2024 RULES DRIVER SPECIFICATION Driver must be in the Instructor or Advanced group. Drivers not meeting this criteria may petition the Chief Instructor for approval. Approval will include a review of previous HPDE/performance driving experience as well as in car evaluation. Maximum of 4 people per team, one car per team FEES TEAMS: One car per team Annual team registration cost of $60 RACERS: $15 annual licensing fee Must be an Instructor or approved Advanced/Intermediate driver RACE REGISTRATION: FREE for Senior or higher level instructors FREE for those already registered for HPDE that day (including Level 1-5 instructors) Otherwise, $100/race per team - includes all drivers but can only drive during Spec Panther sessions TRANSPONDERS: REQUIRED to use AutoInterests transponders - $30 rental per day. VEHICLE SPECIFICATION Models 1992 or newer Ford Crown Victoria 1992 or newer Mercury Grand Marquis 1991 or newer Lincoln Town Car Mercury Marauders are not allowed Weight Vehicle must weigh 4150 pounds with driver directly after a race A stock vehicle will qualify Equipment Vehicle MUST have the following OEM components intact; NO EXCEPTIONS: Dash Door panels Headliner If any or all of the following factory items are not in place, a 200lb weight penalty will be incurred PER item): Carpet or vinyl/rubber floor Working in dash AM/FM Radio Passenger seat AC/heat (does not have to be working, but entire system must be intact) Horn Sirens may be substituted in place of horn Ballast must be secured in trunk; trunk bulk head must remain in place Engine Engine must be OWM 4.6L 2V configuration This includes but is not limited to all internals, heads, cam, intake manifold (OEM style/replacement) The only exception is an aftermarket cold air intake Engine parts from later model years are permitted Exhaust manifold(s) must be stock 4.6L; all other exhaust components may be modified. Exhaust must exit from under the vehicle somewhere behind the drivers position. Factory stock OEM ECU is mandatory Larger radiators along with additional engine, transmission and/or differential coolers are permitted to promote ruggedness and reliability All vehicles may be subject to dyno evaluation if they are seen as suspect from the Competition Director No glycol coolant mixture. All vehicles must run water with additive only. You may add "water wetter" or similar non-glycol coolant additives. Drive Train OEM drive train configuration must be maintained Ford Model AODE, 4R70W, 4R75 transmissions are the only model of transmission allowed Modifications to improve reliability such as shift kits and improved cooling are allowed Any OEM limited slip differential is permitted Chassis Aftermarket performance A arms, trailing arms, control arms, etc. are prohibited. OEM style replacements are allowed Any OEM spring is permitted Adjustable coilovers are prohibited Any OE equivalent non-adjustable damper is allowed Any OEM sway bar is permitted Aftermarket performance sway bars are prohibited No exposed holes in the firewall Battery must remain in the stock location Lead acid or gel batteries only Brakes Factory OE Panther brake caliper required One piece stock-size rotors are mandatory Any brake pad compound is permitted Wheels Wheel adapters are prohibited Wheel spacers are prohibited but teams may request a waiver subject to tech team review and approval Tires Must not exceed 275mm in width as identified on the tire by the manufacturer markings Minimum treadwear of 200 UTGQ rating Body All body panels must be in place Missing body panel will constitute a last place start All factory glass must be in place Aerodynamic modifications are prohibited Hood venting for heat extraction is allowed Safety Vehicle Safety Equipment The same level of safety equipment must be in place for all occupants of the vehicle All factory seat belts must function and be of serviceable quality Properly installed harnesses may be substituted for factory seat belts Aftermarket seats are allowed provided they are of quality construction (Corbeau/NRG are baseline minimum quality). Subject to review by safety warden. Tow points must be present in both the front and rear of the vehicle and must be clearly labeled Police style push bars are acceptable as a front tow point Headlights, taillights, blinkers and wipers must all be in place and functional Fire extinguisher is strongly recommended 2lb minimum for standard extinguisher or 22oz FireAde Must be mounted within reach of driver Personal Safety Equipment Helmet - SA2010 minimum Seat belts 3-point belt - recommend Simpson Hybrid S type neck restraint or basic neck collar 5/6-point belt - Simpson Hybrid S type or HANS style neck restraint required 4-point belts are prohibited SFI 3.2A/1 rated fire suit (Nomex underwear or equivalent, or SFI 3.2A/5 