Building a Bomber Race Car

Building a bomber race car is not the easiest or cheapest thing to do, but it sure is a lot of fun and there is a lot to be learned.

Any car that is from 1960 to current year, American made, full size passenger car or station wagon can be used to create a bomber racecar. Pickup trucks, vans, convertibles and anything with four-wheel drive in it cannot be used. The car that is chosen can have no smaller than a 108-inch wheel base and no larger than a 128-inch wheelbase.

The body must be stock height, with no less than five inches ground clearance of body or frame. This is measured at the front seam of the driver's door, with both the passenger and driver seated in the vehicle. No body or frame alterations may be made unless otherwise specified by the racetrack officials. All chrome molding must be removed. Body must be complete with all stock body parts including the hood, trunk lid, doors, finders, etc. The doors must be welded, chained or bolted shut.

Rear spoilers are allowed. If they are not originally on the car, then they can be added. The spoilers are not to exceed four inches in height and no wider than the stock or quarter panels. No forward bracing or side panels can be added. Car must be 100 percent stock in the engine, frame and suspension parts. Stock springs in both the front and rear; however heating or cutting of the springs is acceptable. No weight jacks can be added or lengthened rear shackles. The engine must be bolted down from the cylinder head to each side of the frame with at least a 5/16 inch chain.

Stock cast iron exhaust manifold with maximum of a two inch outside diameter pipe (single or double), must run under the floor boards and extend past the drivers compartment with a stock type muffler that meets the 90 D.B.A. at 100 feet. Any OEM (original equipment manufacturer), carburetor and OEM cast iron manifold. All cars with electrical fuel pumps must have a low oil pressure cut off switch. No fuel injection, performance carburetors, or pivot Holley 4-barrel. However, Holley two barrels are allowed.

The steering column for the driver must not have a locking devise. No locking differentials and floating axle rear ends can be used. Driveline and added weight must be painted white. Driveline hoops minimum are 360 degrees of 1 inch by 1/8 inch mandatory around the driveline near the front universal and rear universal joints. No posi-traction or any other devices that may lock up the rear end can be used.

No antifreeze or coolant can be used in the radiator, only plain water. All cars must use a least a one-gallon catch tank or overflow tank, connected to the radiator overflow tube. Valve cover and transmission breathers are suggested to assist in keeping the motor and valve covers from getting to hot. Only Hoosier tires may be used, no recaps and no slicks. Any 15-inch steel aftermarket spoke wheel made with a 3/16 inch steel center with an 8-inch maximum on the right side of the vehicle. Stock wheels may be run on the left side of the vehicle, but are not to exceed the right side rule. All four brakes must be in working order for all race events.

The cars entire interior must be stripped. Everything must come out, the seats, belts, dash, carpet, shifter, peddles, everything. The inner front fenders may be removed. Wheel openings may be cut for tire clearance, maximum 6 inches in the front and rear. All cars must have complete, original type bumpers. No cutting or drilling holes in the bumper. Inner door panels may be removed for door bars. Door bars must be out to exterior skin if the inner panel is removed. Hoods and deck lids may be stripped for safety. Floor pan and the firewall must remain stock. All interior compartments must be sealed off from the track. All of the original flanges must be maintained.

Headlights must be removed; no glass can be in the car with the exception of the windshield being optional. All back and side glass must be removed from the car. If the windshield is left in the car, it must be secured with four brackets of a minimum 1/8 inch by 4-inch steel material. A windshield or screen mesh is mandatory. If a screen mesh is used to replace the windshield, it must be ¼-inch minimum to ¾-inch maximum. Inside vertical straps of 1/8 inch by 1-inch material as close as possible to the center of the glass or screen. No side or rear window coverings are allowed.

