2008 TRACK RULES
The Staff at Arkansas Motor Speedway would
like to welcome EVERYONE to Arkansas Motor Speedway!! We realize that you could race several
different places, but you chose to join us, and for that we are grateful!
Realizing that we will NEVER make everyone
happy ALL the time, we have taken measures to give us the best opportunity to
make dirt track racing a sport everyone enjoys, including drivers, fans AND the
staff of Arkansas Motor Speedway. The
following is a list of rules that will help facilitate an enjoyable racing
experience for participants, staff, and racing fans.
TRACK RULES
All participants are subject to all rules and/or
regulations. These rules are designed
for the organized conduct of racing events and to establish minimum
requirements for these events. By
participating in the events, all participants are deemed to have agreed to and
acknowledge compliance with these rules/regulations. In the event a situation arises which is not
covered by these rules, the management of Arkansas Motor Speedway has the sole
power to decide same, and such decision is final.
Disclaimer: No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall
result from publication of or compliance with these rules and regulations. These are intended as a guide for the conduct
of racing events and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death as a
participant, spectator, official, or any other person or persons, participating
in, viewing, or working at any portion of the racing activities.
The track promoter is empowered to permit reasonable and appropriate deviation from any rules/regulations herein and impose further restrictions that, in his opinion, do not alter minimum acceptable requirements. No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from such alteration of these rules/regulations. Any interpretation of or deviation from these rules is left to the sole discretion of the track promoter, race director, and/or his officials. Their decision will be deemed final.
GENERAL RULES
All participants shall be subject to all rules and regulations of Arkansas Motor Speedway as herein set forth, as well as such rules and regulations as may be added during the season. All drivers, mechanics, pit crew, family members, and friends are subject to these rules and regulations. All drivers are hereby designated as the responsible parties for all actions of their family members, mechanics, pit crew, and friends.
Arkansas Motor Speedway management and officials reserve the right to refuse entrance to any person or persons into the pit area or grandstand area of the speedway.
All persons entering the race track does so at his/her own risk. Everyone entering the pit gate must sign the release form presented. Everyone entering the pit area must wear a valid pit pass to be covered by insurance. Parents must sign a minor release form for children under the age of eighteen.
Anyone not wearing a valid pit pass will be removed from the pit area, and will be required to purchase a pit pass or grandstand ticket to re-enter the race track property.
Drivers/Participants acknowledge and agree that auto racing is a dangerous sport that involves risks. By competing in any event, drivers/participants assume these risks with full awareness and knowledge. It is the driver/participants responsibility to remove themselves from area(s) and/or conditions they feel in their personal opinions are unsafe.
Anyone involved in an accident while on Arkansas Motor Speedway premises must report the accident to an official before leaving the premises. Failure to do so will result in denial of insurance coverage, as well as possible suspension from the Arkansas Motor Speedway premises. Any person who is injured and unable to report the injury should have a crew member, family member, or friend report the incident to the proper official. Arkansas Motor Speedway is in no way liable for any claim that is in excess of the track’s insurance coverage.
No alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the pit area during any Arkansas Motor Speedway racing event. Any driver found to be consuming alcohol before or during the racing event will be subject to eviction for the night and or refusal of pit entry.
No illegal drug of any kind will be allowed on Arkansas Motor Speedway premises at any time. Any individual caught, will be subject to eviction from Arkansas Motor Speedway premises and/or legal action will be taken.
Anyone driving on the racetrack under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be dealt with severely. Anyone injured while under the influence of alcohol or drugs will forfeit all claims to any insurance benefits. Arkansas Motor Speedway officials reserve the option to request drug and/or alcohol testing for any driver involved in an accident. If drug and/or alcohol tests are positive, insurance benefits could be withheld and legal action could result. Refusal to submit to alcohol and/or drug testing shall be considered a positive test result and will result in the driver being suspended from Arkansas Motor Speedway premises for a period of one-year and negate all insurance and legal considerations.
