LAMOT Late Model Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was LAMOT created?
Why not let one of the tracks govern the division?
Why the name LAMOT (Late Model of Tomorrow)?
How is the LAMOT series governed?
Why were the less expensive non-adjustable shocks chosen?
Tires ~End of Season Update~
Are the Goodyear Eagle tires any different than the older – more expensive tires run in the past?
Will these tires accept tire softeners?
Why use the GM Crate 602 instead of a GM Crate 604 as the LAMOT engine?
If the GM Crate 602 engine can't be rebuilt how is it maintained?
Is installing the GM Crate 602 engine in the car any different than a custom built or GM Crate 604 engine?
What other engine components are needed for the GM Crate 602?
Spec shocks, spec motor, and longer lasting tires, does this make the Late Model look any different or any less exciting?

Why was LAMOT created?

LAMOT was created in an effort to restore racing at the grassroots level by making weekly racing more affordable and more competitive to Late Model teams looking to stay in the division and new teams looking to move up to the Late Model division in the future. A group of drivers, owners, and tech inspectors got together in the fall of 2007 to create a Late Model division for the future that was independent from any one track's authority.

Why not let one of the tracks govern the division?

Upon analysis it was agreed that tracks that saw decreasing car counts each year, with less cars running every week, and less cars moving up into the Late Model division, were due to old expensive rule books and a lack of control over the rules. LAMOT was truly created as the Car of Tomorrow. Cost effective rules that are strictly enforced are needed if the late model class is to survive for years to come.

Why the name LAMOT (Late Model of Tomorrow)?

In looking at Nascar's Cup division and their use of the COT (Car of Tomorrow) body template that was designed for use in 2008 primarily with an even playing field in mind is the same idea that was applied to LAMOT. Where Nascar designed a body template, LAMOT put together a rules package that allows more teams to compete on a more even playing field at less cost by the use of longer lasting tires, spec. shocks and long lasting and less expensive crate engines that run high test pump gasoline from any gas station, instead of race fuel which in some cases costs over $10 per gallon.

How is the LAMOT series governed?

LAMOT is made up of a board of directors. The board decides what rules are to be used, race procedures, how the purse is distributed and any business of the series. If a car is found to be illegal after post race tech inspection, or if there is a protest or claim problem, the board will have the final say in determining the outcome. If a board member is in anyway associated with the car in question (driver/owner) he/she will step down and another driver will sit in their place on the panel that makes the final decision.

Note: Purse distribution is determined prior to the start of each race, with a minimum of $125 to start the feature.

Why were the less expensive non-adjustable shocks chosen?

Some teams in the past were spending hundreds and even thousands of dollars on shocks, equipment and research to create a big advantage for those with more funding to test and refine their many different shock programs. The Bilstein shocks chosen by LAMOT are both reliable and cost effective at $115 each and are a non – adjustable type shock to ensure the competition is based more on the driver and setup than on cost.

Tires

The Goodyear Eagle Racing tires chosen by LAMOT are designed to last much longer than the old racing tires commonly used in years past. They are designed to stay consistent and actually become faster the more laps they are run! This allows an entire season to be run with only 8 tires at a cost of $840 plus tax, as opposed to having to spend $5,000 or more on a tire budget as was done in years past.

Update: Driver #65 Mike Ticco ran 4 LAMOT races and put a total of 13 heat cycles on his set of tires and did not see a drop off. He will start the 2009 season with the same set to see exactly how long the tires last. Driver #99 T.J. Johnson ran 5 LAMOT races in addition to attending 5 Thursday practices and also did not see a drop off.

Are the Goodyear Eagle tires any different than the older – more expensive tires run in the past?

The tires are 10" wide and the same size as previous tires used. The LAMOT race procedures allow hot laps to warm up the tires before the start of each race. Once these tires are warm, they perform very well and are not a lot different than other tires used in the past. The motor and shock combination chosen were found to work very well in combination with these tires.

Will these tires accept tire softeners?

No, the tires used by LAMOT will not respond to tire softener and tire softener will have the opposite effect and slow the tire.

Why use the GM Crate 602 instead of a GM Crate 604 as the LAMOT engine?

The GM Crate 602 has a lot of power and has been widely used on the dirt and asphalt divisions across the country. The DIRT Sportsman division, which has used this engine, has fields of 20+ cars weekly. The 602 currently sells for $3,200 (plus tax). We believe the lower cost and No-rebuild rule will allow more teams to move up to a Late Model class.

If the GM Crate 602 engine can't be rebuilt, how is it maintained?

With the use of a rev-limiter chip, limiting the RPMs, the stress on the engine is reduced. By checking the replaceable engine parts, which are listed in the LAMOT rule book. This engine can last 3 seasons. Many DIRT and Fastrak teams have used their engines multiple seasons.

Is installing the GM Crate 602 engine in the car any different than a custom built or GM Crate 604 engine?

The GM Crate 602 has an 8 quart oil pan that extends further than engines that use a 7 quart oil pan. For a proper fit LAMOT teams used spacers on the chassis engine mounts to raise their engines anywhere from a 1/2 to 1 inch.

What other engine components are needed for the GM Crate 602?

If you currently have a Late Model with a 604, the clutch, flywheel and headers are the same as used on the 604 engine. In addition, the carburetor specified by LAMOT, Holley Box stock (part #0-80541-1), (Series 4150, 650 CFM) is also the same used with the GM Crate 604. If you are building a Late Model from scratch or have a custom built engine these components may be needed. Please feel free to contact Paul White or any LAMOT Board member with any questions you may have.

Spec shocks, spec motor, and longer lasting tires, does this make the Late Model look any different or any less exciting?

No, the bodies used by LAMOT are exactly the same as other asphalt Late Models across the country. The chassis's are tube frames and are also no different than those being raced across the country. On a 3/8 mile banked oval track such as Holland Speedway, the LAMOT cars are running lap times that are only a few tenths of a second slower than the old late models ran, with the older expensive motors, shock programs and traditional race tires. Due to the LAMOT rule book and high level these cars perform at it makes for very exciting races with fields running closer together. It will be interesting to see how fast these cars will become in the future as the crews have time to dial in the LAMOT chassis over time.

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