Texas Pro Sedan projected 2004 rules

[NickHolt]

In a recent newsletter to all 2003 Texas Pro Sedan drivers, car owners, associate members and sponsors, Neil Upchurch, TPS Race & Administrative Director issued an overview of projected technical specification changes.

 

The projected TPS rules changes for 2004 opens the class up to a new generation of four-cylinder cars to reflect this sector of the automobile market. Starting next season, engines sporting the currently popular dual overhead cam, 16-valve head will be permitted in the series that begins its 29th year of continuous operation in 2004.

 

This change means that today’s generation of makes utilizing the DOHC technology, such as Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and VW and other makes to be named, will be able to race along side the traditional SOHC, 8-valve engines used for many years in the TPS series. In an effort to promote even competition among the various makes, heads built to comply with the new specs will be required to run stock valve sizes, to be non-aftermarket and to run a 32mm X 36mm Weber Carburetor, the smallest carburetor utilized in the TPS series.

 

In another projected rules change for 2004, TPS legal cars utilizing SOHC heads such as VW Scirocco, VW Rabbit, FWD VW Sedan, Honda, BMW, Toyota and Datsun (as well as the air-cooled VWs) will be permitted to use the Holley 2bbl, 500cfm (4412) carburetor without a restrictor plate. This gives these makes the option of running the Weber 32mm X 36mm Weber, the 38mm X 38mm Weber or the Holley 500. The carb rules for the domestic cars (Fords, Chevys and Chryslers) remain the same for 2004 as well as the restrictor plate rule for domestic cars running aftermarket heads.

 

The final projected TPS rule change simply adds a maximum track width rule where none previously existed. Under this rule TPS cars will be limited to a maximum of 66 inches track width from the center of tread to center of tread.

 

The official 2004 TPS rules should be mailed to all 2004 registered TPS members and be available on the TPS website (www.texasprosedans.com) sometime during December, 2003.

 

Upchurch also reminded drivers that car numbers held by “full time” 2003 members will be protected until November 30th, after-which, un-renewed car numbers will be issued to 2004 registered drivers on a first come basis.

 

Nick Holt