Getting my feet wet..

[gorehound187]

Ok guys. First derby. Got a cheap 79 LeBaron wagon for a limited weld class. What should I do, on a really cheap budget. Engine and tranny are cake for me, frame and suspension are like new.Sadly I can’t post the rules yet, but basically it’s no reinforcements, but nothing barring bending/weakening. But what should I do to increase my chances? Sorry for the newb questions.

[gorehound187]

Specifications and Rules Limited Weld
1. Cars will be sized according to wheelbase. Cars with a factory wheelbase of 102” or less will not be allowed.
2. Any hard top automobile is allowed EXCEPT: Trucks, Vans, SUV’s, Convertibles, Ambulances or Hearses.
3. All drivers must wear a DOT Certified safety helmet. If you do not have a helmet you may borrow one from another driver who is not in your heat. All drivers must have safety belts.
4. Any and all air bags, sensors and propellant charges must be removed or discharged.
5. All glass, including head and taillights must be removed prior to your arrival.

[gorehound187]

The rear seat, drivers door armrest, door handles, door locks, seat belts not being used, mounting screws, clips, license plates and all side and decorative chrome, trim and rubber stops must be removed. Antennas and dash clusters also must be removed.
7. All dirt, loose debris, screws, broken glass and anything deemed unsafe, must be swept, vacuumed or removed out of the car.
8. Any and all trailer hitches must be removed.
9. A maximum of 6 gallons of gas will be allowed. Gas tank must be moved into the backseat area and properly secured. No plumbers strap allowed. Covered with a non-flammable material is recommended. Original gas tank must be removed or the entire bottom of the tank cut out.
10. Only one battery is permitted in the car, it may remain in its original position or mounted inside the car. Must be properly secured, and covered with a non-conductive material. No plumbers strap allowed. (ex. Rubber, wood, etc.)
11. All doors, tailgates, hatches, hatchbacks, etc. must be welded, chained or steel strapped shut. All hatch-lifting devices must be removed. If a Driver door comes open during the demo that car will be disqualified. Strongly recommended materials: Welding or chain. Filler may be used on door seams but restricted to 3/8” round bar or 1 1/2” by 1/8” thick flat metal strap. No rope or wire.
12. Halo’s are allowed, but not necessary. If installed they must be built for driver safety only and not to reinforce the car. They can mount to: the roof; the B to B crossbar; but must conform to 12)B of the car specs.
A. Driver’s door MUST be reinforced for driver protection but not to exceed 6" past each drivers door seem.
B. All cars will be allowed to weld one crossbar not to exceed 4” and a minimum of 2” round or square tubing from
driver’s side door post to passenger side door post and 1 driver side and 1 passenger side door bar to the dash bar not to exceed 4" in diameter and a minimum of 2". Nothing besides the halo and door bars can be mounted to the B to B crossbar and can’t be higher than 6” from the bottom of the window seal. The plates to mount the bars or cage can be no larger than 6”x6” and 1⁄4” thick.
C. On hardtop cars (cars with no B pillar); MUST have cross bar as noted in 12B of the car specs.
13. Cutting fenders for wheel clearance is permitted, and may be welded without the use of extra metal or excessive
welding. Folding is OK, but folding and re-welding is NOT OK; bolting or re-skinning will NOT be allowed.
14. Two vertical bars or expanded metal must be installed in the windshield opening for driver protection. More will be
allowed if desired. Maximum of 5.
15. No special bumpers will be allowed. Shocks on bumpers must be discharged and may be welded not to exceed a 1/2 “ single weld outside diameter.
A. Stock bumper brackets may be welded to bumper and frame, including telescoping bumper brackets. If brackets are NOT welded a short chain may be used to bolt bumper to frame. Bumpers can be welded to the frame without any extra metal and to the welding specs stated in 19. If bumper is welded to the frame, brackets cannot be used. You may trim bumper ends or fold them around. No welding to the body in any fashion.
B. Car bumpers shall remain the original style and shall not be reinforced. Brackets cannot be moved. No bumper shall have any additional brackets. No bumper shall have any welding in excess of what is stated in 19 of the car specs.
C. Back bumpers must remain original style.

