Two national tours and several other Dirt Late Model series have agreed to adopt uniform safety standards for the 2017 season, including requirements for seats, fuel cells and fire suppression systems. The standards were agreed on by members of the 2016-founded Unified Dirt Late Model Council, which is encouraging all Dirt Late Model organizations to adopt the standards by Jan 1.

The adopted specifications, detailed here, will be integrated into the Council's 2017 General Rules and Specifications. This includes fuel cells, battery and electrical systems, wheels and wheel discs/covers, and personal safety equipment such as drivers' gloves, head-and-neck restraints, seats and fire suppression.

Along with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and World Racing Group, the parent of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series and DIRTcar Racing, the standards were also adopted by the the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association, the Fastrak-affiliated Ultimate Super Late Model Series and North Carolina promoter Ray Cook’s three tours (Old Man’s Garage Spring Nationals, Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals and Southern Nationals Bonus Series). DIRTcar sanctions all Late Model events at Ohio's Eldora Speedway, which hosts two of the sport's biggest events.

The full committee plans its next meeting Dec. 10 on the final morning of the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis, Ind., with a focus on weighted-suspension components, rear-end construction materials and axles. Specs for those components will be announced later.