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Horsepower Wars $10K Drag Shootout Rules Overview
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Horsepower Wars $10K Drag Shootout Rules Overview - PRELIMINARY

Updated February 14, 2018

This is an outline of the preliminary 2018 Horsepower Wars $10K Drag Shootout (“Shootout”) Rules (“Rules”). This is neither the final, nor the complete version of the Rules that will govern the Shootout. This is an outline of the Rules merely designed to assist potential Shootout competitors with deciding if they would like to enter the Shootout for 2018, and to determine the requirements of their potential team leader, driver, and build team.  Final Rules will be released prior to May 1, 2018. THESE RULES ARE PRELIMINARY AND WILL BE REFINED AND CHANGED. THE RULES MAY BE CHANGED BY HORSEPOWER WARS OFFICIALS. If there are areas of this outline that you would like clarification on, please send an email to rules@horsepowerwars.com.

Overview of Shootout: Teams will compete against each other to see who can build the quickest drag racing car (“Vehicle”) over a period of 10 days, with a budget of $10,000 -- which will consist of $3,000 in cash and a $7,000 Summit Racing Equipment Gift Card. Each team (“Team”) will consist of one (1) team leader (“Team Leader”), and four (4) crew (“Crew”) members. Among the team of five (5) people, one driver must be pre-identified. Team leader shall be the original Applicant for the Shootout; and will lead the team and be the final decision maker for all decisions during the Shootout. During the Shootout, there will be surprise bonuses, competitions, and challenges that can assist, or hurt, the chances of each Team’s ability to build their vehicle and win.

Prizes: The winning Team will win their vehicle and shall be awarded $10,000 in cash, payable by Summit Motorsports Park at the conclusion of the 2018 Shakedown at the Summit in Norwalk, Ohio.

Build Location & Details: The Shootout builds start in July 2018. Each Team will have ten (10) days to buy and build their Vehicle in accordance with the Rules of the Shootout. The entire build will be done by each Team in Murrieta, CA at the Horsepower Wars Tech Center Facility (“Facility”). Each Team will be provided a lift, and access to tools, equipment (including welding equipment), and shall have access to a chassis dyno in the Facility. After the ten day build process, each vehicle will be impounded prior to the race portion of the Shootout.

Race Location: The race portion of the Horsepower Wars Shootout shall be conducted at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio during the 2018 Shakedown at Summit event, September 13-16, 2018. Friday, September 14, 2018 shall be a “Prep” day for each Team. Each Team may work on, prepare and/or complete any final details on their Vehicle on Friday, and will receive a “repair budget” of up to $500 cash that they may utilize through the weekend (in addition to any money saved from the original build). However, Vehicle may not leave the impound area.

Race & Test Days: Saturday, September 15 each Team may make up to two (2) test passes with their Vehicle. The ET and MPH will be shown on the scoreboards and to other competitors.  Sunday, September 16 is race day. Competitors will be permitted (2) qualifying runs. The average of the 2 qualifying runs will determine who makes the final race. The two (2) competitors who have the quickest average E.T. after the 2 qualifying runs will advance to the final race. The final race will determine the winner of the Vehicle and the $10,000 cash prize.

Build Times: The Tech Center shall be made available to each team at 8:00 am PST until 8:00 PM PST for the first eight (8) days of the Build. For the final two (2) days of the Build, Tech Center hours shall be amended to 8:00 am PST until Midnight. At the conclusion of midnight on the final day, each Team shall be removed from the build area and the Vehicles shall be sealed and impounded.

Media: All media devices (including phones, cameras) will be impounded and no photos or videos may be captured unless by a Horsepower Wars videographer or photographer. All information about the Shootout, Team, Build, etc. will be embargoed and is not for release.

