East Coast Super Sprints Racing Series

2025 Rule Book

GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Series Name

East Coast Super Sprints Racing Series, Known Hereafter as ECSS 

The objective of ECSS is to provide a working person affordable full size sprint car racing series.

The purpose of ECSS is to engage in a fun based, however safe, competitive sprint car racing series.  

ECSS is a competitive sprint car racing series and as such will be conducted and officiated in accordance with the rules set forth in this rule book. These rules are to provide a guideline for how each and every event ran by ECSS and its staff will be run. This rulebook may be amended at times and special rules put in place and will be published in a timely manner. By participating in an ECSS event you agree and will comply with the rules within this document.  

It is the competitor’s ultimate responsibility to ensure their conduct and equipment complies with all the applicable rules in this document as well as all applicable rules that may be amended or added at times. The rules are in no way a guarantee against injury and/or death to competitors, crews, spectators, officials, and/or others.  

6.1 Minimum Age

All competitors must be at least 16 years of age and must have on file an up-to-date Minor Form.  

7.1 General

All competitors and teams agree to act in a professional manner as determined by ECSS Officials. The professional manner includes, but is not limited to, verbal representation, written representation, and representation that may represent ECSS and/or motorsports in general and/or any affiliates. 

All competitors and teams will not be permitted to compete and/or participate while under the influence of any alcoholic beverages and/or illegal substances. 

7.2.1 If Found to Be Using Alcohol or Illegal Substances

If a competitor or team member is found to be participating in an event that is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage and/or illegal substance before or during the event, they will be removed from the grounds immediately by ECSS Officials. Prior to returning to an ECSS event, the individual will have to meet with the ECSS Officials in person, with possible other repercussions at that time.  

Social media comments are to be positive towards the racing community and all events associated with the ECSS. Out of respect for the series and other competitors, IF YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY, PLEASE DON’T SAY ANYTHING. 

8.1 Championship

ECSS will award drivers points based upon their finish in each series race. At the completion of the competition year ECSS will announce one (1) ECSS Series Champion and they will be awarded championship prizes as posted, based upon their cumulative point total for the series.  

Banquet attendance is mandatory, unless extenuating circumstances are present, for receipt of any prizes or awards.  

As a disciplinary action a competitor and/or race team may be parked during and/or after any ECSS event. Parking is directive from ECSS and that it is a directive to cease competition and may include a directive for the competitor to not participate in an event for a set number of laps and/or complete event and/or future event(s), or to leave the premises in order to promote the orderly conduct of any ECSS event. This directive will only be given in extraordinary circumstances deemed to be an extraordinary circumstance. Being parked will not be construed and/or deemed to be a disqualification and/or suspension and/or penalty. If a disqualification, suspension or penalty is needed that will be given separately.  

1. General

Each competitor is solely responsible for the effectiveness and proper installation, per the manufacturer’s specifications, of the personal safety equipment and determining if it is to be adequate for competition at every event. Each competitor is expected to investigate and educate themselves for continuing improvement regarding their own personal safety.  

A working one-way communication system, i.e., Raceceiver, are required for any and all on-track activities. The frequency is 454.000. 

Each car is highly recommended to be equipped with an approved restraint system, until the date of the belt expiration. Seat belt restraint systems shall be installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and meet minimum safety standards of the commonly used standards. In any type of manufacturer’s installation, the fasteners must be magnetic steel unless using type of mount in which the seat belt wraps around the roll cage. Seat belt material should not be permitted to come in contact with any sharp or metal edge, including when the material passes through the seat.  

All drivers will be required to wear a fire-resistant driving suit that should meet minimum safety standards of the commonly used standards. All drivers must wear fire resistant accessories including but not limited to head sock, undergarments, proper driving shoes, and socks, where applicable. All drivers must wear shoes and gloves that meet minimum safety standards of the commonly used standards. 

All seats must be mounted to the frame as required by the seat and chassis manufacturer. All seats must be installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.  

All drivers will be required to wear a full-faced helmet with that use the minimum safety standards of the commonly used standards. It is recommended that helmets should have the Eject(TM) helmet removal system installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. At all times during an event including practice, qualifying and competition, excluding starting the car for engine warm-up, drivers should wear an approved head and neck restraint device/system that is properly mounted and connected per the manufacturer’s instructions. The device should meet minimum safety standards of the commonly used standards. 

Arm restraints are recommended and must be connected and used as instructed by the manufacturer. 

A – No sharp and/or protruding edges in and around the cockpit. 

