VDCA Car Groupings  

If you have questions about car eligibility after reading what we've written below, please contact our head of car classing and eligibility, Technical Director Doug Meis,  by clicking on this link:

HEY! IS MY CAR LEGAL IN VDCA?

PURPOSE

            The Vintage Drivers Club of America aims to promote, preserve and encourage the use of historic racing cars in as close to their original state as possible.  VDCA intends to create an environment where the “pleasure of taking part” must exceed the desire to “win at all costs.”  We want to race in an environment where there is a spirit of safety and an atmosphere of friendly competition.  We want to create a place for well prepared cars which are faithful to their period of construction and competition, and we seek to relive the lost era in motorsports when sport and sportsmanship were paramount.  Authenticity and appearance of the cars is much more important than their speed potential.  It is essential that all competitors know and respect the limits of their cars and themselves.

 

Classification and grouping of cars.

The philosophy of VDCA is to encourage the presentation of vintage cars in period correct specification.  One of the goals of VDCA is to re-create a lost era in motorsports.  Cars that are faithfully prepared to the period in which they were raced help to re-create that golden age.   Period correct presentation also promotes the preservation and participation of historic racing cars. 

Cars that are prepared in the spirit of period correct presentation will be classified more favorably than cars which are not presented in period correct specification.  Minor deviations from the vehicle preparation rules that affect the performance of a vehicle will likely result in that car’s being moved to a higher class within a race group.  As an example, a car normally classified as G-production will be classified as F-production for larger carburetors, incorrect suspension specification or other incorrect specifications affecting performance.  (Vehicle Preparation Guidelines)

Major deviations from the vehicle preparation rules that affect performance will likely result in the car’s being excluded from competition.  If you are in doubt as to whether your car falls into this category, contact Doug Meis at eligibility@vdca.com

Group 1:    

Production based sports cars and sedans manufactured prior to 12/31/72 having less than 1300cc engines;  select under 850cc sports racers and original Formula Vee through 1969.  Group 1 generally encompasses cars that were eligible to compete in SCCA classes I, H, G and F-production under 1300cc, C and D sedan, D Sports racer, H-modified and Formula Vee.

Group 2 :

Open wheel cars.  All Formula Junior, All Pre-1960 formula cars, Formula 2 through 1962, Formla 1 through 1965 and Monoposto legal Formula Ford and Club Formula Ford.

Group 3:

Production based sports cars and sedans manufactured prior to 12/31/72. Group 3 generally encompasses cars that were eligible to compete in SCCA classes G and F-production (over 1300cc), E-production as well as C and D production up to 1962.

Group 4 :

Sports racing cars manufactured and raced prior to 12/31/59 and later cars by invitation.

Group 5:

Sports racing cars manufactured and raced primarily before 12/31/65, FIA makes coupes Through 12/31/68, selected GT cars through 12/31/72 and under 1300cc sports racers through 12/31/72.

Group 6: 

Production based sports cars and sedans manufactured and raced in a road racing series prior to 12/31/72 and selected other cars. Group 6 generally encompasses cars that were eligible to compete in SCCA classes A and B-production, A-Sedan and the SCCA Trans-am series

Group 7:

Sports racing cars 12/31/65 through 12/31/75;  FIA makes coupes 12/31/69 through 12/31/75 and FIA/IMSA/SCCA GT cars through 12/31/75; SRRC legal Sports 2000 cars.

Group 8:

Recognized series produced sports cars and sedans in production prior to 1974 and later cars by invitation.  Group Eight consists mainly of medium displacement sports cars and sedans eligible to compete in SCCA classes C and D production and B-Sedan.  Cars are expected to be prepared to the SCCA standards for 1973 or earlier, even though an individual car or make may have been produced later than 1973.  Group Eight classes generally follow the SCCA classes of 1973, with some adjustments for cars that were either not recognized by the SCCA or have specifications that significantly change their relative performance.  Group Eight also includes earlier production cars and certain limited production GT’s with improved specifications.

Group 9:

CLASS PW:  Pre-War and selected early post-war cars

VEHICLE PREPARATION

 Body:  The body configuration will be as raced in the year of manufacture and shall be neat and clean.  This applies to the outside, engine compartment and cockpit areas.  All body parts must be made of the same material and design as supplied by the manufacturer as standard during the car’s eligibility period.

