TRI-COUNTY
PULLERS, INC.
2008
OFFICIAL RULES
Competition Membership:
1) Membership period is from May 1 to April 30.
2) Membership dues are:
$10.00 Driver Membership
$15.00 Tractor Membership
$5.00 One Day Driver
$5.00 One Day Tractor
At any time during the membership year, a one day membership may be upgraded to a yearly membership for an additional $5.00 per driver and/or an additional $10.00 per tractor.
3) Membership includes a primary driver membership card and assignment of a registration number.
4) Secondary drivers membership card is $10.00.
5) Registration number must be in a visible area on both sides of the competing tractor with a minimum of 2 tall numbers.
Divisions:
Official Weight Classes
LIMITED MODIFIED 1700 lbs.
ECONOMOD 1850lbs.
OPEN 1950 lbs.
EXHIBITION (Grand National Mini) 2000 lbs.
· A minimum of three tractors is required for a class to be held at an event. (except for exhibition class)
· 50 lb. Handicap for naturally aspirated small blocks in Open class only. The Tri-County Pullers Board of Directors will determine if an engine is to be considered a small block.
· An exhibition only class for tractors that exceed current open class rules will be offered until the three tractor minimum is met. NTPA rules for Grand National mini-rods will apply with the exception that safety equipment must meet Tri-County Pullers Open class rules as minimum.
· All official weight classes include driver and tractor ready to compete, including all safety equipment.
Entry Positions:
1) PLEASE sign up as soon as possible when arriving at the pull.
2) Driver must hold a current membership with the club.
3) Enter all classes in which a tractor will compete in at the event.
4) Should a competitor be forced to withdraw from a previously entered class, the withdrawal must be made before the start of the class by notifying the Secretary of their withdrawal. At that time the entry fee will be refunded.
5) Entries will close at the beginning of the previous class:
Limited Modified at the start of its class
Economod at the start of the Limited Modified class
Open at the start of the Economod class
6) Each tractor may enter in only one division, and only once in each class.
a) Limited Modified tractors will be allowed to run when their class is not offered.
7) Once a competitor has hooked to the sled, the entry fee for that class will not be refunded.
8) All entrants will draw for pulling position at the time of registration.
9) If a competitor breaks in the previous class, and cannot make the pull order in the next class, puller must notify the track official for the need of extra time. The track official must allow that puller to drop to the last pulling position.
Eligibility of Contestants:
1) All competitors must hold a current competition membership.
2) Contestants must be 18 years of age, or at least 16 years of age with a written permission from a parent or guardian.
Tractor Registration:
1) Registration means identifying the pulling vehicle with a registration number for points calculation. All tractors must be registered before competing. The number must be displayed on both sides of the tractor with min. 2 numbers in a visible location.
2) A person can rebuild at midseason and retain previous points with the old registration number as long as the old tractor is not running on that number.
3) A tractor owner may sell the tractor with its registration number, including accumulated points from all classes.
4) If 2 or more people own a tractor, they must use the same registration number. In order to be a driver each person must have a current competition membership card.
5) All tractors must pass a tech inspection before competition.
Brakes:
1) All competing tractors must be equipped with working rear brakes.
2) All driveline brakes must have a minimum of 3/8 steel, 360 degrees around brake components.
Drawbars:
1) Drawbar height to be a maximum of 13 at the inside back of the hole (hook point).
2) Drawbar must have a minimum of 1-1/2 diameter hole.
3) No portion of the tractor may interfere with the sled, chain, or hook during a pull, or while being hooked or unhooked.
4) Drawbar hitching point bolt must be a min. of a ½ bolt, grade 8.
5) Solid drawbar is required for all open class tractors. A solid one-piece hitch of min. 1 solid steel as per NTPA specifications, with a minimum of 1-1/2 hole.
6) Drawbar must be a minimum of 6 long to hook point from the center of the rear axle, with a maximum of 18 long to hook point.
7) Wheelie bars are to be separate from the drawbars.
Flywheel and Clutch Shielding:
1) Limited Modified and Economod divisions:
Flywheel and clutch must be wrapped 360 degrees with S.E.M.A. approved bell housing, or S.E.M.A. approved safety blanket.
