2026 WESTERN RATTLER 222 RULES
Weight & Engine Supplemental Parity Rules
2026 Penticton Speedway will follow 4 Basic LM rule packages.
Option 1: ULRA Pro Late Model Rules Package
Option 2: ULRA Super Late Model Rules Package
Option 3: The Current WESCAR Rules Package
Option 4: The Current SSCRA (Saskatoon) Pro-Late Model Rules Package
The 2026 Western Rattler 222 Rules and Event Format.
Western Rattler 222 Eligibility
All cars must run a Western Rattler 222 sponsor windshield banner (provided by Penticton Speedway) to be eligible for Purse & Tow Money.
This event is open to Super Lates, Pro-Lates & Limited Lates. All cars must conform to either ULRA, SSCRA (Saskatoon), WESCAR, or NWSLMS rules except for the weight rules which will be determined by Penticton Speedway to ensure parity between the rule’s packages and engine combinations. Penticton Speedway has posted the “Weight & Engine Supplemental Parity Rules”. Additionally, rule changes and additions can be found under “Rules Addendums”. All this information can be found on the Penticton Speedway website. We expect cars from across Canada, and the Pacific Northwest, so we have considered the rules throughout these areas when formulating our rules to allow as many competitors as possible to meet the rules and keep all cars competitive.
General Format
Friday Afternoon (October 2nd) - Open practice for Pro-Late Models, WESCAR Late Models, Street Stocks, Legends, and Hornets and Hit to Pass. Competitor Gates open at 11:00am for registration and move-in. Practice will begin at 3:00pm (see Official Schedule).
Saturday Afternoon (October 3rd Matinee) – Competitor gates open at 8:00am with Registration open at 8:30am. Practice for all classes commences at 10:00am with a MANDATORY Drivers Meeting at 11:55am at Turn 2 infield. Fan Gates open at 1:00pm for the early Anthems and Matinee portion of the show running from 2:00pm to 5:30pm.
Intermission & Front Straight Fan Fest (5:45pm – 6:30pm) – All cars are drivers are required to participate. We ask that all classes move to the front straight in the following order:
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Western Rattler 222 (In Qualifying Order)
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WESCAR Viper 100 (In Qualifying Order)
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Street Stock Venom 100 (In Any Order)
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Hornets (Season Champion 1st, All Others to Follow)
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Legends (In Any Order)
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Hit to Pass (In Any Order)
We encourage all drivers, cars and crews to attend and interact with the fans. Any autograph cards, giveaways, candy, etc. is always well received. Cars that raced in the Matinee portion of the show should display trophies.
*NOTE – There will be no loading of cars and tools during Intermission and Fan Fest, cars and tools are to be loaded after the final checkered flag of the evening show.
Saturday Night (October 3rd Evening Show) – The evening portion of the show will kick off with the second playing of the Anthems at 6:40pm followed immediately with the start of the Final 50 Laps of the Street Stock Venom 100, The WESCAR Applied Industrial Technologies Viper 100, and the Western Rattler 222.
All Western Rattler 222 starters will be guaranteed $1,000.00 minimum purse to start the feature (No Start and Park allowed; cars must genuinely attempt to participate and compete.)
The Western Rattler 222 Pole car will have the option to start the race in last place for a bonus of $1,500 if it wins the race.
Time Constraints
The original running of the Western Rattler 222 weekend in August needed to be postponed due to wildfire urgencies throughout the Okanagan. That event was rescheduled for 2026 and now is part of the Harvest Oktoberfest event. This has made for a very large and exciting day of racing which we were only able to facilitate through a two-part, Maninee/Evening Show format. Because we have such a demanding schedule that must adhere to time requirements we have strict time allowances within the schedule. It is therefore up to every driver and crew member to ensure they have access to the schedule and prepare themselves accordingly…we will not wait for drivers that refuse to adhere to the schedule.
We will endeavour to make sure every class gets the time allocated as per the schedule however Penticton Speedway reserves the right to adjust laps and time slots accordingly to regain schedule.
Evening Show Time Allotments (Completion Times):
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Street Stock Venom 100 Final 50 Laps:
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Checkered Flag 7:10pm
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Trophy Presentation 7:20pm
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WESCAR Viper 100:
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Checkered Flag 8:10pm
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Trophy Presentation 8:20pm
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Western Rattler 222:
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Checkered Flag 11:00pm (Noise Bylaw Limit)
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Trophy Presentation 11:10pm
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Registration Fees & Purse
NOTE* - All Registered Drivers & Crew (4) for all classes, with Friday wristbands, are invited to attend a complimentary BBQ, beverages & live music after the Friday practice (7:00pm – 9:00pm) in the food truck area. Additional crew, guests and public welcome to attend. Food and beverages available for direct vendor payment for non-wristband attendees.
