PROCEDURE AND LINEUP RULES FOR THE
(Updated: May 21, 2009)
Note these rules are
subject to change during the racing season. The officials’ interpretation of
these rules is FINAL
If a driver should have any questions about the
procedures (such as starts, restarts, lineups, rough driving, etc.) that driver
should ask questions at the driver’s meeting or direct their questions to the
race director/competition director. All “on-track” or race procedural disputes
protests or concerns should also be directed to the race director for the final
decision to be settled at the track during
the night of the event.
1. CHECK IN: All participants must be
signed in prior to the mandatory driver’s meeting.
2.
DRIVER’S
MEETING: All participants must attend all drivers’
meetings. Roll call may be taken for your division. Failure to attend without
notifying the chief pit steward or competition director prior to the meeting
will result in the driver starting from the rear of the heat race. (If there
are no heat races you will start from the rear of the field).
3.
TECH
INSPECTION PROCEDURES: All cars are required to pass post race
technical inspection. Post race tech is required for the following positions
however this number may be adjusted for certain events: In the heat races, the
top three (3) finishers and in the feature races, the top five (5) finishers.
If a driver should have any questions or concerns about the legality of his/her
car(s) prior to events, pre-tech is available. It is the driver’s
responsibility to talk to the chief tech inspector or his/her assistant about
the question or concern.
4.
QUALIFYING:
Drivers may not attempt to qualify more than one car per division in the heats.
All car changes must be reported to the chief pit steward prior to the lineup
of the heat races or main races. With permission from the race director drivers
may attempt to qualify a different car from the rear of the next qualifying
event.
5.
PRE-RACE
LINE UP: All cars will line up in the designated staging
area prior to their respective heat and feature races. Any car not staged and
ready to go when the division is called on to the track may not be permitted to
start the race or will be relegated to start in the rear of the field at the
discretion of the chief pit steward or competition director. If a car cannot
make a call for a heat, it cannot start in another heat (EIRI – “Except In Rare
Instances”). Once the initial green flag of a heat or feature is dropped a
driver may not use a backup car. Drivers may not substitute with a car that has
already been qualified. Driver and car are considered one for the entire event
unless the chief pit steward is notified of a change. If a backup car is
utilized for the feature event it must start from the rear of the field. Once a
car is scratched from the event, that car may not re-enter in any more races at
that event. In case of a car(s) dropping out of a line-up the cars in the
following rows will move straight up, no criss-crossing.
6.
INITIAL
RACE STARTS: All initial race starts will take place in the
“box” when the green flag is dropped. All initial starts will be double file starts
(EIRI) at a consistent medium speed. No
passing is allowed until you clear the “box” in turn four. The penalty for
breaking this rule will be two positions at the next restart or at the end of
the event, whichever comes first. If no laps have been completed with the green
flag displayed, then there will be a complete double-file restart with the
car(s) causing the caution being placed at the rear of the field (EIRI), regular
accident rules prevail.
7.
RESTARTS:
All restarts will take place in the “box” when the leader
fires or the green flag is waived. If
the leader has not fired by the line in turn four the race will begin with the
green flag being dropped by the flagman. All restarts will be single file in a nose-to-tail formation at a
consistent medium speed if one or more official laps have been scored. No passing is allowed until you clear the
“box” in turn four. The penalty will be the same as on initial race starts. Drivers
choosing not to go to their designated positions at an official’s request may
be relegated to the rear of the field or to the pits at the official’s
discretion. All cars should maintain a nose-to-tail line-up from the time of
the caution, Please hold your position, cars
failing to maintain position will be subject to discretionary position.
8.
SCRUBBING
TIRES: Drivers will be allowed to scrub in tires on
pace laps until they enter the back stretch on the final pace lap before the
green flag is waived on starts and restarts. Any driver scrubbing tires after
turn two on the final pace lap on initial starts and restarts will be penalized
two positions on the next restart or at the end of the event, whichever comes
first.
9.
PACE CAR: When the pace car lights go
out the race will be going green next time. It is the driver’s responsibility
to be ready to start at this time.
10. JUMPING ON STARTS AND RESTARTS:
Any driver who begins racing and passing or is not in a nose-to-tail formation
before the green flag is dropped will be penalized for jumping. Any driver not
in the nose-to-tail formation will be subject to all jumping penalties. Anyone
considered jumping will be penalized two (2) spots from their previous restart
position during the next re-start or at the end of the race, whichever comes
first. If a driver is caught jumping a second time in the same event they may
be disqualified and relegated to the pits.
11. THREE CAUTION RULE:
Any driver involved in three yellow flags per event, for any reason, will be
black-flagged from the event and relegated to the pits.
12. SPINOUTS:
Drivers that spin out on the track must try to get going immediately and not
stop the race. If anyone is deemed to be deliberately stopping a race, they
will be penalized 1 lap. If you should spin into the infield grass please do
not spin the tires and tear up the grass. Anyone tearing up the grass will be
subject to disqualification at the official’s discretion. Re-entry to the
speedway should occur on the straight-aways only.
