Chumptruck!

Got the press release in my email this morning for this. Who is going to be the first here to build a low buck chumptruck?

http://www.chumptruck.com/

Is that... for serious?

That looks simultaneously terrifying and sign me the heck up.

Big rig track racing is a decades old sport. What's so different about this version?

This is awesome! I happen to have a friend/neighbor who is truck mechanic and has access to several cheap old trucks.

Wonder if this would circumvent the "stock fuel tank" rule...

foxtrapper wrote: Big rig track racing is a decades old sport. What's so different about this version?

its 5k or less over in europe where lorrie racing is big they tie up a lot of money in their lorries

Yeah, I remember watching them on TV years ago...used to broadcast it on ESPN or something at 2:30am. Awesome stuff. I'd try it in a heartbeat.

And just how the berkeley are you going to get that thing to the track???? Not like you can drive it there and race....

In reply to Ranger50:

the rules (http://www.chumptruck.com/rules.php) seem a lot more free... tecnically, the thing COULD still be street legal... annoying to drive, but street legal. (they did not say to remove the lights). I think you could make it go from uncomforatable street mode to track mode in under an hour, if it was prepped right.

Ranger50 wrote: And just how the berkeley are you going to get that thing to the track???? Not like you can drive it there and race....

That's what I wonder. Not like you can tow one of them on a dolly behind a Sienna.

Ranger50 wrote: And just how the berkeley are you going to get that thing to the track???? Not like you can drive it there and race....

rent a dolly from uhaul and tow it behind the old minivan

In reply to SCARRMRCC:

no the issue is of trucks of that size still require a cdl in most place, unless it is registered with a trailer that makes it an rv.

SCARRMRCC wrote: In reply to Ranger50: the rules (http://www.chumptruck.com/rules.php) seem a lot more free... tecnically, the thing COULD still be street legal... annoying to drive, but street legal. (they did not say to remove the lights). I think you could make it go from uncomforatable street mode to track mode in under an hour, if it was prepped right.

from the full rules

Remove the headlights and all of the glass, except the windshield.

full rules about the trucks

2.2.All trucks competing in the ChumpTruck Racing Series: 2.2.1. Must be 2-axle 2.2.2. Minimum weight: 10,000 pounds; maximum weight: 12,000 pounds 2.2.3. May be conventional, cab-over or compact design and may or may not include a sleeper 2.2.4. Must be under 170” wheelbase 2.2.5. Must have the engine and transmission located in the OEM-stock location 2.2.6. Must have a stock engine with factory or OE components; no aftermarket or performance equipment 2.2.7. Must use pump diesel fuel 2.2.8. Must have stock or OE brakes 2.2.9. Must have stock or OE suspension 2.2.10. Must have straight axles; no independent rear suspension 2.2.11. Must have the front axle in the stock location 2.2.12. Must not include sub-frames or frame stiffeners, other than allowable assemblies for safety (as detailed in the ChumpTruck Competition Rules) 2.2.13. Must use appropriate steer/drive/combination DOT tires; no recap tires allowed on the front axle 2.2.14. Must use rear dual wheels/tires; no X1 singles 2.2.15. Must have manual transmission; no automatic transmissions permitted 2.2.16. Must not have 2-stroke diesel engines

the bold-ed part about the brakes is to highlight the fact if you wanted to drive the truck to the track you would have to have a cdl with air brake endorsements.

In reply to Wonkothesane:

most of these trucks will have air brakes which usually requires a cdl.

Wonkothesane wrote: I've seen a few chumpcars that people use as street legal daily (?) drivers, I'm imagining that you could get down to bolt-in lighting and such for your truck, too..

Reading the rules further it seems that they suggest leaving them wired for headlights as there might be night races!!!!!!!!!!!

In reply to MrChaos:

I missed the "remove the headlights" part. but you can still drive on the highway without side or rear glass... and headlights come out pretty darn quick.

the brake thing... well, I would expect you to be able to drive it at least once, before racing it. you SHOULD have a CDL, or have enough money to have your own test track, and a way to haul.. a hauler.

SCARRMRCC wrote: In reply to MrChaos: I missed the "remove the headlights" part. but you can still drive on the highway without side or rear glass... and headlights come out pretty darn quick. the brake thing... well, I would expect you to be able to drive it at least once, before racing it. you SHOULD have a CDL, or have enough money to have your own test track, and a way to haul.. a hauler. Some state do have farm truck loophole but they are strict and very heavily enforced.

Also most state dot's will overlook a car that may or may not be street legal but they do take Big trucks i.e. semi's very seriously and there are very very large fines for not having the right licenses and endorsements.

Wonkothesane wrote: You could always tow the truck to an event with your Miata....

I know you are joking but the truth is that you will have to have a minimum of a newer 3/4 ton truck to tow these trucks to the track since they have to weigh(according to the rules) 10k-12k lbs. plus most will be 25+ ft in length(170in wheel base or less and single rear axle only).

As I understand it airbrakes=/=CDL, E36 M3 heavy enough to need airbrakes=CDL. A lot of people in a lot of states register old semis as RVs and use them for giant toy haulers w/o a CDL.

In reply to Kenny_McCormic:

for the RV thing to fly in most states it has to have living quarters in it and most require that they are permanent.

You still have to stop at weigh stations. also

You must have a CDL to operate:

• Any motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-ing (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.

• Any vehicle that is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver.

• Any vehicle transporting hazardous material and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 172, Sub-part F.

The following vehicles are exempt from the CDL requirements. Commercial Motor Vehicle does not include:

• CMVs operated by military personnel for military purposes.

• Any farm vehicles:

�� Controlled and operated by a farmer;

�� Used to transport agriculture products, farm ma-chinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm;

�� Used within 150 miles of the person’s farm;

�� Not used in the operation of a common or con-tract motor carrier.

• Firefighting Equipment. Necessary to the preser-vation of life and property or the execution of emergency governmental functions; emergency equipment such as a fire truck, hook and ladder,

Exempt Vehicles:

Recreation vehicles used for recreational purposes. Military vehicles driven by military personnel. Firefighting equipment. Emergency Snow Plowing during emergency snow removal operations. Farm vehicle when controlled and operated by a farmer within 150 miles of the person's farm.

Also you would have to have a class A license just to tow the truck to the track in most places.

In any event, I have got to see this!

Fantastic.... Now we need someone to broadcast these (and other) races...

MrChaos wrote: In reply to Kenny_McCormic: for the RV thing to fly in most states it has to have living quarters in it and most require that they are permanent. You still have to stop at weigh stations. also

You must have a CDL to operate: • Any motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-ing (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. • Any vehicle that is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver. • Any vehicle transporting hazardous material and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 172, Sub-part F. The following vehicles are exempt from the CDL requirements. Commercial Motor Vehicle does not include: • CMVs operated by military personnel for military purposes. • Any farm vehicles: �� Controlled and operated by a farmer; �� Used to transport agriculture products, farm ma-chinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm; �� Used within 150 miles of the person’s farm; �� Not used in the operation of a common or con-tract motor carrier. • Firefighting Equipment. Necessary to the preser-vation of life and property or the execution of emergency governmental functions; emergency equipment such as a fire truck, hook and ladder, Exempt Vehicles: Recreation vehicles used for recreational purposes. Military vehicles driven by military personnel. Firefighting equipment. Emergency Snow Plowing during emergency snow removal operations. Farm vehicle when controlled and operated by a farmer within 150 miles of the person's farm.

So everyone racing is doing it for fun ie "recreation", sounds like this is covered under "recreation vehicles used for recreational purposes."

Also every good truck driver I know drives at night to avoid the weight stations as most of them close nights.