Below are the rules for Junior rods for racing at Tipperary Raceway for 2024. Rules are as of now and can be edited at any time. Check back regularly.
2024 Rules
Junior Rods
This formula is NON-Contact and cars should be prepared with a professional racing appearance. This standard is required to be kept up throughout the driver’s racing season. Cars must be presented in a tidy and safe condition. Helmets and neck braces must be presented at scrutiny.
AGE LIMITS ARE THE FORMULA ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Drivers may start racing on their 10th birthday until the age of 16.
VIOLATIONS
When referring to the engine, gearbox, differential, mechanical, or construction Rules & regulations, the principle will always be:
Unless permission is specifically granted to make modifications (or any variations), nothing may be done to alter or change the standard parts in any way. Unless the rules state you can do it, you are not allowed to alter or change in any way. Violations will result in immediate suspension.
TYPE OF CAR
Cars eligible for use are:
Any 1000cc production car EXCEPT YARIS VVTI
WEIGHTS
Minimum weight is 650kg.
ENGINES
All parts must be original/ standard engine ECU only/Engines and ECU will be checked at random.
Flywheels may NOT be lightened.
Surface head only if replacing head Gasket/Standard Head Gasket only to be used.
Minimum Measurement of head – 120.80mm from the face of the head to where the rocket cover sits.
No skimming of the engine block is allowed.
Camshafts and gears must remain standard.
Injectors must remain standard.
Rev limiters may be disabled.
A restrictor plate must be fitted to all junior cars, even on practice days.
Interference with the plate will result in penalties.
Standard exhausts must have a silencer box fitted and be effective in reducing noise.
Engine Value will be €450. A driver in the junior class can purchase an engine being raced in the class by going to the chief scrutineer on the race day.
TRANSMISSION
The gearbox must remain standard to the model of the car. No mix and matching. All gears must remain in the gearbox.
Drives and hubs must remain standard.
The differentials must not be locked in any way (no limited slip differentials or welded differentials allowed).
WHEEL’S AND TYRES
NANKANG TYRES 155/70 R13 (must be under the car for racing)
13-inch rim’s only are allowed. If the Micra Rim is unavailable, you must produce an alternative rim at scrutineering BEFORE fitting. Rim max: 13 x 5.
No Alloy wheels are allowed.
Wheels must not be outside of the wheel arches.
SUSPENSION
THE MAXIMUM VALUE OF THE 4 STANDARD SHOCKS IS €150. ANOTHER DRIVER IN THE CLASS CAN BUY AND DRIVERS SHOCKS. STANDARD SHOCKS ONLY. NO RE-VALVING ALLOWED
Standard suspension and springs are only allowed. You may cut the original springs only to lower the car.
Hubs and wishbones must remain in their original position. No movement allowed.
No camber allowed.
BRAKES
To be as original and to work on all wheels.
The handbrake must be Installed and effective.
BODYWORK
To remain exactly as standard production car
NO DESKIMMING ALLOWED.
No armouring is allowed on the front or the back of the car.
The bonnet lock panel can be replaced with a 1” box iron dropping down to the chassis legs. 3 inches back from the front of the chassis legs.
Grills must be fitted to all cars.
All cars must be kept clean throughout the year.
ROLL CAGES
Alloy roll cages are NOT permitted
The minimum Steel Roll cage protection you must have is:
• One front hoop
• One rear hoop cross bar at shoulder height to mount seat support or a seat brace hoop as a seat support.
• Two roof connecting bars
• One dash crossbar. Two N/S chicken bars
• Two O/S chicken bars
Compulsory – It is compulsory that an extra bar be fitted on the driver’s side from the B pillar at 45% to the roof bar diagonally at approximately 10 to 12 Inches long, or a bar dropping from the A bar through the chicken bar and down onto the sill. (See attached diagram FIG. A and FIG. B).
AN EXTRA BAR MUST BE ADDED FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR HOOP OVER THE DRIVER’S HEAD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER
WINDSCREEN AND INTERIOR
All glass and interior trim must be removed from the car. A rear-view mirror must be fitted and a door mirror on the right-hand side. A piece of 1-inch box must be fitted on the windscreen ¾ of the way across the near Driver’s side FIG C. A window net must be fitted to the driver’s door.
STOP LIGHTS
Brake lights must be hung from the roof. Lamps must be operated by the standard stop light switch as fitted to that particular model of car. Bulbs to be of 21watt intensity, or a strip light fitted or 2 brake lights on either side of the rear.
BATTERIES
Batteries must be securely clamped in place and covered with a leakproof material (EG. Rubber) to prevent spillage of acid.
An electrical cut-off switch must be fitted to the rear side of the car just behind the passenger’s door.
Batteries must be covered unless of dry cell construction.
