Swearing by the [Rule]Book

The Stafford Motor Speedway's rulebook has already been tweaked, and the '08 version is officially available for your viewing pleasure. And it's a lot earlier than usual. Add in the fact that Stafford still has one swap meet to close out this season (and two swap meets at the start of next season), getting the rules out will help the drivers and crews get a jump during the offseason. Here are the changes that are taking place in '08. They're pretty minor and taken from the site. (Apologies, but as I read this, I'm not sure I could have put it into my own words. I did try. I really did.)

The SK Modified® division will have aluminum bodies allowed, a new 11.5 to 1 compression ratio for all engines, and DART Heads, part number 10024266 will be permitted.

Stafford's Late Model division will be switching its body rule to the NASCAR A-B-C body rule. Other body changes include doors can be either steel or aluminum, fenders can be either steel or plastic, and the rear deck / trunk can be either steel or aluminum. The Late Model division will have the same 11.5 to 1 compression ration for all engines like the SK Modified® division and the DART Head 10024266 will also be permitted. Other engine changes include adjustments to the valve spring and crank rule as well as a header rule adjustment. DCA lower trailing arms, part number 17822, will be permitted, and a new shock package was introduced with KONI shocks part numbers #30-7325, #30-7436, #30-7647, #30-9325, #30-9436 and #30-9414 will be permitted.

Stafford's SK Light division has the fewest changes of the five weekly divisions. Like the SK Modified® division, aluminum bodies will be permitted, and No AP racing or any other brake caliper that exceeds a racer net of $265.00 will be allowed, and the crate motors will be held to a 9 to 1 compression ratio. Also, RaD Automachine has been added to the approved SK Light service center list, while Precision Automotive has been removed. RaD Automachine is based out of Ludlow, MA and can be contacted at 1-413-583-4414.

The Limited Late Model division will be joining the Late Model division by enforcing the NASCAR A-B-C body rule. For teams running the optional crate engine package, the minimum weight of the car has been lowered to 3,000 pounds and the left side weight has been increased to 54% while the traditional non-crate engine cars will remain at 3,100 pounds and 53% left side weight. Further rule adjustments have been made to the Battery, Trailing Arm, Shock, A-Frame, Track Width, and Wheelbase rules.

The DARE Stock division body rule has been amended to include the following: Rear of car must still maintain a stock appearance, stock will be determined by NASCAR Officials. The hood rule has been adjusted to read: A maximum of a two (2) inch non-functioning hood scoop is permitted as long as its part of the stock hood i.e. (Buick Grand National). A stock OEM harmonic balancer will be permitted and there are further adjustments to the piston / rod rule, the oil pan rule, the intake manifold rule, and the starter rule. DCA 17811 upper and DCA 17822 lower trailing arms will be permitted and UB MACHINE P/N 12-0809-5R and 14-0829-6L replacement A-Frames will be permitted. The sway bar maximum diameter will be 1.25 inches and the minimum roof height will be 51 inches.

And that's what's going on in Techland. Pretty self-explanatory, if I do say so myself. Changes flying all over the place. I wonder what's going to happen at the Spring Sizzler. Ah, well. We shall soon find out come April. For more information regarding the changes, it would be very helpful if you went over to the Downloads and Rules section of the track's site. Until next time, I bid you a safe offseason.