[gorehound187]

16. Hoods: No sliding hood forward. Must be in stock location. Hood cannot be welded to bumper.
A. If a hood is operable it must have a minimum 12” diameter hole cut over the carburetor for fire extinguishing.
The method of latching is up to the contestant but ease of operation is essential. Hoods can be chained or bolted (no larger than 1” bolts, or 1⁄2” chain); if bolted must use angle iron, and must have wing nuts. Maximum of 4 bolts or chains. Hood bolts must NOT be attached to the frame or bumper. If two pieces of angle iron are welded on top of the hood and fender to bolt the hood, they cannot be longer than 8” or larger than 1 1⁄2” by 1 1⁄2” angle 1⁄4” thick. If chains are used, they may be single looped around bumper.
B. If the hood is not operational, because of welding or use of more than 4 bolts, approximately 80% of the Hood area must be removed. Filler may be used but restricted to 3/8” round bar or 1 1/2” by 1/8” thick flat metal strap. In any case cannot be longer than 8” with 1” gapping in between every 8”.
C. No material of any kind. (all thread, strapping, chains, etc.) will be allowed to attach hoods or trunks to frame, All body mounts need to be original type and original location.
17. Trunks: There must be a 12” access to the trunk area for inspection. Filler may be used but restricted to 3/8” round bar or 1 1/2” by 1/8” thick flat metal strap. In any case cannot be longer than 8” with a 1” gapping in between.
A. No welding trunk to bumper.
18. No welding inside of the car, under the car, under the hood, or inside the frame rails will be allowed. That can be deemed as reinforcement. This includes spare tire holders and 3rd row seats in station wagons. Refer to 19 of car specs for welding specs.
19. When repairing damaged cars: Patching a hole or cut must be done with no more material than absolutely necessary! No material stronger than what you are repairing is to be used. Excessive welding (over 1⁄2” or more than 2 passes) folding and welding, re-skinning, plating and any excessive use of material are deemed reinforcement and not permitted. All chains must have slack except when referring to 15B & 16 of car specs. All decisions made by head judge are final & are subject to forfeiture of entry fees and disqualification from derby. Broken or cracked frame rails may be welded and up to 12 inches total frame patch but cannot be connected to the bumper. No thicker than 3/16" or taller than cars frame. Must have a means to verify thickness of patch material. Repairs will be thoroughly checked through the final judge discretion.
A. Welding of body seems without the use of any filler is allowed.
20. Radiators, if used must be in the original location.
A. All coolant must be inside the engine compartment.
21. Transmissioncoolersareacceptablebutmustbemountedinsidethevehicle.
22. Engines and transmissions must remain in original style mounts. Reinforcing by additional brackets or chaining down is
not allowed. Stock type motor mounts may be used. No motor plates.
23. Rear ends cannot exceed 5 lug rear ends.
24. Spring spacers or welding of shocks, or airlifts will not be allowed. Vehicle will be checked for suspension movement.
A. A chain may be used to travel through the coil and around the axle for safety only. Chain cannot be welded to
the axle and must have slack in it.
25. No ballast of any kind will be allowed in any part of the vehicle including: tires, insides of doors, fenders, hoods, or other areas. This will be checked.
26. All wheel weights must be removed.

[gorehound187]

27. Air conditioning units left on any car must be discharged.
28. Nowalkie-talkies,radiosystemsorinter-phonesystemsarepermittedinthecars.
29. Vehicles must have working brakes at the beginning of the heat.
30. A large number must be painted on front car doors and top and must be legible enough to be seen from a distance.
31. Cars must remain stock unless otherwise noted in the rules. If it’s not in the rules, it does not mean you can do it. Call for clarification. Contact Trevor at 307-359-2619 or Pat at 307-359-5517.
*Highlighted areas are the only changes for 2017

[boom61]

where are you from? Those rules a french to me. Seem to be a lot of grey areas and many things that are worded way differently and different type of build than any set of rules I've seen.

[demoboy333]

I like the no walkie talkies rule!

[boom61]

lol That use to be in the rules for our local fair show. Some of them are rules I use to see 10 years ago in out of date rule sheets.

[Luke Wells]

Jul 9, 2018 21:38:27 GMT -5 boom61 said:

where are you from? Those rules a french to me. Seem to be a lot of grey areas and many things that are worded way differently and different type of build than any set of rules I've seen.

I'm gonna guess Wyoming doesn't have too many Frenchies. Lol

[demoboy333]

Jul 9, 2018 21:49:29 GMT -5 boom61 said:

lol That use to be in the rules for our local fair show. Some of them are rules I use to see 10 years ago in out of date rule sheets.

Now we got blue tooth helmets. Be one conference call hole derby could be helpful I guess. Saw it done just was one on one call.

[gorehound187]

Jul 9, 2018 22:53:46 GMT -5 demoboy333 said:

Jul 9, 2018 21:49:29 GMT -5 boom61 said:

lol That use to be in the rules for our local fair show. Some of them are rules I use to see 10 years ago in out of date rule sheets.

Now we got blue tooth helmets. Be one conference call hole derby could be helpful I guess. Saw it done just was one on one call.

This one is for the Wyoming State Fair. First derby build and drive, so I know I’m gonna get wrecked(pun intended). Every derby up here has wildly varying rules. Just looking for opinions on what everyone would do to stay inside this set of rules to increase their chances.