B – Windshield screens should be a minimum thickness of 0.090 inches and should be securely fastened to the roll cage. 

C – A clearly marked electrical engine shut off switch within reach of the driver. 

D – A clearly marked fuel shut off valve within reach of the driver. 

E – Only flame-retardant seat, roll bar, knee, and steering pads and/or padding should be used. 

F – A torque ball u-join containment blanket is highly recommended to shield revolving parts within the cockpit.  

G – All teams should have an easily accessible 2.5-gallon fire extinguisher or its equivalent at the back of the team’s transporter. 

H – A sprint car fuel tank with bladder for use with methanol is mandatory in all cars. 

 I – We highly recommend fire suppression systems be installed on all cars. Racecars with a Fire Suppression System will be given a 50lb weight break.  

1. Pre-Race Inspection

All cars entered and present at any ECSS event that are intended to compete in any part of the racing event, must pass pre-race inspection prior to any on-track activity. Pre-race inspection may take place in a specified area or in regards to space directly at the team transporter. Refusal to present vehicle or preventing officials from completing pre-race inspection will result in disqualification from that event in addition to potential penalties, suspension and/or fines.  

All drivers must attend the driver’s meeting. Drivers in violation of not attending the Driver’s Meeting could face potential penalties. The format of the night’s events will be announced at the Driver’s Meeting. Any changes in the basic event night program due to car count, track conditions and/or any other circumstances may be announced at the Driver’s Meeting. 

A – Car numbers will be assigned on a first-come basis to the owner of the car. Once a car owner has chosen a number, anyone else wanting that number must add a letter or choose another number not already in use (i.e. 1, 01, 1x, 1y, 1z). 

B – All car numbers must be large and clear enough to be visible from the Race Track Control Tower. Car number must be on both sides of the top wing and both sides of the fuel cell.  

A – There will be NO working on your car on the racetrack. You WILL be disqualified. 

B – Do not get out of your car on the racetrack unless asked to do so by an official, or unless you have a major safety issue such as the car on fire.  

All drivers and/or teams entered in any event must draw for a position in heats. The drivers and/or teams are responsible for their own pill draw. All pills should be drawn prior to the driver’s meetings. If a driver and/or team are present at the event does not draw by driver’s meeting that team will be placed at the end of the heat line-ups, in order by current driver point standings.  

Any driver changes must start the next on track session in the rear. After that they will be placed where they scored.  

A – No car should be pushed off without first being cleared by the Safety Director. 

B – If 4 wheelers are used to bring the cars to the track the operator must be professional when operating the 4-wheeler, no speeding or acting unprofessional. If a 4-wheeler is used unprofessionally the 4-wheeler may be parked for the night and possible other penalties deemed by ECSS. 

C – Cars will only be push started by official push vehicles, 4 wheelers will not push start a car unless instructed by the Safety Director. 

D – All cars after being pushed off will remain at idle speed until directed directly from the Race Director. No hot lapping. If hot laps are deemed necessary prior to racing the race director will communicate that directly to the drivers via the one-way communication radio. 

A – The race will begin immediately once the racing surface is clear and the cars are properly aligned in their assigned starting positions. 

B – Any driver, team, and/or car who purposely attempts to hold up the start of any race will be placed at the rear of the line and could be disqualified or other penalty if deemed by ECSS.  

C – Any car deemed late, determined by ECSS, to the race track surface or push off lane ready to race will be put to the end of the starting field. 

D – All starts and restarts will take place at a consistent speed set by the leader. Consistent speed will be at the discretion of the ECSS officials. 

E – Initial start of the race and restarts will be at a cone placed in turn 4 and will be started by the flagman.  

F – No passing will be allowed until you have passed the cone placed in turn 4.  

G – In the event that the race is not properly started by the 2 front row cars, the responsible car(s) will be moved to the second row. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the racing event. 

A – All restarts will be single file after 1 completed lap. 

B – All restarts will take place with all lead lap cars moved to the front of the field. Lapped cars will pull to the inside and fall in behind the last car on the lead lap in their order of running. All cars involved in the caution and cars that have to be pushed off not involved in the caution will be placed in the rear of the field. 

C – All caution laps will remain single file 

D – When an infraction occurs on a restart, ECSS Officials may exercise their discretion and allow the race to continue, not calling for another restart, and then penalize the offending car(s) under yellow conditions or at the conclusion of the race. The offending car(s) will be penalized any positions gained.  

A – Any car that does not race on the designated racing surface in order to better its position will be black flagged and penalized at the discretion of the ECSS Officials.  

