WISSOTA Racing Divisions

WISSOTA Late Models are full bodied race cars and the top of the line as far as speed and technology. The rules package allows for a very sleek body design and wide Hoosier racing tires. Under the hood, most WISSOTA Late Model drivers have roughly 360 cubic inch engines with 500 or more horsepower; those who choose to can also run an engine with up to 410 cubic inches along with a carburetor restrictor plate. The Late Models have generous spoilers coming off the rear deck of the car and you’ll often see them coming off the turns with their left front tire raised in the air. The chassis are highly tuneable and very sensitive to adjustments. In the WISSOTA region, virtually all Late Model racers burn methanol rather than gasoline. In many regions of the country, Dirt Late Models are the premier division.

WISSOTA Modifieds are sophisticated, high powered, open-wheeled race cars. As the name implies, they are radically “modified” from their stock status. The easiest way to identify a WISSOTA Modified is the lack of front fenders along with a spoiler on the rear of the car. You might also see the left front in the air, similar to the Late Models explained above. WISSOTA’s Modified drivers may choose to run a 360 “Spec” engine that is not subject to a competitor’s claim or a larger engine, up to 406 cubic inches, that is subject to certain claim procedures after each feature race. The chassis and suspension is very advanced and highly tuneable to meet the needs of the driver’s style or track condition, and the vast majority of Modified racers in WISSOTA choose methanol rather than gasoline for a fuel. Nationwide, Modifieds like those in WISSOTA are probably the most populous of all dirt track racing divisions.

WISSOTA Super Stocks appear, on the surface, similar to Late Models. The casual fan can tell the difference quickly by noticing the tires are much thinner, and Super Stocks have a smaller spoiler on the rear deck of the car. Engine rules mandate a maximum of 360 cubic inches in the Super Stock division, and competitors in the class are limited to a 2 barrel carburetor. There are chassis limitations placed on competitors in the Super Stock division, so the cars are not as tuneable or exotic as those in the Late Model and Modified divisions. The division is known for parity and the competitors provide very entertaining competition for fans at many WISSOTA tracks.

The WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds are a “limited” version of the Modifieds described above. The class was originally conceived and begun by a group of tracks in central and western Minnesota but the population of Midwest Modifieds exploded after it became a WISSOTA sanctioned division. The Midwest Modified division has a restricted package of engine and suspension rules, and the body lines are a little more conservative than most of the full Modifieds in competition. It is intended to be a more affordable way for racers to get a taste for open wheeled racing and its continued growth at tracks in the region has been impressive.

WISSOTA Street Stocks are the most “stock appearing” race cars racing under the WISSOTA banner. They feature a steel, stock appearing body most often Chevrolet Monte Carlo or Grand Prix styles from the late ’70s and early 80s, when “metric” framed cars were predominant. Under the hood you’ll most often find an engine anywhere from 307 to 350 cubic inches with limited rules that help to keep horsepower and costs contained. The class is considered an entry level division, although many of the drivers in the class are very experienced, accomplished and talented.

WISSOTA Mod Fours are smaller scale modified. The smaller tire, 4 cylinder engine, limited suspension, and talented mix of young and veteran drivers makes this a great entry level division for modified fanatics. The highest concentration of these drivers are in Minnesota and Wyoming, and have some of the most loyal drivers you will see. These remarkably quick race cars are sure to put on a show whenever they visit your local WISSOTA race track.

WISSOTA Pure Stocks are V-8 powered, mostly-stock race cars which compete at a growing number of WISSOTA tracks. This is a truly entry-level racing division which features a very sensible rules package. Competitors can get their feet wet in the Pure Stock division for a very modest investment and race against drivers who share similar needs when it comes to racing.

WISSOTA Hornets are the lowest-cost race cars in WISSOTA. A Hornet is a four cylinder car, mostly stock just like its V-8 brethren Pure Stock, designed to give novice drivers a taste of racing without a serious financial commitment. Many young drivers begin in the Hornet class and move on after learning the ropes. A growing number of WISSOTA tracks host the class on a weekly basis.