1.       Supplemental aerodynamic devices such as spoilers, air dams and wings are not permitted.  Fender flares and fender widening are permitted in Groups 5, 6 and 7 only if the actual car raced in that configuration in the year of production.  It is up to the entrant to substantiate any deviation in the body configuration of the car.

2.       Interiors will be neat.  Supplementary and replacement gauges are permitted.  Windshields may be replaced by approved materials such as plexiglass or lexan.

3.       All exterior trim, including grills and headlight trim rings must be in place.  Bumper and lights may be removed.  Light openings must be covered by a panel and may not be used as ducting.

4.       Commercial advertising is discouraged.  Historically significant markings are encouraged.  The total non-historic advertising shall not exceed 100 square inches on each side of the car.

Wheels:  Wheel diameter and width must meet SCCA Production Car Specifications or FIA homologation for all production-based cars for the year of manufacture.  Sports racing and modified cars must meet SCCA Modified category maximum wheel widths for their eligibility period.  FIA specifications will be accepted for cars constructed to FIA specifications.

 Tires:  Since many of our members also attend SVRA events and we generally accept most cars that are eligible for SVRA Groups 1/3/4/6/8 (& selected Group 2/5/7), SVRA tire rules are adopted for VDCA competition.  The SVRA tire rules for each Group can be found on the SVRA website at http://www.svra.com/.  Most Groups have a specified list of acceptable tires.

    Specifically not allowed are the DOT legal "slick" tires offered by a number of manufacturers including Hoosier, Kumho, Toyo and Avon.  All tires with a couple of circumferential grooves and little or no other tread fall in this category.  There are plenty of alternatives to choose from if your car is in a Group that does not have a specified list of tires (Group 8 for example).  Any full tread, high performance street tire is acceptable.  If you need a dedicated competition tire, there are several treaded competition tires also available in most sizes.

    If you have looked at the SVRA web site and you still don't know what tire you can use, send Doug Meis an e-mail at eligibility@vdca.com

 Engines:  The correct engine displacement must be disclosed with certainty and accuracy.  The entrant is responsible for ascertaining the correct engine size and construction, even when the engine is built by an outside source.  Engines must be of the original type, displacement and design as originally fitted by the manufacturer and be in the correct location.

The following engine restrictions apply:

1.       Engines may be overbored to a maximum of .047” or 1.2mm.

2.       Wet sump oiling systems may not be converted to dry sump.  Dry sump oiling systems are not permitted in the production based classes, unless the actual car was run in that configuration.

3.       The fuel induction system must be as provided by the manufacturer.  Carburetors may not be changed to fuel injection or vice versa.  Production based cars must have carburetion of the original make, size and number as supplied by the manufacturer.  Larger carburetors are allowed if listed for that make and model in the appropriate SCCA production car specifications.  Cars equipped with larger carburetors that are not listed in the SCCA production car specifications will be moved to the next higher class within their race group.

4.       Blocks and heads must be of the same material as provided by the manufacturer.  Modern aftermarket heads and blocks are specifically prohibited.

5.       Electronic ignition is allowed but must be triggered from inside the distributor.

 Transmissions:  Transmissions must be as provided by the manufacturer at the time of construction.  Reverse must work and be selectable by the driver when seated.  Gear ratios are free.

 Suspension:  The system of suspension (spring type and number, shock absorber type and number) may not be changed and must attach to the stock factory mountings.

1.       An anti-roll bar may be added or deleted front and/or rear.

2.       Supplementary springing devices are prohibited.

3.       Rod ends may replace factory bushed joints but the mounting points and geometry of the suspension may not be altered.

4.       Springs and shocks are free, but lever shocks may not be replaced with tube shocks. 

5.       Cars with leaf springs rear axles may add an axle locating bar (traction bar) on either side.  These bars will be mounted parallel to the frame and may not extend beyond the rear edge of the driver’s door.

6.       All hubs, spindles, axles, axle housings, drive shafts, lug bolts, control arms, mounting points and other suspension parts may be strengthened or replaced for safety as long as the track width, wheel base and geometry are not altered. 

Brakes:  Braking systems must be of the same type as standard for the year of manufacture or as homologated by the original manufacturer for that year.  Updating or backdating is not allowed.

