American Iron Extreme - National Auto Sport Association

Introduction

Everything You Wanted to Know About NASA's American Iron Extreme Racing Series

Created for the kind of racer who loves American muscle and the freedom to create obscene amounts of horsepower within an open rules set, American Iron Extreme is the pinnacle of NASA’s American Iron series. Given the chassis capabilities the aftermarket has created and horsepower potential of American V8 power plants, American Iron Extreme is a showcase for the possibilities of an American muscle car built and set up for road racing. It is as much a series for engineers as it is for drivers to try to control all that power, set fast lap times and capture checkered flags!

Series Description

The American Iron Extreme Series was created to meet the needs of domestic sedan racers looking for a series specifically tailored to accommodate highly modified vehicles that are currently relegated to racing in Unlimited or Spec limited series. This series is designed to field a large high-profile group of American muscle cars and will unify fields of cars that currently race in other sanctioning organizations. This large field/open modification concept will provide racers and vendors access to a promotional racing venue containing similarly prepared and appearing cars that can run nearly unlimited configurations.

Eligible Makes and Models

All 1960 through present, American-made sedan vehicles/body styles certified by the United States Department of Transportation for street use at their date of manufacture. OEM and aftermarket “Body in White” type vehicle shells are allowed provided the body style is the same as original DOT manufacture.

Donor Prices and Availability

2010 Camaro SS $12,000 to $18,000
2005-2009 Ford Mustang GT $4,000 to $10,000
SN95 Mustang $4,000 to $6,500
Fourth-generation GM F Body $2,500 to $8,000

Engine Specs

The American Iron Extreme class has has a 5:1 power to weight ratio restriction.

Weight

Minimum weight: 2,700 lbs.

Fuel Required

Primary fuels permitted are any grade commercially available unmodified gasoline or ethanol blends such as E85. Secondary fuels such as alcohol or methanol injection are not allowed. American Iron Extreme cars are unrestricted in all performance modifications with the exception of using nitrous oxide power adder systems. Use of nitrous oxide power adder systems is specifically outlawed.

Average Cost to Build Donor

$20,000 to $35,000 depending on modifications

Average Cost to Buy Built Car

$20,000 to $50,000

Typical Modifications

Replacing windshield with Lexan
Single- or double-adjustable coil-over suspension
SLA front suspension available to replace McPherson struts
Aftermarket brakes
Aerodynamics such as a G Stream rear wing, front splitter and Race
Louver hood vents
Turbochargers

Cost Analysis

Average cost to run a weekend — $2,200 to $2,800

Consumables Prices

Tires, size, brand and prices

From Phil’s Tire Service

Toyo Proxes RR 275 35ZR 18 $306

Toyo Proxes RA1 275 35ZR 18 $301

Brakes, brands and prices

Front, with stock calipers; Hawk DTC 70 $235
Rear, with stock calipers; Hawk DTC 60, $195

Available contingencies

Check the NASA Contingencies page for the latest programs.

Factory Participation

Yes. Ford Performance.

Benefits

American muscle taken to the extreme.
Huge aftermarket.
Unlimited modifications and performance potential.

Challenges

Modifications list can be extensive, thus expensive.

Rulebook Highlights

Any performance modification is allowed provided the car complies with the class configuration specifications defined in Section 4.
All aerodynamic devices must be fixed for competition and shall be made from any material.
Venting, louvers, ducting, etc. is permitted anywhere on the car.
Brake rotor friction surfaces must be iron.
Rear axle assemblies may be modified in any manner. AIX axle housing materials are unrestricted
Rear axle assemblies may be modified in any manner. AIX axle housing materials are unrestricted
AIX engine blocks are unrestricted, but must use engines from any OEM or OEM equivalent (i.e. no three-rotor Mazdas, Formula 1 BMW’s, or Rolls Royce turbines allowed). Please consult with your local series director if you have questions.

Resources

American Iron Extreme Resources

FAQ

Questions and Answers to Feed Your Curiosity

So, let me get this straight. I can build a car that makes any amount of power and race in American Iron Extreme?

Not exactly. You can make as much power as you want within a 5:1 weight-to-power ratio. That’s no more than 1 horsepower for every 5 pounds of vehicle weight. If you exceed those power levels, you will be moved up into Super Unlimited where there are no such limits.

How does NASA know how much power I’m making?

All AIX participants must have a dynamometer certification report prior to the start of the race or make arrangements to have a dyno test performed immediately after the race.

Can I race something other than a Ford Mustang?

Yes, you can race anything from Ford, General Motors or Chrysler Group LLC. It just has to be a front-engine, rear-wheel drive car with a wheelbase of at least 100 inches.

Couldn’t I just race a NASCAR chassis?