Arkansas Motor Speedway reserves the right to change the race program and/or race procedures at any time for the improvement of the racing event. It would be impossible to write rules that could cover every possible situation. In those particular events, the track promoter will be tasked with making the decision to cover such situation. Arkansas Motor Speedway reserves the right to amend any rule at any time in the interest of safety, or to rewrite the rule for clarification.
Any person filing suit against Arkansas Motor Speedway facilities, track promoter, officials, and/or other participants not mentioned, for an incident occurring at the track, will be barred from entry on the Arkansas Motor Speedway premises until such time as the suit is resolved. The person or persons involved in any suit may also be permanently barred from any future Arkansas Motor Speedway events.
No speeding in the pit area. If any official observes speeding and/or reckless driving in the pit area, you will be disqualified and lose all money and points for the nights racing event. There are a number of children in the pit area. These may be your children. Injuring anyone, especially children, due to lack of control of the driver’s temperament will not be tolerated. This rule will be strictly enforced.
All drivers and pit crew need to maintain constant control of the children in their pit area. A discussion of safety needs to be held in each pit area with the children, and any adults who tend to act or behave like children.
CONDUCT
Rules for conduct have been established to maintain the enjoyment of racing for everyone involved. There will be ZERO TOLERANCE for not adhering to these rules. It is the responsibility of ALL persons on Arkansas Motor Speedway premises to know and abide by these rules. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Refusal of any driver, car owner, pit crew, spouse, and/or any other participant involved with racing to abide by this set of rules will be grounds for the management of Arkansas Motor Speedway to refuse such individuals the opportunity to participate in Arkansas Motor Speedway events, and/or impose penalties that will be enforced.
Any individual that intentionally places his hands on, and/or strikes any official or any other employee of Arkansas Motor Speedway in a threatening or aggressive manner, will be prosecuted, along with a minimum four week suspension from attending or participating in all Arkansas Motor Speedway events.
Disorderly conduct of any kind, which includes but is not limited to fighting, verbal abuse, unusual disruptive behavior, and/or intentional destruction of any property will be immediately barred for a period of no less than two weeks, prior to returning to any Arkansas Motor Speedway events.
Drivers and/or car owners will be directly responsible for the conduct of their pit crews, spouses, family, friends, and any other individuals associated with their race team. NO EXCEPTIONS!! Their behavior is a reflection of your race team.
Any unauthorized person entering the lap counters booth, announcers booth, or flag stand, (including distracting him from the ground, shouting obscenities, heckling or harassing), will cause immediate loss of points and money for one night and a suspension from attending Arkansas Motor Speedway events for two weeks, prior to returning to any Arkansas Motor Speedway events.
Any driver, car owner, pit crew, spouse, and/or other participant who deliberately obstructs any race for any reason in any capacity, will bring immediate disqualification of the race team for the night. Any subsequent obstruction will cause immediate disqualification of the race team for the entire season and a loss of all points.
Driver conduct: Any driver and/or other participant associated with that driver, that goes to another car’s pit area, (this includes just outside the pit perimeter) with the intention to cause an altercation can/will be suspended for no less than two weeks. All money and points earned for the night will be lost.
Driver is responsible for EVERYONE that comes in with his/her car. The driver may be disqualified for their failure to abide by the rules. Points and money can/will be forfeited.
Any driver, car owner, family member, pit crew, and/or any
participant whose actions cause Arkansas Motor Speedway staff to call the
Any conflicts between drivers will be discussed with track officials ONLY. Conflicts and or questions will be discussed only with the DRIVERS INVOLVED. Anyone else creating verbal altercations of any kind will not be tolerated, and can/will result in disqualification for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Any driver wishing to speak with a track official may do so after the completion of the racing event in its entirety. This meeting will occur directly behind the grandstands at the entrance to the track office. Track officials will speak only with the driver of the team who has the concern. (This does not include, pit crew, family, or any other persons associated with the race team). DO NOT OPEN OR ATTEMPT TO GO INTO THE OFFICE.
Arkansas Motor Speedway Track Officials will not raise their voice when speaking with drivers, and will not tolerate heated exchanges from the drivers. No profanity will be tolerated at all!
