Grandstand Attractions2026Hobo Motor Swap Rules
This class is open to all makes and models of cars, excluding 1973 & older Imperials and 1970 & older Lincolns.
Do not try to change anything or alter anything other than what is stated in the rules.
BUMPERS/BUMPER HEIGHTS
Front bumpers may be no higher than 20”, measured from the tip of the bumper. Rear bumpers must be at least 14” in height, measured at the frame rails. No sloped rear bumpers. Front and rear bumper are allowed two 4”x6” x1/4” bumper straps.
You may use any stock bumper. You may load any stock bumper. Must be loaded inside of both front and back skins. No alteration of those skins allowed.
You may hard nose bumper with one single pass of weld around frame. Do not shorten frame more than needed to square the frame ends to mount bumper. If hard nosing, you must remove shock.
If you leave the shock it must remain in factory position on frame. Shock can be welded solid to bumper and 2 pieces of 4"x4”x1/4” may go from shock to the front inch of frame - 2 pieces per shock. 4" of weld total to hold shock to frame or bracket to frame.
FRONT SUSPENSION
A arms & spindles may be changed but must adhere to the following:
1. Must be make to make (ie Ford to Ford).
2. May not be altered to mount or altered in any other way.
3. Ball joint must remain stock for the A arm of choice.
4. Suspension components must be from car allowed for this class.
5. A arms may be held down with ONE 2”x4”x1/4” strap or ONE 5/8” bolt no longer than 6” long with standard washers.
DRIVE TRAIN
You may use any engine of choice in any car.
Engine must be mounted on stock motor mounts. These must not be after market mounts. They must be purchased from a parts store or from existing car. You may add a piece of half inch no larger than the stock bottom motor mount to the frame engine cradle for mounting purposes only. You are allowed a front lower cradle no further back than halfway on the engine and no taller than top of valve covers.
You may use any automatic transmission. If transmission looks to reinforce car in any way, you will cut the tranny tunnel.
Transmission must be mounted to a stock cross member for the car you are running or 2”x2”x1/4” tubing. Tubing must be open on ends for inspection. You may add 4” long angle weld to side rail to mount cross member. Cross member must be in center of 4”. Transmission mount must be OEM stock and must mount on tail housing as factory.
You may use any 5 lug auto rear end simple brace, no bigger than 4” off of axle housing. Must be on completely stock trailing arms for the car or 100% factory leaf springs for car you are running. Trailing arms may be shortened with 1” overlap. No watts link conversion allowed.
You may wire or chain rear end around frame with one loop of 3/8” chain or 4 loops of 9 wire. Any drive shaft is allowed.
CAGE AND HALO
Simple 4 point cage, 8" max material side bars no longer than 60”.
One 2”x3” down leg to top of frame only per side, in center of front doors. Halo may also go to floor, not to extend past side bars. Sheet metal may not be beat down. You may run a fuel cell protector 24” wide straight back to package tray sheet metal.
DRIVER’S COMPARTMENT
After market pedals/shifter/steering columns allowed. Transmission coolers, battery box & gas tank must be inside of car. All must be 6” from any body mount or body mount plate.
BODY
All glass, chrome & plastic must be removed.
No body creasing or shaping other than quarter panels. Trunk lid may be tucked to one 90 degree angle. No wedging of trunk lid. Refer to REAR QUARTER PANEL SECTION BELOW for additional rules.
BODY MOUNTS
You may replace 6 body bolts 3/4”x 24" long with 3 washers 4” diameter and only 3 nuts. Bolts may either go through radiator support or trunk lid. Must have a 1” spacer. Do not remove any other body mounts.
CORE SUPPORT
You may remove the core support spacer and replace it with a 4” long x4” diameter MAX.
TRUNKS/HOODS & DOORS
May be wired, chained or bolted in 6 spots. 3/4” bolts MAX. You can go around the frame or bumper.
All cars must have a windshield bar. Doors may be welded with a total of 10" of weld per door seam, 2” wide strap MAX. Trunks may have 10” of weld per seam, 2” wide strap MAX. Trunk lids must stay flat. No dishing or made in to a “V”. Trunk lids may have a 90 degree tuck.
TIRES AND WHEELS
Wheels may have valve stem protectors and oversized lug nuts are allowed. NO foam filled or solids. NO bead locks. 8” weld in center allowed. 1/2” wide bead protector MAX.
PLATES/REPAIRS/9 WIRE
Fresh cars may have a total of two 6”x6"x1/4” plates to body or frame. Used cars will be allowed four additional plates, 6”x6”x1/4” (6 total). Unlimited 9 wire sheet metal to sheet metal allowed - only two spots per window opening are allowed to go to frame and/or cage.
FRAME
Cold bending is allowed. Dimpling and notching of rear rails is allowed. No other frame shaping or welding other than what is stated in the rules is allowed. You may only have a 4” tall core support spacer & 24” all thread. Remember this when you are cold bending. You are allowed four loops of nine wire or one 3/8” chain, frame to frame, behind wheels and must go around the frame.
REAR QUARTER PANELS
Rear quarter panels may be creased.
1. Do not crease the C Pillar.
2. Do not fold bottom of quarter panels.
3. You may add six 3/8”x3” long bolts to rear quarter with standard washers.
All other components must remain stock for the car you are running. Do not try to change anything or alter anything other than what is stated in above rules.
Let's keep this class simple. Do not overthink it!
Any questions?
Please contact Regina McDermith @ 217-306-4025- PRIOR TO EVENT.