Car Eligibility

PERFORMANCE DRIVING

- FROM STREET TO TRACK

SATCAR races are open to all sports and touring cars. Touring cars are defined as sedan or convertible cars with a minimum of four seats. Trucks and open wheel cars are currently ineligible.

The driver or entrant must provide proof of vehicle ownership or lease status. Vehicles rented from commercial rental agencies are not eligible for participation in SATCAR events.

The car must have a body structure that fully encloses the driver from approximately the shoulders downward.

Vehicle modifications are open and can include any changes made to the car to enhance the performance or appearance as long as it has no negative impact on the safety of the car.

The car must be sound (Not rusty) and must pass a safety inspection as spelled out on the SATCAR Safety Inspection Form (hereinafter referred to as SIF). These safety inspections can be performed at a qualified automotive repair facility that is familiar with the car. A safety inspection is valid for a 90 day period from the date of inspection. After expiration of a safety inspection, the car must be reinspected before being allowed into another event. These periodic safety inspections are performed to insure the safety and suitability of the car for track activities and to minimize the potential for any incident.

If a car is not NHTSA certified (All vehicles produced by major manufacturers are certified), the car must be inspected and approved by a SATCAR Official to be eligible for competition. As an example, a fiberglass bodied kit car on a VW chassis would not be eligible to participate in SATCAR events without the installation of a full roll cage because the body does not provide adequate protection in the event of a serious incident.

For closed cars, the standard factory shoulder harness systems are acceptable for SATCAR events. It is advisable to learn how to lock the inertia reels with the belts tightly fastened around your body.

If the car is of an earlier manufacture date and does not have factory shoulder harnesses, the entrant must equip the car with a later three-point shoulder harness system, suitably mounted, or a competition seat belt system (5 or 6 point mounting, three inch straps on the lap and shoulder belts).

The driver must be able to sit in a comfortable position with a minimum of 0.5 (1/2) inch clearance between the top of his/her helmet and the roof structure of the car. It is not acceptable to have the helmet in contact with any portion of the roof structure with the driver's head in its normal upright position. This clearance will be measured and will be subject to being re-measured during the event, with the driver in his/her normal driving position.

Open top cars require a roll over structure that is at least two (2) inches above the top of the drivers' helmet when seated in the normal position. Factory roll over structures are acceptable only if they are stated by the factory as suitable for roll over protection and if they meet the height requirement stated above. Open cars also require a minimum five-point competition belt system, ie. 5 or 6 point mounting, three (3) inch lap and shoulder belts, suitably anchored to the vehicle.

A bolt-on hardtop for convertible cars does not effectively change the car to a closed car for SATCAR events. The car must still have a roll over structure installed. Cars with T-top or targa type inserts are acceptable without a roll over structure but must run with the panel(s) in place and the helmet clearance stated above still applies.

Other vehicle safety equipment, such as roll cages, competition harnesses, master switches, and fuel cells, is acceptable and recommended if you desire to add it.

Also recommended is a fire extinguisher or fire suppression system. If an extinguisher is used, it must be securely mounted within the passenger compartment and must be accessible to the driver when seated.

All cars must run the event on DOT approved street radial tires with a tread pattern fully across the tire for water drainage. Slicks are not allowed. Brand and size are open. Tires on the same axle must be the same size and type. Tires may be a different size front to rear. The speed rating of the tires must be equal to or greater than the highest speeds reached at the track where the event is being held. Tires may not protrude outside a vertical line down from the widest portion of the fender at the top center of the wheel opening.

Cars competing in any race group must have an AMB transponder mounted in an acceptable location on the vehicle. Lapping/practice groups do not require transponders but drivers may choose to have one if they want their lap times measured. Transponders are neither required no recommended for driving school groups as laps are not timed.

Transponders are available for purchase or rent through SATCAR. Please inquire about availability.

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