FACTORY BUSHINGS ONLY.  OEM STYLE MOUNTS ONLY.  REAR TRAILING ARM MOUNTS OEM OR SIMILAR.  NO ADJUSTING HOLES, MUST BE IN STOCK LOCATION.  ONE (1) MOUNTING HOLE IN THE FRONT MOUNT, ONE (1) MOUNTING HOLE IN THE REAR MOUNT.  NO WHEEL SPACERS PERMITTED.

3.  WEDGE BOLTS OR ADJUSTABLE CUPS ARE PERMITTED IN REAR ONLY. (AFTERMARKET STEEL SPRINGS PERMITTED NO CHAINS PERMITTED FOR ANY REASON.)  SHOCKS MUST REMAIN IN FACTORY LOCATION ON FACTORY MOUNTS.  NO SPACERS.  NO TUBING MOUNTS.  OEM ONLY.  

4.  LEAF SPRING CARS.  LEAF SPRINGS MUST BE IN STOCK MOUNTS IN STOCK LOCATIONS.  (ONLY ONE (1) HOLE AT TOP, ONE (1) HOLE AT BOTTOM OF SHACKLES PERMITTED AND MUST BE STOCK LENGTH.)   NO SLIDERS.  NO LOWERING BLOCKS.  ALL PARTS MUST BE OEM FACTORY STEEL.  OEM FACTORY STEEL LEAF SPRINGS ONLY FOR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR BEING USED TO RACE.   

5.  NO CHASSIS LIMITING DEVICES OF ANY KIND.  NO BUMP STOPS. (FACTORY RUBBER STOPS MUST BE REMOVED).

6.  SHOCKS: SEALED, STEEL, NON-TAKE APART, NON-ADJUSTABLE ECONOMY STOCK APPEARING AND STOCK MOUNTING SHOCKS ONLY.  MAXIMUM RETAIL VALUE OF $130.

BRAKES

1.  OEM STEEL DRUMS OR DISCS.  OEM STEEL CALIPERS ONLY.

2.  ALL 4 BRAKES MUST BE IN WORKING ORDER.  COMPLETE SYSTEM MUST BE OEM  AND STEEL.  (EXCEPTION REAR CALIPER BRACKETS).  NO RACING CALIPERS SUCH AS WILWOOD, ETC.  DISC MUST BE OEM THICKNESS.  

3.  RACING BRAKE PEDAL WITH SINGLE MASTER CYLINDER PERMITTED.   NO BRAKE BIAS ADJUSTMENTS PERMITTED.  

BODIES

1.  BODY MUST MATCH FRAME. G-BODY MUST BE ON G-BODY FRAME.   (MONTE CARLO BODY MUST HAVE MONTE CARLO FRAME,  CHEVELLE BODY MUST HAVE CHEVELLE FRAME, ETC. AND BE THE RIGHT BODY THAT CAME WITH THAT STYLE FRAME NO MIX MATCHING BODIES AND FRAMES)  ALL DOORS MUST BE WELDED SHUT.  HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS MUST BE REMOVED AND COVERED.  ALL GLASS MUST BE REMOVED.  WINDSHIELDS MUST BE LEXAN.  CARS WITH NO WINDSHIELDS MUST HAVE 3 BARS AND SCREEN FIRST TIME TO TRACK.  THIRD TIME TO TRACK IT IS MANDATORY THAT CAR HAS A FULL LEXAN WINDSHIELD. 

2.  INTERIOR MUST BE FREE FROM DEBRIS AND FLAMMABLE MATERIALS.  

3.  ALL OUTER BODY PANELS MUST REMAIN OEM STOCK STEEL.  IF DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR, CAN BE REPLACED WITH MAGNETIC STEEL FORMED TO BE STOCK APPEARING.  HOOD: STEEL, FIBERGLASS, OR OEM ALUMINUM ONLY. MAXIMUM 4" COWL INDUCTION SCOOP PERMITTED.

