Valve Cover Races!

Racing to the Finish: Experience the Thrill of Valve Cover Races

at NACAT 2025

Valve Cover Races!

a NACAT family tradition

by Wade Johnson

History:

The first valve cover race was not held at a NACAT conference although the North American Council of Automotive Teachers organization was founded earlier than the first recorded valve cover race.  According to Hot Rod Magazine the first valve cover race was held in 1987 at the West Coast Nationals in California.

Racing at NACAT:

What is valve cover racing?  It is usually a fun and light hearted side activity at a larger event.  Traditionally at a NACAT conference after a long day of training sessions, attendees and their families enjoy an evening BBQ dinner and a fun but competitive valve cover race.  Valve cover racing is very similar to a pinewood derby except the racer is based off of a valve cover of your choice as long as it is within certain dimensions.  After you have chosen your favorite base, now it is time to add wheels and possibly a custom paint job!  You can be as creative as you want!  According to an old NACAT document the race track is: A launch incline 8’ long followed by a level run of 20’.  Two divided lanes are to be 18” wide each, a mechanical launch gate, and a visual finish line indicator light for accuracy (We wouldn’t want any favoritism!!)  We highly encourage attendees to build a valve cover to race at this year’s conference…let’s see what you’ve got!!

Rules:

As I mentioned before, there are rules for the size and weight of your racer.  They are:

1. Must be an automotive valve cover.
2. No engines or propulsion of any kind.
3. No moving weights
4. Wheels can be attached in any manner, but cannot extend past the front of the valve cover.
5. Nothing can extend beyond the front of the valve cover.
6. Wheels must have a non-metallic material contacting the race track.
7. 30 inch max overall length
8. 15 inch max overall width
9. 10 inch max overall height
10. 10 LBS max overall weight

Friendly…but competitive:

Valve cover racing at NACAT is an awesome bonding experience for all attendees.  Competition is friendly but can get fierce, especially when it is a race between the Canadians and the Americans!  There is always a race-off to crown the overall international champion.  There is also a kids category for ages 13 and under.  My 13 year old son went to NACAT 2022 in Covington, KY and watched the races.  He has been bugging me to build a racer ever since.  My son and I are going to build racers for this year.  He already has his valve cover that he scavenged from an LS 5.3L long block that we replaced.  I am still on the hunt for mine!  Pictures of our builds to follow in a later post.

We want to see you race at NACAT 2025!

We hope to see your valve covers in Detroit!  If you are worried about transporting your racer, it can be shipped to the conference hotel.

Hotel and Conference Location Details:

MotorCity Casino Hotel

2901 Grand River Ave,

Detroit, MI 48201

Here are some pics and video of past Valve Cover Races If you have any questions about valve cover racing, you can contact Heather Sebben at heather@nacat.org

I hope to see you in June!

Wade Johnson