FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RE:  RoC “Body Of Tomorrow”

EMAIL:  rocpavement@aol.com

PHONE:  607-775-5555

 

“BODY OF TOMORROW” HERE TODAY ON THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS ASPHALT MODIFIED TOUR IN 2007.  BODY TO BE FEATURED IN 5 2007 R.O.C ASPHALT MODIFIED TOUR EVENTS.

 

BINGHAMTON, NY…The Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour cars are going to see a step toward tomorrow with new body rules that will be showcased in five 2007 events.  The “Body of Tomorrow” will be allowed for competition in the five “short track” events that will be held at the Chemung Speedrome, Mahoning Valley Speedway and Wyoming County International Speedway.

 

The concept of the new body rules will actually be based on the idea behind the “sail panels” often used in dirt Modified competition.  The changes that will be permitted won’t be dramatic but will certainly open up panel space for sponsorship opportunities for the Race of Champions teams.

 

Only two panels on the entire current body can be changed, this will be the rear/side quarter panel.  The height of this panel will be permitted to be raised without the use of a side back window.  This will allow teams much more space for sponsor names on the racecar.  The rear deck, body panels and roof line will not be permitted to be changed.  The new panels must blend to the old rules.  These panels will only be allowed in the five short track events being held at the Chemung Speedrome, Mahoning Valley Speedway and Wyoming County International Speedway in 2007.   Once an agreeable design is reached at the conclusion of the season all events in 2008 will allow for the new panels.

 

Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour Director Andrew Harpell had this to say, “Our basic body package has not changed in a very long time.  The rules that we have put together will once again allow the teams the opportunity to be creative while at the same time gaining valuable sponsorship panel space.”   He added, “Last year Don Wagner ran a station wagon body at Mahoning Valley Speedway.  In a conversation with Track Promoter Doug Hoffman last season we agreed that our cars were lacking that freedom and ingenuity that made the Modified division great.”

 

Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour officials worked with several teams including Jan Leaty and Rick Kluth on potential options for the teams.  The rear/side panels that will be allowed won’t require any other changes in the current body structure.  These panels will simply be allowed to be put on for these five events and taken off in only a few minutes of work.   The five events chosen were done so that teams wouldn’t have dramatic advantages in their aerodynamics but could be a bit creative.  These events will certainly be a gauge for the future look of the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour body package.

 

Jan Leaty put together a body design for R.o.C tour officials to look at.  The body raises the height of the panel and actually only displays a decal for the back window.  If the decal was removed the space for sponsorship entitlement would be dramatic.  The body that the Leaty team put together is actually a blend between what the rules will be for these five events and what the current rules are.  Harpell commented, “Jan put together a body that is less dramatic in the change that we will allow.  He put together a piece that is in the middle of the road and we just added a couple of more inches to the height while maintaining all of the previous body rules.

 

The bodies will be debuted for the first time at the Chemung Speedrome on Saturday, June 2nd.  They will then be allowed on consecutive weeks at Mahoning Valley Speedway on June 9th and Wyoming County International Speedway on June 17th.   On July 15th Wyoming County International Speedway will again see the new body style and then the final chance to see the new look will be on August 18th at the Mahoning Valley Speedway.

 

rules for the body:

Unchanged rules:

The minimum body height is 40 inches measured 6 inches back from the top of the windshield on the roof centerline.

The rear of the roof at its highest point must not be more than 3 inches higher than the actual front measurement.

The height of the roof angle, pitch and length must remain the same under previous rules.

The tail panel height must remain the same under previous rules (35 inches maximum height off the ground).

The spoiler height must remain the same under preivous rules (43 inches maximum height off the ground).

The side/rear quarter panels may extend a minimum of 34 inches to a maximum of 42 inches off the centerline of the rear axle to the rear of the body (tail light panel).

 

Allowable changes for the new body styles:

The maximum height of the side/rear quarter panels will be no more than 45 inches - measured off of the ground.

The maximum height of 46 inches may not exceed 6 inches past the centerline of the rear axle.  At this point the body must begin to taper to meet the rear deck height of 35 inches.

The side/rear quarter may extend a maximum of 24 inches forward from the centerline of rear axle forward.  (This is the point where it attaches to the top of the door panel).

No window is required in the side/rear quarter panel.  This space can be utilized for sponsorship.