2002 Racing Season General Rules, Pit Rules and Information

           

It is the responsibility of the Car Owner to be sure all safety equipment is of the best quality available. The Whittemore Speedway will not be responsible for the quality of the welds, roll cage construction or material, fire extinguisher, seat belts, helmet, fuel container and the general construction of the racecar. At no time is there any guarantee of the safety expressed or implied by the Whittemore Speedway.

 

We must work together to promote the sport of Stock Car Racing. Our Racer’s and Fan’s come to compete in and watch races, not demonstrations and un-professional acts. Your conduct at the Whittemore Speedway is a direct reflection on all of us. Any owner, driver, crew member or racing affiliate that takes part in physical or verbal assaults or threatens any track official or person working under the President of the Speedway or that takes part in any demonstration, fight or un-professional act in the pits, on the track or Speedway property, before, during or after that nights race program will be subject to immediate suspension, removal from Speedway property, loss of total points and money and will be put on probation.

 

1.                  The Track Officials will make interpretation of all rules.

 

2.                  The pits will open at 3:00 pm. Qualifying begins at 5:00 pm and ends at 6:30 pm. Racing starts at 7:00 pm. No rainouts after the Australian Pursuits. Rain checks only, No Cash Refunds.

 

3.                  The minimum age for a racecar driver is 15. You must have a notarized waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.

 

4.                  Everyone entering the pits must sign a waiver sheet.

 

5.                  At no time are you and or your pit crew to argue with any track official. If you have disqualified for not passing technical inspection and you feel the call is incorrect, state that complaint with the Tech. Inspector at the time of the disqualification, he will use the following process to review your complaint:

a.       The disqualification (DQ) stands for that night.

b.     The Rules Committee, Tech personnel and the President of the Speedway will meet at the first available date to determine the intent of the rule and its application and make a decision.

c.      Once the decision is made, Track Officials will notify the Driver/Owner of the car.

d.     If the Driver/Owner of the disputed racecar is not satisfied with the decision of the President/Rules Committee/Tech Inspector, they may request a special meeting with that same group to explain their side of the disputed rule.

e.      People present at this special meeting will include; one representative of the disputed car, the President of the Speedway, Rules Committee and Tech Inspector

f.       If the President/ Rules Committee /Tech Inspector position is changed based on the discussion with the car representative the Speedway will award the car the points and money for that event.

 

6.                  All calls made by officials are final, especially calls made by the Flagman.

7.                  Trophy Nights: Trophies will be presented to the top three cars on the track for picture purposes and then returned to Track Officials until after the completion of tech inspection. Any disqualification during tech inspection will result in the loss of that nights points, money and or trophies, plus and additional 50 points.

8.                  If you are barred from any other track for un-sportsmanlike conduct and Whittemore Speedway receives a written statement from that speedway, you are also barred from competing at Whittemore Speedway until that suspension is lifted by the initiating track.

9.                  No intoxicating beverages or illegal substances that alter reflexes shall be consumed prior to or during an event by anyone entering the pits or the racing area.

10.             Any and all medical problems or conditions you may have that would impact your well being in the event of an accident must be reported to the pit board before you compete.

11.             You must display your pit pass at all times when in the pit area or on the track. You will be removed from track if you are found without your pit pass. Anyone altering, exchanging or permitting un-authorized use of their pit pass may loose track privileges. Participants may loose their points and money.

12.             Every Driver must fill out a registration form before he or she can compete at any event. The registration fee is $25.00. Advanced registration may be done by mail or at the Speedway during Test and Tune Sessions prior to opening day. There is no grace period.

13.              A current Whittemore Speedway Drivers license is required to earn points and money for racing events. Drives licenses may be requested at the pay window for the purpose of proper pay disbursement.

14.             In the event a racecar is sold, the number must be changed and the car re-registered. All points go to the driver, who must be registered. Points are NOT transferable. Seniority will prevail in any duplicate numbers. All numbers will be 2 digits or less. Track Officials reserve the right to change any illegal or duplicate numbers.

15.             Drivers may compete in as many classes as they want. The driver that qualifies the car must start the feature race. Alternating drivers may result in the loss of points and money for the night. Errors resulting are not the fault of the Speedway.

16.      Each car will be given opportunity to received two qualifying attempts. The quickest time will be used for each line-up. NO Hot laps after qualifying

 

 

 

Race Procedures

 

17.     The line-ups will be up on the blackboard by class and race order. Class and car numbers will be announced on the PA System when it is time to stage. PAY ATTENTION. Any car entering the track after all of the other cars are staged will go to the rear, regardless of qualifying position, with the exception of the Australian Pursuit. The way they come out of the staging area is the way they will run. If you leave the racing surface for ANY reason, you will go to the rear of the field.

18.      In the event that your car is unable to run in any scheduled race the driver must notify the personnel at the pit blackboard immediately.

                        19.       There must be a minimum of 6 cars per class. If the 6-car 

minimum is not maintained for three consecutive nights the class may be dropped for the season. 

20.       All cars must have a full body, doors, hoods, and windshields at the beginning of each event.

21.       No loose parts, debris or junk of any kind is to be left on the car participating in any event on the track. No leaks of any kind will be allowed.

22.       No Liquid ballast of any kind is allowed. Use of mercury or any other contaminating material will result in Permanent Suspension from Whittemore Speedway.

23.       Any individual who fails to obey any flag or instruction from any official may be immediately disqualified and will forfeit points and money for that event.

24.       At NO time may you enter the racing surface during green flag racing. You must wait for a caution (yellow flag) and the permission from the line-up man at the track entrance before going onto the racing surface.