13. ROUGH DRIVING:
If anyone is observed causing other drivers to spin or lose control of their
car, that driver will be warned, penalized or disqualified at the official’s
discretion depending on severity.
14. PASSING: It
is the responsibility of both the overtaking and overtaken driver to assure
safe passing at racing speeds. A driver being overtaken must give the
overtaking driver a lane to race. A driver traveling alone may use the full
width of the track, but once he/she is challenged, they must choose a lane to
race in. Passing may be either right or left depending on the conditions of the
moment.
15. ACCIDENT RULES: Any driver(s) deemed to be the cause of a
caution will be sent to the rear of the field for the restart. If there is
contact between two cars and one of those cars spins out and the caution is
displayed both drivers will be sent to rear as well as anyone else involved in
the wreck. Whether you spin to avoid the accident or not you will be considered
part of the caution and sent to the rear of the field for the restart (EIRI).
16. BLACK FLAG:
A black flag may be given to any driver that is losing a part on their racecar,
not racing at a safe speed, smoking badly or to assess a driver penalty. This
includes the loss of the front or rear bumpers. The driver will have two laps
(yellow or green) to leave the track or the yellow may be thrown to remove the
driver. When a black flag is displayed, that driver should seek immediate
consultation with an official as for the reason for the black flag. Decisions
on black flags will be made at the discretion of the competition director.
17. PITTING DURING A RACE: All
drivers going to the pits under a yellow or a red must go to the rear of the
field upon their return to the race. Any car(s) wanting to return after the
race has been restarted must do so from the grid at the direction of the track
entrance official.
18.
19. LAPPED DRIVERS:
On restarts, lapped drivers will be placed at the rear of the field. If a
driver is shown the “move over” flag (blue with yellow diagonal) for two (2)
consecutive laps and does not move out of the racing groove to allow faster
drivers to pass, a black flag will be displayed to that driver. Remember that
if you were just lapped by the leader, there will be more cars coming! Once a
competitor has been put a lap down he/she must maintain a minimum speed to be
allowed to remain on-track (EIRI). Minimum lap times are as follows and may
change based on car count, race conditions or other factors as determined by
the Race Director. Roadsters- 17 seconds, Legends- 19 seconds, Bandoleros- 20
seconds.
20. CARS MOVING THROUGH THE PITS:
Cars moving through the pits or infield will do so with extreme caution and at
a minimal speed (10mph maximum). Any driver which is deemed driving dangerous,
erratic or of inappropriately excessive speed for the circumstances will be
penalized and/or suspended accordingly. No
one (except the driver) is allowed to ride in or on the racecar at any time.
Anyone not adhering to this rule may risk immediate disqualification from the
entire schedule of events.
21. SAFETY APPAREL:
All drivers must wear seat belts, safety suit and helmet when on the racetrack.
This includes slow warm-ups, racing, or whenever the car is in motion.
22. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT:
There will be no harassment of officials, safety crews, ambulance crews,
spectators or other drivers and crews. Any unsportsmanlike conduct on the track
or in the pits may result in the suspension of the driver and car. Drivers are responsible for the actions
of all pit crewmembers and will be penalized accordingly for their actions.
Anyone who willfully or maliciously uses a race car on the track or in the pits
to injure, destroy or damage another person or property will be suspended plus
subject to arrest.
23. INVERSION:
We may invert cars for the feature races based on a number pull or by other
means just prior to the start of the nights first feature race. This activity will
take place at the start/finish line by the chief pit steward or other speedway
official. The inversion will never affect more than eight cars or the first
four rows.
24. POINTS LEADER STARTING POSITION:
During Thursday Thunder events the points leader will start in the fifth row of
the feature race only if that competitor earns this spot in their heat race. Where
in the fifth row will depend on the heat race that he/she competes in. If a
driver should fail to make the call for their feature event and a row is moved
up for the beginning of the event the leader will remain in the fifth row and
not be moved up. This rule will be used at the official’s discretion and may be
eliminated for certain events.
25. FAILING TO CONTINUE:
If you are stopped on track and deemed to have intentionally waited for the
caution to be displayed you will automatically lose 1 lap and be relegated to the
rear of the field for the restart. Any competitor that is deemed to have done
this twice in one event will be sent to the pits for the remainder of that
race.
26. GREEN, WHITE, CHECKERED:
If a caution becomes necessary after the white flag has been displayed there
will be absolutely no racing back to the checkered flag to determine a winner.
We will line the cars up and make one attempt at a green, white, checkered
finish. If during this attempt it becomes necessary for another caution then we
will throw the checkered flag and determine the finishing order based on the
last green flag lap.
27. GRID: All competitors
shall report to the grid at least twenty (20) minutes prior to their respective
heat or feature race. If you are not present when your event is being staged
you may be relegated to start from the rear of that event. Competitors shall
report to the designated area for their class at the grid and all cars shall
have a driver or crew member present at the car at all times while on the grid.
There will a maximum of two (2) crew members allowed on the grid per team.
