2014 General Rules


2015 GENERAL RULES will be posted soon!

 

2014 RACE PROCEDURES

  1. Driver MUST be signed in by 6:45 PM by Tri-State clock, or they will start tail back in their allocated heat race. All drivers MUST sign themselves in with the line-up coordinator(s) to be entered into the line-ups. You are responsible for signing yourself in. No one else is responsible for you except you. If you are driving in more than one class, you must sign into both classes. Buying a pit pass is not signing in. Failure to sign in with the line-up coordinator(s) will cause you to start tailback in your heat, regardless of your point average. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  2. Line ups for all heat races, unless otherwise specified, will be determined by your inverted season point average. If four heats are scheduled, the four highest point average cars will be start last in each of the four heats with the four lowest point average cars on the pole of each heat. If you have no average, you will start behind the highest point average car. Please see point average rules below for more information on how averages are calculated.
  3. Race positions will be posted on the line up board(s) in pit area(s). It is the driver's responsibility to know his/her position. All races will be aligned in the pit area(s). Drivers will be called to line-up in pit area(s) as designated by pit stewards. Pit stewards are empowered to place a car tailback or disqualify a car at any time. A car is required to be in, or near, the staging area at the time the race is allowed onto the track. If you do not enter the track when the pit steward allows cars onto the track, you will be placed tailback of that race. If the start of a race is delayed because of your car, you will start tailback of that race - UNLESS, you have raced in the previous race, and in that case, your car that you will be racing MUST be in the staging area(s). (IF YOU FINISH IN A TECH QUALIFYING POSITION, YOU MUST REPORT TO THE TECH INSPECTION AREA, BEFORE YOU GO THE STAGING AREA TO EXCHANGE CARS.) NO EXCEPTIONS. Your next car may also be located in the tech area. There will be a time allowance for you to get into your next car, as long as your car is in the staging, or tech, area, and you change cars within the sight of a pit steward, or other track official.
  4. All line-ups will be made before 7:15 PM, and posted to the pit boards as soon as possible. Races will start at 7:30 PM. Check the line-up board(s) for your line-up position. If you wish to run tailback for the night (or that race), you must tell a track official. If a car does not line up for the race, all other cars in that line will move straight forward in the line-up. (We do not cross or ‘X’ the line-ups.)
  5. Tri-State Speedway uses the USRA point structure for awarding points in ALL classes. USRA awards national passing points for “A” Feature finishes in the USRA Modifieds and the USRA B Modifieds. These feature passing points are NOT figured into your local Tri-State point standings and/or averages and are calculated and awarded by the USRA and not Tri-State. EFFECTIVE 06/21/14: ALL classes will follow this point structure (except passing points) for the remainder of the point season, which includes 45 show up points if you are not able to take a flag during a point earning feature.
  6. It is in a driver’s interest to run heat races for three reasons: (1) to get a feel for the track; (2) to make sure they finish in a “locked in” transfer spot to the “A” Feature; and (3) to compete for most laps led in the season award. If you do not run a heat race, you will be lined up behind the “locked in” cars in the “A” feature.
  7. In order to be eligible for a point average, you must not miss two (2) consecutive point races. If you skip one (1) week, including the first point’s race, and race the next, you will still have a season point average the third week. This is to prevent ‘point-stacking’ that can/may occur. Skipping one (1) point race, either the first or not, will not nullify your point average. If you do not race for two (2) point races in a row, you WILL NOT have a point average the next time you race and will start BEHIND the qualified cars. Once you compete in a point race again, you will regain your season point average. Tri-State Speedway does NOT award points for heat races. See next rule for more information on season point average. Example: If 12 cars are locked into the “A” from their heat races and three do not have a point average, only the top 9 with a point average will be by inverted  Spots 10, 11 and 12 (non-points average cars) will be lined up heads up by highest heat finish. In the event of a tie, lowest heat number breaks the tie.
  8. Your season point average is determined by total number of points earned all season divided by number of races you have earned points in, or competed races. A competed race can also be defined as a race that you earned points in. A disqualification in a feature will be the same as NOT competing for the night and earning ZERO points and will not count in your competed race total.
  9. A MAXIMUM of four (4) cars will be qualified, by their finishing positions, in each heat race and placed directly into the ‘A’ feature via their ‘inverted’ season point average, (see above rules for point average information if you have not raced in the previous two point races), with a target number of qualified cars being 12. Inverted means the car with the highest point average will start in the 12th position, providing there were 12 cars qualified from the heats and the lowest point average will start on the pole.  If only two (2) heats are run, there will only by eight (8) cars inverted for the ‘A’ feature and the high point average car will start in the 8th position.  Four (4) heats will transfer top three (3) while five (5) or six (6) heats will transfer two (2) cars into the locked in “A” Feature positions.