Arkansas Motor Speedway Track Officials will NOT view or look at ANY video tape of any incident.
Any driver intentionally using his/her car in a malicious manner in the pit area or on the racetrack will be subject to being barred from the speedway for a period of time at the discretion of the track promoter. This includes retaliation against another driver. DON’T DO IT OR YOU WILL PAY THE CONSEQUENCES!!
The wrecker drivers of Arkansas Motor Speedway are here to assist you. They are not to be verbally abused and are considered part of the Arkansas Motor Speedway track staff. Any and all Arkansas Motor Speedway rules pertaining to Track Staff also apply to the wrecker drivers and crew.
Wrecker drivers will assist you in loading disabled race cars on trailers ONLY at the completion of the entire racing program. DON’T ASK AND DON’T GET MAD!!!!
DISCPLINARY PENALTIES
Profanity to Arkansas Motor Speedway Official or employee:
1st Offense- 1 week suspension of driver and chassis.
2nd Offense- 2 week suspension of driver and chassis.
Obscene gesture to flagman, staff, or audience:
1st Offense- 1 week suspension of driver and chassis.
2nd Offense- 2 week suspension of driver and chassis.
Entering another pit area or pit perimeter with intent to create altercations (verbal or physical):
1st Offense- 2 week suspension of driver and chassis.
2nd Offense- Discretion of track promoter.
Causing Arkansas Motor Speedway Staff to summon
Every Offense- 2 week suspension of driver and chassis.
Using your car in a malicious manner (Including retaliation against another driver):
Every Offense- Minimum 2 week suspension of driver and chassis. (Could be longer depending on Discretion of Track Promoter and severity of incident!)
Placing hands on or striking track officials in a threatening or aggressive manner:
Every Offense- Minimum of 4 week suspension of driver and chassis. (This too could be longer at the discretion of the Track Promoter.)
Any driver being barred from competition at
RACING RULES
There will generally be a driver’s meeting at the pit board area immediately following the hot lap sessions. This will allow for drivers to be notified of changes or amendments to the nights racing activities. If a driver has concerns about the nights racing, this is the time to ask questions, not after the racing events have started. Any driver not attending the driver’s meeting forfeits any right to argue or discuss changes announced during the driver’s meeting.
Race Cars entered in racing events at Arkansas Motor Speedway are required to draw-in at the pit booth located at the pit gate entrance to the pit area.
Track Officials are not allowed to draw in for any race car or team for any reason. Line-ups will be made after the draw-in has closed. Car must be at the track in order to draw. Any car having not drawn-in prior to the closing of the draw-in, will run tailback in his heat race.
Any driver wishing to start tailback in any race, must notify the track officials at draw-in for heat races, or prior to posting of the line-up for the feature races.
All cars are expected to participate in packing the track. Failure to do so may result in that car being shown as starting tailback. Any car having mechanical problems and not being able to pack will be “excused” from doing so by track official ONLY. Any car/driver making this a habit will be deemed to have taken advantage of this “excuse” and may be lined-up tailback.
Driving around the speedway in an area that has already been packed does not constitute packing the track.
Drivers are encouraged to bring one pit crew member to the track during packing to help walk the cars down on the speedway until the track is completely rolled in from top to bottom.
Immediately after packing the track, cars will be allowed to run “hot lap” sessions in an organized fashion. Cars will be called to “hot lap” by classes. No car may remain on the speedway or return for more than one “hot lap” session. Any car attempting to remain on the speedway, or returning for an additional “hot lap” session will be black flagged and lined-up tailback on their heat race, regardless of how the car had drawn-in.
Race Line-up will be posted at the “crows nest” in the pit area located close to the entrance to the track area in turn four. Heat race line-ups are determined by draw.
It is the driver’s responsibility to be familiar with the racing line-up and order of races.
All cars should line up in the staging area, located by the pit board, prior to the end of the race immediately preceding their race. WE WILL NOT WAIT ON YOU!!
Cars need to be in the correct line-up in the staging area before entering the race track.
If one car does not make the line-up, all cars that are lined up in the same row as the missing driver, will move forward.