Western Rattler 222 Late Models
Friday Practice (3:00pm -7:00pm):
Car – $125.00
Transponder Fee: Included
Driver Included
(4) Crew Included
Additional Crew Pass $35.00
Saturday:
Car $250.00
Transponder Fee $20/weekend
Driver $35.00/day
Crew $35.00/day ea.
Purse
$45,000 Late Models
See Purse Sheet for Breakdown
Western Rattler 222 Rules
Running Rules
Most cars can do approximately 225+ laps on a full load of fuel and re-fueling will be allowed during any yellow. Cars will be allowed to pit under any yellow flag they choose however we will not guarantee that it won’t be a “quicky yellow”. In other words, if a team takes a chance on a simple “spin out yellow” then they may not make it back out before the green comes out and risk going down a lap or more. Teams will have to decide on the severity of the incident and estimate duration of yellow condition accordingly.
We will have one competition yellow flag at lap 88 where we will guarantee a 7-minute window before going green again to give adequate time for all teams to re-fuel. (Any yellow flag condition from lap 75 - 88 will become the competition yellow). All cars will be led down pit lane by the pace car, in running order, and no work can be done on any car until the horn sounds to officially start the competition yellow pit stop (0:07 minutes). When the 7 minutes is complete, a horn will sound again, and all cars will be expected to exit the pit lane onto the backstretch. Race Control will dictate restart order via the raceceiver. Drivers can expect to be restarted in running order, not racing order, for the restart after the competition yellow. (The field is frozen at the yellow given to the leader).
All cars will re-establish their running order after the competition yellow so there is no need to race out of pit lane but must be ready to rejoin the race when the 7 minutes expires. Any cars involved in the cause of a yellow flag that initiates the competition yellow will start at the rear of the entire field after the 7-minute break. Cars pitting during a non-competition yellow will line up at the back of the field in the order they leave pit exit.
No laps will be counted under a yellow flag condition so drivers can pit under any yellow without losing a lap(s), but they will have to start at the end of the line behind cars that didn’t pit.
Only one jack may be utilized and only one side of the car can be off the ground at a time for the purpose of an emergency tire change during a non-competition yellow.
No tires can be exchanged during the competition yellow without the consent of an official, however tires can be rotated to different locations on the car. Only bonafide flat tires (naturally punctured) can be changed during the event. Any competitor caught manually puncturing a tire will be disqualified from competition. The race director has the final say regarding whether a tire change was justified.
Any emergency tire must be a used tire and only used tires can be in the pit lane during the race.
A Free Pass Car rule will be used. The first car that is one or more laps down will be given the opportunity to pull immediately behind the pace car during the yellow flag and will be waved by with the one lap to go signal from the flagman and identified by Race Control over the Raceceiver. Cars involved in, or causing the yellow, will be ineligible to receive the Free Pass.
The race will not finish under yellow, so a green/white/checker finish will end the race.
Qualifying
Qualifying order will be by Saturday practice times, slowest car first, fasted car goes last.
All cars must be in the qualifying line up, in order, and be ready to cross the scales without delaying the line up. Any cars arriving late, or having to pass through a second time, will go to the back of the line and will receive only 1 qualifying lap. Cars must go through tech in qualifying order and proceed directly to qualifying impound directly after.
Each car will be given 1 warm up lap and 2 qualifying laps. (1 to go at first pass of flagman then green, white, checkered).
Any car waiving off after entering the track due to a bona fide mechanical issue may pull into the back of the line and attempt to qualify again providing the car did not complete a timed lap (to the white flag) and enters pit lane prior to crossing the start/finish line. The car will remain eligible for 1 warm up lap and 2 timed laps; however, the slowest time of the two laps will be scored as the official qualifying time. In the event the car scores a timed lap regardless of mechanical issues then that lap will be used as a completed qualifying time, and no further laps will be granted. Penticton Speedway officials will determine if the car has received repairs that warrant another pass-through tech prior to the second qualifying attempt.
All cars must start the race on the tires they qualified on. Tires will be marked prior to qualifying and must remain on the car after qualifying.
Chassis & Engine Rules
Cars, less engines, must conform to ULRA, SSCRA, WESCAR, or NWSLMS Rule Books. These are the Penticton Speedway Late Model Rules as well. U.S. Cars to be given exception by Competition Director ONLY.
Engines must conform to ULRA, SSCRA, WESCAR (Crate or Built), NWSLMS, or Prior Approved SLM Built.
*Note – All factory sealed, and rebuilt seals for GM 604 & 602 engines must run the stock balancer as delivered from GM.
All SLM built motors must run a stock, tool legal, 2 bbl. 500 CFM Holley 4412. Alternatively, a tool legal, 4 bbl. Holley 750 CFM p/n 4779 or 80528 combined with “The Governor” 1” or ½” adjustable base plate p/n’s ALL26060/26180 with maximum 1.00” base plate inserts p/n’s 26062/26182 as supplied by Allstar Performance. No modifications to inserts of any kind will be allowed.
