SOVREN Racing Rules

[Superman]

Many of you are already familiar with the Society Of Vintage Racing ENthusiasts (SOVREN). If not, do yourself a favor and check them out. Cool old cars getting on the track and really racing. For keeps. Just like the olden days. Ferraris. Jaguars. Corvettes. And......oh yeah, Porsches. BTW, if any of you guys have any questions about why Porsche 356's are so beloved, you need to attend a SOVREN event. Those things are butt-kickers.

Anyhooo..... I was just wondering exactly what the rules are. I think that just about any car that's older than about forty years is eligible to participate. I wonder if that means I could take one of my 917's out and race it against 911's. The Ferrari guys won't play with me.

[TechnoViking]

I've raced with the local vintage club here in Colorado (RMVR) as a guest. My 30 year-old 911 isn't quite old enough to be "vintage" by their definition, but they do allow a few Exhibition class cars on a case-by-case basis.

Basically the rule is "gentleman's racing". I don't think it's written down anywhere but most drivers have an understanding of what that is. Kind of like the definition of pornography - you'll know it when you see it.

Bottom line, have respect for the cars, whether or not you like the way the guy in front of you is driving. Don't ***** hit anybody. That's pretty much it. Pass where you want, how you want, when you want....just don't hit anybody.

[Craig 930 RS]

They race moderately - gentleman racing if you will.

The rules are SUPER strict.....go to a SOVREN event and ask Bruce Leven what HE thinks....
Read his 'protest' sign by his orange full on race Corvette. It's a hoot.

Good fun and lots of vintage machines from when I was a kid -

[John Rogers]

Most all vintage organizations are great to run with and most will let a "visiting" racer with a car that is legal in a group in another part of the country race with them. There are drivers though that still think they are trying out for a seat at Daytona or Lemans and it is win no matter what! Many of these also have a business that supports racers and they figure if they are not coming in first then their business looks bad? The drivers are also a really interesting bunch and I have enjoyed talking with those that are famous and those that think they are and those that have decided to spend the kid's inheritance on a Datsun 510 or
2L Porsche 911 and they are having a ball! Yeah, vintage racing is pretty cool.

[Superman]

So........I can't sideswipe Ferraris with my 917, even if I have plenty of spare body panels?

[Seric]

I catch SOVREN at least once a year, usually the mid summer races at Pacific Raceways. It's always fun to get into the corral and do a few parade laps. It's always amusing to hear the stewards tell you not to bunch up so you can take the backside faster. Yea that never works!

Great cars, fun times.

[ErVikingo]

I've never done a SOVREN event but I race with HSR (hsrrace.com) and we have a hoot. Yes, we do race....

[HarryD]

I try not to miss them when they come to Portland. The best part (besides seeing/hearing them running in anger) is walking the Paddock and meeting the owners.

[madmmac]

Great fun and history, able to move amongst the cars in the paddock and they do hit it pretty hard. Been to the Pacific Raceways races that last 5 years in a row.


Their web site..... http://www.sovren.org/

Allowed cars:

PRE-WAR - Automobiles produced on or before Dec. 31, 1940
VINTAGE - Automobiles produced after 12/31/40 and on or before 12/31/62 HISTORIC - Automobiles produced after 12/31/62 and on or before 12/31/69
and certain cars produced in the year 1970 that are a
continuing and unchanged series from 1969

Formula cars are as allowed by the Monoposto Register rules: thru 1963 for Formula Jr., pre-1970 for Formula V, Formula B, Formula C, and Formula II pre-1973 for Formula Ford, and thru 1966 for Formula 1.

At certain events, SOVREN allows an EXHIBITION class for distinctive racing automobiles which are too new to fit in the above categories but were produced before Dec 31, 1979 such as Formula 1, CanAm, TransAm, Indy cars, etc.

[Rich Lambert]

I raced with SOVREN for 3 years back in the 90's. It was much more relaxed back then - probably more like it was back in the day. There weren't as many ginormous mega dollar motor homes and semis with traveling mechanics in the paddock.

Back then, 911's were top dogs...as will be the case when you're running a 2Klb car with a (rumored) high strung 3.2 cleverly disguised as a '69 911S motor. It was not uncommon for 911's to finish 1,2,3 in the over 2 liter class.

Here's a link to the rules.
http://www.sovren.org/competition/competition.htm

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by Superman

So........I can't sideswipe Ferraris with my 917, even if I have plenty of spare body panels?

I don't think your 1/32 scale radio controlled 917 meets the spirit of their rules..