Lone Pine Beater Challenge Rulebook 2005

A vehicle(s) cannot be purchased for more than $800.

The total amount spent on the car is not to exceed $800 including purchase price, parts and services (note 1).

Fluids (gas/oil/trans fluid, beer, spraypaint, etc) are exempt from the $800 total but we will of course include them in the overall cost of the car. (to keep track of who owes who how much)

Registration and smog checks do not count towards the $800, but parts that the car needs to pass smog or be otherwise street legal (assuming you are going to drive it on the street or care about its legality) do count.

Selling parts off the car for monetary gain is perfectly legal, up to the purchase price of the car, not below. (i.e. a car purchased for $XXX can have a maximum of $XXX sold from it for a vehicle's net total not to exceed $800; and a gross potential of $1600)

Filter changes, clutch/tires, brakes, in other words, "consumable items (note 2 - the Saab Clause)" only count the first time they are purchased. These items can be replaced for up to the SAME amount spent on their initial purchase, and not counted towards the car in the event that a beater returns for a following year. Any additional cost goes towards the $800. If the new parts are cheaper than the previous amount spent, the difference may not be added to the current budget and will decrease the allowed amount for the following year to actual replacement cost. Conversely, more expensive items will add to the amount available for the following year.

Parts you had lying around which do or do not come off another vehicle, that DO NOT make it non-roadworthy or illegal to drive, are parts you had lying around; AKA "Had (note 3)" parts. That is, they were bought for another vehicle but the vehicle no longer exists or no longer requires said part. (Example: Gauges bought for a car that has since been wrecked and crushed)

Exception to "Had" parts: If a vehicle was purchased for sole purpose as to be a parts car and the total of all parts including all cars, and services comes in under and never exceeds $800. The maximum amount of parts you can sell remains at the initial vehicle's purchase price as any and all parts cars are considered a "new part." If two or more vehicles were purchased at the same time for $800 or less, they are all included in the original purchase price.

"Borrowing" parts from a friend (wheels, intakes, race seats, etc) is not allowed if the lender wants his/her parts back after the event is over. Someone from outside, or within the team buying something for you and then giving it to you is not ethical (This is a borrowed part). Someone loaning or renting you parts (including selling you something with the expectation they will have their part and your money returned after the event) is not in the spirit of the rules.

Exemptions: (note 4) for safety, non-performance parts or otherwise. If a vehicle is forced to use an "exempt" part on the track, it may be run for fun, but disqualified from the event if it puts the value over $800. (i.e. using your road tires on the track because the racing tires are used up) See (note 4) for list of exemptions.

Teams must keep all receipts and show a budget spreadsheet upon request by
another team. The "beater vehicle" must pass the official Lone Pine tech inspection - see LPTT rules

Please be honest and forthcoming if anybody questions any part of your vehicle. Keep receipts. Mostly, this is for fun but we'd like to try and keep it as even and 'legal' within the statements above, as possible.

The car you choose and how you spend your money is up to you. If you wanted to run a 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass with a school bus diesel engine conversion, feel free!

I think those of us that continue to participate in the LPBC enjoy it and will adhere well to the rules. We look forward to another exciting and competitive Lone Pine Beater Challenge!
--Ian -- Beater Challenge 2002 Original Member.

Notes
1. Services
· Alignments
· Tire mount/balance
· Anything you paid a shop for be it labor or parts
· Free parts and services: note "Borrowed" items

2. "Saab Clause"
Consumable items for a returning beater may be replaced up to and not for more than was spent on the same part in the previous year, if anything was spent. No items are to be carried over for more than 1 (one) year. Items are as follows:
· Brakes
· Tires
· Clutch
· Filters

3. "Had" parts (I had it!) do not count towards the budget and come in two categories:

A. Non-performance parts allowed such as:
· Gauges
· Wings, stickers, lights, dolls (or anything that makes the car look silly)
· Sexual devices and drugs found under paneling (I wouldn't mention it if it didn't already happen)

B. Performance parts: Shall be given a value of 50% of a new replacement and added to the price of the car)
· Sway Bars
· Suspension parts
· Engines/Drivetrain parts
· Nitrous/power adders
· Wheels/tires
· Brakes
· etc

4. Exemptions (parts, etc not included in the budget)
· Smog checks and certificates
· DMV registration costs
· Insurance
· Trailer rental if necessary
· Shipping costs
· All Fluids (gas/oils/coolant/freon/beer/spraypaint/etc.) (added 2003)
· Experimental parts (different spark plugs/suspension components/sexual devices, etc. that were tried, to use the best ones that were purchased but NOT used ON the track - added 2004)
· Tires and wheels ONLY to be used to GET TO the track and back. Using these parts on the track will add to the budget and potentially disqualify you.(added 2005)
· Fire extinguisher (added 2005)

EMail: formula4disaster@yahoo.com

WANTED: Classics, Muscle, Interest and those with a severe addiction to the automobile.