rated suit recommended) Nomex fire retardant gloves SFI rated racing shoe or full coverage leather shoes Specifically Prohibited Any modifications not specifically approved above are prohibited and will result in likely disqualification, so do not try to get away with unapproved modifications Any Mercury Marauder specific components are prohibited Superchargers, turbos and nitrous are prohibited Events Events will be conducted "Time Attack" style with competition based on lap times. This is not "wheel to wheel" racing, but race against the clock. Lap times will be based on a best flying lap with times recorded by officials via transponder Laps can be run during any or all of the three designated 20-minute sessions held throughout the day's event A daily winner will be determined for each event There will be 5 regular season events and a Championship event (last event of the season, 2 day event)) Teams must participate in a minimum of 3 regular season races with the Championship event being required (last event of the season, 2 day event) Points will be accumulated at each event to determine a season winner The number of points available for a given event is based on finishing position. Points awarded will be based on the following formula: Primary Earned Points = 100 - (finishing position - 1) As an example, 1st place finish: =100 - (1-1) =100 - (0) =100 points As an example, 6th place finish: =100 - (6-1) =100 - (5) =95 points Two types of competition will be scored: Individual Individual driver championships will be determined by totaling the best three finishes of the drivers season, plus the finishing position in the season finale. Points will be totaled Team Team championships will be determined by totaling the top finishing spot for the team, regardless of driver, at each event, plus the top finishing position for the team at the season finale. This rewards teams who are able to field their car and be competitive at as many events as possible. The mandatory series sponsor sticker pack must be displayed on each competing vehicle in accordance with livery guidelines Each participant is responsible for any and all cleanup and/or damages, including legal fees caused by themselves or their vehicle during any and all portions of the event. Entrants will not be permitted to compete in subsequent events until damages are paid in full Participants that drive unsafely or exhibit unsafe behavior will be immediately disqualified and removed from the event without the refund of any entry fees at the sole discretion of Spec Panther officials Any vehicle that spins, loops or leaves the track surface (4 wheels off) for any reason will be black flagged and required to report directly to the Spec Panther event steward as soon as safely possible. Multiple black flags issued to a participant will result in the loss of championship points or immediate dismissal from the event Protests Any participant may file a rule protest against any other participant by submitting a written inquiry directly and in-person to the Spec Panther event/competition director, along with a $200 protest fee. Protests may only happen during the actual event wherein the car or driver in question in participating. Spec Panther officials will immediately review the request and make a determination on the inquiry. If a participant is deemed to be in violation of the rules, a championship points penalty to be determined by the competition director will be assessed or they will be immediately placed in the exhibition class and the protest fee will be returned to the protester. If the inquiry is found to be within the confines of the rules the protest fees will not be returned and both participants will be returned to the event. Protests must be filed during the event and at least 30 minutes before the scheduled awards ceremony. This is supposed to be a friendly competition; our preference is that the competitors talk to each other about misunderstandings before filing a formal protest. Conduct Conduct detrimental to the series/sponsors/competitors All competitors of Spec Panther series shall uphold the Basic Event Rules in order to promote, elevate and enhance the name, brand and reputation of the organization including its staff, directors, sponsors, volunteers and all those affiliated in any way with the Spec Panther series ANY act that is ruled to be detrimental to the event, series, sponsors or staff may result in a championship points penalty or removal from the event and/or series. The competition director will have complete discretion to implement penalties for any reason. Rules, infraction level, or "spirit of the event" interpretation will be at the sole discretion of the Spec Panther competition director, steering committee or event organizers, and all decisions are final.