28. Raceceivers
are mandatory for every division during all on track activities including
practices, heat races and feature races (this includes practices held
separately from race nights). Failure to respond to commands given by race
control over the raceceiver may result in that driver being relegated to the
rear of the field for the start or re-start or black flagged for the remainder
of the event. Remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that the raceceiver
is working properly. TAKE THE BATTERIES
OUT AFTER EACH USE.
29. Transponders are
mandatory for every division during all on track activities including
practices, heat races and feature races. It is the responsibility of the
competitor to ensure that the transponder is working properly. If there is any
question about installation or to find out if your transponder is working see a
Technical inspector prior to any on track activity. If your transponder is not
being recognized by the scoring system you may be black flagged or not scored
for the remainder of the event.
30. Drivers
may not get out of their cars except in an emergency (such as fire or a fuel
leak) or if requested by an official. If you are in a safe place on the infield
and the race remains green, do not take off your helmet or unbuckle your safety
harness until you are directed to do so by a race official.
31. Use
good judgment when your car malfunctions by staying out of the racing groove so
as not to hinder others.
32. No alcoholic beverages allowed in the
pits. Violators will be suspended for a period of
time to be determined by the officials. Remember…. Drivers are responsible for
their crewmembers.
33. No
non-licensed motorized vehicles including golf carts, ATV’s, and scooters are permitted.
Only purpose-built single person motorized vehicles will be allowed for the use
by the physically impaired.
34. Anyone
causing a disturbance at the flagstand or on the track with an official may be
suspended. Communicate to the race director via the chief pit steward on pit
road.
35. All
personal property brought to the speedway by a team MUST be removed with them
when they leave. This means tires, racecar parts, drain oil, etc. Please clean
up after yourselves. In advance, thank you for your cooperation!
36. Check
all drain plugs and gas caps before your race so we can minimize caution
periods and be able to give all of the drivers more track time for their
events. Your cooperation and attention paid to these items are greatly
appreciated by both your fellow competitors and us.
37. Any
situation not covered by these rules will be dealt with at the discretion of
the race officials and their decision is FINAL.
38. A
valid INEX membership license is required for all practice and race events.
SCORING PROCEDURES:
1. SCORING LAPS:
Laps are scored and counted as complete when the majority of the field (over
50%) has passed the start/finish line. If the yellow flag is displayed and the
majority of the field has not crossed the start/finish line then we will line up
cars based on the previous green flag lap’s lineup. If the majority of the field
fails to complete the first lap under green then the lap will not be scored and
there will be a complete double file restart. If the field completes the first lap under green, the
first lap shall be scored and any subsequent yellow flags shall result in the
drivers lining up single file in their designated
position.
2. PASSING UNDER THE YELLOW: Any driver attempting to improve his position while running under the
yellow will be returned to its rightful running position and faces possible penalty for delaying the race. Refusal
to maintain the proper position will result in a two-position penalty.
3. RESTART LINEUPS: All restart lineups will be derived from the scorers’ lap sheets. All cars that were scored
under green flag conditions will hold their positions under the yellow flag.
FLAG RULES:
1. Green: Indicates the entire track is clear for racing. Passing will not be permitted before the green flag is displayed
at the designated point.
2. Yellow: All drivers must come to the pace car speed (medium and consistent) as soon as safely possible and fall
into single or double file nose-to-tail formation behind the pace car. Absolutely no passing under the yellow is
permitted unless directed by an official. Racing back to the start/finish line under the caution is not permitted.
3. Red: All drivers must come to a complete stop where they are at on the track, otherwise disqualification may result.
the race will be restarted when it is safe to do so. Remember, use your head, the emergency crews and track officials will be entering the track. Scoring will revert back to the previous green flag lap scored.
4. Black: The black flag is to be used at the race director’s discretion.
Furled and pointing: You have committed a dangerous or unsportsmanlike action. Desist or you will be penalized.
Waving: A driver given the black flag must pull off the track to an official immediately for consultation. Failure
To do so within three laps, the driver will not be scored from that point on and may face a more severe penalty.
5. “Crossed Flags”: The race is at the halfway point.
6. Blue w/Yellow Diagonal: Indicates that the leader and/or other cars on the lead lap are overtaking a driver.
The driver must move over to the high (outside) groove of the track to permit faster cars by them. Remember, if you were just lapped by the leader there may be more cars coming.
7. White: Indicates one lap to go in the race.
8. Checkered: Indicates the race is officially completed and all drivers must pass underneath it to be scored on the
last lap. A race is not completed until the checkered flag is displayed. A yellow and checkered may be displayed simultaneously which means be aware of trouble on the track. No person shall have the authority to order a
completed
competition to be run again.
INCLEMENT WEATHER/CANCELLATION OF AN
INEX-SANCTIONED EVENT:
In the event of rain or other conditions, it may be necessary for the Race Director/Promoter to adjust the order of the
event schedule, length of races, practices and qualifying sessions, or to stop the program completely. Should this occur,
the Race Director/Promoter shall make every effort to resume the schedule in a timely fashion if conditions improve.
It is their sole discretion as to what decision they make and their decision is final.