Technically, yes, fluids, filters, spark plugs & wires all count against the cap:
2.1: Vehicle Eligibility: ...Vehicles must be acquired and prepared for a maximum of $500 as described in Section 4.
4.1: Total Investment in Vehicle Can Not Exceed $500: Except for items described in Rules 4.2 and 4.3, the total spent to purchase and prepare any car may not exceed $500
4.2: Safety Equipment DOES NOT Count Toward $500 Total: Safety equipment described in Section 3 DOES NOT count toward the $500 total. "Safety" refers to things that can save the driver--not things that can save the car.
4.2.1: Beside the items and processes listed in Section 3, the following are considered safety-related and therefore exempt:
+ Wheels, tires, wheel bearings, and brake components
+ Exhaust systems downstream of the header/exhaust manifold (NOTE: Turbos and related components are NOT exempt from the $500 limit. Nice try.)
+ Windshields and wipers. (Stock windshields, true Lexan, or circle-track mesh are acceptable; non-Lexan plastic is not acceptable.)
+ Driver comfort & information (steering wheel, shifter, gauges, pedals, cool suits, vents, heaters, radio)
+ All fuel hoses, fuel fittings, fuel filters, and related mounts
+ All fuel-system components upstream of the fuel pump, including tanks/cells, mounts, fillers, vents, etc. (NOTE: Fuel pumps, carburetors, injection pumps, computers, and individual injectors are NOT exempt from the $500 limit.)
# 4.3: Registration, Insurance, and License DO NOT Count Toward $500 Total: Registration, insurance, or license charges--assuming for some reason you bothered--DO NOT count toward the $500 total
Now, if you were an aggressive, litigious type who likes to provoke outrage and self-inflicted wounds, you could make an argument that the above does not address whether or not "consumables" (like fuel) fall under the $500 limit (they don't). So you could make the argument that your car is so crappy that oil isn't a lubricant but is more like a consumable (this could be true) and thus shouldn't count against the limit.
Practically speaking, nobody cares and you're not going to get dinged for using race oil. Go ahead and spend as much money on the good oil so that we can all enjoy it when your car barfs on the track (just like mine). Load up on expensive go-fast parts like K&N filters and 10mm spark plug wires, but know that pretty parts raise the suspicion of the judges, which makes them start looking for cheaty parts that aren't so obvious.
But remember -- this is an endurance race. Speed hardly matters unless you can go at speed for 14+ hours. Good luck.
Pat Mulry, TARP Racing #67
Mandatory disclaimer: all opinions expressed are mine alone & not those of 24HOL, its mgmt, sponsors, etc.
IMO it does and should count towards the $500.