2) Open division:
Flywheel and clutch assembly must be covered with a bellhousing meeting S.E.M.A. standards. No holes allowed in the bellhousing except one cooling hole, max. of 1 diameter on the face. Bellhousing must be flush on the face and use the blocksaver plate.
3) All automatic transmissions must be covered with S.E.M.A. approved safety blanket and/or shield. MANDATORY: The bellhousing must be covered with a S.E.M.A. approved flywheel flex plate shield, or a steel shield that is 3/16 thick by 3 wide.
4) No cast iron flywheels.
5) All planetary gearboxes must be covered with an S.E.M.A. approved blanket or shield.
Chassis:
1) All tractors shall have wide front axles. Front wheels shall track within rear wheels.
2) No portion of any tractor shall exceed 8 foot forward of the center of the rear wheels, except for the tow ring.
3) No portion of any tractor shall exceed 6 feet in width.
a. Tread width (foot Print) not to exceed 6 feet in width. Per NTPA rules 2007 pg 56
Engines:
1) All tractors require side plates the length of the engine block, 6 above and below the crankshaft centerline, made of 1/8 aluminum or 1/16 steel.
2) Side shields must be mounted independently of the engine block
3) All blow tubes must exit forward of the rear wheels.
4) All pulling tractors must be equipped with mechanical throttle linkage with return to idle springs. No Hydraulic throttle linkages are allowed. All foot throttles must have toe straps.
5) All fans and stock type harmonic balancers must be wrapped 360 degrees with 1/16 steel or 1/8 aluminum, and with a crossbar on the front.
6) One-piece harmonic balancers and SFI approved harmonic balancers must be bolted to the crank with a minimum grade 8 bolt.
7) All exhaust must discharge vertically and be securely attached. Vertical is defined as being within 30 degrees, in any direct of being plumb.
8) No rain caps.
Fuel:
1) All forms of Nitromethane, including Nitrous Oxide, are illegal as fuel or fuel additives for pulling. If any competitor is proved for use of illegal fuel, the penalty will be loss of all points and suspension of membership for one year and 10 days.
2) No pressurized fuel tanks are allowed.
Kill Switches:
1) All pulling vehicles must have a breakaway ignition kill switch in working order at all times.
2) The breakaway kill switch must be mounted in the rear, independent of the drawbar.
3) The breakaway kill switch must break current or ground the ignition circuit as necessary to disrupt ignition to the engine(s). On vehicles equipped with electric fuel pump(s), the switch must also break the current to the fuel pump(s).
4) All ignition engines must have another kill switch in working order, mounted within easy reach of the driver. All fuel-injected engines must have a working fuel shut-off valve control within easy reach of the driver.
Driveline Shielding:
1) All driveshaft must be covered 360 degrees with Ό steel or 3/8 aluminum.
2) All chains must be covered 360 degrees with 1/16 steel or 1/8 aluminum.
Safety:
1) Tech inspectors can bar from competition any vehicle, at any time, which they believe has a potential safety problem.
2) All pulling vehicles must be equipped with a minimum of one 2-1/2 lb. Fire extinguisher, fully charged and in working order, within easy reach of the driver.
3) All drivers must wear a DOT approved helmet. Chinstraps must be fastened when pulling. Loss of helmet is cause for disqualification. Eye protection is highly recommended but not required.
4) A capable driver must be seated in the vehicle when the engine is being started, and whenever it is running. Drivers must have complete control at all times.
5) All pulling vehicles must be equipped with a neutral safety starter switch on the gearshift, which will allow starter engagement only in the neutral or park position.
6) All tractors with reverse must have a 2 diameter white light on the back of the tractor that automatically goes on when the vehicle is put in reverse.
7) All drivers must wear fire retardant jackets.
8) Shut down and hands up before measurement and unhooking of the tractor.
9) If the idle is up when leaving the track and tires spin, throwing dirt, the contestant will be disqualified.
Seats and Fenders:
1) All seats must have a minimum of a 6 high back.
2) Fenders are to consist of a barrier between the driver and tire. Fenders are to extend a minimum of 4 horizontally from the inside vertical edge of the tire.
Wheelie Bars:
1) Wheelie bars are to be a maximum of 6 off the ground, minimum of 2 from the vertical rear of the tire, with 2 bars that have a minimum of a 3 x 3 pad, or a 1 x 5 solid centered wheel, and be able to support the weight of the tractor.