  10. There must be more than 20 cars in a class to run a 'B' feature. 'B’ feature line ups will be determined by the finish order of the heat races, NOT by point averages. If ‘B’ feature(s) are run, the top finishers, required for a 20 car ‘A’ feature, will be placed “heads up” behind the ‘A’ feature qualifiers.
  11. If there are less than twenty (20) cars in a single class, at the close of driver sign-in, all cars in that class will move into the “A” Feature, but will still follow qualification procedures outlined above. If more cars arrive AFTER sign in close, the track management will make a decision as to whether or not to run a “B” Feature or increase the number of “A” Feature cars.
  12. Once you start a race program in a specific car, you will NOT be allowed to change cars for the remainder of the program. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  13. Any driver competing in more than one class must buy a pit pass for each class.
  14. The flagman will have complete authority during the race.
  15. If a yellow or red flag is thrown during the first lap of any race, the race will be restarted with all cars in their original positions except in a single car spin. If you spin on the first lap by yourself and you remain stopped and cause a yellow or red flag to be thrown for you, you will be placed tailback if you are able to continue. All decisions by track officials are FINAL.
  16. Yellow Flag
    a. Tri-State Speedway races to the Yellow Flag. Do not argue with track officials about your position, as the scorekeepers are the final word on positions. Failure to obey track officials directions/signals could result in a disqualification from that race.
    b. If the caution is thrown for a single car after the first lap, that car will be placed tailback. NO EXCEPTIONS! If it is a multi-car spin, all cars involved will go tailback. By track official's discretion, if you were spun by another car, and the other car did not spin, you will receive your place back and the other car will be placed tail back and could risk being disqualified for the entire race program at spotter’s discretion. ROUGH driving WILL NOT be tolerated at Tri-State Speedway!
    c. Any driver that causes a yellow or red flag to be thrown for them twice (2 times) in a single race, will be required to leave the race. A first lap spin will count toward your two spins. (This only applies to single car events.)
    d. Any car that goes to the pits, or is worked on while still on the track, during a yellow or red flag, will automatically go tail back. NO EXCEPTIONS.
    e. During a yellow flag, all cars will line up single file (regardless of where you think you go) and track officials will put you in the correct position via hand signals. If a car refuses to line up in single file, the driver will receive 1 (one) warning from track officials to get in a single file line. If a driver does not get in a single file line the 2nd time, the driver will be disqualified from that race.
    f. During a yellow flag, all drivers will maintain a slow and safe speed, so you will be able to see a track official’s signals. Failure to do so could result in disqualification from that race.
  17. Red Flag
    a. A red flag means that there is eminent danger to you, or others, on the track.
    b. When a red flag is thrown, DO NOT continue to race. If you do this, after the red flag is thrown, or the red light is on, you risk being disqualified by ANY track official. SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY ... PAY ATTENTION!
    c. Immediately slow down, hold your position, and look for a track official to STOP you. DO NOT slam on your brakes causing other cars to lose control and/or run into you.
    d. When it is safe/clear to resume, a track official will allow you to move and the red light will go to yellow. Once you are stopped for a red flag, do NOT move until directed to do so by a track official or the light goes back to yellow.
  18. Starts and Re-Starts
    a. The front row will start the race, however this will be at a reasonable speed, and acceleration will start in Turn 4, at the first red lines/markers on the walls.  If you start accelerating in Turn 3 before the line, you will cause a no start you will be given a warning. The front row must remain side by side while exiting Turn 4. You only have two (2) attempts do to this. If you cannot start the race after two (2) attempts, the first and second rows will be inverted. No jack rabbit starts will be allowed. (i.e.: speeding up, slowing down, and then speeding up again.) The front row position does not give you the right to keep the pace so slow that the cars behind are ‘loaded up’ and about to kill their engines. In this case, the flagman may give you the pick-up speed signal. If this signal/direction is disregarded, or ignored, after two attempts you will be placed back to the second row.
    b. All classes that race regularly at TSS will re-start single file (nose to tail and in line with the car in front of you) in all heat races, unless otherwise specified. This rule will also be in effect for all features if there are five (5) or less laps remaining, or unless otherwise specified. Do NOT pull out of line, or lag back, to get a run on the car in front of you. Doing this could result in a two (2) position finishing penalty, PER occurrence. There is a red stripe/marker on the inside and outside walls. You MUST stay in line, nose to tail, until you pass the SECOND line. DO NOT pull out of line until you have passed the lines/markers. All decisions made by track officials are FINAL and are non-negotiable.
