A-B-C Program Developed to Ensure the Health of Pavement Template Late Model Racing for Years

(Indianapolis, IN) – Template late model industry leaders have recently announced the formation of the “Approved Body Configuration (A-B-C) Body Guidelines” for template late model racing.  The A-B-C Body Program consists of guidelines for production of 2004 bodies, guidelines for technical inspection of pre-2004 bodies, new technical inspection tools and printed rulebooks.  The goal of the A-B-C Body Program is to establish an industry standard for design, construction and technical inspection of the bodies for offset template late models through out North America.

In the fall of 2002, representatives of Five Star Race Car Bodies (Five Star), Aluminum Racing Products (ARP), Sunoco Super Series and Southern All Stars met in Indianapolis to discuss important issues regarding bodies used in template late model racing.  Since then, numerous meetings have taken place to organize the rules, approve the 2004 body designs and establish the A-B-C program.  More recently, southern leaders Don Nerone and Bert Ashleman have come on board as part of the guiding committee and lend their support to a concept that is long overdue:  A nationwide standard for template late model bodies.

According to Sunoco Super Series founder R. J. Scott, “The future of template late model racing was in serious jeopardy.  The body companies were doing what they were in business to do, build better and faster bodies.  The question was, ‘Where would it all end?’ Each year the cars got more like spaceships and less like stock cars, and there was no end in sight.  At the same time, race organizers had different sets of rules, so racers from the north couldn’t go south and racers from the south couldn’t go north.  The rules were all over the place.  It was time for some serious organization.”

As a result of the A-B-C program, leading body manufacturers Five Star and ARP have agreed to produce aerodynamically identical bodies based on the information provided by the A-B-C leaders.  Last week the group convened to look at the initial results and all parties came away very pleased.  The first body will be on display at the Performance Racing Industry tradeshow in Indianapolis at the Five Star booth.  Representatives will be available to answer questions, demonstrate the use of “The Referee” technical inspection device and related templates.  There will also be copies of the proposed A-B-C rules available for track and series promoters or their representatives.  Similar information and possibly an A-B-C Body will also be available the ARP Booth.

“This was something that many people said couldn’t happen,” noted Southern All Stars promoter Ben Atkinson.  “No one thought we could get the body manufacturers and the different series together…but we did!  As the word has gotten out, more tracks and series from throughout the country have gotten on board too.  Car counts were starting to be affected by the different bodies and the rules, and now event promoters can be part of a program that makes it easier to get cars from anywhere in the country.”

The A-B-C program consists of more than just a 2004 body, but more importantly, guidelines on technical inspection of pre-2004 bodies.  All parties agreed not to eliminate existing bodies in 2004 but rather phase in the use of the new bodies.  In 2005, 2002 and earlier bodies will carry a weight penalty.  In the 2004 season, many teams will not be required to make any modifications to their existing bodies, while some might have to make small changes.  While most organizers in the north had already outlawed the 2003 models from ARP and Five Star, other areas had seen some implementation of these bodies.  2004 will be the final season for these “high performance and down-force” bodies where they were allowed in 2003 and the 2003 and any 2004 non - A-B-C models will not be eligible in any configuration in 2005.  As for the recently announced “Super Tour”, only 1998-2002 model bodies as produced with standard quarter panels and the 2004 A-B-C body will be allowed to compete.

Production of the A-B-C rulebook is expected to be completed within a few weeks.   Track and series rule makers will be able to replace the lengthy section in their rule books regarding bodies with a simple line:  “For rules regarding approved bodies and their installation, please refer to the 2004 A-B-C rule guidelines.”  The rule booklets will be readily available to race tracks, promoters, and racers soon.

A-B-C leaders want to make it clear that this is not an exclusive program, but rather one that encourages participation from all tracks and series concerned with the future direction of template late model racing.

“This is exactly what has been needed for a while,” commented A-B-C consultant John McKarns and former promoter of the Midwest based ARTGO late model series.  “Racers will be able to add substantial value to their race cars by having a car they can race anywhere and sell anywhere.  Promoters will get the advantage of drawing cars from different areas instead of being in the limiting situation they are in now.  Many of the Super Late Models are currently similar in engine and carburetor rules.  Now with the A-B-C plan for bodies, more racers will be able to be at more races.  It’s now really in the hands of the promoters.  The ones that will be successful are the ones that have seen the writing on the wall, and are willing to take advantage of the clean slate and enforce the rules knowing they’ve got support of other promoters in similar situations.”

Even though the formal announcement is just being made, many organizations are already committed to the phase in of the A-B-C rules.  A majority of paved tracks and series in Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Indiana are committed to the A-B-C program and creating a better race environment.

More information will be released in coming weeks. Interested parties can call any of the affiliated organizations for more information:  Five Star Race Car Bodies (262) 877-2171, Aluminum Racing Products (888) 245-1468, Sunoco Super Series (812) 883-0455, Southern All Stars (256) 539-4484, SunBelt Super Series (386) 427-4129, or Florida Pro (386) 755-9302.