WELCOME PULLING FANS !

RULES

ELIGIBILITY OF CONTESTANT

1.      All contestants competing in any mini rod pulling contest must have a current competing membership in the association.  Contestants must be at least fourteen years of age.  Minors must have parents or guardians signed consent.

2.      All competing members must have O.M.R.P.A. insurance.

ELIGIBILITY OF MINI ROD

1.      A mini rod, which is in violation of any one of the following rules, may pull once and thereafter must conform to O.M.R.P.A. rules.

2.     A mini rod must have a minimum of eight (8) cylinders.

3.     Contests are open to two wheel drive mini rods with rubber tires.  Duals, tire studs or chains are prohibited.  All power must be transmitted through the rear wheels.

4.     Each mini rod may enter in more than one weight class (when offered).  Modifieds compete against modifieds, limiteds compete against limiteds and Top Alcohol Mini Rods against Top Alcohol Mini Rods..

5.      No portion of the mini rod shall exceed eight (8) feet, forward of the centre of the rear axle.  No portion of any mini rod shall exceed six (6) feet in width.

6.     All mini rods must be equipped with a deadman throttle which works in a forward/rearward direction being closed in the rearmost position.  SFI hydraulic linkage is allowed or must be positive two-way linkage.  All foot throttles must have a toe-strap.

7.     All mini rods must be equipped with a workable brake.

8.     All mini rods must be equipped with a minimum of a two and a half pound rated dry chemical fire extinguisher.  It must be in workable condition and be convenient to the operator. 

9.     Minimum draw bar length is six (6) inches from the centre of the rear axle to the point of hook.  Draw bar may be adjustable but secure in all directions.  Distance from ground to top of hitching point may not exceed thirteen (13) inches.  Draw bar hitching device must be at least 5/8 inch and no more than ¾ inch cross sectional thickness and must have an opening 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter.

10. Minimum 3/8" diameter Draw bar cable is mandatory.  It is to be routed around the draw bar, under the rear end axles and then connected over top of the rear end pinion housing.

11.   All mini rods must have a device to prevent turn over.  This device must have skid plates at least three (3) x three (3) inches and be no less than five (5) inches behind rearmost point of the tires and no more than five (5) inches above the ground.  There must be one skid pad for each side of the vehicle.  The draw bar assembly will not in any way be attached to the stabilizer assembly.  This assembly will be strong enough to support the weight of the mini rod. 

12.   All exhaust must discharge vertically.  (Vertical is defined as being no more than 10 degrees in any direction off plumb with the vehicle sitting on level ground.)  Highest is to be a minimum of two (2) inches from the top of the bend in the pipe, which discharges vertically.  All exhaust pipes must be securely attached. 

13.   All weights must be safely secured to the mini rod and may not extend behind the rear tire.  Any ballast lost while competing will be cause for disqualification.

14.   Deflection shields are required on both sides of all engines.  These shields must extend to a minimum of two (2) inches below the centre line of the crankshaft and to a minimum of three (3) inches above the top centre of the crankshaft throw.  Shields must extend the complete length of the engine block, and be securely fastened.  Shields can be made of aluminum or steel with a minimum thickness of .060 inches.

15.   All mini rods will be equipped with a starting circuit interrupter switch, which will allow the starter engagement only in a neutral gear position.  All mini rods must have a neutral position in the drive train other than the clutch.

16.   All mini rods with transmissions with reverse must have an automatic self-returning lock out for reverse.

17.   All mini rods that have reverse must be equipped with a reverse light on the back of the tractor that comes on when the tractor is put into reverse.

18.   All mini rods must have a rip cord switch located twelve (12) inches to eighteen (18) inches above the draw bar; no more than six (6) inches off centre of hitch point; and be equipped with a two (2) inch ring.  This switch will be hooked to sled when pulling.  When pulled, this switch must kill the engine.

19.   If engine fans are used for cooling, the fan should be a standard automotive electric fan.  If the fan is belt driven by the mini rods engine, the fan must be shrouded with steel at least 1/16 inches thick, 360 degrees and two (20 inches wider than the fan blades.

20.   All engines equipped with a clutch must be equipped with a SFI approved bell housing or equivalent.  All industrial or aircraft engine clutch housings must be constructed of or shielded with steel with a minimum thickness of 5/16 inch.  The remainder of the drive train must also be shielded the same.

21.   On engines equipped with a harmonic balancer, the balancer shall be solid steel, or shrouded with ¼ inch steel, 360 degrees and no more than 1 inch away in direction of rotation.  This shield shall have retaining tabs to prevent the outer ring from moving.

