We are having the Side X Side National Oct. 15th at competititve edge race track in Hesperia.
This race will be a balls to the wall, side x side, race to the finish! Dana Creech will be there racing along with special appearance from X-Games gold medal winner Jeremey Steinberg "TWITCH".
Pro Class Rules:
SECTION 1
General Regulations
Pro Class entrants shall comply with all class and applicable general regulations as detailed below.
Safety Equipment
1: Helmets
Required:
Helmets must be the type approved by the Snell Memorial Foundation (2000 or newer), with a Snell approval sticker attached. Straps must have D-ring fasteners only.
Restricted:
No Snaps or Velcro will be permitted. The interior areas of the helmet must be free of defects (i.e. the padding must be in good condition and the exterior of the helmet must not be damaged).
Recommended:
The US Desert Racing Series strongly recommends that entrants use helmets specifically designed for racing.
2: Protective Clothing
Required
The US Desert Racing Series requires that entrants wear a one or two piece fire suit, fire resistant gloves and footwear.
3: Eye Protection
Required:
Shatter resistant eye protection is required for all entrants competing in the US Desert Racing Series. Entrants whose vehicles have full windshields must have eye protection in the vehicle with them at all times.
Recommended:
It is highly recommended that entrants wear the eye protection even with the windshield.
4: Neck Braces
Recommended:
Neck braces are highly recommended for all entrants. Neck braces should provide adequate support and have a fire-resistant covering in good or like new condition. It is highly recommended that a neck brace made by a recognized manufacturer is worn.
5: Fire Extinguisher
Required:
Each Vehicle must carry a portable fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers must have a gauge, be fully charged and be easily accessible from inside the vehicle. Portable and on-board fire extinguishers must have a current (less than one year old) fire marshal’s seal and attached label.
6: Wheels and Tires
Required:
Snap-on hubcaps or snap-on wheel covers of any type are not permitted in any class of vehicle during competition. Tires will be visibly checked for condition and must be considered reasonably safe by the US Desert Racing Series.
Recommended:
It is highly recommended that all foreign material be removed from mounting surfaces of the rim and wheel.
Fuel System
7: Fuel
Required:
Any of the commercially available fuels may be used:
Service station pump gasoline (the type used in passenger vehicles for highway use)
Racing gasoline as manufactured and available to the public
Commercial aviation gas
Diesel fuel
Propane or natural gas
Commercially produced nationally advertised fuel additives may be used
Restricted:
No alcohol, nitrous oxide (NOS), or nitro-methane is permitted.
8. Fuel Tanks
Required:
Safety fuel cells must be utilized and are required for all vehicles. Stock fuel tanks must be removed completely. Alternative fuels (propane and natural gas) must use and approved fuel cell as determined by DOT standards and with the approval of the US Desert Racing Series. Alternative fueled vehicles may not use auxiliary fuel cells. All fuel tanks must be securely mounted. Fuel tank must be filled from and vented to the outside of the vehicle. There must be a substantial cross member and firewall between the fuel tank and the occupants.
Safety fuel cells shall consist of a bladder enclosed in a smooth skinned container. The container shall be constructed of a 20ga. steel, 0.060-inch aluminum or 0.125-inch marlex. Magnesium is strictly prohibited. Container must be securely attached to vehicles with bolts or steel traps. All fittings must be built into the skin as an integral part of the tank or mechanically sealed by a ring and counter ring system by either flat joint or an “O” ring. Internal baffling is mandatory in all fuel cells. Bladder construction shall be of nylon or Dacron woven fabric impregnated and coated with fuel resistant elastomer. Rotary molded polymer cells are acceptable. The physical properties minimum standards are in accordance with the following table:
Test Type – Minimum Standard
Test Specification
Tensile Strength-450 Ibs.
Spec CCC-T-1916 Method 5102
Tear Strength-50 Ibs.
Spec CC- T-1916 Method 5134
Puncture Test-175 Ibs
Spec MIL-T-6396 Article 4.5.17
These physical properties must be maintained throughout all areas of the finished bladder seams, joints and fittings.
Restricted:
Auxiliary fuel tanks besides the one required safety fuel cells are not allowed. No GI-cans or fuel containers similar in construction or purpose will be permitted in or on any vehicle during the race. Use of GI-cans or other fuel containers will subject entrant to disqualification.
9: Fuel Filler, Vents and Caps
Required:
Fuel filler lines and positive-locking non-vented fuel filler caps must be located and secured in such manner as to prevent being knocked off or opened during movement, rollover or accidental impact. Design and installation must be in such a manner to prevent fuel escaping from pickups, lines, fillers and breather vents if vehicle is partially or totally inverted. Fuel breather lines must have a rollover check valve incorporated in the fuel cell. The vent line must extend to the highest point of the roll cage nearest the fuel cell, across the width of the vehicle, and down to below the belly pan of the vehicle or 3 inches below the fuel cell, whichever is lower.