    c. At TSS, lapped cars will be re-aligned where they crossed the start/finish line after a yellow/red flag. Lapped cars WILL NOT be moved to the end of the line-up. (If the leader had to pass the lap car, the other cars should have to, as well.) Track officials may opt to move you tailback, if you are lapped, and causing a hindrance to the lead lap cars. If you are a lapped car, and wish to go tailback, you must let a track official know of your intent.
  19. Any unauthorized participant, including pit crew members, or drivers, entering the flag stand area, or press box/scoring area, will cause the driver to be disqualified and lose points and money for the entire night, or face a suspension to be set forth by track officials. The driver is responsible for crew members and family. ANY track official is available to talk to, AFTER the race program is completed. Any person causing or being involved in any un-sportsman like behavior will be suspended for a length of time to be determined by the promoter and could be subjected to a fine. Fighting could land you in jail, plus a guaranteed suspension from the track. The DRIVER is also responsible for family and crew members in regards to e-mails, mail, and internet forums. READ PIT CREW MEMBERS RULE BELOW.
  20. If you have been disqualified from a race, (you have been shown the Black Flag), you will not be 'escorted' from the track for the remainder of the race. (i.e.: The race will NOT be stopped for you to be shown the black flag, individually.) It is YOUR responsibility to know what flag has been shown to you, just like any other flag of the race. You may continue to race, IF you wish, BUT you will NOT receive any points/monies/benefits won for that race. If you decide to ignore the disqualification and continue to race, and cause another driver, ANY TYPE of interference/trouble, you WILL then face a suspension from racing activities at Tri-State Speedway, to be set forth by track officials, whose decisions are FINAL. This rule is intended to speed up the show and to stop the 'show-boating' that sometimes occurs with a disqualification.
  21. Pit Crew Members/Driver
    a. Pit crew must stay in pit area(s), on the “floor” of the pit area(s), and behind retaining wall(s). You are not allowed to stand on the back fill of any retaining wall or on any retaining wall. DO NOT come onto the track for any reason, including an accident. There will be no working on a car on the racetrack. If a car is worked on (or even touched), on the track, by anyone other than a track official, or a crew member enters onto the track, the car will be DISQUALIFIED for the night AND be placed on a two (2) race suspension. This will allow the opportunity for track officials to assess the severity of the incident and allow EMS personnel to get to the scene, if needed. ALL track officials, even wrecker operators, are allowed to make this decision.
    b. ANY driver exiting their car on the track (unless there is eminent danger to the driver) before safety officials arrive will be DISQUALIFIED for that night AND be placed on a two (2) race suspension.
    c. It is mandatory for ALL PERSONS who enter the pit area to sign the release for waiver of liability and indemnity agreement. If you have not signed this form and are injured, you will not be covered by the track's insurance. NO EXCEPTIONS. We assume that you have read this form when you sign it. All items including tools, tow vehicles, race cars, etc. are taken into the pit area at the owner’s risk and are not covered by the track's insurance.
    d. Anyone sustaining ANY injury in the competition area (the race track or the pit areas) must report the injury to a track official by the end of the race program. Reporting the accident the following day will void benefits. NO EXCEPTIONS.
    e. Scoring officials will only discuss procedures, finishes and points with the competing driver of a particular race, after the night's program is over, NOT before. DO NOT COME TO THE PRESS/SCORERS BOX DURING THE PROGRAM (including intermission!) The track officials/scorers have the authority to disqualify a car, even after the race, if his or her family members, fans, owner or pit crew cause problems. The track officials/scorers will gladly discuss anything with the driver only, after the night’s race program is complete.
  22. Tech Area
    a. The top four (4) cars after every race, unless specified otherwise, will go directly to the tech inspection area, after one cool down lap. DO NOT ENTER THE TECH AREA IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING THE CHECKERED FLAG, as this could result in an injury to track officials, or a wreck with another car. Failure to go directly to the tech area, after your one cool down lap, will result in disqualification, loss of money and points for the night. If you leave the track, before going to the tech area, you WILL BE disqualified. (If you are unsure where you finished - stop ON THE TRACK and ask an official!) ALL DECISIONS MADE IN THE TECH AREA ARE FINAL. If you disagree with a call, you can discuss it with the tech person, outside of the scales/tech area, after everyone for your race has gone through tech. There will be no discussion in the scales/tech building. Pull your car out of the building and wait for the tech man to come and talk to you. IF YOU INTENTIONALLY, BY TRACK OFFICIALS JUDGEMENT, SPIN YOUR WHEELS ON THE SCALES WHILE LEAVING THE BUILDING, YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED FOR THAT RACE! NO EXCEPTIONS OR EXCUSES ACCEPTED!
    b. When your car is in the tech area, only one person from that car will be allowed in tech area. (i.e.: for mechanical requirements/requests of the tech official or for cooling down the vehicle.)
