over length in north carolina

[Gary Summers]

how are your suppose to get to the track in charlotte? the dot say that over length (84 ft.) is legal as long as your on the interstate, but when you get off on speedway bvld. for three miles you cannot get a permit for over length that you cannot be over 60 feet. has anyone got any input on this?

[Roger K Fain]

Call "Zmax" Raceway, ask for Bruton Smith, he has a lot of pull in Charlotte, NC. The city fathers of Charlotte told him he couldn't build his dragstrip adjacent to the circle track (which he owns) due to noise and pollution restrictions; he told them he would shut down the NASCAR track and the proposed museum, and move it to another state if that's what they preferred...they acquiesced.

[art leong]

Is the kingpin the gooseneck part that connects to the ball?

[Jeff Teuton]

Try Karen Ray
North Carolina Motorsports Association
119 Hickory Hill Road
Mooresville, NC 28117

What kind of rig do you have? I don' t think there is a limit or interstate, but after that you are on other roads. I am hoping NC might get more friendly. I had a friend had trouble in NC with a motor home issue. We appealed (to the state police) and lost without even a look. Appealed to a court and had a date set in March. I wrote a letter to the Governor of NC. Got a personal reply. The thing was reduced from over $900 fine to $60 and dismissed. It might have their attention. I tried to send a copy of that file to ZMax, never could find a mailing address. Florida you can get a one year permit up to 95' for $15.

[Jack Zimmerman]

You don't say if you're towing with a motorhome but the North Carolina length law for motorhome/race car tow rigs was changed about six months ago and it now allows a 90' overall max length without any special permits. The text of the new law is below:

SECTION 1. G.S. 20-116 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
Vehicle combinations used in connection with motorsports competition events that
include a cab or other motorized vehicle unit with living quarters and an attached enclosed
specialty trailer, the combination of which does not exceed 90 feet in length, may be operated on the highways of the State, provided that such transport take place for one or more of the following purposes:
(1) To or from a motorsports competition event.
(2) For trips conducted for the purpose of purchasing fuel or conducting repairs or other maintenance on the competition vehicle.
(3) For other activities related to motorsports purposes, including, but not limited to, performance testing of the competition vehicle.
The Department of Transportation may prohibit combinations authorized by this subsection from specific routes pursuant to G.S. 20-115.1(b)."

SECTION 2. This act becomes effective July 1, 2009.

[bert powell]

What are the requirements for a 40' tri axle and dually pickup? I have weighted commercial plates, do I need anything additional? This seems to come up every year with some horror story.

[Gary Summers]

i have a toter with a fifth wheel. i talked to the so called permit dept. in nc. and they told me that it was legal every where in nc. on interstates, but was not on the three miles of road leading to the race track, but if i was pulling it with a semi the 53 ft. trailer would be legal

[Jeff Teuton]

I think Jack has the correct and current law. Go to North Carolina State Police, then Motor Carrier Enforcement, then Motorsports Regulations. Might be some help, but some of that stuff is wrong. Call me tomorrow. 985-804-6161 and give me the details. I got the email to the capital from my last escapade. Might get lucky again. Keeps me off the street while waiting for my new Challenger.

[Gary Summers]

the north carolina motorsports regulations says g.s.20-115.1 reads paragraph b. the semi trailer is used exclusively or primarily to transport vehicles in connection with motorsports competition events, and the distance between the king pin of the trailer and the rearmost axle, or a point midway between the rear axles, if the two rear axles are a tandem axle, does not exceed 46 feet and in summary, unless the configuration of a truck tractor and semi trailer with a king pin the maximum length for a combination of vehicle is 60 feet, bumper to bumper.

[chris3racing]

Contact Steve Earwood, Owner of Rockingham Dragway, and discuss the latest law revisions with him. He is and has been on a committee in North Carolina concerning the laws concerning towing race cars in North Carolina.