2) All tractors must have bumper bars. Specs will be the same as the NTPA rules.
a. In addition to stabilizer bars, there must be a brace that extends vertically 6 inches from the rear most tip of skid pads.
b. There must be a support brace extending inward to frame, axle, or top of stabilizer bar arms.
c. Vertical brace should extend rearward a minimum of 2 inches from radius of rear tire.
d. Material used to build vertical brace and support brace must be the same size and strength as the material used to build stabilizer bar.
Super Chargers and Turbo Chargers;
1) NO superchargers or turbochargers are allowed in any class, except the open division with limitations.
Tires:
1) Limited Modified Division: Limited to 31x15.50x15
2) Economod and Open Division: Limited to 18.4-16.1
3) Contest is open to pulling vehicles with rubber tires. NO four-wheel drier. NO dual tires, tire studs, or chains. All power must be transmitted through the rear wheels.
Limited Modified Division:
1) Maximum of 235 cubic inches.
2) Carburetor limited to one four barrel.
3) Multi-motorcycle and/or snowmobile engines combined will not exceed the 235 cubic inch limit. One barrel carburetor per cylinder will be used by motorcycle and snowmobile engines only. Maximum of two motors.
4) No fuel injection.
Economod Division:
1) Maximum of 370 cubic inches.
2) One four barrel carburetor or one predator. No Holley Dominators or fuel injection. No 4500 style-series carburetors.
3) All tractors must use automatic transmissions with torque converter. No clutches of any type
4) No aluminum heads, cast iron only.
5) No aluminum blocks. Cast iron only.
6) No rollers cams or lifters.
7) No magnetos.
8) Heads must retain OEM valve angles for that engine.
9) No off set lifters.
10) No mushroom cams.
Open Division:
1) Maximum of 575 cubic inches.
2) Maximum of an 8-71 supercharger allowed on a maximum 370 cubic inch small block with the following provisions:
a. All supercharges engines must use SFI Spec. 14.1 blower restraints.
b. Supercharger drive components must be shrouded top and sides with minimum 0.060 steel.
i. Blower shield must be wider than all components, idler belt, pulleys, etc. and be securely mounted.
c. If using an automatic transmission, you must use a 6 belt and NTPA approved safety blanket.
3) Turbochargers allowed on a maximum of 370 cubic inch small block with the following provisions:
a. Single pressure stage only.
b. All turbochargers must be completely shrouded, except for the inlet and exhaust pipes, with minimum 0.060 steel.
c. Turbocharged engines must have (2) 3/8 bolts (grade5) in horizontal portion of exhaust pipe(s). Bolts to be installed 90degrees to each other within 1 inch of each other.
d. If using an automatic transmission, you must use a 6 belt and NTPA approved safety blanket.
4) The Tri-County Pullers Board of Directors will determine if an engine is to be considered a small block.
All Divisions:
1) No aftermarket four valve per cylinder heads or aftermarket *aluminum blocks. *(Does not apply to open class).
2) No turbine engines.
3) No division jumping except on days when the tractors normal class is not offered.
Event Procedures and Requirements:
1) All official contests must have available a straight level dirt track of no less that 200 feet in length, maximum of 300 feet in length, with a width of not less than 30 feet. Markers and chalk lines shall define side boundaries. A safety shut down area of 50 feet is required at the finish end of the track. Tracks must also have a crowd barrier of at least 25 feet between track and crowd.
2) All tracks must be maintained and leveled by the promoter.
3) No one is allowed on the track except for the flagmen, contestant, vehicle starting crew, (if required) and the sled operator while the vehicle is under the green flag.
4) All pulls shall operate with a flagman. The flagman is responsible for the readiness of the track, pulling vehicle and the contestant. The flagman is the official track judge while the pull is in progress.
5) When unscheduled pulls are added to those already on the schedule it will be a no points pull unless voted on by the majority of club members.
6) No rain dates unless noted on the schedule ahead of time.
7) NO ONE allowed within 25 feet of the track, unless you are a paid member.
Weighing and Drawbar Measuring Procedure:
1) All official weights must include the driver and vehicle, with oil, water, fuel and safety equipment ready to compete. All drivers must weigh in with their vehicle in their respective classes.