The gas tank must be removed, mounted in the trunk at least 18 inches from the rear bumper with four straps of 3/32 inch by 1-inch minimum strap material. Any fuel cell or gas tank must be in a minimum of 22 gauge steel container no lower than 10 inches from the ground. If a fuel cell is used than a fuel cell guard, is mandatory with a minimum of 1 inch tubing by .095 wall thickness. No plumbers tape, chain or bungee cords can be used. A minimum of ten 1-½ inch holes must be drilled in the trunk floor to allow ventilation.

Vehicle must be equipped with a full four-point roll cage over the driver and the passenger. Cage must be made with 1-½ inch minimum roll bar tubing with .090 wall thickness or 1.66 OD black steel pipe with .120 wall thickness. Gussets are required at every pipe or tubing connection. All four posts and all vertical supports for door bars are to be welded directly to the frame in full frame vehicle. They can also be welded to 6 inch by 6 inch by ¼-inch steel plates that must be mounted on top of the floor pan and another plate welded directly underneath the floor pan. These are to be bolted wit at least a four grade 5-3/8 inch diameter bolts and washers.

A vehicle must have four horizontal door bars on both the driver and passenger sides of the car. One dash bar across the front of the cage and two vertical door supports on each door are also required. Two horizontal bars are to be placed behind the seat, one diagonal bar behind the seat from the top corner of the cage to the opposite bottom of the cage. Two more bars will go from the top of the car (rear), down the rear frame or trunk floor.

All cars may have a front hoop no larger than 1-½ inches by .125 inch wall tubing. No more than two upright bars in front of the radiator. Car may also have a rear hoop with the maximum of four uprights inside the trunk to protect the gas tank or fuel cell, with a maximum of 1.66-inch OD pipe or tubing. A minimum of 24-gauge sheet steel fire shield between the driver's compartment and the trunk is mandatory.

The battery must be mounted inside a covered and ventilated box, inside the driver's compartment. This has to be securely attached to the floor by two 3/8 inch vertical bolts and a 1-/4 inch by 1/8 inch horizontal bar across the top of the battery box. This is to protect both the driver and passenger in the event of a wreck and the battery lid were to brake lose, or try to come off.

A steering wheel or grab bar must be mounted within arms reach of the passenger seat, to use as a handhold. If using a steering wheel than the center must be padded with a resilient material, along with the driver's steering wheel. If a bar is used than, it must be covered with roll bar padding, along with the entire roll cage itself. This padding is to protect the driver and passenger from getting hurt if one of them were to hit one of the bars in a wreck.

A motor kill switch must be installed between the driver and passenger for easy both driver and passenger, or for a person outside the driver or passengers window. This switch must be clearly marked so there is no mistake as to what it is. One fire extinguisher of 2 to 2-½ pounds or commercial fire system with readable gauges is mandatory. This is to be located so the driver and passenger both have easy access to it.

Vehicles must have SEMA approved window nets on both driver and passenger side. These are to be attached in a secure manner with easy removal. Exposed tow hooks in the front and rear of car are also mandatory. The gas cap must be strapped to the gas tank or fuel cell and have the car number marked on it.

All vehicles must be equipped with a five-point 2-inch (minimum) SEMA approved racing harness for both the driver and passenger. Driver and driver must also wear a 1985 or newer Snell approved racing helmet with goggles, safety glasses or a full-face shield. Driver and passenger must also wear an S.F.I. approved fire suit that fits well and is in good condition.

Cars must have racing paint jobs and all car numbers must be preceded by the letter "B" The "B" should be smaller in size than the number. Official issued numbers must be at least 18 inches high and neatly painted on both sides of the car. Vinyl stickers can also be used. A number at least 36 inches high needs to be displayed on the roof of the car, so it can be read properly from the passenger's side. All numbers must be in contrasting paint to the body and must be on the front and rear of the vehicle.

Helmets face protection, seat belts, fire suits and window nets must all be properly in place when the vehicle enters the racetrack. All bombers must race with a passenger and they must sit side by side in the car, not one behind the other. Bomber cars have no weight rules.

Now you know what you need and the basics to building a bomber racecar. Have fun, drive safe and enjoy.