New World of Outlaws Late Model Series rules have been announced for 2020
Vado Speedway Park has just hosted the season opener for the 2020 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season. With the first event in the books, a rule change has been dropped.
The droop rule is now enforced on the national series.
What’s that you ask? It’s a rule that limits the amount of chassis jack on the left rear of the car.
As drivers leave the pit area, the left side is scrapping across the dirt. When they step on the gas, the left rear rolls forward and the entire left side is jacked skyward.
A chain is attached to the rear axle and a point on the frame just above it. This chain limits how much the frame can travel away from the axle.
The technique is rumored to first be introduced by Scott Bloomquist several years ago as told by several teams in the pit area. He likely used it to keep his spoiler out of the air while rolling down the straight-away.
The droop rule was first introduced from a rule standpoint by Ray Cook. He brought the rule to the Southern Nationals Late Model Tour, a series that the dirt late model driver owns.
Ricky Weiss ran the first dirt late model race in 2018 that featured the new droop rule. After that race, Weiss stated, “I understand why he’s doing it. But, everybody needs to jump onboard or nobody needs to.”
As of 2020, the droop rule is now in place on two divisions, one being a national dirt late model tour.
Why do we need a droop rule?
Teams have learned that the more lift they can get, the more the rear spoiler is in the air. When cars step on the gas, the rear end shifts and the chassis jacks higher than ever before.
As a result the downforce is also higher than ever. Beyond performance, there’s safety concerns. As these cars jack, the entire left side of the car is well off the ground. That allows an opportunity for a competitors nose to get under there and cause a possible rollover.
The measurement is done in the pit area. Officials place a jack under the frame. They jack it until the left rear wheel is off the ground. From that point, they measure from the ground to the rear deck led, by the left side spoiler endplate.
New dirt late model machines are designed to lift the left rear higher than ever. With this chain rule in place, older cars will suddenly become more competitive all over again.
February 1, 2020 is when the new rules go into place. The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will debut the droop rule at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL on February 12th, 2020.
DIRTcar owns the World of Outlaws Late Models Series. They also own UMP. It’s likely this rule will be introduced to UMP sanctions like the UMP Summer Nationals.
New 2020 World of Outlaws Late Model Series rules
The following rules will be introduced to the WoOLMS at their next race on February 12, 2020.
16.9.8 – Quarter Panels
-A. The maximum distance from the center of the rear hub to the top quarter of the panel at the trailing edge is 54 inches.
16.9.9 –Spoilers and Spoiler Braces/Supports
The rear spoiler must begin at the deck and extend 8-1/4 inches from that point. Mounting hardware, hinges, etc. will be included in the 8-1/4-inch measurement. Suspending the spoiler to create a wing-type device will not be permitted.
16.11 –Rear Suspension & Suspension Components
F. Rear Travel Limiter
-B. A vertical travel limiting chain must be installed on the left rear of the carfrom the left rear axle housing to the frame.
The travel limiting chain must attach to a collar or bearing type mount on the left rear axle tube between the birdcage and the edge of the left rear bell of the axle housing, and to the left rear frame directly above the chain mount on the rear axle. Travel limiting chains must be installed so that when taunt they are as close to vertical as possible.
One compliance device may be used. The compliance device must not be more than (1) one inch thick (without a load applied) and remain completely open and visible. Compliance devices can be rubber or any like material but must not be installed in any type of a canister.
Springs, spring loaded, and/or pneumatic devices will not be permitted. No tapered, beveled or roller skate style of compliance rubber will be allowed. Must be solid material, same diameter top to bottom, not hollowed or drilled to soften material.
Droop Rule Inspection
-C. The travel limiting chain including the compliance rubber must be installed so that when thecar is jacked up from the rear the chain assembly is tight (no slack).
The travel limiting chain is subject to inspection at any time during the Event at the discretion of the Officials, including but not limited to, qualifying, heat races, Last Chance Showdowns and the Feature.
For inspection purposes the left rear tire pressure will be adjusted to (6) six psi. Cars will be jacked up on the under-slung frame rail between the center of the rear axle and the Panhard bar mount. The left rear under-slung rail must be located between the left rear birdcage and the edge of the left rear axle housing bell. If a chassis is not of the under-slung design, then the car will be jacked up on the left rear frame rail closest to the Panhard bar mount.
Cars will be jacked up until a .040-inch shim will slide between the left rear tire and the ground. Once the car is jacked up as described a vertical measurement will be taken from the ground to top trailing edge of the rear deck bar, (6) six inches inboard of the leftrear quarter panel outer edge.
The measurement must not exceed 50-1/2 inches.
Droop rule penalties
-D. Penalties for failing this rule:a.These penalties will be enforced on all Qualifying, Heats, Preliminary and Feature events:
i. 1/16”-inch –1”-inch (50 9/16”-inch to 51 1/2″-inch) –Car and Driver will be penalized 3 positions of that event.
ii. 1 1/16”-inch -2”-inch (51 9/16”-inch –52 1/2″-inch) –Car and Driver will be penalized 5 positions of that event.
iii. Over 2 1/16”-inch (52 9/16”-inch and over) Car and Driver will be scored in the last position of that event
More
Ray Cook talks teching of the Droop Rule
Shanon Buckingham discusses the droop rule
Ricky Weiss discusses the droop rule
Droop rule introduced to dirt late model racing (video)
Southern Nationals Bonus Series results – March 16, 2018
Before the droop rule, Ray Cook tested alternative options
Other dirt late model series are intrigued by the droop rule
Mark Richards discusses Aerodynamic, motor, suspension rules
