Pony Rules

BigSlickRacing · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 2

A few of my buddies and I are considering building some Pony Stocks over the winter. We just found out about this class and went to Auto City last weekend to check their version out. They call them "Hornets", but the rules are exactly as those posted for Spartan/Springport ponies.
However, some of the cars seemed not to adhere to the rules; manual trannies, no dash, rear wheel drive. My question to you SS/SMS guys is: are the rules enforced at these venues or do they let whatever shows up run?
We want our cars to be legal at as many tracks as possible, but if the rules are not enforced, we would like to know before we start building.
Also, if you have any advice as far as the best vehicle to use, what not to use, or anything else you think is pertinent, it will be greatly appreciated.
I'm partial to Fords, so I'm thinking escort or tempo....

Anonymous · Guest

The AC rules do allow RWD's check out their rulebook on their website, they are "close" but not to the T exact.

Jerry Garland · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 145

The rules at SS/SPS are enforced. if its in the rules it usually gets looked at. The main concern would be building your car with the safest cage possible and using the proper safety equipment.

The ford cars have not been the car of choice. 2 reasons why would be that no one has ever got one to go fast and the other is the tranny. Not many people in the pony division have the knowledge or know how on changing the gears in the ford tranny. If you can do this then you might be one of the firsts to make a ford go fast.

The dodge seems to be the car of choice, mainly because of there good 2.5 liter motor and ease of changing the gears to obtain the proper first gear ratio for racing. Also the speedways just recently allowed the neon!! this seems to be the car of choice right now because of the single cam 4 valve head! (this would be my choice if I were to return to the class)

Chevys are good running cars and have the power to keep up with the dodges. The only down fall to the chevy is the tranny. The chevys need to have the tranny pulled from the car and disassembled in order to get the proper gearing for the size track that you are racing. So if you build a tranny for 1/4 mile track then that is what it will be used for only. And if you ever want to go to a 3/8 mile track you have to build another tranny.

hope this helps you in your build process.

2004 pony stock champion

Jerry Garland
_________________
Torg Motorsports!

BigSlickRacing · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks for the info.
Question on roll cage material: I see most divisions spec 1.75 OD/.095 wall tubing, nothing listed for pony, same requirement? Or do they allow 1 1/2 / .095 because of the lighter weight and slower speeds?
Does anyone have a line on a salvage yard or other source to buy donor cars? I read somewhere on here where someone said they can buy neons all day long for $200 each(I'll take 3!).
Thanks

Jerry Garland · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 145

1.75 is the choice you need for tubing and it must be .095 wall.

as for a source for cars to make into pony stocks, check out this web site: www.voaautoauction.org and if you dont find one there check out the ann arbor police auctions. you can usually pick up a car at either of these for $100 to $300 bucks.

later

Jerry
_________________
Torg Motorsports!