OPTIONAL PLACEMENT: The vent line may be wrapped one full loop around the outside of the fuel cell near the top of the fuel cell and then down below the vehicle 3 inches below the lowest point of the fuel cell. Where the vent line attaches to the fuel cell there must be a loop above the fuel cell that extends 4 inches higher than the top of the fuel cell. The breather line must be vented outside of driver’s compartment and be directed away from the engine and exhaust system.
Restricted:
Monza/flip-type caps are strictly forbidden.
Recommended:
It is highly recommended that all detachable fuel filler caps have a flexible strap or chain attached between it and the frame of the vehicle.
Vehicle Safety Equipment
10: Roll cages
Roll cages must be made of a minimum/no less than 1.5” 0.95, DOM or 4130 Chromoly, you may use mild steel, minimum requirements are 1.5” 120 wall. Cages must be made in a professional manner, poor craftsmanship that may be unsafe will be declined to race. High side bars with side panels for body protection is required. High side bars must be joined by window nets to avoid any body exposure outside of car in case of roll over. Driver and passenger must have a minimum 3” of clearance between the helmet and inside tubing while harnessed in car.
Required:
Minimum Tubing Dimension
Vehicle Weight Open Cockpit Closed Cockpit
Under 2000 Ibs 1.5” x .095” 1.5” x .095”
2000 to 2999 Ibs. 1.75” x .120” 1.5” x .120”
Recommended:
Additional side bar tubing behind paneling to protect driver and passenger from side impact.
Note: See manufacturer’s reference charts for alloy steel tubing equivalent strengths. No aluminum or other non-ferrous materials are permitted.
11. Safety Harnesses
Required:
All vehicles must have a heavy-duty type five-point fast release latch seatbelt, anti-submarine strap and shoulder straps with metal-to-metal buckles and connectors for each occupant. The five-point harness system shall consist of one 2-inch wide anti-submarine strap, one 3-inch wide seat belt and two 3-inch wide shoulder straps. Harness material shall be made of nylon or Dacron polyester. Harness must be in new or perfect condition. All harnesses must show the manufacturer’s name and the month and year of manufacture. All harnesses must be replaced before the end of the second year from the month and year of manufacture. No portion of the harness may be altered in any fashion from the manufacturer’s standard design.
The five-point harness must be mounted to the main structure members of the same size and dimension as the roll cage can be gusseted. The structure members must be in the following locations. Anti-submarine belt to the floor structure as close to the front of the seat as practical in order to exert maximum restraint to the upward movement of the seat belt and shoulder straps. Shoulder straps must be mounted behind the occupants seats and be located a minimum of 2.5 inches forward of the intersection of the back of the seat and the sitting portion of the sea. All adjustment buckles must be a minimum distance of 1.5 inches from the seat to prevent loosening or chafing.
Mounting hardware must be a minimum of 0.312-inch hardened steel bolts with a 1.5-inch diameter flat washer attached through the body or frame using lock nits or cotter keys. All harness hardware must be safety tied. If a wrap around harness is used, care must be taken to prevent them from slipping and chafing from sharp frame components.
Restricted:
No push button type harnesses permitted.
No “Y” type shoulder belts permitted.
Harness material must not be cut, frayed, stained, dirty or rigid at start of race.
No surplus safety harnesses permitted.
Recommended:
Chest Buckles between harness shoulder belts.
All harnesses must be replaced after one year from the month and year of manufacture.
Wraparound harnesses are highly discouraged.
12: Safety Nets
Required:
The US Desert Racing Series approved safety nets are mandatory on all vehicles and must cover the complete open area of the cockpit on both sides of the vehicle. Nets must be installed on the inside of the roll cage to prevent them from being damaged or coming off in the event of a roll over or slide on side. Nets must be installed so that the occupants can release the netting unassisted and exit the vehicle regardless of the position of the vehicle. Net installation must meet with the approval of the chief technical inspector. Lexan side windows must be mounted in such a fashion as to allow quick removal in event door will not open.
The net border or edge and the net attachment must be made of materials that are as strong or stronger than the net itself. Net attachments must be every 6 inches. Acceptable attachments are not limited to the following: hose clamps, snaps, heavy-duty nylon ties, lift-a-dot, metal hooks and steel rods. Steel rods are acceptable methods of bottom fastening.
13: Seating
Required:
All vehicles must use seats designed specifically for racing applications manufactured by a recognized racing seat manufacturer. Stock seats must be completely removed.
A recognized manufacturer that specializes in seats for racing applications must make all seats. All seats must be securely mounted to frame of vehicle and be properly reinforced in such manner as to keep seat from moving in relationship to the frame. Adjustable track type seats must be securely installed to prevent whiplash are mandatory on all vehicles. Restraints must be a headrest constructed of a t least 2-inch thick resilient padding and be approximately 36 square inches in area. All portions of the roll bar or bracing that might come into contact with the vehicle occupant’s helmets must be padded.