4.  REAR 1/2 OF WHEEL WELLS IN TRUNK AND TRUNK FLOOR MAY BE REMOVED FOR FUEL CELL MOUNTING. 

5.  MANDATORY FRONT FIREWALL MUST REMAIN INTACT AND OEM TO BODY.  MANDATORY FLOOR BOARD MUST BE STOCK FROM FRONT FIREWALL TO REAR FIREWALL.  FRONT HALF OF REAR WHEEL WELLS MUST BE RETAINED.  REAR FIREWALL MUST BE ENCLOSED WITH SHEET METAL.  PATCHING OF FLOORS IS PERMITTED.  NO OTHER DECKING PERMITTED IN CAR.  

6.  NO PART OF BODY WILL BE LOWER THAN 6" TO THE GROUND.  SIDE SKIRTS PERMITTED BUT MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 6" TO THE GROUND.  

7.  NUMBERS MUST BE 18" TALL ON BOTH DOORS AND ON TOP WITH NUMBER READABLE FROM THE TOWER.  CAR NUMBER IN UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF WINDSHIELD AT LEAST 6" IN HEIGHT.   NUMBERS MUST BE OF CONTRASTING COLORS TO BODY OR DOOR COLORS.  ALL CARS WILL DISPLAY A ONE OR TWO DIGIT NUMBER.  

BUMPERS

1.  STOCK BUMPERS OR AFTERMARKET COVERS.  NOSE OR TAIL PIECES PERMITTED, ENDS MUST BE HOOKED TO FENDERS AND QUARTER PANELS.  NO LATE MODEL OR TEMPLATE NOSE OR TAIL PIECES PERMITTED.   AN INNER BUMPER MADE OF A MAXIMUM OF 2" X 2" HOLLOW TUBING. (MAXIMUM .095" WALL THICKNESS)  BEHIND OEM BUMPER, BEHIND BUMPER COVER, BEHIND NOSE PIECE, BEHIND TAIL PIECE IF APPLICABLE IS PERMITTED.  (EXAMPLE: SOME CARS HAVE FIBERGLASS MOST AND A CHROME BUMPER, NO COVER, THESE CARS COULD HAVE A TUBING BUMPER EXPOSED.)

HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO USE SOME TYPE OF COVER, LIKE AN IMPALA COVER ON A CHEVELLE LOOKS GOOD. 

2.  RADIATOR HOOP AND FUEL CELL HOOP BEHIND BUMPERS IS PERMITTED.

3.  NO SPOILERS, EITHER STOCK OR AFTERMARKET ARE PERMITTED.  

ENGINE

1.  FACTORY OEM PRODUCTION ONLY.  NO AFTERMARKET BLOCKS.  400 PERMITTED WITH 75 LB. PENALTY.  MUST BE SAME AS CORPORATE MANUFACTURE OF CAR, GM TO GM , FORD TO FORD.  BLOCK AND HEADS MUST BE CAST IRON ONLY.  GM CYLINDER HEADS MUST BE 23 DEGREE ONLY.  2ND PLUG ON THE LEFT SIDE (DRIVER) OF THE ENGINE MUST BE LOCATED WITHIN 1 INCH OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE BALL JOINT.  OPTIONAL: 125LB WEIGHT BREAK WITH LS ENGINE MUST BE THE STOCK GM 5.3 1999 UP TO 2006 WITH FUEL INJECTION MUST HAVE STOCK 5.3 CRANK.  ONLY THESE HEADS NUMBERS ONLY 243, 706, 799, 862 WILL BE PERMITTED AND ALL STOCK GM 5.3 INTERNALS WITH FACTORY PART NUMBERS INTACT.  HEADERS OR STOCK EXHAUST MANIFOLDS PERMITTED.  THE COMPUTER MAY BE TURNED.  COLD AIR INTAKE PERMITTED.  STOCK 5.3 INJECTORS ONLY.  MORE TO COME ON THIS OPTION AS WE TEST IT ON THE TRACK.  