If two or more cars do not make the line-up, or are involved in a crash on the first lap and cannot continue, then the cars behind the missing cars will be crisscrossed.
All cars must qualify through qualifying heats, or “B” Features, for the “A” Feature. Cars transferring from the “B” Feature race into the “A” Feature line up on the back of the cars already qualified for the “A” Feature.
The winner of the last heat race of each class of cars competing will be required to pull to the front straight and draw a “pill” numbered 1 thru 6 to determine the number of cars in that class that will be inverted for the “A” Feature event. This will add excitement and competition to the racing program.
Any car that breaks in the hot laps and is unable to qualify through the “heat races” will be able to tag the rear of the “A” Feature, AS LONG AS there are less than 24 cars posted to be lined up in the “A” Feature. Otherwise the car will be posted to line-up on the rear of the “B” Main.
Any car that breaks and is unable to be repaired to complete the racing program, should notify track officials as soon as possible that their car should be shown as “scratched” from the remainder of the scheduled events. This will eliminate problems with last minute changes of the line-up to keep the racing program running smoothly.
It will be the discretion of the track promoter as to how many cars are chosen to field any heat race, dash, “B” Feature, or “A” Feature event.
NO HOT LAPS BETWEEN RACES. When cars enter the racing surface for a scheduled race, they are to remain in their line-up and be prepared to take the green flag coming out of turn four. Any driver/car “hot dogging” or running away from the line-up will be placed on the rear of the field at the discretion of the flagman. If a car needs to “build heat” in his motor, he should do so by allowing his car to run while in the staging area.
In some circumstances, track officials may require cars entering the raceway to drive through spilled fluids in an attempt to dry the racing surface, and/or make cars aware of the fluid hazard on the speedway. Any other time, cars are required to remain in their racing line-up prepared to start the event.
When the front row of cars reach the white tractor tire in the inside of the track in turn four, if side by side, the flagman will signal the official start of the race by waving the green flag and activating the green lights on the speedway. (This white tire will be designated by having a bright orange traffic cone sitting on top of it in plain view)
If on the start of the race there is an accident or incident requiring the caution flag to be thrown prior to the entire field completing ONE lap, the flagman will indicate a “complete restart” and all cars are given another opportunity to line-up in their original starting spots, regardless of involvement in incident causing the race to be restarted. (Complete restart will be signaled by the flagman holding the yellow and red flags furled and vertical, parallel to one another.) If race was not started because of car not staying in line, that car will be warned, or placed to the rear.
Once the flagman has attempted to start the race, any car/driver leaving the race track, must restart the race tailback. (Regardless of whether 1st lap was completed or not.)
The pole car will set the pace which shall be consistent with track conditions and as required to keep the field in nose to tail formation. If any car is out of line and not nose to tail, the yellow flag will wave and said car will be placed to the rear of the field. If the car out of formation is already on the tail of the field, he may be shown a lap down after being warned once to remain in line. STAY IN LINE AND NOSE TO TAIL!
The race is officially over when the checkered flag is thrown.
The ONLY flag to follow the white flag is the checkered flag, unless the track is completely blocked and/or in case of fire. In this case the race will be paid from the last completed lap. (Only in cases of fire and track blockage which will require lengthy cleanup or fluid spillage/hazard)
If the leader has taken the white flag and has a clear path to the checkered flag, the checkered will be thrown. If not a yellow will be thrown (cars involved in the caution will be placed to the rear) and the flagman will restart the race throwing the green/white flags simultaneously and then the checkered flag signifying the end of the race.
The pole car should start the race at a reasonable speed. Do not keep the pace so slow that cars are “bogged” down. The flagman may signal pole car to pick up speed or slow down as needed at his discretion. If this signal is ignored, the flagman my put the pole car to the rear at his discretion. (This includes single file re-starts.) It is up to the front two cars to set an even pace so that the race is started evenly. If this cannot be done after two attempts, the flagman will have the second row of cars exchange places with the front row of cars.
Once the green flag/ light has been displayed indicating the start of a race, if a car stalls, or has to be assisted to restart, it WILL restart on the back. (After completion of one lap.)