Entrants must declare which rule package and engine combination they are running prior to the start of the event and must maintain that package throughout the event.
Engines may not be changed after the start of the event (Qualifying) unless a failure occurs, and the engine swap is approved.
If an approved engine swap changes the Rules Package/Engine combination, then the new rules package must be adopted, and the car must pass through tech.
No frame height rule, however, any car continually bottoming out will be black flagged to save the racing surface.
The use of a backup car is allowed, providing the back up car meets all rules as outlined and is passed by tech. Back up cars replacing a primary car after Qualifying will be considered qualified to start if the primary car earned a starting spot, but in all cases will start at the rear of the field. Tires will be transferred to the backup car. Any change from a primary to a backup car must be approved by Penticton Speedway.
Weights
Minimum weights will be as per car/engine combination
➢ STOCK FRONT CLIP GM 602 or GM 604 2650
➢ WESCAR CRATE 2700
➢ WESCAR BUILT 2700
➢ PRO LM 602 CRATE 2700
➢ PRO LM 604 CRATE 2700 (Factory GM Seals)
➢ PRO LM 604 CRATE 2730 (Rebuilt Seals)
➢ PRO LM 604 CRATE 2750 (ULRA Sealed Upgrade)
➢ PRO LM FORD CRATE 2750
➢ PRO LM WESCAR BUILT 2800
➢ PRO LM SLM BUILT 2800 (MUST BE PRE-APPROVED) - RESTRICTED
Maximum 58% Left Side Weight
Maximum 52.5% Rear Weight
*SSCRA cars have an option to run 59% Left Side Weight, as per their rules, provided they weigh minimum 2750.
Tires
Only American Racer AR153 purchased from Penticton Speedway will be approved as race tires for this event. Practice tires can be purchased from Penticton Speedway, but it is not mandatory.
All cars will be assured a minimum allotment of 8 tires for the event including the Friday Practice.
All race tires sold by Penticton Speedway will be recorded and marked. (4) tires will be marked as Race Tires and up to (4) will be marked as Practice Tires. Teams will have an opportunity to measure and group their allotted tires prior to being officially marked. Prior to qualifying, all cars will be required to submit the mandatory supplied Pre-Tech Declaration Certificate.
All teams must designate a maximum of (4) new Race Tires. Up to (4) tires will be designated as Practice Tires. A total of (4) Practice Tires can be designated emergency tires and placed in impound prior to the start of The Western Rattler 222. The emergency tires can only be used if the Race Tires have been destroyed. During The Western Rattler 222, a bona fide failed Race Tire can be exchanged for an Emergency Tire at the tire impound. No Emergency Tires will be exchanged for Race Tires that are holding air unless it’s on a bent wheel. The failed tire will remain in impound for the duration of the race and until tech is cleared to give the officials an opportunity to inspect the failed tire and determine the cause of the failure. Any attempt to purposely destroy a tire to achieve an exchange will result in disqualification from the event. Only Race Tires will be on the car prior to the start of the race, and each team will be in possession of (4) tires only, at any given time during the race, at their pit box.
All cars starting The Western Rattler 222 must start on the 4 tires they qualified on.
Designated Practice Tires (4) may be used during the Western Rattler 222 in case of emergency, after they’ve been released from tire impound, by exchanging with a bona fide flat Race Tire that gets placed in impound.
No tire softeners or modifiers of any kind are permitted. Any team caught modifying tires will be disqualified from competition.
All tires may be kept in pit stalls during practice and qualifying.
All wheels must be clearly marked with the car number. A decal must be used for marking the numbers, preferably no jiffy markers, paint pens etc.
Rules Addendums
1. Shocks – Single adjustable. Only one shock per wheel, no electronics of any kind.
2. Drive Shafts – Aluminum drive shafts permitted
3. Starters – Reverse mount starters and aluminum bell housings permitted
4. Transmissions – 4 speed transmissions allowed, all gears must be functional
5. Rear Ends – Cambered rear end permitted (Maximum 1.5°)
6. Differentials – Mechanical locker type differentials allowed
Rain Delay
October 4th
In the event of a rain out on October 3rd the schedule (with time adjustments) will be moved to Sunday October 4th. The prize money will be paid at 100% of published purse for the Western Rattler 222 and The Western Rattler WESCAR Viper 100, the remaining classes will be paid 50% of published purse and tow money. If October 4th is rained out, the event will be declared an entire rain out and entry fees and crew passes will be refunded.
Please send your engine rule package to Penticton Speedway for review and approval understanding that some engines may not be approved.
In addition to the Late Model class rules, you are also required to understand and abide by the Penticton Speedway General Rules.
Violation of any of these rules may result in loss of daily points, trophies, and monies. Serious or continued violations may result in suspension of racing privileges for a period to be determined by the Track Executive.
For all tech-related questions please email