Limiting maximum weights of wheel and rear hub assemblies to improve safety, the Unified Dirt Late Model Council this week announced its final off-season changes that govern the sport’s two national tours and other racing organizations. | Technical bulletin

Council members during a Jan. 20 conference call wrapped up compromises on rear suspension rules that will limit hub assemblies to 27 pounds while limiting wheel and associated hardware to 40 pounds.

The decision also changes the legal weight of the car overall (with driver) to 2,350 pounds instead of the traditional 2,300.

The council was focused on “the safety side of that tire or wheel assembly coming off (the car) with (too much) weight on it, that’s what we’re trying to disallow here, and the safety hazards that would come with that,” said council member Rick Schwallie, director of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

In recent years, some teams used increasingly heavier rear hub and wheel components including axle tubes, wheel spacers and birdcages in seeking traction through more left-rear weight, Schwallie said.

The new mandates allow enough weight for standard OEM equipment to pass muster, he said, while hub assemblies or wheel assemblies can be removed from cars and weighed during postrace inspection.

The council met on rear-suspension issues in November and again at December’s Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis before coming to an agreement during last week’s conference call.

Organizations adhering to council mandates include the Lucas Oil Series and World Racing Group, the parent of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series and DIRTcar Racing. Other organizations are the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association, the Fastrak-affiliated Ultimate Super Late Model Series and North Carolina promoter Ray Cook’s Schaeffer Oil-sponsored tours (Spring Nationals, Southern Nationals and Southern Nationals Bonus Series).

Editor's note: Updates with additional change of 2,350-pound weight requirement.