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Find Your Car Classification for Bonneville

In spite of the misconception that you can just throw anything together and run it on the Bonneville Salt Flats there is a plan in effect to allow vehicles to safely run the race course in a safe and orderly manner. Finding your classification is best achieved by contacting the USFRA (Utah Salt Flats Racing Association) for the most recent rules. Remember that you'll be miles and miles away from any town so you can't just show up the first day of Race Week and expect to build your vehicle out on the Salt. Besides, the heat would eat you alive first.

To start with, the word "car" or "automobile" are terms applied very loosely to the machines running against the timers on the Bonneville Salt Flats, as in magic it ain't all in what you see. The cars are actually engineered according to the stringent regulations set forth by the Technical Committee of the Southern California Timing Association. These engineering guidelines are meant to insure driver safety, safety for the race track crew and for the spectators as well, no one needs to see folks crashing at speeds that are run on the Salt Flats. Automobiles or cars are using to designate the vehicles running in the four different categories as listed in the next paragraph, contained within these categories are the individual car classes that designate what class a vehicle will compete in.

There are a total of 4 general categories and the general rules for each category will be applicable to all classes within the category - no exceptions.

The Four General Categories are:

  1. Special Construction
  2. Vintage
  3. Modified
  4. Production

 

SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION CATEGORY [back to menu]

This is the ultimate category running at Bonneville as anything goes with regards to engine, fuel, induction and body style (Streamliners or open-wheeled Lakesters). Almost anything goes. The use of production bodies of any type is not permissible so don't hop up the 'Vette with multiple engines and expect to run in this class..

The best way to qualify a new vehicle for this particular category is to submit the vehicle to the Technical Committee for a pre-event inspection. In the likelihood that this isn't feasible then you may submit the plans and pictures (detail counts!) to the person currently serving as the Technical Committee Chairman. That person's contact information is listed below:

Steve Batchelor
15851 E. Ave. Y-4
Llano, CA 93544
(661) 944-4273

Classes for the Special Construction Category:

  1. STREAMLINER - /BFS, /FS, /BGS, /GS, /DS
    1. This class is for the all-out land speed record car. Cars in this class must have at least four wheels, but they need not be arranged in a rectangular configuration. The design of the body is restricted only to the extent that at least two (2) wheels must be covered.
    2. Engine classes allowed are W, AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, XO, XF, XXF, XXO, & V4.
  2. LAKESTER - /BFL, /FL, /BGL, /GL
  3. Special cars constructed in such a way that there is no streamlining, fairing or covering of the wheels and tires. 
  4. Engine classes allowed are: W, AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, XF, XO, XXF, XXO & V4.
  5. ELECTRIC VEHICLE - /E
    1. This class is for vehicles using electric power as the sole means of propulsion. The vehicles must be wheel driven, either front or rear. Four wheel drive is allowed. THE BODY CONFIGURATION IS UNLIMITED.  The class will be based on vehicle weight less driver.  The entrant MUST provide an annual weight certificate for classification purposes.
    2. Class I under 1099 lb. (less than 500 kg)
    3. Class II 1100-2200 lb. (500-1000kg)
    4. Class III 2201 lb. and over (over 1000 kg)
  6.  TURBINE VEHICLE - /T
    1. This class is for vehicles using turbine power (external combustion), as the sole means of propulsion. The vehicles must be wheel driven, either front or rear. Four wheel drive is allowed. THE BODY CONFIGURATION IS UNLIMITED.  The class will be based on vehicle weight less driver. The entrant MUST provide an annual weight certificate for classification purposes.
    2. Class I under 1099 lb. (less than 500 kg)
    3. Class II 1100-2200 lb. (500-1000kg)
    4. Class III 2201 lb. and over (over 1000 kg)

VINTAGE CATEGORY [back to menu]

Here's an early iron lover's category! Body have to be exact replicas of an America production car, although the bodies may be constructed of either fiberglass or aluminum. Note that this restriction does not apply to any entrants running in the Vintage Oval Track class. Several other restrictions on body design are that 1) you can't modify the body itself from the firewall backwards and downwards of the windows, 2) the hood and top of the vehicle may have limited modifications done to them. Again an exception is made for Vintage Oval Track vehicles while other vehicles in this category must adhere to the following regulations:

