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The United Late Model Association (ULMA) board members recently met for the annual end-of-season meeting to discuss the state of the association and plans for the 2011 season. ULMA strives to adhere to its namesake in keeping limited style late model racing united to the best of its ability and to provide rules for participating tracks. The association is not a travelling series focused on end-of-season prize funds, but rather an association focused on providing rules to tracks for competition, which in-turn allows late model racers using steel block, CRATE, or spec engines a place to race on a weekly basis. The below information highlights the changes regarding engine options for 2011, complete detailed rules may be found at www.ulmaracing.com. In addition, the weight paragraph was changed to reflect the separate engine option weights, no other rules were changed. Rules were sent to all competing drivers that have provided a current email address to the association. ENGINE OPTIONS AND CORRESPONDING WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Please read thoroughly and carefully!
ULMA Engine Option 1a: "Wet Sump Systems Only," NO dry-sump oiling systems. Oil pump must be stock-type pump and in stock location. No external oil pumps allowed. No external oil tanks allowed. ALL blocks must be steel blocks. ALL heads must be steel heads, NO Aluminum Heads Allowed. ALL heads must be stock valve angle. Car and driver must weigh 2,350 lbs after completion of race, no tolerance. ULMA Engine Option 1b: Same as 1a except that Aluminum Heads are allowed. Stock valve angle will apply just as stated in option 1a. Car and driver must weigh 2,350 lbs after completion of race, no tolerance. Total of 50 lbs must be added 12” on center in front of the engine plate; 25 lbs on each upper frame tube. ULMA Engine Option 1c: Same as 1a and/or 1b except Dry-Sump Oiling System are allowed. Car and driver must weigh 2,450 lbs after completion of race. If using aluminum heads, a total of 50 lbs must be added 12” on center in front of the engine plate; 25 lbs on each upper frame tube. Crate Motors Engine Option 2a: Factory Sealed. Only the 602 and 604 CRATE motors are permitted. Engines are to remain sealed. The original factory seals must remain unaltered. GM Certified bolts only, NO REBUILT ENGINES! Modifications of any type and/or broken factory seals will not be permitted. 602 Factory Sealed Engine: car and driver must weigh 2,200 lbs after completion of race, no tolerance. 604 Factory Sealed Engine: car and driver must weigh 2,250 lbs after completion of race, no tolerance. Total of 50 lbs must be added 12” on center in front of the engine plate; 25 lbs on each upper frame tube. Crate Motors Engine Option 2b: Non Factory Sealed, or Rebuilt Motors. Only the 602 and 604 CRATE motors are permitted. ULMA Engine rules 1a and 1b apply. 602 Engine: car and driver must weigh 2,350 lbs after completion of race, no tolerance. 604 Engine: car and driver must weigh 2,350 lbs after completion of race, no tolerance. Total of 50 lbs must be added 12” on center in front of the engine plate; 25 lbs on each upper frame tube. Spec Engine Option 3a (Show Me / I.M.C.A. spec motors): "Wet Sump Systems Only," NO dry-sump oiling systems. Oil pump must be stock-type pump and in stock location. ALL blocks must be steel blocks. ALL heads must be stock valve angle. Car and driver must weigh 2,350 lbs after completion of race, no tolerance. Total of 50 lbs must be added 12” on center in front of the engine plate; 25 lbs on each upper frame tube. Spec Engine Option 3b (Show Me / I.M.C.A. spec motors): Same as Option 3a except Dry-sump oiling systems allowed. Car and driver must weigh 2,450 lbs after completion of race, no tolerance. Total of 50 lbs must be added 12” on center in front of the engine plate; 25 lbs on each upper frame tube. WEIGHT: See weight specs as described in various engine options. All cars will be issued decals to identify motor and weight. Decals must be displayed on each side of the car on front lower corner of window side panel. Motor must match decal on car. If the decal and motor do not match, a disqualification will be rendered. No tolerance. Upon reviewing the 2010 season, ULMA was concerned about car counts and listened to affiliated tracks and potential affiliated tracks regarding car counts at ULMA events. The association feels these changes will benefit late model racing as a whole and bring more “limited” style racing to the tracks for fans to enjoy in the association’s sanctioning and coverage area. In the last couple of seasons, ULMA opened the rules up for CRATE late model cars and Spec-engine cars to participate and with these changes the hopes are that this will allow even more competitors to participate. GM recently announced changes to its CRATE late model engine program regarding sealed bolts and rebuilds. ULMA feels it can assist GM CRATE engine dealers in helping them reach potential participating tracks and believes the revised rules will give sealed, legal, CRATE-engine cars more of a level playing field while at the same time preventing advantages to illegal or non-sealed CRATE engines. With the continued growth of the “spec” type engines, the association believes that allowing dry sump oiling systems into the picture will provide additional options for drivers using this particular engine option to participate on a weekly basis if their race programs are not budgeted to compete at every race with various travelling series. Traditional ULMA cars will still remain competitive with participating spec-engine cars because they too will have the option to run “dry sumps.” Similarly, the allowance of aluminum heads is a way to potentially increase participation for the tracks and association. There are competitors out there who competed at now defunct tracks that will have the opportunity to compete at ULMA tracks next season, especially if they were equipped with aluminum heads but ran a 23 degree steel-block/stock valve angle engine. These options serve as additional means of taking away advantages and keeping things on an even playing field with all of the authorized engine options. Racing series, sanctioning bodies, and associations are only as good as their technical inspection program. ULMA believes these changes will make technical inspection easier for our affiliated tracks and officials as well as ULMA officials. The association will assist the tracks in making inspection processes easier and will sticker all cars participating in ULMA races with corresponding engine types and weights. These stickers will be provided by the association throughout the season to drivers as needed. Stay tuned to ULMA’s official website at www.ulmaracing.com for all the latest information regarding the 2011 season. A list of the board of directors and their contact information is available on the Website. Drivers are strongly encouraged to speak directly to any board of director member to voice concerns or ask questions regarding rules or any topic regarding ULMA. To join the association’s email group, send request to unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com. ULMA thanks all of the 2010 contingency business partners for their involvement in the 2010 season. This year’s team included Imhoff Construction, Fast Shafts, Rod End Supply, Racingjunk.com, Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas as well as affiliated businesses NeedSponsorship.com, MySmokinRide.com, Intercontinental Hotels Group, and Homes for Our Troops. If you would like to join the team, contact us at your convenience at unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com or www.ulmaracing.com.
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