HOTMOD FAQ “It’s Grass Roots Racing, With A Modern Twist”
Q: “What is a ‘HotMod’?”
A: The ‘HotMod’ is a hybrid race car. It combines the economical pure stock division suspension rules with the basic & standard construction rules of the modified division.
Q: “What is the idea behind this class?”
A: The ‘HotMod’ is designed to encourage economical participation in racing for both the entry level competitor, as well as those unable or unwilling to devote the necessary time and funds to compete in the current pure stock, modified or late model style cars. Rules stability will allow prospective competitors the assurance that the car they prepare this year won't become technologically obsolete the next season. The ‘HotMod’ division rule book severely limits the amount of suspension fabrication work that can be done. While this somewhat levels the playing field, it serves a more important purpose: cost control. Properly maintained, a car can last several seasons. Additionally, building a ‘HotMod’ won’t require the purchase of a ‘racing chassis’ to be competitive. The required o.e.m. “stock” suspension mounting points eliminate that need. Also, this class will better ensure participant safety than the current pure stock division. Car construction specs mandate driver safety above all else.
Q: “How will the ‘HotMod’ be more economical?”
A: ‘HotMod’ engine rules are simple and easy to enforce fairly. Ignition and fuel delivery are designed to limit compression and rpm’s. Engine c.i.d. is limited by manufacturer, and rules to limit bore, stroke and compression will be enforced. The limiting of tire and suspension options should not only eliminate the need for monster engines, but encourage the use of less powerful, but more reliable smaller power plants. These lower compression engines will perform just as well on 92 octane pump gas as they will on racing fuel. The cost savings on fuel alone should encourage participation. Body rules allow for everything from o.e.m. to home-made bodies. This eliminates the need for expensive and fragile nose and tail pieces to make a car look presentable. The use of the unaltered gm o.e.m. 4-link rear suspension minimizes chassis fabrication costs to the absolute minimum. By restricting the usage of purpose built racing parts, the class is designed to encourage and reward the resourcefulness of the ‘shadetree mechanic’, while keeping costs in check.
While no one can legislate irresponsible spending out of any class, these rules are designed to minimize the impact. It should be noted that there are currently variations of this class flourishing in most other parts of the country. Whether campaigning under the IMCA (Sportsmod), UMP (B-Mod) or SIMS modified banner, all have found a strong niche as a class for the economy minded racer and promoter.
The construction rules for the above mentioned groups are quite stringent in regards to the engines. All require certain casting numbers cylinder heads for the visible external engine inspection. This is an easily policable rules concept. Others state that no internal engine modifications (porting & polishing, etc.) is allowed. These rules would require a much more thorough inspection process than what many track operatiors would find acceptable. The 'HotMod' rules are based on these same concepts, taking into account what is currently workable for track operators and racers alike. The inspection is 90% visual, aided by a magnet, a tape measure (for the initial inspection) and possibly a "Go-No Go" guage for the carburetor bore. Removing valve covers is included and likewise would require little more than a visual inspection. Writing a set of rules which are unenforcable is a waste of time and effort.
Q: “Can I convert my current pure stock?”
A: As long as the car meets the ‘HotMod’ construction requirements, it would be legal. For some, it may entail no more than changing their bumpers and removing the front fenders and nose piece. Please note, these rules were written with the economy racer in mind. It was intended to allow a transition period of a season or more to allow the ‘HotMod’ class to grow. Unfortunately, pure stock car counts have been on a slow but steady decline in the last 3 years. This is not unique to any area track, but instead seems to be a product of motorsports cycle. The evolution of the class is about to place it at a crossroads yet again. The current modifieds and late models have become so expensive to build and operate that only the most serious racers compete in these divisions. Rather than drastically change any class, this is an opportunity to get a class under control in regards to rules and cost, and still allow for current racers to compete with the equipment they presently have. No one wants to see the current racers have their equipment instantly obsoleted by the stroke of a pen. This eases the transition period for the racer. The ‘HotMod’ closely resembles a pure stock in many ways. Suspension rules are slightly more liberal, allowing for the use of stock located spring adjusters which require no fabrication. Transmission, rear end, wheel and tire rules for the ‘HotMod’ are the same as current pure stock rules. Body, safety and engine set back rules are the biggest difference.
Q: “Will the current modifieds be able to run as ‘HotMods?”
