Vermont Tractor Pullers Association VTPA General Rules (all divisions except Garden) OPERATORS 1. Must have written permission of owner or parent if under eighteen 2. NO ALCOHOLIC beverages before or during the pull. 3. Must remain seated, be in full control, and operate in a safe manner at all times. PULLING 1. Pulling positions will be assigned at sign up. 2. Number one will be test puller. Test puller may take pull if sled is properly adjusted, or may re-pull immediately, or may re-pull in third position. 3. All decisions on repull must be made prior to pulling away from sled. 4. All pulls start with a tight hitch, no jerk pulls permitted. 5. A competitor is allowed a second attempt within 75 ft. to start sled. 6. Operators have the option of moving starting line between classes. 7. Judges have the option of moving starting line between classes. 8. Any portion of the tractor touching boundary line during pull will result in disqualification. Comment: This would be limited to the front or the rear tires. There is no out of bounds once the tractor passes the full pull mark. 9. Vehicles that are being repaired or readied for pull and that miss their turn, will pull last. 10. Vehicles must be stopped immediately on signal from track official. 11. Vehicles must be in neutral or park when hitching or unhitching 12. NO PASSENGERS. Note this applies to track or pit area GENERAL 1. Age: Driver must be 16 years of age or older. Those under 18 years of age must have written parental / guardian permission. 2. Violation of any rule will constitute disqualification. The punishment of the violation will be up to a panel of judges (See Rule #4). Grievance will be discussed at that point, with the judges’ decision being final. 3. All operators are expected to attend meeting at scales 15 minutes prior to event time. 4. Contest will be governed by three or more judges with all decisions final. 5. Judges (consisting of flagman, tech personnel, sled operator and/or pull supervisor) may stop and disqualify any operators not operating safely. 6. No pit crew or operator coaching on track. 7. Any protest against operators and /or equipment must be made by end of that class and before start of next class, and only by another operator within the class. 8. Any operator, owner, or pit crew disrupting the pull whether in the pit or on the track, will be cause for disqualification of that tractor/truck from class in question, all previous, and all subsequent classes for the remainder of the event. All trophies and ribbons will be returned to the steward immediately. 9. Spectators and other operators not entered in class are not permitted on the track. 10. Since reasonable rules cannot cover any and all eventualities, the discretion of judges will prevail, including safety, operations, equipment, good sportsmanship and common sense. Safety will be paramount. 11. Driver or operator must be in seat when vehicle is running. 12. All pulling vehicles must have a functional breakaway kill switches. This will apply to all classes except stock antique, farm stock and street stock trucks. 13. Any loss of weights or safety equipment while hitched to the sled will result in disqualification with exception of test puller. 14. No moving of weights between tractors within the same class. 15. Driver will be disqualified if he or she delays contest. 16. All tractors will be teched and subject to re-teching at random at each event. 17. NOS (nitrous oxide) or propane injection fuel are illegal in all divisions INCLUDING street legal pickup trucks. 18. BRAKES – All competing vehicles must have adequate brakes. a. Rear brakes are mandatory on vehicles that compete in the following divisions: Super Stock, Pro Stock b. Front brakes are mandatory on vehicles that compete in the following divisions: Four Wheel Drive Trucks c. All drivelines must have 3/8 inch steel, 360 degrees around brake components, and both ends must be closed with 1/8 inch, or greater, steel. This rule applies to Modified, Modified Minis, and Trucks. STREET LEGAL 4WD TRUCKS – Pure Stock: 1. General Rules apply see page 2. 2. Must have valid inspection and registration stickers, insurance card for home state. 3. Must have license plates. 4. Headlights and taillights must be in working order. 5. Stock is Stock – no exceptions – motor must be correct to chassis (Ford to Ford, etc.) 6. Trucks must have four wheel working brakes. 7. Tires must be DOT approved, no modifications allowed (i.e. cutting, grooving, etc.) 8. Must pull from bumper, hitch or class 3 style hitch (minimum 3” clevis with at least a ¾” pin). 9. No solid blocking – truck must have 3 inches of workable suspension. 10. Must have stock intake, one single inlet carburetor with a maximum 1” spacer, no visual modifications. Factory fuel injection will be allowed. 11. All trucks must have legal exhaust system. (Closed exhaust, headers, and dual exhaust okay). 12. No aftermarket aluminum intakes 13. No modified carburetors, no hot cams, no visual modifications. If found, you will not pull. 14. May only run stock fuel, all other fuels are illegal. 15. All weights to be in box only, no weight out front, no hidden weights – no exceptions. 16. Stock class trucks are not allowed to jump classes. 