Did you know that cars in the heads-up classes do not have to be Mustangs? The rules require "1979 and later 2-door production FoMoCo passenger vehicles." I wonder if anyone has considered a late model Thunderbird, for instance, for some of the classes? Or maybe a Probe?

Did you know that the rules regarding BODY say "original steel body mandatory"? This describes more than just the outer "skin" or shell. With few exceptions, the inner structure between the outer skin and the interior panels must remain part of the car. Minor exceptions around the big wheel tubs (PRO 5.0) are the only area in which the inner structure may be removed.

Did you know that on page 18 of the Rulebook it states: "In the event a particular item is not specifically addressed in the Rulebook, it will generally be considered non-allowable"? This is for the racers who say "it doesn't say I can. t do it, etc.".

Did you know that in the PRO 5.0 class, American Autosports has no problems with building an all-out race car out of a Mustang? We do, however, have a major problem with someone trying to build a Mustang out of an all-out race car. There is a difference and our tech people know what to look for. So far, all of the PRO 5.0 cars that have been approved by AAP tech have been production Mustangs that have been modified per the PRO 5.0 rules. We have no plans to alter this philosophy for the future. On to something else.

Tech in Atlanta was intensive. It must be reiterated again that the Tech Officials will be inspecting your car all weekend long, not just at the initial tech session. Just because you may get away with an infraction at the initial tech doesn't mean that you are home free.

For instance, in the True Street Class, we note on each tech card the lowest ET permitted for that car. If there is no roll bar, that car would be limited to 12.00 or slower. At Atlanta we had to disqualify six participants who ran under their minimum ET. s. We also disqualified one participant for adding gas during the cool down period and another for trying to heat his nitrous bottle with a torch.

In Trophy Stock we disqualified one racer for having ported cylinder heads and another for using a C-4 transmission. In Street Renegade we disqualified two participants for running "non approved" computers and one for being 10 pounds under the minimum weight. In Street Outlaw we found one participant with a Powerglide and one using a slightly narrowed rear end housing. All of these disqualifications occurred long after the initial tech, either during qualifying or during eliminations.

Disqualifications can affect any accrued points or records that the competitor may have earned at previous FFW events and in some cases, may affect further participation at future events. For the Street Renegade participants using the Novi 2000 supercharger, an "approved Renegade Sleeve" is required. At this time, the ONLY unit having this approval is the sleeve produced by Paxton. FFW officials have the exact dimensions and location for this sleeve (inside the supercharger housing).

Because of the scrutiny of the computers in both the Street Renegade class and the Trophy Stock class, competitors may want to remove their processors from behind the interior kick panels and leave that area open for viewing.

Did you know that the True Street competitors can run in the brackets on Sunday at no additional charge? Check with me at the track. Also, did you know that there is a cash $$$ award to the quickest three run average (obviously, the winner) and also the quickest 10 second average, 11 second, 12 second, 13 second, 14 second, and sometimes the quickest 15 second average? These payouts are on Sunday at the Fun Ford Trailer.

At Houston, did you know that we had the quickest Street Renegade and Trophy Stock car go through an official "tear down" on Saturday evening, after qualifying? Both cars came through as meeting all of their rule requirements. Also, did you know that any racer that goes through an official tear down on Saturday, is entitled to make a free "shake down" run on Sunday, before eliminations. Bring your gaskets.

Speaking of official "tear downs", we always try to find a secure place (some tracks have a tear down barn) so that your competitors can't see your "speed secrets". Also, any car that has to go through a tear down inspection can have a maximum of two people to do the work. Usually this is the driver and a helper. Leave the rest of your crew in the pits. The True Street event in Houston was a major success with about 80 participants. Maybe the competitors are getting hip to the fact that we are carefully watching the cars for NHRA rule infractions. We only had to disqualify four racers for running under their minimum safety standards.

One other thing to remind the True Street (and also Shootout) participants. Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords editors are taking pictures at all of our events. They only use pictures of "finished" cars. No matter how quick your Mustang is, a primered hood or faded looking paint job may keep your ride from making the magazine.