    c. There may also be an additional technical inspection area to be set forth by track officials. The same rules, as above, will apply to this area as well.
  23. Harassment of pit stewards/officials will not be tolerated. Such action will result in suspension or disqualification from that night’s races.
  24. No two-way radios, cell phones, or communication devices OF ANY TYPE are allowed. If found, you will be disqualified and/or suspended. Chalk/dry erase boards and hand signals are exempt from this rule.
  25. It is your responsibility to make sure you are legal for the class you are racing in. Track officials have the authority to move you up a class if they deem your car is illegal for that class. (Again, it is your responsibility to know the rules when signing in at the pit shack.)
  26. All cars MUST be numbered with large, legible, contrasting numbers on both doors and on roof of the vehicle.  Numbers/Letters on door of cars MUST be in contrasting color from body and be at least 24" high. Your number(s) MUST be clearly visible when your race starts and MUST be made in such a manner to be in a contrasting color with the color that it is placed on. (Example: If your number is white on a light color, it MUST have a black, or other dark color/outline around it.) Track officials will not be held responsible for incorrect scoring of cars that have illegible numbers.
  27. ALL cars MUST have their car numbers on the FRONT nose piece area of their car. (Modifieds will need to place your number on the radiator covering area.) Front numbers MUST be at least 4" tall and 4" wide and EASILY visible from a distance. (If your car has double digit #’s, then the total width must be at least 8 " wide. The same rule applies for 3 digit #’s, meaning 12" in width.) Your number(s) MUST be clearly visible when your race starts and MUST be made in such a manner to be in a contrasting color with the color that it is placed on. (Example: If your number is white on a light color, it MUST have a black, or other dark color/outline around it.) This rule is intended to speed up the process of re-alignments after a race stoppage. (Cars that do not compete on a regular basis at Tri-State Speedway are exempt from this rule for a maximum of a 3 race period, per season.)
  28. Any driver speeding through the pit areas, at any track official’s decision, WILL BE automatically disqualified and forfeit all points and earnings for that night. DO NOT SPEED IN THE PIT AREAS, regardless of the situation!
  29. ALL alcoholic beverages/illegal substances in pit areas are PROHIBITED, AT ANY TIME! ANY vehicle entering the pit areas are subject to inspection, at any time, by any TSS official. ANY crew member, driver, or family member thereof, caught drinking in pit areas, at any time before the race program is complete, by any TSS official, will cause driver to be disqualified for the night. Driver is also responsible for crew members. Any driver found to be under the influence (of alcohol or other controlled/illegal substance) during the race program, by ANY track official, will be disqualified and will lose all money/points for the night and ALL POINTS EARNED IN THE SEASON, TO THAT POINT. ANY PERSON, WHICH IS IN VIOLATION OF THIS RULE, WILL BE REPORTED FOR INVESTIGATION AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO INTERVIEW BY THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.
  30. Retaliation, in any manner, will not be tolerated! PERIOD! If any driver deliberately (by the track official’s decision) tries to harm another car, or driver, it will result in suspension and fines set forth by track promoter, and the local Police Department.
  31. If track packing is needed, ALL CARS will be required to help pack. TRACK PACKING IS PART O F THE RACE PROGRAM, JUST LIKE HEATS AND FEATURES. ALL DRIVERS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE. No exceptions.
  32. Any persons caught sneaking into the races will be escorted from the track immediately and the car they are with will be disqualified for that night. Your armband must be visible at all times. Your armband MUST be worn on your wrist at all times. (Armbands CANNOT be placed on hats, purses, etc.)
  33. ALL point races are subject to Tri-State Speedway's published rules. There will be no 'one night courtesy' rules or 'area track' rules that will apply, unless otherwise specified. NO GRACE PERIOD. You are responsible for making sure you are legal to race, in your class, at Tri-State Speedway.
  34. Any person that is caught standing on top of a pit wall, or the backfill behind ANY wall, while a race is in progress, will be subject to a suspension for a length of time to be determined by track management. This is for your safety and no excuses will be accepted. You may, or may not, receive a verbal warning first ... so don't do it!  You MUST stand on the 'floor' of the pit area. If you wish for a better view, there are 2 (two) observation towers, one in each set of corners, available for watching the races. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.
  35. Any suspension that is handed down will be for race programs, not weeks, unless otherwise noted. (Example: If you are suspended for two race programs, you will not be able to race again, until there have been two race programs ran, not two weeks.) This rule is intended to clarify the problems concerning rain outs.
  36. Tri-State Speedway has the right to refuse entrance to anyone who refuses to abide by the rules and the usual policy of conducting of races.
  37. Anyone under the age of 18 years MUST have a parent, or legal guardian, sign a minor release affidavit form in order to enter the pit area.
  38. Any driver under the age of 18 must have a written, notarized consent affidavit, from the parents and/or legal guardian of the driver.