B – The maximum number of event laps will be stated by ECSS Officials during the driver’s meeting, but may change due to extenuating circumstances. 

C – Cars will not be permitted to be pushed-off during any green flag conditions. An offending car will be automatically disqualified. 

D – Any car that spins, is involved in an incident and/or has a problem, but does not bring out the yellow flag, will blend back into the field where the driver is able to do so. If there is a yellow flag, ECSS officials will determine placement based on the last completed lap. 

E – Any car that is involved in 2 single car spins will be sent to the pits. 

F – At the discretion of the ECSS Officials any car that intentionally brings out a caution will be disqualified from the event. 

G – Rough driving of any sorts will not be tolerated. Penalties will be given by the ECSS Race Director and are not protestable. 

H – All races must be completed in a Green-White-Checkered finish. This means if the yellow flag is displayed or caution lights illuminated prior to the leader receiving the checkered flag, that race will be restarted and run for 2 consecutive laps before completion. ECSS Officials reserve the right to change and/or alter this rule; provided the competitors are given notice in advance and/or over one-way radio, due to any circumstance that requires such a change and/or alteration.  

I – Any cars that require a push start during a caution will be considered involved and in the incident which brought out the yellow flag and that car will have to restart at the rear of the field. 

J – If a car stops to avoid an accident, to be determined at the sole discretion of the ECSS Officials, and a caution results from the accident the car that stopped to avoid will be placed back in their respected running position. 

K – All red flags will be considered closed unless stated clearly by ECSS Officials and a White flag displayed at the starters stand. 

L – Any car that stops, either on the racing surface and/or in the pits of designated work area, during a caution period will be required to restart from the rear of the field. 

M – Any car that is black flagged for consultation during a caution period will retain its position only if the ECSS Officials deem the car clear and permit it to return directly to competition without adjustment. 

N – Any car that requires a push-off at any time during an event must have a rear bumper in place. 

O – Adding fuel, whether on the track or in the work area, will not be permitted when yellow flag or closed red flag conditions exist. Violators are subject to disqualifications or other penalties deemed by ECSS Officials. 

P – At the discretion of the ECSS Officials if a car is attempting to pass another and spins them both out, the car attempting the pass will be placed at the rear of the field and the car being passed will be given their spot back.  

Q – Wings must be securely mounted at all times when on the racing surface. If at some point a wing becomes unmounted the car will be black flagged and parked for safety.  

A – 20 or less cars – Pill draw determines position in 1 of the 2 6-lap heats; finish in the heats determines 20 lap A-Main, 1st heat inside row, 2nd heat outside row. 

B – Over 20 cars – Pill draw determines position in 1 of the 3 6-lap heats; top 5 of each go to A-Main; Remaining cars go to B-Main; top 5 of B-Main goes to A-Main. 

A-Main Feature
Each Heat Race

1          150

2          147

3          144

4          142

5          140

6          138

7          136

8          134

9          132

10         130

11         128

12         126

13         124

14         122

15         120

16         118

17         116

18         114

19         112

20         110

1          5

2          4

3          3

4          2

5          1

6          1

7          1

8          1

9          1

10         1

A – All drivers who pay their entry fee and who makes a good effort attempt to race but do not start the A-Main event will receive 50 points for that racing event.  

All cars running must run series decals and designated sponsor decals and they must be placed prominently on the top wing. The bottom 8-inches of the outer sides (left and right) of the top wing sideboards must be reserved for these decals. 

A – Computer operated and/or controlled parts, such as fuel injection, fuel systems, chassis adjusting systems, etc., will not be permitted at any time during any event unless otherwise noted in the Engine section of this rule book. The use of any electronic remote and/or wireless equipment capable of adjusting any equipment and/or function on the race car while during any type of racing competition will not be permitted. 

B – The use of electronic logic processors (this includes any traction control devices) to control any function of the racecar and/or any system for continuous gathering of data from any function of the race car for which the intended use is computer downloading will not be permitted at any time during any event.  

C – Two-way radios, crew member to driver and/or any other means of electronic communication, other than the use of the one-way radio with the ECSS Official will not be allowed.  

D – Driver’s name should be on the front of top wing. It must be large and clear enough to be seen by the Race Track Control Tower. 

– Steel head top gun engine 

– 5.3 LS Engine 

– Sealed 305 Engine 

– Other Engines allowed with approval of ECSS Officials

Block:  

Must be a GM, factory production, cast iron, 4.8/5.3L engine block. Block may be lightened in non-critical areas. Block may also be ground to eliminate sharp edges and to enhance oil flow. New blocks are available and may be used also. Maximum overbore is .030 which equals 3.810 inches. Crankshaft centerline, camshaft centerline, cylinder bore centerline and lifter location must remain in factory stock locations. Angle milling of the cylinder decks is not allowed. Coatings inside the block are not allowed.  