2) All drawbars will be measured before or during weighing in procedure with the driver seated in the vehicle.
3) Drawbars must be rigid in all directions.
4) No standing on drawbars or wheelie bars while measurement is taken.
5) Any addition of fuel or weights and any altering of drawbars, or tire pressure may be allowed, but the driver and vehicle MUST be reweighed and measured before competition. In the event of a pull-off, only fuel may be added.
Test Puller and Options:
1) Number one puller will be test puller. They may take first pull if weight transfer is correct, may immediately come back and pull, come back first, third or last. Third or last position is defined as the position immediately following the next two tractors and whatever the number tractors there happens to be that day and their attempt.
2) The number one puller, or test puller, is not to be disqualified or measured for running out of bounds on the FIRST attempt only. All other reasons for disqualification apply. Disqualification will apply on the second or subsequent attempt if out of bounds.
3) If the weight transfer needs further adjustment, the first puller after each adjustment will be treated as the test puller.
4) It is the competitors responsibility to alert the track judge regarding decisions on re-pulls, and chosen position before the vehicle leaves the track.
5) For any re-pull caused by contest malfunction, the puller may drop the 3rd or 6th position.
6) Any disqualification on first attempt bars a second attempt. Should a class be re-started a disqualified puller will be allowed to pull in the position they previously drew.
7) A contestant must pull in the position drawn within three minutes of track readiness. Any delay will cause disqualification. If the track judge is notified, a puller having mechanical problems may drop to last position. This may be done once per contestant per class.
8) Puller will be allowed to drop to last position if breakage occurs on the first attempt provided the vehicle did not pass the 75-foot mark. Puller will be allowed a total of two attempts.
9) If the last vehicle in a class experiences mechanical problems, the puller will be allowed six minutes to hook and make an attempt.
Pull-Offs:
1) In a pull-off, each of the contestants will be allowed only one attempt to make a measurable pull.
2) The order of the pull-off will be in the same order in which the vehicles made a full pull.
3) If a pull-off can not be completed due to rain, curfew, etc., purse monies and points for places involved will be divided equally among those involved in the pull off.
4) If the competitor makes a full pull, all succeeding competitors must pull at that setting, unless in the track judges opinion the sled operator has made a mistake.
5) A floating finish line may be used at the discretion of the competition director and the sled operator. Ten feet will be the maximum. Extended boundaries must be clearly chalked. Competitors must be informed in advance of this change.
Summary of Causes for Disqualification:
1) Loss of ballast weight under the green flag.
2) Loss of safety equipment and/or failure of safety equipment to function.
3) Illegal fuel:
a. Any form of Nitromethane (including Nitrous Oxide or Propylene Oxide).
b. Any oxygen improving chemical.
4) Out of bounds (vehicle only).
5) Unsafe operation of a pulling vehicle.
6) Intoxication of driver.
7) Illegal equipment.
8) Leaving the start line under the red flag.
9) Unsportsmanlike like conduct.
10) Any knowing violation of any rule shall be considered illegal. Severity of punishment is to be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
11) The decision of the track judge is FINAL, and shall not be appeal able. However with a showing of reasonable and good cause the track judge may, without liability, reverse and/or revise his decision. (The lead flagman is the track judge).
12) Until the final decision of the flagman is made, no one is allowed on the track.
Protest Rule:
A $250.00 tear down fee must accompany any protest to the legality of competitors motor. The owner of the tractor must then remove the head, at his/her choice of location, with the tech inspectors present to check the bore and stroke. If the tractor is found to be legal, the protester will forfeit his/her $250.00 to the owner of the tractor. If the tractor is found to be illegal, the protestor will get his/her money back. Any owner refusing to tear down their motor will automatically be declared illegal. The protester must sign a paper with their name at time of protest. You may only protest a tractor in your own class.
Penalty for being disqualified for running an illegal engine is the tractor will be banned from pulling with the Tri-County Pullers, Inc. for one year and 10 days.
Conduct of a Pulling Contest:
1) Tractors must be operated in a safe manner at all times.
2) Drivers must remain seated during the pull and have complete control of the vehicle at all times.
3) NO passengers shall be on any tractor when it is being towed or driven.