22.   All automatic transmissions must have an approved safety blanket or shield over the torque converter and valve body areas, which must consist of one of the following combinations. A)  a full-length safety blanket.  B)  a full-length safety shield.  C)  a short safety blanket and torque converter shield.  D)  a short transmission shield and a torque converter shield.  Automatic transmission shields or blankets must meet SFI Spec. 4.1.  All engine/automatic transmission combinations must have  A) Two front motor mounts and two rear motor mounts, and a support saddle for the rear of the transmission with maximum clearance of ½ inch, OR B) Two front motor mounts, support saddle at rear of engine with ½ inch clearance and a mount at the rear of the transmission. (This will prevent engine or transmission from dropping should breakage occur.)

23.  All driveline shafts will be totally enclosed with 5/16 inch steel or 3/8 inch aluminum.  The inside diameter will not be more than 2 inches larger than the largest universal joint.  No more than 1/4 inch of driveline will be visible.  Bolts holding shield together will be 3/8 inch grade 5 or better, bolted every 2 inches or closer.

24.   All chain drive shields bust be as wide or wider than the component and shields may be open at the bottom extending below the component.

25.   All mini rods must have fenders that extend to the highest point of the rear tires, rearward to the back portion of the seat, and forward and downward to prevent feet and legs from coming in contact with the tires.  Fenders must be securely fastened and have appropriate bracing.  (Discretion of Safety Committee applies.)

26.   All seats must be safely secured and of normal size.  Seat backs must have minimum four (4) inches rise and six (6) inch width.  If the seat is above or ahead of the rear tires, they will have a four (4) inch high rail from the rear, ¾ forward of the seat length.

27.    All mini rods must have a roll cage which encloses the driver.  It must be able to support the weight of the tractor.  It must be mounted to the frame of the tractor (the rear end will be considered part of the frame).  It must have a minimum of four attachment points.  Stamped frames must be re-enforced at the attachment points.

28.  All mini rods must be equipped with a four point harness.

29.   Mini rod weight classes are: Limited Modified -1800 lbs., Super Modified -1900 lbs. and Top Alcohol Mini Rod -2000 lbs.

30.   Pressurized tanks and pressurized fuels are not allowed, such as nitrous oxide, propane, liquid nitro, oxygen and other combustion accelerators.  (See rule #4 of Top Alcohol Mini Rod class.)

31.   No portion of the mini rod shall interfere with the sled or sled hitch during a pull. 

32.   Any protest must be submitted in writing to an official or a director with $100.00 deposit prior to allocation of prize monies on the day of the event.  The deposit will be forfeited if the protest is of legal conformity.

LIMITED MODIFIED MINI RODS

1.      Must run a tire size of 15.5 x 31 on a 15 inch rim.

2.      Engine maximum is 375 cubic inch.

3.      Blowers are turbo chargers are not permitted.  All engines must be naturally aspirated.

4.      Maximum of four (4) barrels of carburetion.  No fuel injection.

5.      Registration of these mini rods in the Super Modified class is subject to the approval of OMRPA board of directors.

6.      All weights and conditions as outlined under Eligibility of Mini Rod and Safety Rules apply.

SUPER MODIFIED MINI RODS

1.      Maximum tire size 18.4 x 16.1 on a 16 inch rim.

2.      Maximum 480 cubic inch naturally aspirated engines.

3.      Blowers, Nitrous Oxide or turbo chargers are not permitted.

4.      All weights and conditions as outlined under Eligibility of Mini Rod and Safety Rules apply.

TOP ALCOHOL MINI ROD

1.      Maximum tire size 18.4 x 16.1 on a 16 inch rim.

2.      Maximum of 600 cubic inches if engine is naturally aspirated.

3.      Maximum of 375 cubic inches if engine is super charged or turbo charged.

4.      Nitrous Oxide will be permitted on naturally aspirated engines only with a maximum of 480 cubic inches.

5.      All exposed turbo chargers or portions thereof must be shielded with 3/16 inch steel or thicker in a box design.

6.     Blower belt shield must be as wide or wider than the component and may be open at the bottom, extending below the lowest drive component.  These shields may be constructed of aluminum or steel at least .060 inches thick.

7.      All injection butterfly shafts must have dual return to idle springs.

6.      All weights and conditions as outlined under Eligibility of Mini Rod and Safety Rules apply.

OPERATION OF CONTEST

Classes

1.      The weight classes will be determined by  OMRPA track officials based on track conditions.

2.      No mixing of classes permitted.  Limited modified, Super Modified and Top Alcohol Mini Rod compete in their classes only.