Cars will be lined up in single file, nose to tail, for re-starts in the heat races.
In feature races, cars will be lined up in a diamond re-start with the leader out front by himself and all other cars two by two behind him through the remainder of the field. (Cars must stay in line and nose to tail).
In both the single file and diamond restarts, the leader may start the race anytime after he enters completely into turn three, and after he has been signaled by the flagman the track is clear by a flashing green light on the back straight.
The second place car will re-start on the inside of the second row, and NOT have the option to re-start on the outside of row two.
If after two unsuccessful attempts at a diamond re-start, track officials reserve the right to transition to a single file restart in the interest of time and simplicity.
In any feature event re-start where there are only 10 or less cars in the field, a single file restart will be used.
The re-start line up will be posted largely on a dry erase board which will be presented to the drivers on the front straight by track officials. Drivers will be given two opportunities to see the re-start line-up and then get in the position posted.
Lap counters will be giving the line-up for the re-start to the track staff based on the last completed lap. Track staff cannot and will not argue track position WITH or FOR you!
On ALL re-starts, any car falling out of line and creeping up along the outside or inside to advance their position WILL be sent to the rear! DON’T DO IT!
Once you pull onto the racing surface, WATCH THE FLAGMAN! He will be communicating with the cars frequently.
The flagman and ONLY the flagman will make calls related to racing issues on the speedway.
There will be two corner men (one at each end of the speedway) for “extra eyes” and safety purposes. Corner men will provide information to the flagman only when asked to do so by the flagman. They are not making general calls so DON’T GET UPSET WITH THEM!
If there is a racing accident, regardless of the reason, if the yellow flag/ light or red flag/ light are displayed, everyone who was involved in the incident and not moving at the time the yellow flag/ light or red flag/ light is displayed will restart on the back. REGARDLESS OF WHOSE FAULT THE ACCIDENT IS!!
If the flagman feels that a particular car blatantly caused the accident, that car may be black flagged for rough driving or placed tailback for driving too aggressively. Everyone else involved in the accident MUST re-start on the tail of the field REGARDLESS OF POSITION at the time of the accident.
Anyone receiving the black flag will be required to immediately leave the race track and go to his pit area. When a driver complies with the black flag in a sportsman like manner, he will be scored as having started the race, and will receive pay and points for having started the race. Any driver who does not acknowledge the black flag after the flagman has displayed the flag to him twice; will lose ALL points and money for the evening and be completely disqualified from the evenings event.
Any driver who uses his race car in a malicious manner will be dealt with severely and immediately!! This includes retaliating against another driver by “ramming” his race car with your race car during a caution, after the race, in the pits, or blatantly during pace lap to take the green flag. THIS CONSTITUTES AN ASSAULT AND IS A VIOLATION OF THE LAW!!
Profanity towards any staff member of Arkansas Motor Speedway WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Staff members at Arkansas Motor Speedway will not use any type of profanity when speaking with you.
Arkansas Motor Speedway is a smooth race track with exciting racing action. If an accident appears to have been a racing incident, NO BLACK FLAG WILL BE GIVEN! If the flagman did not personally see the incident, NO CALL AS TO FAULT WILL BE MADE. Stopping and appealing to track staff in the infield will do no good!
No racing back to the yellow flag. When the yellow flag/ light is displayed, roll off of the throttle and gradually reduce your speed. Stay in line! We will go back to the previously completed lap for the re-start line-up.
At
Flat tires: You will be able to continue racing with a flat tire on the inside tires ONLY! (Unless it becomes a safety issue, or your wheel is damaging the racing surface).
No changing of flats during the heat races. Flats may be changed during the feature races. WE WILL NOT WAIT FOR TIRE CHANGE!
If a car is counted two or more laps down, it will be allowed to continue to race for valuable “seat time”, provided that the lapped driver does not attempt to race with the leaders or severely impede the race in progress. The blue and yellow flag will be displayed to slower cars whenever possible.
Any car having mechanical difficulties and “creeping” around the speedway during a race will be given the black flag and asked to leave the racing surface for the safety of themselves and other participants.