4) Any driver incapacitated die to an intoxicating agent and/or drug shall not be allowed to compete.
5) All drivers must wear a fire retardant jacket, street pants and shoes (fire pants/ suit are optional)
6) In order to receive points, the puller must hook and make a measurable pull on that day and have paid the entry fee (s) for the class (s).
7) All pulls must start with a tight chain, no jerking. Contestants will be allowed a total of two attempts and 75 feet to start the sled. If the driver lets off the throttle before 75 feet he/she will be given another attempt, even if the tractor / sled went beyond 75 feet. If no attempt is made to back off the throttle, no second attempt will be given. The intent is for drivers to not slam on the breaks in order to stop before 75 feet, but to come to as smooth a stop as possible.
8) Each contestant has the privilege of and responsibility for spotting the sled for both of their attempts. Use of crewmembers is a good way to spot the sled.
9) The sled will move backward or forward to the starting line prior to each attempt. No official pull may start beyond the starting line, in either direction. The sled will be started with the front of the pan even with the starting line, and in gear.
10) An attempt is defined as moving the sled a measurable distance of one inch or more.
11) Only the flagman and sled driver will make track length decisions, in regards to a floating finish or using a 310 track, after the test puller in each has ran, with input from the test puller.
12) All pulls made during a contest will be measured. All pulls will be measured to the nearest half-inch in front of where the pan of the sled stops.
13) Violation of any rule will constitute disqualification.
14) Pulling vehicles must remain within the boundaries of contestant course at the start and throughout the pull, or else the vehicle will be disqualified.
15) If the vehicle is legal when hooked the sled, and breakage occurs when under the green flag due to unforeseen circumstances the pull will be measured, with the exception of loss of ballast or safety equipment.
16) It is mandatory for all drivers to attend any and all drivers meetings while at the pull.
Flag Procedures:
Flag colors and meanings:
RED STOP as smoothly as possible.
GREEN GO for it!
A RED flag is used for any of the following:
1) You have made a full pull.
2) You have ceased all forward motion.
3) You have gone out of bounds.
4) You have lost a weight or some part.
5) Something is wrong with the sled.
A RED flag is used by one or both of the flagmen while all of the following are being readied and checked:
1) Tractor is properly hooked.
2) Kill switch is hooked.
3) Driver is ready fire jacket helmet are in place and one hand is on the wheel.
4) Sled driver signals he is ready by switching the yellow light to green.
5) Track area around the sled is clear of all track equipment (exception: tractor starting crewmembers).
The primary flagman then displays the GREEN flag when all the yellow flag requirements are complete and he/she is satisfied that the track and safety area are clear and ready. (Exception: tractor starting crewmembers).
RED flag is used again when the pull is over
If there is only one flagman, only RED and GREEN flags are used. If there are two flagmen, the primary flagman uses the red and green and the intermediate flagman uses red and yellow.
Points Structure:
Place Points Place Points
First 15 Ninth 7
Second 14 Tenth 6
Third 13 Eleventh 5
Fourth 12 Twelfth 4
Fifth 11 Thirteenth 3
Sixth 10 Fourteenth 2
Seventh 9 Fifteenth 1
Eight 8 All others 1
1) Each contestant receives ten (10) Hook points for payment of entry fee, providing the contestant makes a measurable pull on that day.
2) A contestant who is disqualified will receive ten (10) Hook points plus the place points for the last place of the tractors hooking to the sled and making a measurable pull that in that class.
3) If a contestant breaks after making a measurable pull in a previous class on that day, the contestant will receive ten (10) Hook points plus the last place points in all succeeding classes that day, providing the contestant has paid the entry fee for each of those classes.
4) In the case of a tie, the places in question will split the total of both place points and price money if any.
5) If a contestant scratches and receives their entry fees back, they will not receive entry points for that event.
EXAMPLES of Points Calculation:
Hooked + Pulled = 10 Hook Points + Place Points
Hooked + Pulled (Disqualified) = 10 Hook Points + Place Points for last position of tractors making a measurable pull.
Scratched No Returned Fees = 10 Hook Points + Last Place Points
Scratched Fees Returned = NO points
6) Final tally of points at last pull is tentative until audit has been completed.
7) End of year championship tiebreaker is who has the most wins on down.