SEATS
Competition Seats are compulsory. The seat must adequately support the driver at shoulder height. The seat must suit the driver
Seats must be fitted securely to the floor of the car.
Only harness belts are allowed. 4 or 5 point harness and must suit the driver.
STEERING
The steering rack or box should retain its original position.
The steering column can be altered to suit the driver.
The Steering wheel must be clip-on
FUEL TANKS
All fuel caps must be secure no drilling of caps is allowed. Cars with petrol caps drilled will not be permitted to race.
COMPETITION FUEL TANKS ARE COMPULSORY.
COMPETITION FUEL TANKS MUST HAVE A FIREWALL OVER THEM AND A NON-RETURN VALVE FITTED TO THE VENT PIPE.
NUMBERS
Numbers must be displayed on both sides of the car in black on a white background, or vice versa. Numbers are to be a minimum size of 12 inches high with a 2-inch stroke.
Roof numbers and fin plates must be 9 inches by 1.5 inches.
ROOF COLOURS
When notified of your grade, you will paint 90 percent of your roof with that colour.
FLAG SIGNALS
Green: Go, track is clear, and racing can commence.
Red: Stop racing, come to a stop carefully.
Checkered flag: The race is over. Keep going until the red flag. Remember other drivers behind you may still be at racing speed.
Yellow (stationary) Take care as there is a stationary car ahead. Continue to race with caution.
Yellow (Waved: Race suspension, all cars must remain in single file and slow to 15mph or if in exceptional circumstances, stop. No overtaking permitted.
Blue: The Driver must hold their line as faster cars are trying to overtake.
Black: The Driver is disqualified for an infringement. The driver must leave the track immediately.
White Flag with Red Cross: Technical disqualification flag. This is used to signal a driver that they have a problem with the car and must immediately retire to the infield.
Black Cross: Driver is under Surveillance for a rule infringement, and may be penalised after the race conclusion. This decision is up to the course – Marshal
White Flag with blue centre: Drivers should exercise caution as oil or other debris may be on the track.
RULE CHANGES
The club/promoter may at any time make amendments to the specifications in the interest of safety. It may also make amendments in the interest of expense to the driver or or in areas that are determined to be detrimental to the future of the formula, or if unnecessary advantage has been deemed to have happened. Additionally, if it is felt that the formula is drifting away from the original – Concept.
If an item is not stated in the rules, it is not permissible. An issue can be brought to a meeting and may be considered by the committee and scrutineer, and those presented on the night. A decision will be made and the result will be notified.
The Committee wish to thank all those who contributed to the drafting of the above rules and regulations.
HELMETS
Helmets must be to a minimum standard as directed by the British Oval Racing Safety Executive (BORSE). These are FIA8860-2004, Snell SA 2010, SFI Foundation 31. IA and foundation 31.2A The E2205 European standard helmet may be used in fibreglass or tri-composite or only. No polycarbonate helmets are allowed. The helmet must fit the driver correctly. Shatterproof goggles/visors must be worn. Your helmet must display the current ORCI (ORCIO) sticker.
Neck brace and helmet must be presented at scrutiny.
CLOTHING
Drivers must wear racing overalls which are flame-retardant. Fire Retardant gloves and balaclava are also mandatory and must be marked appropriately. Neck Braces are compulsory.
GENERAL
ALL DRIVERS MUST ATTEND THE DRIVER’S BRIEFING BEFORE THEY GO RACING. DRIVERS MUST BRING THEIR RACE RADIOS TO THE BRIEFING.
Each driver is permitted one car per meeting and each car is only 1 driver per meeting – this is strictly enforced.
Any driver spinning the wheels or driving up and down the pit area will be dealt with by the course Marshal on the day and a ban may apply.
• Cars must travel at 5mph in the pit area.
• No Passengers allowed in or on the car.
• Drivers must not push or work on their car during a race in the infield.
• No outside assistance is allowed during racing.
• There must be no deliberate fencing or driving at a driver’s door or dangerous driving.
• All cars must have transponders. 1.8m back from the front most point of the car.
• Race receivers are required to be working, and drivers may be required to prove the radio is working.
• 6” hole must be drilled where the transponder is mounted.
If a race is flagged within 4 laps, the course marshal declares a restart. Any car that has pulled into the infield may re-join the restarted race. Cars re-joining a race may be complete as the original line-up i.e, bonnet and doors must be on all cars.
Drivers are responsible for any action carried out by their mechanic, support etc. to any member of SOHRA staff or the general public at a race meeting. Any crew member in breach of this rule could result in the driver being suspended for the day.
PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE DRIVER BOTH ON AND OFF THE TRACK
Any issues bringing the track or staff into disrepute and posted on social media will lead to penalties.