Optional Composite Material Body Package ARCA Legal in 2015
New Toyota, Ford and Chevy bodies eligible for competition in short track races
November 2, 2014 — Teams competing in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will have the option of running new flange-fit, modular panel, composite material bodies at tracks one mile and less in length beginning in 2015.
Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America and Five Star Race Car Bodies announced today the details of the new optional body package for the upcoming 2015 ARCA Racing Series season, including availability and pricing.
ARCA Racing Series teams will have the option at short track venues in ’15 to compete with showroom stock-appearing Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet SS body packages, constructed with state of the art, composite laminate blend materials engineered to be lightweight and durable, and to resist deflection at high speeds. The complete body is comprised of 12 flange-fit modular panels, for ease of installation and quick replacement, and weighs less than 135 pounds. The ease-of-installation design allows teams to install the entire body in their respective shops, and to perform replacement of damaged panels at the team’s shop or at the track, resulting in significant savings in time and labor required for repairs.
“We are proud of our involvement in the introduction of the new ARCA Racing Series composite body,” said Five Star Race Car Bodies President/CEO Carl Schultz. “This body is at the forefront of modern advanced composites, utilizing technological advances in material laminates and manufacturing processes.
It has met all performance and quality benchmarks set upon the start of the project. Race teams will benefit tremendously with this affordable, lightweight and durable body. All of this would not be possible without the great teamwork and cooperation of every person involved at both ARCA and NASCAR.”
The composite body project is part of an overall cost containment initiative for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. The project was conducted in conjunction with NASCAR and Five Star, and NASCAR officials have announced that the new body will also be eligible for use in the NASCAR K&N East and West Pro Series beginning in 2015. The Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet SS body configurations will be similar in appearance to the current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars.
“Today’s announcement marks the first major enhancement to the outward appearance of the ARCA Racing Series race car in several years,” commented ARCA President Ron Drager. “As we continue to pursue cost-containment initiatives for our participants, we are pleased to bring this project to reality in 2015, alongside the ARCA Ilmor 396 engine. We’re proud to have been a part of this project with Five Star, and especially NASCAR, with whom we have had a constructive working relationship for over 60 years.”
Since 1953, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has offered race fans a diverse brand of stock car racing on short tracks, dirt tracks, road courses and superspeedways. Founded by John and Mildred Marcum, the ARCA Racing Series is a destination for professional race drivers and a developmental series which transitions and prepares drivers for the advancement of their careers into the highest levels of the sport.
For over 35 years, Five Star Race Car Bodies has been known as the leading manufacturer and designer of the highest quality race car body parts in the industry, with over 110 employees and 200,000 square feet of floor space dedicated to the design, manufacture and distribution of body panels, windows and accessories. Five Star produces body related products to all levels of motorsports, from grassroots weekly racers to top level professional race teams.
Sources: Steve Einhaus/Five Star PR