Approved body styles include '04 and up models of the Chevy S-10/Colorado, Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota, and Toyota Tacoma from either Revenge Bodies or Speedway bodies. These bodies are also required to meet and pass various body templates as well as a minimum ground clearance, spoiler size, and spoiler angle.
The tire rule is pretty simple. There are no limits on the amount of tires used before the start of the race, but trucks must start on the tires used in qualfying. Tires may not be changed after the start unless approved by an ARCA official, basically only for a flat or other damage. The tires are Hoosier 10-23.0 X 13 compounds F45 right F35 left for most tracks except at Iowa Speedway which uses the F45 all around.
To build a brand-new truck from the ground up would cost between $25,000 and $35,000, depending on how much work you can do yourself. There are, however, some good used trucks on the market for between $10,000 and $15,000. The average race expenses run between $1,500 and $1,800 per event including one set of tires, racing fuel, towing fuel, pit passes, normal truck maintenance, and any other accommodation needed for a race weekend.
Safety comes first
"They have very good rules and check on things like they should, especially in the safety department," says Christman. "I give them a rough time sometimes because I think they go overboard on the safety issue. I mean, we're not going 200 mph and we're on small tracks. But, in reality you know, you can't go wrong with safety."
Safety is a very vital part of any ARCA-sanctioned event, the centerpiece being the Safety Initiative program put into effect in 2006 in the RE/Max Series. One year later, it was expanded to the ALWTS. The program is designed to both help and support the ARCA host track's safety crews. Not only do ARCA Safety Initiative personnel work in direct contact with the racetrack safety crews, but they also keep in close contact with the race teams. Reducing the risk of driver injury and response time are two of the key goals the program focuses on achieving.
The truck chassis and rollcage must be made of a minimum 0.095 thickness tubing which is checked on a regular basis by ARCA officials. In addition to the full 'cage, a 1/8 inch steel plate is required to be welded inside the left-side door for extra driver protection. Every truck must be equipped with a minimum of one 5 pound Halon-type fire bottle and its activation lever must be within easy reach of the driver when buckled in the seat. An emergency power shut-off switch must also be placed in the center of dash and clearly marked. A 16-gallon fuel cell with a clearly marked fuel pressure feed shut-off switch mounted on the right side of the driver's compartment is mandatory. The electric fuel pump power source must be tied in with the oil pressure sending switch so that the fuel pump will shut off in the event of engine failure.
In addition to completing an annual physical, the driver must have a five-point, 3-inch-wide safety harness, no more than 3 years old. All drivers are also required to use an ARCA-approved head-and-neck restraint system (HANS). And, as always, a driver side ARCA-approved window net is also a part of the safety features.
 A racing seat with plenty...  A racing seat with plenty of support for the driver and a five-point harness are manditory for the ARCA drivers. |  Duane Bischoff (No. 15) and...  Duane Bischoff (No. 15) and two-time series Champion Robbin Slaughter race for position. |  The front suspension of the...  The front suspension of the ARCA truck. |