Sanctioning

1.      All OMRPA sanctioned pulls must use an approved weight transfer machine.

2.      All official sanctioned contests must have available a dirt, preferably clay track not less than two hundred (200) feet in length and not less than twenty-five (25) feet in width.  Temporary crowd control fencing must be placed twenty-five (25) feet on each side of track.

3.      All sanctioned pull tracks must be maintained and packed.

Qualifying

1.      Contestants must pull in the position drawn within three (3) minutes of the time the sled is in readiness; any delay will be cause for disqualification.  If the contestant experiences mechanical difficulties before he/she attempts to pull, he/she will have the option of dropping three (3) positions or to last position.  This may be done only once per class.  Track judge must be notified as to intention at the time of regular pull position.

2.      Number one puller will be the test puller and may accept pull if sled is set properly, or he may pull in third or last position.

3.      The number one, or test puller is not disqualified or measured for running out of bounds on first attempt only.  All other reasons for disqualification apply.

4.      All contestants will have one pull to qualify for the pull off.   All contestants making a full pull will automatically move to the pull off. 

5.      If the class contains 2-4 tractors and less than 2 full pulls are made then the top 2 contestants will go to the pull off.  If the class contains 5-7 tractors and less than 3 full pulls are made then the top 3 contestants will go to the pull off.  If the class contains 8-12 tractors and less than 5 full pulls are made then the top 5 contestants will go to the pull off.   If there are more than 12 tractors in a class and less than 6 full pulls are made than the top 6 contestants will go to the pull off.  In the event of a tie within the top tractors, the tied competitors will both go to the pull off.

Pull offs

1.      All contestants competing in the pull off will pull in the same position, as drawn in the qualifying pull.

2.      The results of the pull off will determine the top positions in each class.  The remaining contestants who did not qualify will place and receive points and prize money respectively.

3.      All pull offs will occur after all classes have completed their qualifying pulls.

4.     In the event there is a tie and time does not allow a further pull off or competitors decide not to pull again the competitors will split the points and prize monies for their placing evenly.  The remaining vehicles will place and receive points and prize money respectively.        

Disqualification

1.      If disqualification occurs during qualifying, the contestant will not be allowed to pull in the pull off.  The contestant will receive last place points and purse.  If more than one contestant is disqualified all those disqualified will receive last place points and purse.

2.      If disqualification occurs during the pull off the contestant will receive last place pull off position points and purse.  If more than one contestant is disqualified in the pull off, all those disqualified will receive last place pull off position points and purse.

Pull

1.      All pulls must start from a tight hitch.  No jerking allowed.

2.      The pull will be considered over when the forward motion of the sled stops.

3.      The Mini rod tractor will remain within the boundaries of the contest course during the pull, if the tractor touches or goes over the boundaries they will be disqualified.

4.      Each competitor has two attempts to move the sled in qualifying and pull off rounds.  However, the competitor must shut down prior to and the measured distance must be seventy-five (75) feet or less in order to make a second attempt.

5.      Any intentional loss of liquid from the vehicle on the track will be cause for disqualification.

6.      All mini rods must weigh out immediately after their qualifying pull unless they are competing in the pull off, then they must weight out immediately after their pull off pull.

Safety

1.     Tractors must be stopped safely upon signal from the track official.  Hole digging will be kept to a minimum.

2.     No consumption of alcoholic beverages in the track or pit area either before or during a contest.  If an official believes a driver to be a potential safety hazard because of such consumption the driver will be barred from competing.  A qualified substitute driver may drive the vehicle in question.

3.     Mini rods must be operated in a safe manner at all times.  An operator must be on the seat of the vehicle any time the engine is running, including in the pit area.

4.     The driver must remain seated during a pull and have complete control of the vehicle at all times.

5.     DRIVERS MUST WEAR  leather or fire retardant shoes, minimum one layer fire suit, and a DOT approved helmet during the pull.  The helmet must have the chinstrap fastened securely.

6.     It is recommended that Drivers also wear fire retardant balaclavas and gloves.

7.     All mini rods must be in neutral before the sled hook will be hooked.

8.     Violation of any rule shall constitute a disqualification.

9.     Contest to be governed  by track officials with all decisions final.

10.  Officials have the right to stop and disqualify any mini rod if it is being operated in a manner, which would be considered unsafe.

O.M.R.P.A. SAFETY INSPECTION SHEET    OPERATOR: 

TRACTOR NAME:                                                            ENGINE:                                                          

INSPECTION LOCATION:                                           INSPECTION DATE: 

CLASS:     1800 LB.  LIMITED MODIFIED              1900 LB.  SUPER MODIFIED             2000 LB.  TOP ALCOHOL MINI ROD

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