No, you may not. No full tube-frame chassis or chassis conversions are allowed in American Iron Extreme.

Can I run a NASCAR Chevrolet engine?

No. AIX engine blocks are unrestricted, but you must use OEM or OEM equivalent.

Can I run a car with an independent rear suspension?

Yes, independent rear suspension is allowed.

Can I make the car as light as I want?

Minimum car weight is 2,700 pounds with the driver.

How big a tire can I run?

As big as you want. Any size tire available and sold commercially is allowed, as are tire shaving, tire grooving and tire treatment.

What about aero devices? Can I run those?

Yes you can. All devices must be fixed for competition, but venting, louvers and ducting is permitted anywhere on the car. You can use splitters and air dams, dive planes, canards, but those can’t extend forward more than 7 inches beyond the outline of the OEM stock bumper cover and can’t extend laterally more than 5 inches from the sides of the car. Rear wings and diffusers also are allowed.

What about brakes? What I can do there?

Well, you can’t use water cooling and you must use iron rotors, and the OEM antilock braking systems, but calipers are unrestricted.

Can I use traction-control?

Yes. Traction-control devices are allowed.

News

Latest American Iron Extreme News Around The Country

Major Players: Who Will Win the 2023 NASA Championships?
on July 12, 2023
Every year we put out a list of drivers favored to win the NASA Championships and every year we get a lot of it wrong. But this year feels different. […]
There’s Just Something About Hallett
on July 12, 2023
For at least the last decade, there’s a summer celebration of speed and camaraderie that takes place once a year at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in […]
NASA and Hawk Performance Relaunch National Partnership for 2023
on June 14, 2023
The National Auto Sport Association is pleased to welcome Hawk Performance back as a NASA national partner, member benefits and contingency prize […]
Great Lakes May 2023 Racing Competition at Mid-Ohio
on June 14, 2023
The NASA Great Lakes weekend in May at Mid-Ohio brought intense competition and demonstrated exceptional skill and sportsmanship from the drivers […]
Two NASA Racers Form Track Aero Consulting Service
on April 12, 2023
For many NASA racers, adding aerodynamic grip is a little like fumbling around in the dark, trying to find a light switch. They hazard a guess, try a […]

Reviews

What American Iron Extreme Competitors Say

“AIX first caught my attention many years back because of the wild builds that were running in the class. Legends like Paul Faessler and his son Brian, Chris Griswold, and Ernesto Roco managed to take cars that usually run in a straight-line and make them extremely nimble and fast on a road course. In fact, so fast, that this class typically is one of the quickest on the track besides real downforce cars. We all typically see speeds in excess of 170-plus in the straights. For example, at Road Atlanta, we typically see about 170-175mph on the back straight and then around Turn 9. One of the coolest factors about the class is the freedom allowed to express one’s creativity as a car enthusiast and builder. The rule book for this class is only several pages so you can get pretty wild as long as you follow the few basic guidelines. Power adders are a must in this class if you want to be competitive, which then ramps up braking and suspension, so these are some extreme builds. Jim Walters, who is one of my best friends and a pro-mod drag car fabricator, has been by my side since the beginning, and is credited for the wild side of our AIX car. Again, this class allowed him to apply his straight-line turbo kit knowledge to design a rocket in the straights. Beyond that, it has been trial and error, and practice getting the car dialed in on braking and turns. It’s always a work in process. I truly feel that this class exemplifies the builder and that’s what makes it special. Yes, the driver is important, but to be competitive in this class, you have to bring the right machine, and it takes skill to transform a Mustang or whatever heavy unibody car you are bringing to the table. There’s only a few of us out there but I hope lots of other people will catch the bug! This class is ‘extreme’ to say the least!”

“I have always been a Ford/Mustang guy. When I moved from DE events to racing in my ’65, it was already above the AI power to weight ratio, so I ran it in the AI Vintage class. When that class was dropped two weeks before Nationals (2005 or 2006), I decided to build flairs, borrowed wider wheels and entered AIX. What I like about AIX is that there is no dyno compliance. I get to think out of the box, and developed my unique turbo system, suspension etc. I also like running toward the front of the pack in our regional races.”

“I decided to race in AIX because my dad’s business (Paul's Automotive Engineering) works on Mustangs. I first started racing in 2010, and we wanted to showcase what our shop could do with a custom-built Mustang. I’ve raced my 2010 in AIX and my dad (Paul Faessler) raced his '65 in AIX, and we’ve had success. We love racing in AIX because we love showing everyone what American Muscle can do on the race track.”

Videos

Get On-Board with American Iron Extreme Drivers

Contact Us

American Iron Extreme Series Contacts

American Iron Extreme

Al Watson

Region: Northeast

Title(s): National Series Director

Series: American Iron,American Iron Extreme,Spec Iron