1966-1972 General Competition Rules (GCR's)

[Jon Mello]

These are select pages from the 1966 SCCA rule book, pertaining to Trans-Am and also what they
considered sedans (which would include Darts, Mustangs and the like). In the 1966 rule book
there was no dedicated Trans-Am section. A specific section for T/A cars as viewed separately
from other sedans began with the '68 rule book. (Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk)

[Jon Mello]

These are select pages from the 1967 SCCA rule book, pertaining to Trans-Am and also what they
considered sedans (which would include Camaros, Mustangs and the like). In the 1967 rule book
there was no dedicated Trans-Am section. A specific section for T/A cars as viewed separately
from other sedans began with the '68 rule book. (Jon Mello Collection)

[Jon Mello]

1968 Rule book. Note Driver's Newsletter at end denotes that fuel cells became mandatory for
Trans-Am cars beginning with the 3rd Trans-Am race of the season at War Bonnet, Oklahoma.
(Jon Mello Collection)




















Competition Press article, November 19, 1967.

[Jon Mello]

1969 SCCA Rule Book. Many thanks to Chad Raynal for providing me a copy many years ago.

Quick highlights: Minimum weight 2900lbs, less fuel and driver. Factory front and rear bumper must
remain installed now. Window straps and retainers recommended but not required. Headlights must
be retained but covered. All side glass must remain in the car but window cranks and inside door
handles can be removed. Wiper motor, linkage, and wiper arms must all remain installed and be
functional. 1969 was the last year multiple carburetors were allowed.

[Jon Mello]

1970 SCCA rule book. Many thanks go out to Mark and Linda Mountanos
for sending photocopies of their rule book to me several years ago.

Quick highlights: Headlights and parking lights must be removed, windshield must have retainer clips, rear window must
have two retainer straps, any trans and rear axle may be used if put on homologation form, roller rockers allowed but not
a roller cam, any brake caliper and disc may be used. Minimum weight 3,200 lbs with fuel or 3,400 lbs with fuel and driver.
No more dual 4-barrels allowed, only single 4-barrel carb. No more fueling towers. Maximum gas inlet tube size now only
2.25" diameter and must use production gas cap. The windshield wiper motor and linkage must remain intact but the wiper
arms themselves can be removed. The battery now had to be in the engine compartment so some teams put a recess in the
firewall so the battery could be moved further back.

















1970 Watkins Glen program

[Jon Mello]

1971 SCCA Rule Book. Thanks again to Mark and Linda Mountanos for providing me a copy.

Quick highlights; Dry sump oil system now allowed. Any 1x4 intake manifold allowed including aftermarket.
Side glass in doors may now be removed. Door upholstery must be retained but not window hardware. The
battery can now (again) be installed in the trunk but, if so, must be housed in a marine-type container.

[Jon Mello]

1972 Rule book. Many thanks to Chad Raynal for providing me a copy.

Quick highlights: Last year for the 8" max wheel width for O-2 ponycars, 1973 would up that width to 10".
Roller rockers allowed but still no roller cams. Wiper motor and mechanism must still be retained but re-
moval of wiper arms was permitted. Door upholstery still required but removal of all side glass OK.










                                                                                         

[naparsei]

I have repeatedly been told that in 1972, dry sumps were legal and used, but this is not clear from my reading of the rulebooks (whereas in 1971 it's very obvious that it's legal). I must be missing something, but you can't hide it. Could someone point to where it says dry sumps are legal in 1972, or what the loophole is? There is obviously a small opportunity on page 124, #17, but is that the exception. TIA. Also - thank you Jon for memorializing the rules. This is very helpful to me and I am sure to other enthusiasts as well.

[Jon Mello]

Alex,

Rule #17 on page 110 of the 1972 rule book says dry sump oil systems are allowed as long as the oil tank is forward of the firewall. With that being said, dry sumps are not allowed in HTA vintage racing on a Chevrolet or Ford engine so that the later cars don't have that advantage over the earlier models. AMC and Pontiac engines are allowed to run dry sumps because those engines are less plentiful and they tend to have oiling issues. Some vintage racing organizations like SVRA have allowed dry sump systems on Chevys and Fords, but not Historic Trans-Am.

[naparsei]

Jon,

If I had a choice between: 2800 pounds and a dual carb setup or a dry sump motor (and 3200 pounds), I would take the 2800 lbs and 2 carbs every single time. Saying the later cars get an "advantage" over the earlier cars isn't really apples to apples. Also, there were far fewer current MY factory built cars in 1971 and 1972, so - on average - the cars were a little less developed than through 1970.

It seems - for HTA - that there should actually be a rulebook, unless cars are allowed to run as they did. Notice that in 1969, the rules require pump gas...

I am curious as always for your opinion.

Thanks,
Alex

[Jon Mello]

Alex, I'm sorry for the late reply. I overlooked this post.

I agree with you about the lighter weight break and the 2x4 carbs although I think the weight break might have more impact than the extra carb.

Pump gas in '69 can't be compared to today's pump gas.

I don't run the HTA group so I can't speak to why there isn't a rulebook. I think an argument could be made for it and also against it.