2007 Procedural Rules
2007 Procedural Rules
1. All cars must be signed in at the pit entrance to be placed in heat races. All cars will be assigned starting positions according to handicap. Any car arriving less than thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled starting time will automatically start at the rear of the heat regardless of handicap.
2. Any car unable to make its assigned heat will be placed directly into the consolation race.
3. All cars participating
in an event will assemble in the staging area during the preceding event and
enter the track at the signal of the race director. All cars will stop in their
starting positions at the start-finish line. At the starter's signal, the field
will begin its pace lap. The turn two pit gate
attendant will regulate entry to the track after the start of the pace lap.
You must come to a complete stop at the turn two entrance and wait for the
flagman's instructions. Failure to obey will result in disqualification.
There will be NO
COURTESY LAPS for pitting or flat tires. With this and the interest of safety
you will be allowed to enter the track after the field has taken the green flag
and fall in the back of the pack as they pass the turn two pit gate. You will
not be considered a lap down. The turn two flagger will determine if your car is
able to enter and when it is too late to enter. This is the only time you may
enter track under green flag conditions.
Turn two is the ONLY
entrance to the racetrack. ANY CAR DISOBEYING THE TURN TWO PIT GATE ATTENDANT'S
STOP SIGNAL OR ENTERING THE TRACK FROM TURN ONE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY
DISQUALIFIED.
There will be no driving the wrong way on the racing surface unless
instructed to do so by an official.
4. All starts will be signaled by the starter. Prior to a start the pace car will leave the raceway on the backstretch and the yellow raceway traffic lights will go out. Be ready to go racing! All original starts will be controlled by the driver of the pole car, who may accelerate only after passing the white line between turns three and four. If the outside pole driver goes before the pole driver, the green will be displayed, but the yellow will come out by the backstretch. (NOTE: When a yellow is displayed immediately after a start, maintain a reasonable tempo until cars can be safely brought under control. Resist the temptation to drastically reduce your speed--remember, there are people racing behind you!) The outside pole driver jumping the start will be warned the first time and sent to the rear for the second offense.
ORIGINAL STARTS: All original starts will be double file. The field will receive the green flag in the area of the white line between turns three and four. Do not start to pass until you pass the start/finish line. If you break from line, you will be set back two spots for each car you pass.
RESTARTS: Restart lineups will revert to the last completed lap. Restarts will be double file for initial start. All subsequent restarts will be single file. Single file restarts will require cars to be NOSE-TO-TAIL, in line. On all restarts racing begins at the drop of the green. Any car obtaining an advantage on a single-file restart by being out of line may be disqualified or set back two spots for each car passed by the starter. Restart penalties will be assessed on the next restart lineup. If the race ends without another yellow, the penalties will be assessed on the final order of finish.
5. A race may be stopped at the discretion of the race director or starter if they consider it dangerous or unsafe to continue.
6. The feature race shall run the full distance, if possible to run. The race director and starter may shorten any race if it becomes impossible to run or if in the best interest of the program it should not be continued. Feature races must complete at least half the distance to be official. Time limits can be enforced at any time by the race director and will equal 1 and 1/2 minutes per lap per event. EX; 20 lap race = 30 minute time limit.
7. If a race meet is halted due to rain or other adverse conditions, prize money for all events run will be paid. If all heats for a division have been run AND the promoters do NOT issue rain check, feature(s) will be run as a part of a subsequent event. If rain checks are issued only events run will be paid.
8. Once an event has received a green flag, no other cars may join the field or be substituted (with the exception of proc. Rule # 3). No driver changes permitted after an event has received a green flag. Driver changes between events are permitted, but will result in the following: a) second car driven will start last in the next event, and b) first car driven will be scratched and must be requalified for the feature. In all cases cars, not drivers, will be handicapped using a 3 week point average with maximum points awarded for races missed.
9. DECISIONS OF TRACK OFFICIALS REGARDING RACE PROCEDURES OR SCORING SHALL BE CONSIDERED FINAL.
10. When a race is halted for any reason, drivers must remain in their cars in order to restart the event as quickly as possible, Any driver leaving or working on a car on the racetrack will be sent to the rear.
Crew members leaving the pit area and entering the racing surface during an event will cause that car's immediate disqualification from the event.
11. Any car entering the pits during an event must use the turn one gate only and if it returns to the field will restart at the rear. Enter pits only under yellow. Re-entry to the track must be done by the turn two entrance. Any car being black flagged for the second time with the same problem will be removed from the event.
The second turn pit gate attendant may refuse entry/re-entry to the track to any car visibly unfit to compete, i.e. leaking fluids, loose body panels, etc. The attendant shall notify the driver of the problem and assist his safe return to the pit area.
Once the track is under
green, the second turn gate will close and no car may re-enter the raceway until
a yellow flag is thrown. (with the exception of proc. Rule #3)
Any car two or more laps
behind the leader in heat races (four or more laps in features) will not be
permitted to rejoin the field. Lapped cars two or more laps behind the leader
who impede or interfere with cars racing on the lead lap may be black flagged
and removed from the event at the discretion of the starter.