  1. All automobile bodies must have been produced by an American manufacturer prior to year model 1948, at a production rate of 500 or more yearly. You may substitute exact replicas of these bodies.
  2. You may "chop" (lower) the vehicle's top/roof but you cannot make any further modifications to either the contour or size of the body itself. There are some specific classes in this category that may allow these changes to be made, consult the various classes for more information.
  3. You may fill the wheel wells of the vehicles but you cannot deepen them beyond the production built settings.
  4. Similarly, you can narrow the rear axles but the tires cannot extend into the shell of the body.
  5. If you're running a Vintage class engine and aim to compete in the Vintage Body classes then you are not allowed to run a turbochargers.

 

Classes for this category:

  1. MODIFIED ROADSTER - /BFMR, /FMR, /BGMR, /GMR
    1. In addition to the general category requirements, cars in this class must have a production roadster body or an exact replica of a roadster body produced between 1923 and 1938.
    2. Engine classes allowed are : AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, XF, XO, XXF, XXO, V4 & V4F
  2. FUEL-GAS ROADSTER - /BFR, /FR, /BGR, /GR
    1. In addition to the general category requirements, cars in this class must have a production roadster body or an exact replica of a roadster body produced between 1928 and 1938.
    2. AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, XF, XO, XXF, XXO & V4.
  3. REAR ENGINE MODIFIED ROADSTER - /BFRMR, /FRMR, /BGRMR, /GRMR
    1. In addition to the general category requirements, cars in this class must have a production roadster body or an exact replica of a roadster body produced between 1928 and 1938.
    2. AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, XF, XO, XXF, XXO, V4 & V4F.
  4. STREET ROADSTER - /BSTR, /STR (Gas only)
    1. Cars in this class must have an American production roadster body, or an exact replica of a body produced between 1923 and 1938. The body must not be altered in height, width or contour, and all stock panels, including cowl, cowl eyebrow and windshield post mounting brackets (stanchion) must be retained. 
    2. Engine classes allowed are: AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, XF, XO, XXF, XXO & V4.
  5. Blown & Unblown VINTAGE Classes
    1. BLOWN VINTAGE FUEL COMPETITION COUPE: XF/BVFCC, XO/BVFCC, XXF/BVFCC, XXO/BVFCC & V4/BVFCC
    2. BLOWN VINTAGE GAS COMPETITION COUPE: XF/BVGCC, XO/BVGCC, XXF/BVGCC, XXO/BVGCC & V4/BVGCC
    3. BLOWN VINTAGE FUEL ALTERED COUPE: XF/BVFALT, XO/BVFALT, XXF/BVFALT, XXO/BVFALT & V4/BVFALT
    4. BLOWN VINTAGE GAS ALTERED COUPE: XF/BVGALT, XO/BVGALT, XXF/BVGALT, XXO/BVGALT & V4/BVGALT
    5. BLOWN VINTAGE GAS COUPE and SEDAN: XF/BVGC, XO/BVGC, XXF/BVGC, XXO/BVGC & V4/BVGC.
    6. VINTAGE COMPETITION COUPE: XF/VCC, XO/VCC, XXF/VCC, XXO/VCC & V4/VCC
    7. VINTAGE GAS COMPETITION COUPE: VF/VGCC, XO/VGCC, XXF/VGCC, XXO/VGCC & V4/VGCC
    8. VINTAGE FUEL ALTERED COUPE: XF/VFALT, XO/VFALT, XXF/VFALT, XXO/VFALT & V4/VFALT
    9. VINTAGE GAS ALTERED COUPE: XF/VGALT, XO/VGALT, XXF/VGALT, XXO/VGALT & V4/VGALT
    10. VINTAGE GAS COUPE and SEDAN: XF/VGC, XO/VGC, XXF/VGC, XXO/VGC & V4/VGC
    11. The rules in these classes are identical to the respective Modified category classes, except that only 1948 or earlier bodies with XF, XO, XXF, XXO, or V4 engines are allowed. 
  6. VINTAGE OVAL TRACK /VOT
    1. The Vintage Oval Track class is for old style race cars with pre-1948 engine block design, i.e., no modern overhead V-8’s or blowers. This class is for vintage-engine, old-style open wheel, rear drive, dirt track and Indy, one or two seat cars, with a tapered tail, cowl, and belly pan extending at least from the firewall to behind the driver’s seat. 
    2. Engine classes allowed are XO, XF, XXF, XXO, V4.
  7. MIDGET VINTAGE OVAL TRACK /MVOT
    1. Maximum CID-Midget Vintage Oval Track/MVOT
    2. 150 CID Flathead
    3. 125 CID Overhead
  8. CLASSIC CATEGORY - /CBFALT, /CFALT, /CBGALT, /CGALT, /CPRO, /CPS
    1. This category encompasses American coupes and sedans between 1928 and 1981.  The classes within this category are intended to provide a venue for coupes and sedans from the "Golden Era" of American Automobile production.
    2. Engine classes allowed are AA, A, B, C, D, E, F