1.       Aftermarket brake calipers are prohibited

2.       Dual-circuit braking systems are required except for Pre-war group cars and any vehicle using brakes activated by cables.

3.       Lining material is free.

4.       Brake ducting is permitted as long as the ducts are not visible from outside of the car and exterior scoops are not added to the body.  Ducting may not extend through the driver’s compartment.

 Weight:  The weight of the vehicle must meet the minimum weight specified in the 1972 SCCA production car specifications.  All production based sports cars and sedans have minimum weight specifications.

 General:

1.       All oil, fuel, water and brake lines must be secure and free of leaks.  Catch cans must contain any possible overflow or blow-by from engine, radiator or transmission and are mandatory.  All drain plugs must be safety wired.

2.       All cars except for formula cars must have at least one brake light in working order.

3.       All cars must have mirrors fitted which provide the driver adequate rearward visibility and visibility on both sides of the car.

4.       Hoods, deck lids, doors and other body components must be securely fastened.

5.       Batteries must be securely mounted with a metal hold-down.  The hot terminal must be insulated. 

6.       Competition numbers at least eight inches in height must be clearly displayed on both sides of the car.

7.       Antifreeze is prohibited.

8.       Headlights and other breakable glass must be taped.

9.       There must be an electrical cut-off switch to isolate the battery and cut off the ignition.  The switch must also cut-off electric fuel pumps.  The switch must be accesible from the outside of the car and clearly marked.

DRIVER’S EQUIPMENT:

 Helmet:  All drivers shall wear a Snell 95 (or newer) SA certified helmet.  Motorcycle helmets are prohibited.  All drivers must wear adequate eye protection.

 Driving suits:  All drivers must wear a minimum of a double layer suit and one layer of underwear that covers the body from the neck to the wrists and ankles.  The suit and underwear must be made of fire resistant material (Nomex, etc.) and must total at least three layers (i.e. 3-layer suit or a 2 layer suit with underwear).  FIA homologated suits are recommended.  Underwear is not required for suits carrying an SFI rating of 3-2A/5 or higher.  All drivers must wear gloves, shoes and socks of fire resistant material (gloves and shoes may be leather).  Drivers with facial hair or exposed hair must wear fire resistant hoods.

 Seat belts:  All cars must be equipped with a standard five or six point harness.  All harnesses must have a date of manufacturer not older than five years from the date of competition.  Except for the Pre-war Group cars, all drivers must wear their harness at all times while on the track.  It is strongly recommended that the Pre-war Group drivers wear harnesses.  Arm restraints are recommended for all drivers and either arm restraints or window nets are required for all cars other than Pre-war group cars.

 Roll Bar:  Rollover protection is highly recommended in all cars.  Except for Pre-war group cars, all cars will have roll bar or roll structure which is two inches higher than the driver’s head when seated in the car.  The design and structure of the roll bar or rollover structure is left up to the car owner, but should follow sound engineering standards.  There must be a padded headrest within 6” of the driver’s helmet.  All parts of the car or roll bar that could come in contact with the drivers head must be padded.

 Fire extinguishers:  All cars must be equipped with a dry chemical or halon fire extinguisher of at least 2 pounds, securely mounted with a metal quick release device within reach of the driver or an on-board fire suppression system of at least the same capacity.  Fire suppression systems are highly recommended.

 Fire walls:  There shall be a firewall separating the driver’s compartment from the engine and fuel tank.  Undertrays should have drain holes.  These items should be constructed so as to prevent fluids and flames from passing into the cockpit.

Fuel Cells:  Except for Pre-war Group cars, all cars must have a fuel cell that meets FIA FT-3 specifications.

Towing eyes:  All cars should have a dedicated towing eye or other means to attach a tow strap to the front and back of the car.

Head and neck support:  Head and neck support devices and systems are highly recommended.

Driver conduct and the 13/13 Rule:  All drivers are subject to the VDCA 13/13 driver conduct rule.  The VDCA 13/13 Rule states that if you are involved in an incident that causes damage to your car or that of another competitor, you can be excluded from the remainder of that event.  Further, you may be excluded from future VDCA events or placed on probation for a period of up to 13 months.  Additional incidents occurring during a period of probation may result in further exclusions and/or an extended period of probation.