Camaro/Firebird SCCA Trans Am Racing Rules
DBoone1734
The Camaro/Firebird compete in the SCCA Trans Am racing series. For
all those that may be interested, here are the rules governing this form
of racing. The 1997 Trans Am racing schedule is not available yet. I
will post it here when it becomes available.
Enjoy.
D.B.
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What:
The SCCA Trans-Am Championship is celebrating its 30th year of competition
in 1995, which makes it the longest continuously running road racing
series in North America. Since its inception in 1966, the SCCA Trans-Am
Championship has provided a competition arena for stock-appearing touring
(sedans) and grand touring (sports) race cars. The 1995 season begins with
race number 316.
Top Drivers:
Many of the biggest names in North American road racing compete in the
Trans-Am, including Mike Berg, Price Cobb, Jim Derhaag, 1993 and 1994
runner-up Ron Fellows, Jamie Galles, Paul Gentilozzi, Jon Gooding, Deborah
Gregg, 1990 champion Tom Kendall, Chris Kneifel, Ray Kong, Tim McAdam, Bob
Patch, 1978 titlist Greg Pickett, Randy Ruhlman, Boris Said, Bill
Saunders, 1989 champ Dorsey Schroeder, Brian Simo, Brian Till and R.J.
Valentine.
Top Models:
Chevrolet Camaros and Ford Mustang Cobras are the most common models.
Other eligible marques are Chevrolet Corvettes and Luminas, Dodge
Daytonas, Lincoln-Mercury Cougars, Pontiac Grand Prix and Trans Ams,
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supremes and Toronados, and Buick Regals. Roadsters and
convertibles are not eligible for competition and car styles can't be more
than five years old.
Top Chassis:
The top chassis builders in the series include Riley & scott, Roush,
Weaver, Selix-Weaver, Hoerr, Rocketsports and Pratt & Miller Engineering.
Eligibility:
Touring sedans and Grand Touring production sports cars produced in
quantities of at least 1,000 units per 12-month period and specifically
approved by SCCA Pro Racing are eligible.
Chief Steward:
Longtime SCCA official John Martinsen, who is entering his ninth year as
Trans-Am Chief Steward.
Purse Notes:
For 1995, the overall payout is expected to surpass $1.3 million.
Manufacturers' Points:
Manufacturers' Championship points are awarded on the following basis:
1st, 9 pts.; 2nd, 7; 3rd, 5; 4th, 4; 5th, 3; 6th, 2; 7th, 1. Only the
highest finish per manufacturer is awarded.
Drivers' Points:
Drivers' Championship points are awarded on a per-race basis as follows:
1st, 30 pts.; 2nd, 27; 3rd, 25; 4th, 23; 5th, 21; 6th, 20; 7th, 19; 8th,
18; 9th, 17; 10th, 16; 11th, 15; 12th, 14; 13th, 13; 14th, 12; 15th, 11;
16th, 10; 17th, 9; 18th, 8; 19th, 7; 20th, 6; 21st, 5; 22nd, 4; 23rd, 3;
24th, 2; 25th, 1.
Qualifying and Bonus Points:
Five points are awarded to the fastest qualifier, three points are earned
by the second-fastest qualifier and one point is awarded to the
third-fastest qualifier; one point is awarded to any driver who leads a
lap and one point goes to the driver who leads the most laps.
Inverted Fast Five Qualifying Grid:
Trans-Am's unique Fast Five Qualifying, which locks in the top five spots
during the first qualifying session, continues in 1995, but with a new
twist. The top five qualifiers will start in inverted order, with the
fifth-fastest qualifier starting on the pole, followed by the
fourth-through first-fastest qualifier.
Pace American Appearance Plan:
The Pace American Appearance Plan pays drivers who are not in the 1995
Top-10 points standings $2,000 at their eighth race of the season and $600
for each race they enter and compete in thereafter. Pace American Plan
members are eligible for additional special monies, including
contingencies. The eligibility requirements are: Driver cannot have won a
Trans-Am race in the last five years; Driver cannot be in the 1995
Trans-Am Top-10 Championship points standings; Driver cannot be eligible
for the Gold Appearance Plan; 1994 Pace American Appearance members are
automatically on the Plan, and are eligible for special monies and awards
at the first race of the 1995 season. 1994 Gold Appearance Plan drivers
who failed to requalify for the Gold Plan will not be eligible until their
eighth race.
