2025 Stephenson County Fair CARQUEST TOUGH CHALLENGE RULES
The competition is open to any 4, 6, or 8 cylinder car, truck, van or SUV and side by side. Classes will be as follows: Stock Vehicle, Modified Vehicle, Stock Side by Side, and Modified Side by Side. Final class placement of entry will be up to Officials.
Any vehicle that enters the competition must pass a basic safety inspection, which includes all gas tanks and checking that batteries are secure. Air bags must be disconnected or removed. Hood and driver’s door must be secured with chain or cable. Cars/Trucks/SUVs please remove as much easily breakable plastic as possible ie headlights, taillights, turn signals, trim, etc. Help cleaning track following event is appreciated. All vehicles must have working brakes. Vehicle must have a working seatbelt which the driver must wear at all times while the vehicle is in motion. NO PASSENGERS WILL BE ALLOWED. All drivers must wear a DOT approved helmet and neck support at all times while in competition. Roll Bar/Roll Cage is highly suggested, but not required for any hard top vehicle. Any soft top or open top vehicle must have an approved roll bar/roll cage.
IDLE SPEED IS MANDATORY AT ALL NON-COMPETITION TIMES, this includes any time in the pit area, entering, and leaving the track. You must come to a complete stop after each run and follow the directions of the officials. No moving vehicles unless approved by an official. Any “hot rodding” will not be allowed and is grounds for immediate disqualification.
All decisions made by the officials are FINAL. Any arguing with officials WILL result in disqualification, forfeiture of all entries and fees, and removal from fairgrounds.
While this is a competition, we are there to entertain the spectators. The racecourse will be a dirt course with a small to medium dirt jumps, mud pit, etc. 1 vehicle at a time racing against the clock.
An entry fee of $35 will be required for early registration and $50 for late registration (after July 14, 2025). Entry fee covers driver and one assistant. Limited to 1st 25 Entries in each class description. Payment due upon registration and is non-refundable. All vehicles must be signed up by 6pm, Thursday, July 24, 2025. EARLY entries recommended online at StephensonCountyFair.org or in the Fair Office. Entries made the day of may be made starting at NOON July 24, in the Pit Office located on the north side of the track.
All drivers must sign a safety waiver and must be over 18 years old. You must have a valid driver’s license to compete. Assistant MUST attend Driver’s Meeting and sign safety waiver. Drivers and Assistants Meeting at 7PM in the Pit Office. All drivers and their ONE designated assistant must be present at Driver’s Meeting to race or be in the hot pit area during the event. Competition order will be announced during meeting and numbers distributed to display in front window for Line-Up Official. ALL additional family and friends MUST either stay out of the track/hot pit area or watch from the Grandstands. The Grandstands are FREE for this event.
CASH prizes of $300, $200, $100 to the top 3 in each class will be awarded as prize money. If we have OVER 15 entries per class CASH prizes will be $350, $250, $175, $100, $50. FAN FAVORITE in each class will receive $50.
The Stephenson County Fair Association, its track personnel, and officials are not responsible for any damage to vehicles.
Questions about rules, entries, or to sponsor a class, contact:
Josh DeHaven at 815-541-7345 or the Stephenson County Fair Office.