Electrical System
14: Ignition
Required:
Each vehicle must have a positive action on/off switch in good working order. The switch must be labeled “ignition” on/off and be located within easy reach of the driver and from the outside of the vehicle. All electric fuel pumps with independent switches must be labeled “fuel” on/off and be within easy reach of driver and from outside of vehicle.
15: Batteries
Required:
Batteries must be securely mounted with metal-to-metal tie downs. All flooded cell batteries must be fully enclosed including the sides and bottom. Enclosure must be able to contain the quantity of acid contained in the battery if inverted.
Restricted:
Batteries may not be located in the driver’s compartment. Batteries will be considered as being in the driver’s compartment if there is no firewall between the battery and the driver.
16: Starter
Required:
All entrants must be self-starting by use of an onboard electric starter.
17: Dust Lamp
Required:
A bright amber dust lamp facing the rear of the car is required and must be mounted at a high point on the cage to warn oncoming passers.
18: Horn
Required:
A horn is required to warn slower moving drivers/riders to find a safe place to pull over so that the faster moving vehicle may pass.
Recommended:
Hella Twin Supertone horn kit, easy to install and comes with easy to read directions. Average cost is $69.95
General Vehicle Components
19: Engine Replacement
Required:
No entrant may replace a complete engine during an event. Entrant will be deemed to have replaced engine if the block or case halves have been replaced. Original motors must remain in car, modifications are allowed to the original motor but no after market motors such as street bike, snowmobile etc. No supercharges or nos can be added to the original motor to enter this race.
20: Throttles
Required:
Every vehicle with a foot throttle must have two return springs, with a minimum of a 2-lb. pull, attached to the carburetor. Fuel injected vehicles are exempt from having two return springs. Computer controlled throttles are exempt from having two return springs. Computer controlled throttles are exempt from having two return springs but must maintain the stock system. A stop or override system must be used to keep linkage from passing over center and sticking in an open position.
A hand throttle may be used if physical limitations necessitate use of such device. The hand throttle must follow the same guidelines as a foot throttle and must be deemed safe and approved by the US Desert Racing Series.
21: Exhaust
Required:
Forestry approved spark arrestors or approved mufflers are required on all vehicles. Exhaust system design an installation must be done in such manner as to extend a minimum of 1 foot past rear of the driver’s compartment, be directed rearward out of the body and away from the driver and co-driver, fuel cells and tires. The exhaust must be placed in such manner as to minimize the production of dust.
22: Driver’s Compartment
Required:
The vehicle occupants must be able to enter and exit, unassisted and with great ease, the driving compartment with the vehicle in any position. Firewalls and/or bulkheads must separate driving compartment from any fuels, engine fluids and acids.
23: Bumpers
Required:
Must have front and rear bumper secured to frame using minimum 1.5” outside diameter, .090” wall thickness.
Bumpers and nerf bars must be designed in a way to reasonably inhibit two vehicles from becoming locked together. A safe front and rear bumper is required on all vehicles.
Restricted:
No hazardous front or rear bumpers, nerf bars, frame heads or other protruding objects from vehicles are permitted.
24: Mirrors
Required:
A rear view mirror is required on all vehicles usable for the driver or co-driver, if any. Mirrors must have at least 6 square inches of mirror surface. Mirror must have a reasonably unobstructed view of area behind vehicle.
25: Skid Plates
Recommended;
Skid plates designed to reasonably protect the front suspension, steering and brake components are recommended on all vehicles. Skid plate must be made of metal and be securely attached.
26: Storage
Required:
All spare parts and extra equipment carried on vehicle must be securely fastened to prevent movement during competition. All spare parts and extra equipment must be carried in such a manner as to reduce the risk of injury to the occupants.
27: Fenders
Required:
Fenders must be securely attached to vehicle on all classes requiring fenders.
28. Identification Markers, Numbers, and Stickers
All vehicles in competition must be identified with the correct class vehicle numbers and be displayed in the proper locations: Front, sides and rear of vehicle.
----Note----
The US Desert Racing Series assumes no responsibility for scoring vehicles with unrecognizable numbers. It is the vehicle driver’s responsibility for keeping numbers recognizable.
29: Advertising on Vehicles
Required:
Advertising, symbols, and names may be displayed on vehicles contingent that they do not interfere with identification markings and provided that they are in good taste.
30. Workmanship
Required:
All construction, modifications and alterations must be performed in a workmanlike manner and meet with the rules, regulations and approval of the US Desert Racing Series.
Current Updated Regulations
Vehicle Safety
The US Desert Racing Series believes that it is each competitor’s responsibility to present a safe vehicle for pre-race tech inspection.
CHASSIS AND BODY
Doors that latch and/or open and close are not allowed.
Stock seats are not allowed for entry in race.
Competition Regulations
This is currently an open class and all components will be considered open unless it states otherwise with these class rules.
IMPORTANT: All rules are tentative and may be changed, altered, or updated in accordance with the US Desert Racing Series.
Please contact Rhino Craft at (951)471-0505 or e-mail at with any questions or for more information on these rules.
