Below are the proposed Safety Rules for the 2025 Competition Season. Please ensure submissions are sent in by January 31, 2024, to be reviewed by the competition committee at Winter Convention.

Rule Proposal 1:

Article E-15, Section 1.  Title – Driveline Loops

Submitted by Jessica Marek

Rule presently reads: As per existing drag class section of the competition book, driveline loops are required for competition modified drags. Refer to section B – 9 of the drag rules, section 5.

Rule amended to read:  Remove rule completely.

Intent:  Driveline loops are not longer required in the Drag section of the competition rule book, so this part in the rule book just needs removed to clean up the book.

Rule Proposal 2:

Article E-16, Section 1.  Title – New Rule Proposal

Submitted by Jessica Marek

New rule to read:  All competition vehicles are required to have a sheet metal or aluminum roof that is securely fastened (i.e. welded or bolted down) to provide structural stability and safety in the event of a roll over.

Intent:  Race rigs are only getting faster and driving harder, a metal roof adds a healthy amount of safety factor. There are few without one these days anyhow.

Rule Proposal 3:

Article E-17, Section 1.  Title – New Rule Proposal

Submitted by Jessica Marek

New rule to read: All competition vehicles are required to have window nets that cover the cab openings on both sides enough that the driver and passenger cannot extend any body parts outside the vehicle when properly strapped into the driving/riding position.

Intent:  There have been several times hands have been crushed, because they were able to reach outside of the cab while strapped in. Properly fitted nets would remove that injury risk.

Rule Proposal 4:

Article H-1, Section 1.  Title – Full Protection Helmet

Submitted by Jessica Marek

Rule presently reads: All drivers and passengers are required to wear a full protection helmet.

Rule amended to read:  All drivers and passengers are required to wear a DOT Approved Full Protection Helmet. Lap drivers are required to wear helmets with or without DOT approval.

Intent: As of now, we do not require DOT approved helmets so technically a helmet that shouldn’t be worn while racing would meet the rules. Want to amend that.

Rule Proposal 5:

Article C, Section 1.  Title – Automatic Transmission

Submitted by Brandon Marek

Rule presently reads: All automatic transmissions must have minimum of 3/8"conveyor belting, 1" ahead of flywheel to tail shaft that is securely fastened, with recommended explosion proof blankets and/or bell housing, transmission cover that is SFI approved. (EXCEPTIONS: Fun type vehicles and Street and Trail vehicles.)

Rule amended to read:  Remove rule completely.

Intent:  Many of the blankets that the rigs have don’t meet this rule to begin with, rendering the rule pointless. Also, the likelihood of a transmission exploding is extremely slim.

Rule Proposal 6:

Article G-2, Section 1.  Title – Battery Terminals

Submitted by Adam May

Rule presently reads: 2023 - Positive battery terminal must be covered with metal, plastic, or rubber to protect from shorting out.

Rule amended to read:  Positive battery terminal must be covered with plastic, rubber, or a non-conductive material to protect from shortening out.

Intent:  Removing metal from rule because metal is conductive and will cause a short if grounded to the chassis which makes this rule counterproductive.

Rule Proposal 7:

Article A-1, Section 3.  Title – Street and Trail Trophies

Submitted by Adam May

Rule presently reads:

Street/Trail (S/T)

Short through 85" Three (3) place trophies

Med/Long 86" and over Three (3) place trophies

Rule amended to read: 

Street/Trail (S/T) Three (3) place trophies

Intent:  Street and Trail class has decreased through the years; therefore, we no longer need two separate classes. This will help with the cost of trophies.

Rule Proposal 8:

Article B-2 and 3, Section 3.  Title – Competition Class

Submitted by Adam May

Rule presently reads:

2. One (1) Medium wheelbase - (4, 6, & 8) cyl. 86" through 101" wheelbase. Three (3) place trophies

3. One (1) Long wheelbase - (4, 6, & 8) cyl. 102" and over. Three (3) place trophies

Rule amended to read: 

2. One (1) Medium wheelbase - 86" through 101" wheelbase. Three (3) place trophies

3. One (1) Long wheelbase - 102" and over. Three (3) place trophies

Intent:  Just cleaning up the rule book.

Rule Proposal 9:

Article 7, Section 6.  Title – Children’s Competition

Submitted by Steve Zentner

Rule presently reads: Any children driving over any course prior to the event will be disqualified from competition.

Rule amended to read: Remove rule completely.

Intent:  It is no longer a rule to not parade lap each course at summer convention. For that matter, this rule is non-applicable and should be removed so kids can drive their rigs on parade laps.

Rule Proposal 10:

Article 16-E, Section 1.  Title – New Rule Proposal

Submitted by Heather Frank

New rule to read: It is required at Ethel Events Center (Ethel landowner requirement to compete) to have a full 6-point roll cage held to PNW4WDA Competition roll cage standards. Refer to Section 1E and 1N for roll cage requirements.

Intent: To make it more clear of roll cage requirements specifically at Ethel Events Center which most of our competition are held.

Rule Proposal 11:

Article 14-B, Section 6.  Title – Children’s Competition

Submitted by Adam May

Rule presently reads: Four (4) places per class for each event are minimum.

Rule amended to read: Three (3) places per class for each event are minimum.

Intent: Most play days are 1st through 3rd for trophies. We should continue this through Summer Convention to create a standard.  

Rule Proposal 12:

Article 13-C1, Section 6.  Title – Children’s Competition

Submitted by Steve Zentner

Rule presently reads:

0 - 9 years ... Obstacle and Barrels.

10 - 12 years ... Obstacle and Barrels

13 - 15 years ... Obstacle and Barrels

CLASSES: Short - Through 85" wheelbase Medium - 86" through 101" wheelbase Long - 102" and over wheelbase

Rule amended to read:

0-9 Driving

10-12 Driving

13- 15 Driving

Intent: Intent is to amend this into age groups as well as add cross country to the trophy list. Trophies will be awarded to the following classes for Barrels, Obstacle, and Cross Country, eliminating class by wheelbase. 0-9 Driving, 10-12 Driving, and 13- 15 Driving. Intent is to lower the costs required for trophies at Summer Convention.

Rule Proposal 13:

Article 9-E, Section 12.  Title – Competition Special Trophies

Submitted by Steve Zentner

Rule presently reads:

For each class entrant, the fastest time from EACH of the two primary events.

1. Barrels 2. OB Course

Will be combined to determine who will be eligible to run off for the Willard Carpenter Memorial Trophy.

Rule amended to read: For each class entrant, the fastest time from each of the three primary events:

1. Barrels 2. Obstacle 3. Cross Country

Will be combined to determine who will be eligible to run off for the Willard Carpenter Memorial Trophy.

Intent: Intent is to clean up the wording on a rule that was already voted in regarding kids running cross country. 

Please click below to cast your votes on the proposed Safety Rules for the 2025 Race Season.