MODIFIED CATEGORY [back to menu]

This category encompasses American and foreign coupes, sedans and pickups (with full stock beds), unaltered in height, width or contour, and with all stock panels mounted in original relationship to each other, which have been modified to such an extent as to no longer fit into the production category. Cars generally accepted as sports or Gran Tourissimo coupes are specifically forbidden. A generic requirement for this category is that the car must have been originally produced with suitable seating for four (4) average adult persons.

Within the Modified category, the amount of modification determines the class. For example, a Gas Coupe is basically a Production car with an engine swap, an Altered is a Gas Coupe with headlights and grille covered and the engine set back, a Competition Coupe is an Altered with the nose lengthened and streamlined.

  1. Vehicles competing in the Competition Coupe and Modified Sports classes must have documentation showing the stock vehicle BEFORE modification.
  2. It is REQUIRED that vehicles in this category which exceed 200 MPH, or if the existing record is over 200 MPH, must have roof rails.
  3. COMPETITION COUPE & SEDAN - /BFCC, /FCC, /BGCC, /GCC
  4. Production coupe or sedan body unaltered in width or contour. 
  5. Engine classes allowed are: AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, XF, XO, XXF, XXO
  6. FUEL ALTERED COUPE - /BFALT, /FALT
  7. GAS ALTERED COUPE - /BGALT, /GALT
  8. This class encompasses coupe or sedan bodies, 1928 or later, unaltered in height, width, length or contour, mounted in the conventional manner with all panels mounted in the original relationship to each other.
  9. Cars in this class are considered in the Modified Category and should comply with the General Rules of the category
  10. Engine classes allowed are: AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, XF, XO, XXF, XXO

GAS COUPE and SEDAN - /BGC, /GC

  1. This class encompasses coupes, sedans, and convertibles which must have an engine swap, quickchange rear end, or a non-stock supercharger, any one of which makes the car ineligible for competition in Production class.  Gas Coupe class includes Camaros, Barracudas, 1958 or later T-Birds, Mustangs, compacts and other cars of this type. 500 must have been produced yearly. 
  2. Engines classes allowed are: AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I,J, XF, XO, XXF, XXO

MODIFIED SPORTS - /BFMS, /FMS, /BGMS, /GMS

  1. This class is intended for production sports cars as accepted for GT class which have been modified to such an extent as to make the vehicle illegal for the Production Category. This class is limited to production, a minimum of 500 vehicles of the same model for sale to the general public, sports cars, examples of which include Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911, Mazda RX7, and Nissan Z series automobiles.
  2. This class may run Nitrous Oxide, but will be advanced two (2) engine classes.
  3. Engine classes allowed are: AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I

MODIFIED PICKUP TRUCK - MP (Gas Only)

  1. This class is for 1946 and later American made pickup trucks with full stock bed, unaltered in height, width or contour, with all panels mounted in the original relationship to each other. Samples of allowed trucks include but are not limited to: Chevrolet C series, Ford F series and others.
  2. Engine classes allowed are: AA, A, B, C, D, E, XXO, XXF, XO & XF.