Lap cars will move to the inside lane and stay out of the way of passing cars. If a lap car fails to listen to move over flag or gets passed on the inside, they will be black flagged out of race. They will receive last place points and money for the amount of cars that were on the track at the time of the black flag. If a lap car causes an accident, they will be disqualified and receive no points or money.
12. No laps will be given for competitors returning to the pits for tire changes or repairs.
13. Any driver who causes a yellow three times (or 2 times by himself) in an event will be removed from the event (any driver who intentionally causes a yellow may be disqualified) at the discretion of the starter or race director.
14. Any car leaking anti-freeze (not permitted in any racecar) on the racetrack will be disqualified for the night (no point-no money) and the owner fined $35.00.
15. TOP FIVE feature
event finishers (other amounts and events as directed by track officials) must
report directly to the scale after exiting the track. Failure to do so
will result in disqualification. All weights will be checked with driver in
the car. Any parts of the racecar initially on the car at the start of the event
and lost during competition may be added at the scale if they can be retrieved
by track staff.
16. Any competitor
holding up the show for any reason will be immediately disqualified. Any car
stopping on the racetrack at any time for any reason will be sent to the rear.
If this occurs a second time the car will be removed from the event. Decisions
on track position will be final and are determined solely be the transponder
system. Drivers are not allowed to discuss or debate positioning or any other
calls with racetrack flaggers or other officials while an event is in progress.
17. All cars
making contact in an accident will be placed in rear.
18. ROUGH RIDING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. You will receive ONE warning. After that you will be sent to the rear or black flagged. Any car black flagged for rough riding will receive no points for that event. If it is a feature the driver will receive no points or no money and will receive maximum handicap points for that event. Hitting after the yellow/checkered included. The fine will go to the victim of the offense to pay for damages incurred. The penalty invoked will be determined by a board of officials. Any intentional hitting anywhere or anytime will result in a fine of no less than five hundred dollars and up to a calendar year suspension. Violators will face prosecution on applicable charges. Defective equipment (i.e. faulty brakes, stuck throttle, etc.) will be the responsibility of the driver and under no circumstance will be accepted as an excuse for the incident.
FLAG RULES:
GREEN FLAG: The track is clear for racing--the event has officially started (or restarted). If held in a rolled position, you will be going green the next time around.
YELLOW FLAG: The most important flag, simply means SLOW DOWN, stay in line, no passing, and keep your eyes open for an accident, stalled car, debris, or anything else dangerous to you, fellow competitors, or spectators. You must get into single file for safety and line up purposes until told by officials to double up if so needed. Anyone not abiding by this rule will be sent to the back for the next re-start.
There are corner men, traffic lights, plus the starter who will be showing a yellow flag or light to warn you of impending danger. Anyone racing under the yellow will receive the following penalty.
1ST TIME: Verbal warning by the starter.
2ND TIME: Disqualified from the event and the rest of the night.
3RD TIME: Disqualified from the event, the rest of the night, and a week suspension and possible fine from raceway management.
RED FLAG: Simply means stop as quickly and safely as possible, there has been a bad crash and possible driver injury. All cornermen have red flags and there are three traffic lights to warn you of a red flag condition. CARS ENTERING THE PITS UNDER RED FLAG CONDITIONS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE EVENT. Under the red flag the only movement permitted will be at the direction of track officials. Move only to the extent of their direction as safety vehicles may be operating on the raceway.
When the emergency situation is cleared, cars will be signaled to move by yellow flag or yellow traffic lights. At this time, proceed with caution to the start/finish line for realignment or to the pits for repairs.
Failure to stop within a reasonable distance or movement under the red will result in the following penalties:
1ST TIME: Verbal warning by track official (those entering the pits will be disqualified from the event).
2ND TIME: Disqualified from the event and the rest of the night.
3RD TIME: Disqualified from the event, the rest of the night, and a week suspension and possible fine from raceway management.
PASSING FLAG: (blue with yellow diagonal stripe) This is a passing or move over flag, given to slower or lapped cars. It means move to the INSIDE of the track, keep out of the racing groove, and maintain your speed. Failing to obey this flag will result in the following penalties:
1ST TIME: Verbal warning by starter (NOTE: Since it is impossible for the starter to give you a verbal warning while the race is going on, if you are totally disobeying the passing flag, you will be black flagged at his discretion--see black flag).
2ND TIME: Black flagged, disqualified from the event.
3RD TIME: Disqualified from the event, the rest of the night, and a week suspension and possible fine from raceway management.
BLACK FLAG: You have been disqualified from the event for a rule infraction, or a safety hazard exists (smoking, leaking, mechanical problem, etc.) with your racecar. PULL INTO THE INFIELD IMMEDIATELY. You will receive the black flag two (2) times along with the chalkboard with your car number on it. If you do not pull off after two laps, you will no longer be scored or a yellow may be brought out to remove you from the event. If a yellow is required, you are disqualified for the night, for a first offense.
2ND TIME: Disqualified for the night and a week suspension and possible fine from raceway management.
3RD TIME: Same as above with a two week suspension.
WHITE FLAG: One lap to go in the event.
CHECKERED FLAG: Finish of event. At the completion of an event, maintain reasonable speed into the first turn. Remember, there are people racing behind you.
Starters flag signals to signify end of event are official.
Additions/changes to these rules may be made by the Mountain Speedway as deemed necessary.