Gold Appearance Plan:
Drivers who finished in the top 10 in points in the 1994 Trans-Am
Championshipalong with the winners of the Rookie of the Year and the Most
Improved Driver awardsare eligible for the 1995 Gold Appearance Plan,
providing they agree to race in all 1995 Trans-Am events. Drivers
participating in the 1995 Gold Plan, and thus eligible for the $1,100
appearance guarantee, include Ron Fellows, Tom Kendall, Dorsey Schroeder,
Paul Gentilozzi, Greg Pickett, Tim McAdam and Jon Gooding.
Most Improved Driver of the Year:
The Most Improved Driver of the Year is selected by the Trans-Am drivers.
Previous winners include: Jon Gooding (1994), Mitch Wright (1993), Jerry
Clinton (1992), George Robinson (1991), Robert Lappalainen (1990), Dick
Danielson (1989), Bob Sobey (1988), Bill Doyle (1987), Jim Derhaag (1986),
Les Lindley (1985), Jim Miller (1984), Dave Watson (1983) and Paul Miller
(1982).
Contingency Program:
In addition to the qualifying and race purse awarded at each event, over
$30,000 in cash and product awards has been posted by contingency
sponsors.
Attendance Mark:
The SCCA Trans-Am Championship has averaged over 1.1 million fans each
year since 1989.
Tire Declaration:
Two hours prior to the first qualifying session, all competitors must
declare the tire specifics (brand, compound, size and location) and at
that time, SCCA Pro Racing's technical administrators will mark the tires,
which must be used for all qualifying sessions and the race. Any car found
to be in non-compliance during impound is disqualified, losing all monies
and points earned.
Engine Declaration:
Competitors must declare their motor combination for the event (engine
size, fuel-induction system and ID number) two hours prior to the first
qualifying session. Any car found to be in non-compliance during impound
is disqualified, losing all monies and points earned.
Race Length:
Most SCCA Trans-Am Championship events are sprint races, as close to 100
miles in length as possible.
TRANS-AM CAR FACTS AND FIGURES
Uniformity:
All cars must utilize a tube-frame chassis, rear-wheel drive and
front-wheel steering.
Acceleration:
0-60 mph in 3.10 seconds, 0-140 mph in 11.5 seconds.
Top Speed:
Up to 200 mph on extended straight-aways.
Braking Capability:
70-0 mph, 131 feet.
Horsepower:
640 on some larger engines to as little as 500 on the lighter,
smaller-engined cars. Weights are adjusted accordingly.
Chassis:
Tube-frame construction. The chassis must incorporate a full steel roll
cage, including side-door bars.
Bodies:
Cars must maintain the recognizable external features of the
manufacturer's model while providing the necessary flares for tires. The
body is made of space-age composites, including carbon-fiber, kevlar and
fiberglass.
Spoilers:
Front and rear spoilers may be fitted. The maximum height of the rear
spoiler is six and one-half inches and it cannot be wider than the rear
bodywork to a maximum of 65 inches.
Ground Effects:
Any assembly or function that produces or has an aerodynamic ground effect
is prohibited.
Windshield and Windows:
Cars must use the stock safety glass windshield or an approved alternate,
mounted in the stock location and at the stock angle. Other windows may be
made of clear polycarbonate material, but must retain the same shape, size
and location as the original glass.
Suspension:
In general, cars use the basic type of coil-over front and rear
suspension. Live-axle rear suspension is utilized. Active suspension,
telemetry traction control and ABS brakes are not allowed. Chassis data
gathering systems are permitted.
Ride Height:
The minimum ride height is two and one-half inches.
Fuel and Fuel Cell:
The safety fuel cell capacity is 32 gallons. Spec fuels may be required by
SCCA Pro Racing.
Engine:
The engine block and cylinder heads must be standard for the
manufacturer's production street model or an approved alternate. The
crankshaft, connecting rods and camshaft are unrestricted. Turbocharging
and supercharging are prohibited. The 311 c.i. V-8 engine is the most
commonly used combination.