A: Not in their current design. None of the current competitive (TSMA, AMRA, UMP, IMCA, etc.) modified’s run the ‘HotMod’ rule mandated o.e.m. 4-link suspension. While a current modified could be used to construct a ‘HotMod’, it would require installing or grafting an o.e.m. passenger car rear frame clip and suspension for the 4 link. Many of the roll cage & body rules are similar (or in some cases identical) to the TSMA/AMRA Modified sanctioning rules. This is simply to aid in the growth of the class, as the TSMA/AMRA rules are the most widely used and accepted in the area for the current open wheel modified division.
Q: “Why a open wheel modified?”
A: The ‘HotMod’ car construction rules are based on the most popular class currently racing in the U.S.: the open wheel modified. Body construction rules allow for the most creativity with the least materials used of any current class in short track racing. Eliminating the need for nose pieces, tail pieces, and front fenders also eliminates the body parts most easily damaged and requiring replacement/repair. No class allows for a body to be built with less materials (all of which can be ‘home made’) than a modified. Detroit production bodies can be difficult to find, require a great deal of work to make ‘race ready’, and can be expensive. Some racers are already going to the expense of purchasing aftermarket bodies for these cars. Many other potential competitors are turned off from the pure stock division because of the requirements to work around rusty stock floorpans, trunk floors, inner fenders, etc. Modified bumper rules eliminate dangerous stock bumpers, and are much cheaper & easier to build than the ones currently used to back up the rubber nosepieces. Eliminating the rules requiring inner fenders, trunk floors, etc., as well as eliminating the front fenders make the car much easier to maintenance. In addition to being able to more easily maintain a good looking car of your own design, it will cut bodywork time drastically.
Q: “I don’t want to have to build a body. What are my options?”
A: The rules don’t require that you fabricate or buy an aluminum racing body. Good looking cars can be created using light guage sheet metal, as well. A Detroit o.e.m. body is just as acceptable, provided the ‘HotMod’ body rule dimensions are followed. The flexibility of ‘HotMod’ body rules encourage creativity for the racer’s, and provide variety for the fans.
In many ways, the ‘HotMod’ takes racing “back to the future”, where the car’s looks and performance were limited less by the size of the competitors wallet, but only by the creativity of the builder and crew. IT’S GRASS ROOTS RACING, WITH A MODERN TWIST!
Q: “I want to race, but I can’t afford to buy a chassis to be competitive.”
A: The ‘HotMod’ rules were written so that the prospective racer who want’s to build his own car can do so, and be just as competitive as the next guy. By requiring the rear suspension to the unaltered o.e.m. 4 link design, and limiting the amount of suspension fabrication to an optional relocation of the o.e.m. front upper control arm mounts, just about anyone with access to a caster/ camber guage, torches, a welder and other basic automotive tools can build a competitive car. There are chassis manufacturers who build this type of race car, but it is not a ‘high tech’ item, therefore the demand isn't great. The reason being is that nearly any seasoned racer can order a cage kit and build one from scratch on their own just as well. Most pure stock racers currently do this already, and do it working around more difficult rules than required to construct a ‘HotMod’. Old late model and modified chassis’s are always available for sale, or can be found very reasonably priced at auctions. These frames and cages can be mated into a o.e.m. frame, or converted to make an excellent start for any ‘HotMod’ chassis. Again, this class is targeted at those who want to race competitively, and do so without breaking the family budget. The rules allow for some chassis adjustment, but more importantly place a premium on mechanical ingenuity and driver skill for success.
Q: “I’m interested, but don’t understand all the rules. Who can I call on for answers to any questions I may have?”
A: Steve Davis is the contact for the HotMod division.
BDS Racing Promotions/ Mountain State Motorsports has a dedicated e-mail address to direct correspondence in regards to Hot Mod questions @ hotmod09@hotmail.com.
For those who prefer to contact by phone, call the track’s office number @ (304) 771-5661 (leave a message). I may not have all the answers to your questions, but I'll gladly research them and return your call.
On a side note: The 'HotMod' rules are not intended for redistribution without my consent, and are not open for individual revision or interpretation.
Please do not plagiarize (to steal or pass off the words or ideas of another as one's own) these rules, they are in the process of being copyrighted.
The 'HotMod' rules are in no way a guarantee of safety. Racing is a dangerous sport, and any competitor or others involved assume all risk for their own personal safety.
