Chassis

• Mini stock cars are designed to be based on American or foreign mass-produced passengers cars. These can be either two- or four-door cars, typically from the 1960s through current cars. Almost all divisions have a minimum weight requirement--this can be anywhere from 1,800 to 2,300 pounds depending on the track and its rules set. As a good rule of thumb, keep your setup as close to "stock" as possible.
  
  

Engines

• Again, there are different rules for engine size, although all forms of mini stock racing require no more than a four-cylinder engine. Some sanctioning bodies such as the Northern California Racing Association (NCRA) require motors to be of the same make as the chassis (meaning that a Toyota must be running with a Toyota engine), while others do not have this requirement. Engine size can be set at a maximum, such as Canyon Speedway in Arizona, or as a ratio of the car size. For example, the North East Mini Stock Tour allows a maximum one cc of engine for one pound of car, meaning that a 2,200 pound has a maximum engine size of 2,220 cc. Check your local rules before deciding on an engine.
  
  

Safety

• Mini stock cars are required to have racing seats installed for the driver instead of the stock seat. All cars must also have a roll cage installed to protect the driver in case of an accident. The roll cage is a serious of thick metal tubing that is installed inside the car around the driver's compartment. It's recommended that the tubing be at least 1.75 inches, 0.95-inch-thickness steel tubing.
  
  Cars are also required to have a fuel cell installed. This is the main fuel storage mechanism. Unlike in a passenger car, this is design to be a separate component, which allows it to rip away in case of a major accident, hopefully removing the threat of a stricken car catching on fire. Most organizations will also recommend or require that no fuel lines run underneath the driver compartment to eliminate the chance of a fire caused by a loose fuel line.
  
  These safety adjustments can be done at home, but if you don't feel comfortable doing them, most race organizations can refer you to a mechanic who can get your car "race ready" for a small fee.