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GCATPA V8 Class Rules

2023 Rules

1. Enter class at own risk.
2. All general GCATPA rules apply
3. Tractors must be made in 1972 or older.
4. If Stock frame is used, no extensions are allowed. Cast tubs can be removed for a steel frame. No Aluminum! Must retain stock wheelbase. Cast Bellhousing and Torque tubes may be removed to install SFI approved bellhousing. Frame ties are mandatory with a cast tub and must be mounted to the rear end. Frame ties must be able to support the weight of the tractor if all regular tub bolts are removed.
5. Front end may be homemade, but must retain stock wheel base. Must be wide front end. Rack and pinion or hydraulic steering is allowed.
6. Hood and grille must be in place and have stock appearance as intended as manufacturer.
7. Engines limited to 522 CID and 6,000 RPM. Maximum of 8 cylinders, no turbines or diesels allowed. Naturally aspirated, no turbos, or superchargers. Block must be cast iron. Cylinder heads can be Cast Iron or Aluminum. Single carburetor, no fuel injection.
8. Gasoline only. no E85, no alcohol, no pressurized fuels, no nitrous oxide, no oxygen accelerate, no nitrogen methanol, and no propylene oxide. Racing Fuel allowed.
9. All engines must have a working air cleaner
10. Engine RPMS to be governed by an MSD Rev Limiter, no extra plugs permitted at the chip location. Box must be easily accessible for inspection, and insertion of a club chip if necessary, by GCATPA tech officials.
11. Auxiliary transmissions allowed. No automatic transmissions. No power shift or locking differential, factory TA permitted.
12. Maximum tire size: 18.4 x 38, cut tires permitted. Radials are allowed.
13. All tractors must have a working kill switch. If tractor is equipped with electric fuel pump, kill switch must also kill power to the electric fuel pump.
14. Maximum hitch height: 20 inches. Minimum of 18 inches from center of the rear axle to the hitch point. Hitch must have 3"x3.75" hole, minimum 3/4 inch thickness of hitch plate with 3/4 inch material from hitch point to rear of plate. No clevis permitted.
15. Clutch and fly wheel must be shielded 360 degrees by 1/2” steel or by an SFI approved bell housing. All drive shaft couplers or U joints must be shielded 360 degrees by no less than 1/4 inch steel.
16. All engines must have plastic or electric cooling fans.
17. Must have a “dead man” throttle. If the throttle is released, throttle must immediately return to idle. Carburetor must be equipped with double return spring.
18. Fire extinguisher mandatory. Helmet, Fire suit, Seat belts, and roll bar recommended.
19. Drivers must be 18 years of age or older. Under 18 years of age but over 16 years of age requires written permission from parent or legal guardian and approval by the GCATPA Tech committee. Parent or Guardian presence required on the track during the pull.
20. All exhaust must exit tractor vertically and above the hood.
21. Rear weights are not to extend greater than 6 inches past the furthest point of the rear tire. Front weight cannot extend more than 12 feet from the center of the rear axle.
22. Flywheels must be steel. No Cast iron flywheels allowed.
23. If you have a flywheel, clutch or pressure plate explosion, all shielding parts must be replaced.
24. Wheelie bars required and should not be attached to the draw bar. Wheelie bar pad must not be more than 10” from ground. Wheelie bars must extend past the furthest point of the rear tire. Pad area must be a minimum of 24 square inches. Wheelie bars must support tractor in heaviest class pulled.
25. Fuel tank placement is recommended in front of grill/radiator.
26. If Engine is equipped with Aluminum heads, it must have spark plug guards in place. Spark plug guards must deflect downward or contain spark plug in case of a blowout.
27. All tractors are subject to inspection by the GCATPA Tech Committee.
28. All rules to be interpreted by the GCATPA pulling committee. Any unforeseen problems or oversights will be ruled on by the GCATPA officers in attendance with these rulings being final.
29. Rules will be in effect for the pulling season with the exception of safety rule changes if needed. Current grace period of 1 year for existing tractors that met previous rules to update to the new rules.