Rev Limiters
A spec rev limiter, set at 8200 rpm, is required for all cars.
Weight:
Car minimum weight is based on engine displacement/configuration. Minimum
weights, without driver and fuel:
Max.Max.
EngineMin.Compression
DisplacementWeightRatio
358 ci V-8*2725 lbs9:1
335 ci V-8*2750 lbsUnlimited
311 c.i. V-82600 lbsUnlimited
275 c.i. V-6*2550 lbsUnlimited
*Allowed only for drivers who have never won a Trans-Am race and are not
on the Gold Appearance Plan.
Transmission:
Four or five forward speeds and reverse.
Locked Differential:
All cars must use a "Detroit-locker" or spool-type locked rear
differential.
Brakes:
All cars must be equipped with a dual-braking system. Air ducts may be
fitted, provided they extend in a forward direction only. Any SCCA Pro
Racing-approved brake discs and calipers may be used. The maximum brake
rotor diameter is 13.125 inches and maximum width is 1.4 inches. Only
ferrous materials are allowed.
Brake Lights and Taillights:
Brake lights and taillights must be operative and must utilize the
original stock taillight and brake light lenses.
Wheelbase:
Standard wheelbase is 102 inches. Cars registered prior to January 1, 1995
may use the stock wheelbase to a maximum of 110 inches.
Track/Car Width:
The maximum overall car width is 80 inches.
Wheels:
Wheels are steel or aluminum or a combination thereof. All four wheels
must be of the same diameter (15 or 16 inches) with a maximum width of 12
inches.
Tires:
In order to supply tires for Trans-Am competition, a tire manufacturer
must provide changing, balancing and technical services to all competitors
running its product. A manufacturer also must be capable of supplying
tires to all competitors who request them. The only tires permitted for
use in the Trans-Am are those tires which are specifically designated by
their manufacturer as being for the Trans-Am. Only bias-ply racing slicks
or rain-tires are allowed. Maximum mounted cross-section width is 14.75
inches.
Exhaust System:
Cars without mufflers will not be accepted for competition. The maximum
sound level is 107 dba.
Googolplex
DBoone1734 (dboon...@aol.com) wrote:
: The Camaro/Firebird compete in the SCCA Trans Am racing series. For
: all those that may be interested, here are the rules governing this form
: of racing. The 1997 Trans Am racing schedule is not available yet. I
: will post it here when it becomes available.
: Enjoy.
: D.B.
While copying things is better than your usual lies and bullshit Stevie, it
doesn't make you a respected and contributing member of the Newsgroup. What's
it going to be next? Gonna print out all of Chiltons and Haynes manuals?
elix...@aol.com
SpamsOil/Rambo/DBoone wrote:
> The Camaro/Firebird compete in the SCCA Trans Am racing series. For
> all those that may be interested, here are the rules governing this form
> of racing. The 1997 Trans Am racing schedule is not available yet. I
> will post it here when it becomes available.
These ain't the "Rules", Stevie. This is the 'press-kit description' of
the class and events in general. The "Rules" are found in the GCR
(General Competition Regulations) and the Pro volumes. Together, they are
about two inches thick. Let me know if you would like to copy all of this
into too. While you are at it, I've got copies of the Showroom Stock,
Vintage and a couple of Solo reg books too. Total length, about 2000
pages. Assuming you finish early with the GCRs, of course.
BTW: With the wealth of encyclopedias curently at your disposal, why
don't you tell us who *owns* the "Trans Am" trademark, eh? Rumor has it
you compete yourself (chortle-snort!) and coming from you this info would
be priceless!
Jeff
Norm Dang
DBoone1734 wrote:
> The Camaro/Firebird compete in the SCCA Trans Am racing series. For
Hi,
Nice post, I'd rather read on-topic postings than some of the other
stuff that floats through this newsgroup.
Norm
DBoone1734
You're welcome Norm. I just thought I'd post some on-topic
information as opposed to the standard flaming, etc., that seems to go on
here. Oh well, kids will be kids. Does not bother me at all. I don't
even read those posts, as I have a software package that filters the ones
I don't want to bother with.
D.B.