MODIFIED MID/MINI PICKUP TRUCK - M/MP (Gas only)

  1. This class is for 1972 and later American and Foreign made mid and mini sized pickup trucks with full stock bed, unaltered in height, width or contour with all panels mounted in original relationship to each other. Samples of allowed trucks include but are not limited to: Chevrolet S-10, Ford Ranger, Nissan and Toyota.
  2. Engine classes allowed are; C, D, E, F, G, H and I.

PRODUCTION CATEGORY [back to menu]

This category is intended to represent typical transportation vehicles which may be purchased from ANY automobile dealer. 

PRODUCTION RECORDS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AND WILL BE CERTIFIED ONLY AFTER COMPARISON WITH THE MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE MODEL ENTERED. THE ENTRANT IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SUITABLE DOCUMENTATION.

XX/PRO class is limited to cylinder head port configuration as originally designed. This applies to the XXF and XXO engine classes.

  1. PRODUCTION COUPE and SEDAN - /PRO (Gas Only )
    1. This class is for American and foreign coupes, sedans, unaltered in height, width or contour, with all stock panels mounted in original relationship to each other. This category does not include cars properly classified as Sports or GT, such as foreign cars without rear seats suitable for continued adult occupancy. It does include Mustangs, Camaros, Barracudas, 1958 or later Thunderbirds, compacts, and other American cars of this type. 
    2. Engine classes allowed are: AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, XF, XO & XXO.
  2. PRODUCTION-SUPERCHARGED - /PS (Gas Only)
    1. This class is intended for American and foreign coupes, sedans and pick-ups (with full stock beds) that meet the requirement of the Production Coupe and Sedan Class that are equipped with factory supercharger systems. The vehicle must be as originally equipped and configured.
    2. Engine classes allowed are C, D, E, F, G, H , I, and J.
  3. GRAND TOURING SPORT - /BGT, /GT (Gas Only)
    1. Series production sports cars and coupes, as well as limited production cars by a recognized automobile manufacturer, which are primarily intended for comfortable high speed touring.
    2. Rules for this class will be strictly enforced to ensure that cars entered herein are typical of street machines which may be purchased from an automobile dealer.
    3. Engine classes allowed are: AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J.
  4. PRODUCTION PICKUP TRUCK - PP (Gas Only)
    1. This class is for 1946 and later American made pickup trucks, with full stock bed, unaltered in height, width or contour, with all panels mounted in the original relationship to each other. Samples of allowed trucks include but are not limited to: Chevrolet C series, Ford F series and others.
    2. Engine classes allowed are: AA, A, B, C, D, E, XO & XF.
  5. PRODUCTION MID/MINI PICKUP TRUCK - P/MP (Gas only)
    1. This class is for 1972 and later American and Foreign made mid and mini sized pickup trucks with full stock bed, unaltered in height, width or contour with all panels mounted in original relationship to each other. Samples of allowed trucks include but are not limited to: Chevrolet S-10, Ford Ranger, Nissan and Toyota.
    2. Engine classes allowed are: C, D, E, F, G, H and I.
  6. DIESEL TRUCK CATEGORY
    1. UNLIMITED DIESEL TRUCK - U/UDT
      1. This class is for diesel fuel powered trucks, only so modified as to be illegal for Modified Diesel Truck class. Any frame and running gear may be used and multiple engines are allowed. The body may be highly modified.
    2. MODIFIED DIESEL TRUCK - /MDT
      1. This class is for diesel fuel powered trucks only, with modified bodies not otherwise legal for diesel truck class. The body may not be altered in height, width or length. Truck frame and running gear must be used. 
    3. HIGHWAY HAULER - /HH (2 axle/3axle)
      1. American and foreign PRODUCTION diesel powered trucks of not less than 14,500 lbs., unaltered in height, width and contour with all stock panels mounted in the original relationship to each other. 
      2. NOTE: All entrants in the Diesel Truck Classes must have equipment available to move a disabled vehicle from the race course.
    4. DIESEL TRUCK - /DT
      1. This class is intended to represent typical diesel pickup trucks which may be of either American or foreign manufacture. This class is limited up to and including one (1) ton vehicles. The body must remain unaltered in height, width and contour, with all stock panels mounted in original relationship to each other.
      2. Engine classes allowed are: AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H

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