UFo Spec Motor

The UFo Race Championship will follow the philosophy of allowing competitors to choose the motor combination that they feel is the best fit to their racing program. Race teams may choose to compete with an unlimited motor, or choose from one of several more cost-effective options. One of these options is the Spec motor. The Spec motor offers teams a less expensive alternative, while still allowing teams to assemble the motor at their race shop or by a motor builder.

In 1993, the Southern United Professional Racers series implemented a spec motor option in its rulebook as a solution to uncontrolled motor costs in Super Late Model racing. The SUPR spec motor was an immediate success, claiming the 1993 series championship and multiple feature wins during the season. The concept of the spec motor option moved out to weekly tracks in the SUPR region, and soon official's at Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway & I-79 Speedway introduced this motor option to competitors in the Western PA area where it also gathered numerous feature wins each season as well as track championships.

The spec motor allows race teams to build their own engine or use the engine builder of their choice, but certain specific motor parts are required. The motor produces approximately 550 hp and is based on a cast iron block. A 360 cubic inch limit is imposed on the motor, as well as use of flat top pistons and a 3.480 maximum stroke to limit compression.

The key to the spec motor and its cost savings is use of the specified Brodix SUPR/PPMS heads and intake. The heads are limited to 60cc combustion chambers, which also limit motor compression. Lower compression leads to longer motor life and less cost in motor rebuilds for competitors.

It is possible for race teams to invest $10,000 alone in the cost of heads and headwork for an unlimited motor. Use of the Brodix SUPR/PPMS heads prevents that from happening. The heads have the letters "SUPR" or "PPMS" cast into the intake and exhaust ports, which allows inspectors to easily verify if the heads have been modified. Additionally, work is prohibited on the specified Brodix intake which also includes the "SUPR" stamp.

The motor is made equally competitive with the unlimited motors withuse of 12" rear and side spoilers and/or a weight variance. This option has proven to cost competitors over 50% less in motor costs and has allowed race teams to continue to participate in the Super Late Model division that may not have been able to afford the class otherwise. Parts cost for a spec motor is approximately $10,000-$12,000. In the long term, lower costs of racing will allow more teams to remain active and allow the sport to thrive in the future!