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ChampCar Members,
The Board of Directors has been monitoring ongoing membership discussions in regards to tires, as well as the overall performance tire market. In order to address a portion of the ongoing speed and cost increases as a result of tires, the Board wishes to enact a tire width limit for 2023. Since there was no petition specifically related to this, we want to be proactive and let the members know about this plan.
This rule is similar to Petition 18 (7Y, 25N, 10M) this year, which requested a maximum wheel width of 10.5". Instead of limiting wheel width, the BOD wants to look at a tire width rule which would set a maximum width at 285. Since tire size is marked on all tires, this is an easier measure to enforce without tools. It also allows teams running wheels in the 10.5-11.5" range to still use those wheels with stretched 285 tires.
We feel this will help regulate both cost and speed, while minimally impacting teams. We understand this is of greater concern for the larger (D-Class) cars, however, a review of current tire usage showed tires above the 285 widths were not commonly used. There are multiple choices of tires to run in a 285-width tire for those cars currently running wider tires.
We will discuss this petition at the Annual Board Meeting Tuesday at 8:30 PM Eastern, May 24, 2022, including proposing this tire width limit. We want to give the membership time to review and comment on this proposed rule, so there are no surprise changes not directly in line with petition proposals. We will leave the member's comments open for 30 days to give everyone time to comment on the proposed rule change.
Proposed rule change: Tire width not to exceed 285.
In addition to the above-proposed rule, the BOD also directly approved the following petitions related to tires for 2023:
- Per Petition 30, the BOD approved a limit to 18" or smaller diameter wheels. (Member vote 9Y, 29N, 7M)
- Per Petitions 15&16, during a tire change pit stop, all tools must be hand or battery powered. (Member vote 29Y, 8N, 5M and 20Y, 14N, 8M)
- Per Petition 22, during a tire change pit stop only three tools may be used: 1 Jack, 1 Torque Wrench, and 1 Lug Tool (Either battery or hand-powered). (Member vote 18Y, 13N, 11M)
Thank you,
ChampCar Board of Directors
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