2.  HEADS MUST BE STANDARD VALVE ANGLE.  ANGLE PLUG HEADS PERMITTED.

3.  NO ROLLER CAMS, (PERMITTED WITH THE 5.3 OPTION).  ROLLER ROCKERS PERMITTED.  NO SHAFT MOUNT ROCKERS PERMITTED.

4.  EXHAUST:  MANIFOLDS, HEADERS PERMITTED.  NO CROSS OVER OR 180'S.  NO GRASS BURNERS.  MAXIMUM OF 2 EXHAUST PIPES WITH OD NO LARGER THAN 3 1/2" EXHAUST PIPE MAY BE USED.  PIPES MUST EXIT BEHIND DRIVERS SEAT.  NO FLEX PIPE.  NO X OR H PIPES ALLOWED,   

5.  INTAKE:  UNALTERED STOCK CAST IRON OR ALUMINUM ONLY.  INTAKES MAY HAVE 1/2" HIGH (MAXIMUM) CARB FLANGE ON INTAKE.  CARBURETOR SPACERS PERMITTED WITH A 1" MAXIMUM TOTAL FOR ALL USED.  

6.  IGNITION SYSTEM:  MUST REMAIN COMPLETELY OEM. 

7.  NO AFTERMARKET DISTRIBUTORS, MSD BOXES OR ADD ON ELECTRONIC AMPLIFIERS.

8.  CARBURETOR:  ANY HOLLEY OR ROCHESTER (1 SINGLE CARB PERMITTED).  NO DOMINATORS OR PREDATORS.

9.  WET SUMP AFTERMARKET OIL PAN PERMITTED.  NO DRY SUMP SYSTEMS.

10.  FUEL LINE:  MUST RUN DIRECT FROM FUEL CELL TO FUEL PUMP TO CARBURETOR.  NO COILING OF FUEL LINE.  NO COOL CANS.  FUEL LINE CAN RUN THROUGH RIGHT SIDE OF DRIVERS COMPARTMENT, MUST BE ENCASED IN A 1" OUTSIDE DIAMETER STEEL TUBE.

11.  IF ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP IS USED A MANDATORY OIL PRESSURE SHUT OFF SWITCH MUST BE USED.  

12.  AFTERMARKET ALUMINUM RADIATORS PERMITTED IN STOCK LOCATION.  RADIATOR OVERFLOW MUST EXIT AT RIGHT SIDE OF WINDSHIELD.  NO ANTIFREEZE PERMITTED.  IF LEAKED ON TRACK FOR ANY REASON YOU WILL BE FINED $100.  

TRANSMISSION

1.  AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSION PERMITTED.

2.  MANUAL TRANSMISSION MUST BE UNALTERED CAST IRON STOCK OEM 3 SPEED WITH ALL GEARS (NO LIGHTENING OF TRANS OR PARTS OF TRANS.)  FLYWHEELS MUST BE FACTORY OEM STEEL ONLY.  STOCK WEIGHT AND SIZE FOR A MINIMUM 10" OEM STOCK STEEL PRESSURE PLATE AND A 10" MINIMUM OEM FACTORY STOCK CLUTCH DISC.  NO RACING CLUTCHES.  NO NODULAR IRON OR CAST IRON FLYWHEELS.  NO LIGHT WEIGHT FLYWHEELS.  NO LIGHTENING OF FLYWHEELS.  NO ALUMINUM FLYWHEELS.  MANDATORY BLOW PROOF BELL HOUSING OR MINIMUM 1/4" TRANS SHIELD OR COVER IS REQUIRED.  MUST HAVE FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS AT ALL TIMES.  RACING CLUTCH PEDAL, HYDRAULIC THROW OUT BEARING PERMITTED WITH SINGLE MASTER CYLINDER.  

3.  AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MUST RUN STOCK APPEARING UNALTERED WORKING TORQUE CONVERTER.  NO DIRECT DRIVES OR ELECTRONIC CLUTCH.   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED YOU USE A TRANSMISSION SHIELD FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AS WELL.  

4.  NO TRANS COOLERS INSIDE DRIVER COMPARTMENT.

WHEELS AND TIRES

1.  WHEELS:  MAXIMUM 8" STEEL RIMS.  RACING WHEEL OPTION  15 X 8

2.  TIRES:  HOOSIER COMANCHE OR ANY 15",  16",  NON RACING TIRES D.O.T. 70, 75 SERIES RADIAL PERMITTED.  NO DIRT RACING TIRES PERMITTED. ON A MAXIMUM OF AN 8" WIDE STEEL WHEEL. PLEASE GO TO THE TIRE RULES PAGE AND READ IT. NO RECAPPED TIRES PERMITTED.