Rules on Vehicle:

  1. Each Team will be able to buy one vehicle from a variety of vehicles that have been pre-selected by the Horsepower Wars team. A challenge on Day 1 of the competition will determine the order in which each Team will be able to choose their vehicle. Original, stock Vehicle will be accepted by the Team that chooses it “as-is”.
  2. Vehicle shall be required to use a spec racing fuel which shall be provided. Nitrous shall be provided (if desired) at both the Tech Center and race location.
  3. Each Team will be given $3,000 in cash and a $7,000 Summit Racing gift card. The $3,000 may be utilize to purchase the Vehicle and any new or used parts. Summit Racing will provide free overnight shipping of all components on in-stock, non-freight items. A Horsepower Wars Official (“Official”) will be embedded within each team for the duration of the 10 days. All purchases of parts other than those from Summit Racing must be approved by the Official as well as the Horsepower Wars Competition Director. All used parts must be purchased by unaffiliated parties at market value price which shall ultimately be approved or rejected by the Competition Director and Officials. No parts may be received as gifts.
  4. Vehicle may be modified for higher horsepower, lower ETs, and better reliability.
  5. Exterior of body and all body panels (hood, fenders, nose, bumper, doors, rear hatch, trunk) must remain intact and not be lightened. Aftermarket, lightweight body panels may be substituted so long as they retain general factory appearance. Headlights and taillights are required. OEM glass windows are required.
  6. Interior may be discarded except dashboard and driver seat.
  7. Vehicle may not be lightened other than removal of interior, wiring, stereo, smog, emissions equipment, cooling equipment, spare tire, carpet, internal crash bumpers, and other items that will be specified in final rules. Lightweight suspension and chassis parts are acceptable. Sheetmetal may not be lightened via drilling and/or hole-sawing, or any other method.
  8. Front and rear brakes are required.
  9. Any fuel delivery system is allowed.
  10. Any suspension or drive system is permitted (front wheel drive, rear wheel, all wheel-drive).
  11. Any engine or power adder is permitted, including dual power adders.
  12. Any tire size is permitted. Vehicle may be modified for larger tires, including reasonable, required trimming of bodywork, frame rails and chassis. Excessive clearancing is illegal.
  13. Safety: Vehicles must comply with safety tech. Driver must have license for applicable E.T. Driver must have protective clothing and helmet. SFI Chassis Certs will provided at no charge.
  14. The following safety gear and parts/supplies shall be provided at no charge to the teams. Fuel, seat belts, battery box, master cut-off switch, hose/fittings, drive shaft loop, roll cage tubing, window net, and gussets.
  15. The following items shall be provided at no charge: Mickey Thompson tires, Royal Purple fluids, E3 spark plugs & wires, Fragola Fittings & Hose, NOS nitrous oxide (not the kit), and spec Fuel.

Team Selection Process:

  1. Application - Team Leader must submit application by March 1, 2018. At the discretion of Horsepower Wars staff, applications may be published by Horsepower Wars (with any confidential contact information deleted) on the Horsepower Wars website, on any Power Automedia magazines, and on social media, to assist in the Team selection process.

  1. The Initial Ten - ennty teams will be selected on or around March 15, 2018 to pass to Round 2 of the selection process. This list shall be public and shall be published on Horsepower Wars.

  1. The Final 5 - Horsepower Wars officials shall solicit public opinion on narrowing the list to the final 5. 2 of the 5 final Teams shall be chosen by Horsepower Wars, and 1 of the 3 final Teams shall be chosen by public vote. There shall be 2 alternate teams chosen. A refundable $1,000 deposit will be required of all final Teams as a show of good faith toward entering the Shootout. That money shall be returned the first day of the Build.

Travel & Taxes: Winning team will be responsible for state and federal taxes on the vehicle and prize money. Teams are responsible for travel, lodging, and transportation during builds and race event. Lunch shall be provided each day during the 10-day vehicle build.

Agreement to be bound by Rules - All participants, by applying to compete in the Shootout, agree to be bound by the Rules including any regulations, terms, and decisions - in any form - made by Horsepower Wars Officials. All decisions made, before, during or after, the Shootout, are final.

Change Log

2/14/18 - Section 15: Fragola hose & fittings, and E3 spark plug wires, added to the parts provided at no charge to the teams.