17. Stock trucks may be trailered in, but driver must be willing to take inspector out on the road with it. 18. Maximum of 26” hitch height. Rigid in all directions, no chains hanging from frames or rear end allowed. 19. When class is called driver must stay with the vehicle. STREET LEGAL 4WD TRUCKS – Modified Stock: 1. General Rules apply see page 2 2. MUST MEET FULL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS!!!!! 3. Must have valid inspection and registration stickers, insurance card. 4. Must have license plates. 5. Headlights and taillights must be in working order. 6. Aluminum intake and headers are allowed. May use a maximum 2” carburetor spacer with no visual modifications. 7. Motor must be naturally aspirated. 8. Trucks may have open exhaust. 9. Trucks may use anything for carburetors, but must use only (1) one. 10. Only cast iron blocks and heads are allowed. No aftermarket blocks or cylinder heads. 11. Gasoline or racing gasoline only – no alcohol, NOS, Nitro. 12. Trucks must pull from a class 3 or drawbar hitch. Hitch must be safe (no pulling from bumper). Hitch length to be a minimum of 36% of wheel base from center of rear axle to point of hook. 13. Truck must have four (4) wheel working brakes. 14. Any DOT approved tire. 15. No solid blocking – truck must have 3 inches of workable suspension. Traction bars are allowed. 16. Maximum of 26” hitch height. Rigid in all directions, no chains hanging from frames or rear end allowed. 17. When class is called driver must stay with the vehicle. 18. All weight must be safely secured to the vehicle and may not extend forward more than 60” from the centerline of the front axle. NO loose weights in the cab or under the hood are allowed. Rules 19 through 25 are mandatory: 19. All trucks with standard transmission will have a steel bell housing or will be equipped with a 3 strap transmission blanket on the bell-housing. 20. All trucks with automatic transmission will have a transmission blanket or SFI approved 360° shield extending from bell housing to tail shaft. One six strap or 2-three strap blankets are allowed. 21. Three drive shaft hoops must be within 6” of every u-joint. Maximum 10”. 22. Axle hub guards must be a minimum of 3/16” aluminum or 1/16” steel – must cover 2/3 of hub end. 23. All trucks must have operational kill switch and will be tested before pull. 24. All kill switches must be mounted independently of drawbar, cable end must have a loop to attach to sled cable, and must be located in the rear center of truck, minimum of 14” above hitch and a maximum of 6” off center in either direction 25. Engine side shields to be 1/16” steel, from cylinder head to oil pan. OR factory steel inner fenders (NOT cut) or side shields. STREET LEGAL 4WD TRUCKS – Diesel 1. General rules apply. See page 2 2. Must meet full safety requirements 3. Must have valid inspection and registration stickers, insurance card pertaining to the vehicle pulling. 4. Must have license plate pertaining to the vehicle pulling. 5. Headlights and taillights must be in working order 6. OEM chassis with complete OEM floor pan and firewall is mandatory. Wheel tubes, back half conversions, tube chassis, etc., are PROHIBITED. The engine must be in the OEM location for the body used. The vehicle must retain the full factory frame. 7. The vehicle must retain the original factory wheelbase (+/-1”) and track width of the body used. 8. The engine is restricted to 6 and 8 cylinder compression ignition engines. All vehicles must have OEM engine. All mechanical injector pumps must be OEM. Engine must have been in truck from factory. Switching engines from one manufacturer to another is PROHIBITED. Electronic modules, tuners, and aftermarket air induction systems are permitted. Engines must be governed at OEM factory spec. 9. Exhaust must exit rear of cab. Exhaust stacks are permitted. Straight through exhaust are permitted. 10. Fuel must be pump #1 / #2 diesel only. Soy / Biodiesel are permitted. OEM fuel tank is mandatory. 11. Nitrous oxide, propane, alcohol, methanol and all other oxygen and flammables are prohibited. Water injection is PROHIBITED. 12. Turbo limited to single turbo only, unless equipped OEM twin turbo setup from factory. Turbocharger must be in original location. No mounting plate adapters or plumbing changes for high output turbos will be allowed in this class. Turbocharger inlet size will be checked at the tech official’s discretion. Inlet opening may not be larger than 2.50”. Turbocharger inlet hose must be removed for measuring by tech official at any time requested or vehicle will be disqualified. Must be factory original turbo size. 13. Must have OEM factory equipped transmission, transfer case, front and rear differentials. Automatic transmission, after market torque converter, valve body and internal components are permitted. Transmission brakes are PROHIBITED. Manual transmission must be clutch pedal activated. All transmissions must be clutch assisted. Sequential shifters are prohibited. 14. Four wheel hydraulic brakes are mandatory. 15. Must have OEM front and rear suspension. Aftermarket lift kits are permitted. Traction bars are permitted. Blocking of suspension is PROHIBITED. Suspension must be workable. Front limiting straps are PROHIBITED. 16. Maximum of 26” hitch height. Reese style hitch. Rigid in all directions, chains hanging from frame or rear end are prohibited. Trick hitches are PROHIBITED. 