3.  ALL WHEEL LUGS MUST BE 5/8" WITH AT LEAST 3 THREADS SHOWING BEYOND LUG NUTS.

4.    WHEEL SPACERS UP TO A MAX OF 3/4 " THICK PER WHEEL PERMITTED.  MAKE SURE RULE 3 IS FOLLOWED. 

SAFETY

1.  RACING SEAT AND MOUNTING SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY TECH OFFICIALS.  FULL CONTAINMENT OR ADD ON KIT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  ANY MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE MUST HAVE A FULL CONTAINMENT SEAT AND HANS DEVICE OR EQUIVALENT, HEAD AND NECK RESTRAINT.  IT IS MANDATORY.  

2.  FUEL CELLS WITH STEEL CAN ARE MANDATORY.

3.  BATTERIES MUST BE SECURELY MOUNTED AND COVERED WITH NON-FLAMMABLE MATERIAL IN THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT OR CAN BE MOUNTED UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF CAR IN FRONT OF REAR END BY LEFT SIDE WHEEL.  IT IS MANDATORY.  

4.  ALL LEAD MUST BE PAINTED WHITE WITH CAR NUMBER IN CONTRASTING COLOR.  ALL LEAD MUST BE SECURELY FASTENED.  NO LEAD IN DRIVER COMPARTMENT.  IT IS MANDATORY.  

5.  ALL CARS MUST HAVE TWO SAFETY LOOPS AROUND DRIVE SHAFT.  DRIVE SHAFT MUST BE STEEL AND PAINTED WHITE.  IT IS MANDATORY.

6.  WINDOW NETS ARE MANDATORY. NO MESH WINDOW NETS. NO HOMEMADE OR STRING NETS.  MUST HAVE QUICK RELEASE LATCH.  LATCHING MECHANISM MUST BE MOUNTED ON THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDOW.  WINDOW NET MUST BE WELDED TO THE ROLL BARS, NOT THE BODY.  

7.  RESILIENT PADDING DESIGNED FOR ROLL BARS MUST BE USED ON ANY PART OF THE ROLL CAGE THAT CAN BE REACHED BY ANY EXTREMITY OF THE DRIVER.  IT IS MANDATORY.

8.  SNELL 2015 OR NEWER HELMET WITH STICKER VISIBLE FOR INSPECTION IS MANDATORY.

9.  CLEAN, FIRE RETARDANT DRIVER RACING UNIFORM, RACING SHOES AND RACING GLOVES ARE MANDATORY FOR FIRE PROTECTION.  

10.  APPROVED SEAT BELTS:  DOUBLE SHOULDER (5-POINT) HARNESS AND LAP BELTS ARE MANDATORY.  MUST BE MOUNTED TO ROLL CAGE.  NO FLOOR MOUNTED BELTS AND MUST BE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD.

11.  ALL COMPETING CARS MUST POSSESS A WORKING FIRE EXTINGUISHER.  IT IS MANDATORY.

12.  NO RADIOS PERMITTED.  NO MIRRORS PERMITTED.

13.  A SHUT OFF SWITCH CLEARLY MARKED "ON" AND "OFF" LOCATED IN REACH OF DRIVER AND TRACK CREW IS MANDATORY.

ALL RULES SUBJECT TO INTERPRETATION OF SHADY BOWL SPEEDWAY OFFICIALS.  RULES CAN BE UPDATED OR CHANGED WITH A MINIMUM OF A 1 WEEK NOTICE DURING THE SEASON FOR SAFETY OR THE BETTERMENT OF RACING.  ALL RULINGS ARE FINAL.

THESE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS CONDITIONS WARRANT. WITH A 1 WEEK  NOTICE TO BENEFIT THIS CLASS.  ALL GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPANTS; INCLUDING GUIDELINES DISCLAIMER, SAFETY, RACING RULES, CONDUCT, SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY, OFFICIAL DECISIONS, ETC.; LISTED IN THE 2024 SHADY BOWL SPEEDWAY "OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS" (STATED IN GENERAL RULES APPLY UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN THESE RULES.) 

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