VINTON, Iowa (Dec. 4, 2002) - The International Motor Contest Association has announced the policy it will be using in approving parts used in the six divisions to be sanctioned in 2003.

"There may be products that meet our rules but have not gone through the inspection and approval process by our ex-ecutive committee," explained I.M.C.A. Vice President of Opera-tions, Brett Root. "That doesn't mean those parts are automatically nonconforming to our rules. It means we have not had the opportunity to inspect and approve them."

Root went on to say, "When a part is inspected and approved for use by I.M.C.A. drivers, the team and driver can be confident that they will be allowed to compete using the product without risking disqualification or other penalty, so long as the product remains in its original approved form."

Any manufacturer seeking approval should send the product to the attention of the ex-ecutive committee at the I.M.C.A. office, 1800 West D Street in Vinton, Iowa, 52349.

If those parts are determined to conform to the I.M.C.A. rules, the manufacturer will be notified in writing within 10 business days of the decision by the I.M.C.A. executive com-mittee. Manufacturers should be prepared to answer ques-tions which may arise and should understand that the product will be retained by I.M.C.A. to be used as a standard, should any questions arise during competition about whether or not the product conforms or has been modified to where it no longer conforms to the rules.

Where a product is determined not to conform to I.M.C.A. rules, the I.M.C.A. executive committee will make an at-tempt to explain why the product was non-conforming, or make a reasonable attempt to explain why it was non-conforming.

"Specific questions have been raised about whether or not various transmissions have been approved for certain I.M.C.A. divisions," said Root emphasizing that "No determina-tions and approvals have been issued regarding any transmissions or transmission compo-nents. It is anticipated that some manufacturers will seek approval through the ap-proval process and that a conforming products list will be published on our website."

If you have any questions about whether or not a product has been approved, it is sug-gested questions may be e-mailed to raceimca@aol.com, or by letter, directed to the I.M.C.A. executive committee at the address listed above.