25.       Unnecessary bumping or reckless driving is prohibited and subject to disqualification.

26       .Any car running .1 (one tenth) of a second quicker than their quickest qualifying time will be put to the rear of the field for that race. Driver will be given the option to start at the rear of the field for the feature or his original starting position. If you run .1 (one tenth) quicker than your qualifying time you will be disqualified.

27.      Anyone racing in the speed bumps may be disqualified for the race; this is the flagman’s decision.

28.       The race will be re-flagged in the event there is a fire. The fire is to be extinguished and then the car is to be moved to the pit area for inspection by Track Officials.

29.       All races will be run using a 1-minute per lap time limit. The time starts when the green flag waves and stops when the checkered flag is waved. The time will be tolled only for red flags and when the track is being cleaned.

30.       Laps may be run more or less than the designated distances listed below and will be scored accordingly. If you are unsure of the number of laps remaining you must continue to race until the checkered flag is waved.

Features:  Late Models/30 laps    Sportsman /25 laps

                Factory Stocks / 25 laps Mini/Pro-4 /20 laps

 

Heat Races: All Classes 10 laps

 

Australian Pursuits: 1 lap per car, maximum of 10 cars, minimum of 6 cars. You are out of the race as soon as you are passed. Get out of the racing groove and off of the racing surface as soon as possible in a safe manner. During the Australian Pursuit all cars that are involved in an accident are automatically disqualified and must leave the racing surface, you are not allowed to re-enter this event.

                        31.         Flag Designations:

a.      Green: This means that track is cleared and the racing begins.

b.     Yellow: This means there is an unsafe condition on the track. Stop racing and form a single line in your current position, do not attempt to move up the racing order. You will be positioned accordingly to the last completed racing lap positions. Lapped cars maintain their position.

c.      Red: Stop immediately and safely; there is a dangerous condition on the track. Do not continue until instructed by a track official. Failure to follow this rule may result in disqualification and possible suspension.

d.     Black: When this flag is displayed you must immediately leave the racing surface and go to your pit.

e.      Blue/Orange: When this flag is displayed you are about to be passed by faster cars. You must let the faster cars pass you in the racing groove. Move high or low depending on the instructions from the flagman. Failure to acknowledge this flag will result in your immediate disqualification from that event and removal from the racing surface.

f.       White: One lap remaining.

g.      Checkered: End of the race.

h.     Crossed Green and White Flags: Indicate the halfway point in the race.

32. If there is an accident on the last lap of the race hold your position. A caution/checkered flag combination and light will be displayed at that time. Do not race back to the finish line.

                           33.    During Caution Laps;

Lapped cars maintain their position. Any disruption of this process may lead to disqualification. Anyone lagging on the yellow flag laps will have one lap to close up on the car in front of them, failure to do so may result in disqualification and or sent to the pits. Habitual and or repeat offenders may be disqualified. If you are the cause of a caution flag for any reason, you will be sent to the rear of the field. If you are involved in a caution flag you will be sent to the rear of the field. You will be aligned in the ordered determined by the Track Officials. If you stop to avoid an accident the Flagman and judges/score keepers will review the situation and determine your alignment position. If you intentionally cause a caution flag you will be sent to the pits for the remainder of that race. If you spin out you must attempt to get going. It will be the decision of the track official if you made an attempt to get going, you will be sent to the pits if they decide you didn’t make an attempt. If you spin out or are off of the racing surface in a safe manner there may not be a caution flag.

34.       All vehicles including, racecars, trailers and haulers whether they are participating or spectator owned while in the pit area are subject to inspection by Track Officials. Parking of such vehicles will be in an orderly manner as to allow equal distance for everyone. Any vehicle operated in an unsafe manner on Speedway property will be removed along with the vehicle operator. Leave the racing on the racing surface.

35.       Mid-Season and Season Championship race alignments are based on points. The racer with the most amounts of points starts on the pole the driver with the least amount of point’s starts in the rear of the field.

36. The Whittemore Speedway reserves the right to adjust,  all rules, policies or operations, in regards to Speedway functioning in the interest of safe, competitive automobile racing. If there are questions in regards to any of the rules for Whittemore Speedway, the Rules Committee will review the intent or interpretation, of all rules, their answer is final.

37.       The following disqualifications will result in the driver being put on probation:

a.      Unnecessary bumping and or reckless driving as determined by the flagman and track officials.

b.     Anyone disobeying the flag-mans directions.

c.      If any driver or crew-member leave their pit area to settle a grievance with another driver either physically or verbally, suspension will result. No tolerance. Drivers are responsible for their crews. If a crewmember is involved, both the driver and crewmember will be suspended.

 

 Track Officials will determine the length of the probation. Any Violation of probation will result in suspension from competition for the remainder of the racing season.

                        38.       Mail all correspondence with Whittemore Racing Club to:

 

Whittemore Racing Club

P.O Box 265

Whittemore, Michigan 48770

 

 

General Safety Information: All vehicles are subject to inspection at any time.

 

1.      Fire Extinguishers: All vehicles must have a securely mounted ABC type extinguisher within easy reach of the driver and track officials, in good working condition. See car class rules for minimum size requirements.

2.      Fire Suits and Gloves: Mandatory. Must be worn during all events. Double layered suits are recommended.

3.      Helmets: Mandatory. Full-faced helmets are recommended. Full style helmets only. Safety shield, goggles or glasses mandatory. Snell 95 approved and in good working condition

4.      Neck Brace: Mandatory

5.      Seat and Seat Belt System:

a.      Five (5) point type shoulder harness, lap belt and crotch belts required with a quick release mechanism. Three (3)-inch minimum lap belt width.

b.     Belts must be date coded. Maximum age of belts 5 years.

c.      Aluminum racing seat is mandatory. Securely mounted to the frame or roll cage. Fiberglass seats are not allowed.

6.      Window Net: Mandatory. Must have a quick release mechanism mounted to the roll cage.