17. Tires must be street legal tires with a DOT number on sidewall. Cut tires are NOT permitted. Dual rear wheels may be used in competition but must stay within the OEM wheel wells. 18. OEM firewall is mandatory as well as all factory installed interior, including dashboard, door panels, headliner etc. 19. It is recommended for 2009 and be mandatory for 2010 that all Diesel Street Legal Pickup exhausts will exit 90° vertical with not more than 5° variance in any direction. Rules 20 through 26 are recommended for 2010 subject to review: (rule change for 2010) 20. All trucks with standard transmission will have a steel bell housing or will be equipped with a 3 strap transmission blanket on the bell-housing. 21. All trucks with automatic transmission will have a transmission blanket or SFI approved 360° shield extending from bell housing to tail shaft. One six strap or 2-three strap blankets are allowed. 22. Three drive shaft hoops must be within 6” of every u-joint. Maximum 10”.  23. Axle hub guards must be a minimum of 3/16” aluminum or 1/16” steel – must cover 2/3 of hub end. 24. All trucks must have operational kill switch and will be tested before pull. 25. All kill switches must be mounted independently of drawbar, cable end must have a loop to attach to sled cable, and must be located in the rear center of truck, minimum of 14” above hitch and a maximum of 6” off center in either direction 26. Engine side shields to be 1/16” steel, from cylinder head to oil pan. OR factory steel inner fenders (NOT cut) or side shields. SUPER STOCK 4 X 4 TRUCKS 1. General Rules apply see page 2 2. Automotive type V-8 engine (500 cu. in. limit). NO aluminum heads. OEM cast iron block or aftermarket OEM configured cast iron blocks. 500 ci limit. 3. Any one piece, as molded, factory four-barrel carburetor with any internal modifications allowed. A cast manufactured steel or aluminum intake manifold must fit under the factory hood line. NO fuel injectors allowed. 4. Super Stock Trucks are allowed to hook in the modified class if they meet all requirements. 5. NO MAGNETOS! 6. Electric fuel pumps are allowed. 7. Tilt front ends are allowed but no hood alterations, other than exhaust, with a maximum of 4” clearance from outside edge of the header. Hood scoops are allowed. The hood must be in the closed position while pulling. 8. A maximum of 133” wheelbase OEM manufactured frame up to a one ton chassis. From the highest point of the top of the OEM frame, the cab and body mounts can be a maximum of 3”. The centerline of the axle is to be within the centerline of a factory wheel opening with a variance of +/- 2” but can be altered for rear bumpers, front weight rack, rear axle mounting, and hitch. 9. All weight must be safely secured to the vehicle and may not extend forward more than 60” from the centerline of the front axle. NO loose weights in the cab or under the hood are allowed. 10. Transmission must be the OEM automotive type. NO allisons. 11. Any gear ratio is allowed, therefore, any Dana 60 or 70 corp. front or rear end may be used. NO planetaries are allowed. 12. Posi units or welded front and rear gears are allowed. 13. The vehicle is to be equipped with adequate stopping brakes mounted on the front wheels. Driveshaft brakes are allowed as secondary braking system. 14. The pickup box must have either a full floor that is secured down, made of wood, steel or aluminum, or may use a plastic box liner or custom made tonneau cover securely fastened. All pulling vehicles must have working left & right doors. 15. If the original body has doors, they must be on and closed as intended by manufacturer. 16. Seat belts, helmets, and fire suits are mandatory at event. 17. Front and rear OEM bumpers and tailgates are optional. 18. All vehicles will be equipped with a working white reverse light and kill switch mounted a maximum of 24” above hook points. 19. NO fuel tank is allowed inside the cab. NO fuel, fuel pump, or fuel lines are permitted inside the cab. 20. NO alcohol and NO nitrous . . . pump fuel (gasoline) only. All shielding, hitch, and drawbar qualifications must be NTPA regulation. 21. Windshields, rear windows, and side windows can be factory tinted or clear in all windows. (NO EXCEPTIONS). If lexan, it must be a minimum of 1/4” in thickness. 22. All 4 x 4 vehicles must have vertical bumpers to prevent vehicles from passing over the buckboard of the sled while backing up to hook or unhook. Bumper to extend a minimum of 8” vertically and must be of rigid construction. 23. DOT tires only. Exception: Wrangler XT. NO bar tires. 24. Throttle must be solid cable either / or linkage OEM type with 2-spring minimum. 25. NO holes in firewall or floorboards are permitted except for controls and wiring. Firewall alterations must be equal to / or better than the original OEM factory firewall and in the stock locations. 26. Engine must be in engine compartment behind radiator and in front of firewall. Engine location no further forward than centerline of engine block to centerline of front axle. 27. All 4 x 4 vehicles must have a grill in its original factory location. 28. It is required to have a fully charged 2 1/2 lb fire extinguisher on board in reach of operator. A functional gauge on the fire extinguisher is required. 29. Hitch can not be shorter than 36° of wheelbase 30. Maximum hitch height 26". Truck Rules