Anyone who CAUSES two cautions in any race will be required to leave the racing surface, but will be scored in the last position running at the time he was asked to leave the race.
If the flagman was unable to determine who caused the yellow flag, all cars involved at the time the yellow flag/ light was displayed will be placed to the rear of the field on the re-start , but no car will be “charged” with the yellow. Only when a car has been “charged” with two yellow flags will he be asked to leave the racing surface. ARGUING WILL DO NO GOOD!!!
Parts or pieces dangling from race cars will be dealt with on an individual basis. (Safety will be the determining factor.)
Any car which is losing fluids, or emitting excessive smoke or fumes will be asked to leave the racing surface. This will be at the discretion of the flagman. Failure to do so could result in disqualification by losing ALL points and prize money for the night.
Yellow flag/ light: There will be no “hair trigger” caution flags given. If you spin or stop on the racing surface, make every attempt to get off the racing surface! (Pull to the infield or continue to race.) You will re-start on the tail of the field anyway. SAFETY WILL BE THE FIRST PRIORITY!
Any car that leaves the racing surface for ANY REASON will re-start on the tail of the field.
Any car “cutting across” the infield will be scored a lap down! (This means going to the inside of the light poles on the end of the infield.)
Red flag/ light MEANS STOP IMMEDIATELY! Do not continue to creep around the speedway. Failure to stop immediately means you will restart on the tail of the field when the race is re-started.
When the checkered flag is displayed the race is completed. There will be no “hot dogging” or extra laps taken after the checkered flag is displayed. When the checkered flag falls, LEAVE THE RACING SURFACE!! The flagman will communicate to the drivers the half-way point of the race, two laps to go, white flag, and then checkered flag. Cars will know the race is completed!
The top 5 cars MUST go to the tech area of the infield, after the feature race or may be disqualified from the race.
The track promoter at Arkansas Motor Speedway reserves the right to establish time limits for the completion of races at his discretion.
No transmitter or receiving devices allowed to be used or possessed which would allow communication with the driver by any means during occupancy of the race car.
Any driver or pit crew member found to be “sabotaging” equipment of another driver/competitor will be barred from competing at Arkansas Motor Speedway for the remainder of the racing season.
ONLY Track Staff and employees are allowed to enter the race track office. NO EXCEPTIONS!! The office is not a place to complain about issues pertaining to the racing program.
PROTEST RULES
Any disputes or protests must be made at the tech area to the tech man.
Protests must be made by driver only!
A protest over safety issues will not be allowed. Thickness of pipe, driveshafts not painted white, and other such safety issues should be pointed out to a track official, but are not considered protest issues, but rather safety issues.
Two people from each side will be allowed in the protest area. No one else will be allowed in the protest area without the expressed consent of the track promoter.
Any unsportsmanlike conduct from either side will be grounds for sanctions up to and including being barred from competition at Arkansas Motor Speedway for a time to be specified at the discretion of the track promoter.
If a car is found to be illegal, the money for the position in the feature that the protested car would have received will be paid to the car finishing the feature race in the position immediately following the protested car found illegal. It will NOT go to the protesting driver, unless the protesting driver finished the feature race in the position immediately following the protested driver found to be illegal.
Arkansas Motor Speedway reserves the right to tear down or check any car at ANY TIME.
P & G will be used to check cubic inch. If protested driver does not agree with gauge, he/she will be allowed to tear engine down at their cost and check cubic inch with micrometer and depth gauge.
Protest fees: Will be
determined by Track Promoter.
REMARKS
Ladies & Gentlemen, racing is a
hobby for not only yourselves, but the track officials and staff as well. Our enjoyment of the sport depends solely on
how we conduct ourselves while participating in the great sport of auto
racing. The rules listed herein are
intended for the purpose of eliminating favoritism, unnecessary judgment calls,
and controversies during the racing season.
Let’s respect the sport, the fans, each other, and the staff of Arkansas
Motor Speedway for attempting to make this a place where we can once again race
and HAVE AN ENJOYABLE TIME DOING IT!!