2014 SAFETY EQUIPMENT

  1. Racing is a dangerous sport and ALL drivers, etc. entering the speedway MUST assume all risk and liability.
  2. Tri-State Speedway will strive, each and every race, to have a foam-equipped fire truck on hand, with trained personnel, in case of a fire. (Once foam is sprayed on a fire, or spilled fuel, it is no longer able to be ignited, or be re-ignited).
  3. All roll cages must be built with a minimum of 1 1/2” OD (outside diameter) tubing.
  4. 9" Ford steel rear-ends are OK in all classes, except where expressly forbidden. NO ALUMINUM.
  5. Racing seat with approved 5-point harness is highly recommended for any class not requiring racing seats.
  6. Fuel cells are required, unless stated otherwise in class rules.
  7. Drive shaft loops are mandatory, and drive shafts MUST be painted white.
  8. No push bars are allowed in front of the vehicle.
  9. A working fire extinguisher, that is EASILY driver accessible, is mandatory. Mounting MUST NOT be restricted from the driver in any way. A secure mounting technique is required. NO tape or plastic ties will be allowed. If you do not have one, you will be subject to disqualification each time you race without one. The fire extinguishers must be in working order and fully charged. The extinguishers can be checked at any time, by any track official. This is for YOUR safety!
  10. Tow hooks or chains are MANDATORY on front AND rear and MUST be easily accessible to recovery/tow vehicles. (Tri-State Speedway will NOT be liable, in any way, for any damage incurred, due to inappropriate/inadequate hooks/chains on a vehicle.) A ONE (1) night verbal warning will be issued for the first offense, after that, you will be subject to disqualification each time you race without them. A metal frame (bumper) is NOT acceptable as a tow hook/chain. Modifieds, B Modifieds, and Economy Modifieds are exempt, as long as their bumpers can support their car’s weight. We recommend that any tow hooks/chains be mounted from frame rail to frame rail.
  11. WINDOW NETS ON DRIVER'S DOOR, OR ARM RESTRAINTS, ARE MANDATORY AND MUST BE IN USE DURING A RACE IN ALL CLASSES!
  12. Approved full face racing helmets are required, in all classes. No open face helmets will be allowed.
  13. Fire-proof neck braces, gloves, and shoes are MANDATORY in all classes.
  14. A full fire-proof driving suit is required in all classes. Drivers will NOT be allowed to wear jeans or T-shirts. No tolerance on this rule is allowed. If you do not have one, or can’t use yours, borrow one. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RACE WITHOUT ONE!
  15. Any weight that is added to the car must be BOLTED onto the car. This can be inspected by any track official at any time. (No plastic ties, bungee cords, etc.) NO EXCEPTIONS. All added on weight MUST BE painted white (NO EXCEPTIONS) and have YOUR car number displayed, in a contrasting color, on the added weight. If you lose added weight from your car and is not easily identifiable, and it is determined to come from your car, you will be disqualified for the night and lose all points and money for the night.

 

ALL RULES (OR INTERPRETATION THEREOF) WILL BE DETERMINED BY TRACK OFFICIALS. ALL TRACK OFFICIALS WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHECK YOUR CAR AT ANYTIME, FOR ANY REASON. ALL TRACK OFFICIALS’ DECISIONS ARE FINAL.

IF IT DOESN’T SAY YOU CAN’T DO IT - IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN DO IT!

Competitive racing can result in injury and/or death to the participant.  No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from publication of, or compliance with these rules and/or regulations.  The rules and regulations are ONLY intended as guides for the conduct of the sport.  They are in no way a guarantee against injury or death to a participant, spectator, officials, or other.

© 2014 Tri-State Speedway