Crankshaft:  

The crankshaft must be the factory production cast iron crankshaft with a stock stroke of 3.622 inches or shorter. Machining is allowed for balancing. Knife edging is not allowed. Polishing of crank throws is not allowed. Coatings are not allowed. Crankshaft rod journals and main journals may be turned down to a minimum of .030 undersized. Crankshaft must weigh a minimum of 48lbs.  

Connecting Rods:  

May be stock production powdered metal, 6.098 inch center to center length. May be ground or machined for balancing purposes. Rods may be shot peened and polished. Coatings are not allowed. After market rod bolts may be used and are highly recommended. 6.125 length after market steel rods may also be used. No titanium or aluminum rods allowed.  

Pistons:  

Stock flat top pistons may be used. Any aftermarket flattop, two valve relief piston may be used. Any size ring package may be used. Piston skirt coatings may be used.  

Bearings:  

Main, connecting rod, and cam bearings may be coated.  

Oiling system:  

Oiling system must be wet sump. Any wet sump racing pan and pick up may be used. Any stock type oil pump or any outboard crank driven pump may be used. Precision billet oil diverter plug may be used.  

Valve Train:  

Any factory type hydraulic roller camshaft may be used. Must be factory production diameter of 55 mm. Maximum lift allowed is .650 at the valve. This will be calculated by the lobe lift x the rocker arm ratio.  

Any factory type, stock diameter, hydraulic roller lifter may be used.  

Timing chain may be single or double row. No belt drives or gear drives.  

Aftermarket push rods may be used.  

Cylinder Heads:  

Any factory production cathedral port head may be used. Ports cannot be modified in any way. No angle milling allowed. Only stock valves or aftermarket stainless steel valves may be used. A half inch bowl blend is allowed on # “706” and # “862” heads if larger valves are installed. Valves may be a maximum diameter of 2.00 for the intake and 1.60 for the exhaust. Valves must be solid, no hollow stem valves allowed. Any valve spring is allowed but OEM type beehive springs are recommended. Titanium retainers are not allowed. Rocker arms must be OEM 1.7 ratio only. Aftermarket trunnion replacement kits may be used and are highly recommended.  

Water Pump and Front Accessory Drive:  

Only a factory type water pump may be used in the OEM position. An aftermarket racing type damper may be used and is highly recommended. Any type belt driven accessory drive may be used. An alternator may be used.  

Ignition:  

The only ignitions that may be used are either the MSD 6014CT, or the factory OEM ignition that is used to control the OEM electronic fuel injection. A distributor may also be used but must be capable of using an RPM limiting chip. RPM is limited to 7400 rpm’s.  

Induction:  

Any single 4 barrel, single plane or duel plane intake with a 4150 type carburetor flange may be used with a maximum 850 CFM carburetor.  

Or any type mechanical, constant flow, fuel injection.  

Or, any electronic fuel injection. If efi is used with an electric pump, the pump circuit must be capable of shutting down the pump if the engine is not running.  

Headers:  

Any Sprint Car type 4 into 1 header may be used.  

Fuel:  

Methanol only. Top end lubricant without performance enhancing additives may be used. 

A – 1550 Minimum weight with driver after any on track activity. 1500 lb. for cars with fire suppression systems 

B – All racecars must have “pro” appearance 

C – All chassis’ must be approved by an ECSS tech official 

D – Solid one-piece front axle. Safely installed with proper fasteners.  

E – Tether is required of the drag link. 

F – Approved suspension – torsion or coil over 

G – No external gas canisters allowed in conjunction with the shock absorbers, no cockpit adjustable shocks. 

H – Front rock guard secured by hose clamps is required. 

I – All added weight must be painted white with car number clearly painted on. All added weight must be lower than the bottom of the driver’s seat. 

A – Any approved top wing is required. 5ft by 5ft is recommended. 

B – Wing can be adjustable. 

C – Front side of front wing must be behind the front bumper.  

D – Wings must be centered on car. 

A – Any brand of tire may be used. 

B – Right rear must durometer test with ECSS Inspection tools at 35 or higher. 

C – Aluminum wheels only. 

Series Owner: Jason Troutman, 980-745-2216 

Series Official: Marvin Bertholf, 704-813-0686 **NO CALLS AFTER 1pm DURING THE WEEK** 

Our Sponsors