I have never, in my 33-years of living, been more excited about anything automotive related than I am at the knowledge that there will be a budget big rig road racing series coming to the USA in 2014. ChumpTruck, brought to you by the same people who administer the wildly popular ChumpCar road racing series is an 8-race program for 2014 and the idea is that teams of people will be road racing tired old big rigs that they bought for less than $5000. The trucks need to be fortified with a roll cage, a racing seat, a fuel cell, and some other basic modifications, but a group of guys can get together, throw a very reasonable amount of money in a pot and end up with a racing big rig.
The rules for the series were recently announced and here are the ones centered around the trucks and what can be done to them…which is’t much:
2.1.ChumpTruck race entry is limited to mass-produced (over 5,000 units) commercial tractor-trucks that were
legal for US or Canadian street and highway use at the time of their manufacture.
2.2.All trucks competing in the ChumpTruck Racing Series:
2.2.1. Must be 2-axle
2.2.2. Minimum weight: 10,000 pounds; maximum weight: 12,000 pounds
2.2.3. May be conventional, cab-over or compact design and may or may not include a sleeper
2.2.4. Must be under 170” wheelbase
2.2.5. Must have the engine and transmission located in the OEM-stock location
2.2.6. Must have a stock engine with factory or OE components; no aftermarket or performance equipment
2.2.7. Must use pump diesel fuel
2.2.8. Must have stock or OE brakes
2.2.9. Must have stock or OE suspension
2.2.10. Must have straight axles; no independent rear suspension
2.2.11. Must have the front axle in the stock location
2.2.12. Must not include sub-frames or frame stiffeners, other than allowable assemblies for safety (as
detailed in the ChumpTruck Competition Rules)
2.2.13. Must use appropriate steer/drive/combination DOT tires; no recap tires allowed on the front axle
2.2.14. Must use rear dual wheels/tires; no X1 singles
2.2.15. Must have manual transmission; no automatic transmissions permitted
2.2.16. Must not have 2-stroke diesel engines
The eight races planned for 2014 will be held at:
- Daytona International Speedway
- Virginia International Raceway
- Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
- Michigan International Speedway
- Portland International Raceway
- Charlotte International Speedway
- Sonoma Sears Point Raceway
- Gateway Speedway
I don’t have the words….Other than the day my kids where born this is the greatest day of my life..
I can see it now, a run-a-way ex-UPS tractor shooting the gap through the cork screw at Laguna Seca, brake-less, on fire, and the driver with the BIGGEST shit eating grin!!!!
To bad a track isn’t closer to NY or I’d be all over this (except for the NO 2 strokes rule=that BLOWS)
Tell me where I can find a rig that runs for 5 grand and Im in !
No 2 cycle Detroits? Damn.