Merrittville Speedway Kart Club

General Karting and Competition Regulations for the 2008 Kart Season

The aim of the following rules is to achieve a day/night of entertainment for the competitors, their families and friends.  You will notice that these are written on paper and not granite - as situations happen that necessitate change.  Your Race Director is on record saying that the objective of the Merrittville Speedway Kart Club is for the karters to enjoy themselves.  Please leave the egos and attitudes at home. 

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

For insurance purposes and for the safety of any person entering competition or restricted area, the signing of a release form is mandatory upon entering these areas.  Member’s ages 5-17 must have a notarized minor release form signed by parent/guardian prior to competing in any event. 

PROOF OF AGE

Any driver ages five (5) through seventeen (17) must show proof of age if required. 

Each time you register for an event you are required to show your Merrittville Speedway membership.  A certified copy of an original birth certificate or other formal proof of age may be left on file with us. 

You are also required to have a minor release form registered with the Speedway.  You must be of age by January 1, 2008 to be eligible to drive (race) in a Kart class, or in the case of moving up, be the required age the day of the race. 

DRIVER

Driver must be a minimum of five (5) years of age.  In order to accrue series points, drivers must be licensed (ie. Purchase a Merrittville Speedway membership) by the Speedway.  The cost of a Kart Membership is $50.00 (Canadian Dollars, includes taxes).  The cost of the membership also includes 1 (one) ticket to the year end awards banquet and luncheon. 

All drivers must satisfactorily demonstrate driving capability to the Speedway officials when requested to do so. 

KART OWNER

All karts must have a registered owner. 

KNOWLEDGE OF RULES

Members are responsible to know the official policies, rules and regulations set forth herein and any that may be added during the season.  Information contained in periodically distributed update sheets becomes effective immediately upon distribution unless otherwise noted.  Driver and/or kart owner assumes full responsibility for their kart and the conduct of their pit crew, and shall be the sole spokesperson thereof. 

ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Members assume full responsibility for any and all injuries sustained, property damage, and death at any time while on the race premises or enroute to or from.  No Merrittville Speedway Kart Member will have any claim for expenses or damage against Merrittville Speedway or its promoters or officials regardless of negligence.  No insurance on vehicles in pits or infield.  The primary responsibility for the safe condition and operation of a kart rests with the owner and/or driver. 

COMPETITOR ACCIDENT POLICY

All injury reports are to be filed on the date of the incident with the Speedway.  Failure to do so may result in denial of claim by the Insurance Company.  All injuries are subject to examination by a designated physician. 

PARTICIPATION

Competing karts shall be inspected by the Speedway.  Such inspection does not deem a kart safe and free from defects.  No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from publication of or compliance with these rules.  Anyone may inspect the racecourse.  By participating in the race events you deem the racecourse acceptable for competition. 

INSPECTION

Any kart is subject to full inspection by a Kart Official at any time prior to receipt of payoff by that karts owner for the day’s/evening’s events.  Failure to comply will result in disqualification.  Post-race disqualification does not require inspection of additional karts. 

CONDUCT

The following will be reason for immediate ejection from the Speedway:

·        Abusive language, fighting, arguing with race officials and unsportsman-like conduct.  This includes EVERYONE – drivers, pit crews, spectators and family members;

·        Possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage by anyone in the pit area or having a pit pass;

·        Any person on the premises who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or any other substance;

·        Anyone entering the pits without a pit pass will be ejected from the property for two (2) race events.  If they are part of a pit crew or family member of a driver, the driver will forfeit all points and be ejected from the property;

·        Anyone approaching the Flagman or Scorer during a race will be automatically disqualified from the event.  This includes drivers, pit crews, family members, and spectators.  A second offence will result in ejection for two (2) race events.

Unauthorized entry into the pit area is not permitted.  This includes other people’s pit areas as well.  For your safety and the safety of others:

·        stay in your designated pit area.  If there is a problem, the outsider will be blamed and ejected per above rules;

·        Any unauthorized use of the Speedway is strictly prohibited.  Anyone using the Speedway without written permission from the current management will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

ALL DRIVERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PIT CREWS 

Drugs & Alcohol

Mandatory revocation of membership for driver using drugs at any time and/or intoxicating beverages before entering the race premises or while in attendance before these beverages are allowed in the pits.  No alcoholic beverages to be consumed in restricted areas until the conclusion of all racing events.  Any driver, owner, or pit crew violating this rule will cause disqualification of the kart and loss of purse and points for the program. 

Decisions

All decisions concerning scorekeeping, suspension, disqualification, fines and interpretation of rules by the Race Director are final and subject to change at the Race Director’s discretion.  Questions regarding race procedure or other decisions will not be discussed while the race program is in progress.  Anyone not adhering to this rule will be penalized at the Race Director’s discretion, which may include but not be limited to ejection, suspension, or forfeiture of points. 

Protests

Any protest must be submitted in writing to the Race Director within 15 minutes following the completion of the race.  Protest fees for engines is $100.00.  Money will be refunded to the protester if the motor is found to be illegal.  If legal, motor owner & tech inspector will each receive $50.00 of the protest fee.  Driver with illegal motor will receive no payoff and loss of points for that event.  If 2nd offence, loss of payoff and all points accumulated up to and including that event will occur.   

Protest fee for scoring race procedure or driver conduct is $25.00.  Money will be refunded to the protester if the protest is upheld, otherwise the protest is disallowed; the protestor shall forfeit the protest fee.  Karters will have six (6) days only to protest any finishes.  Once the next regular scheduled race starts, no previous night’s races will be reviewed.  On some race days, the issue may be resolved forthwith. 

Disposal

Absolutely no oil or tires are to be left on Speedway Property.  You must bring your own oil disposal container, and it must leave the Speedway Property with YOU. 

FEES AND PAYOFF

Entry Fees (Canadian Dollars) & Registration

Novice - $15 Member, $20 Non-Member

Junior Divisions - $20 Member, $25 Non-Member

Senior Divisions - $25 Member, $30 Non-Member 

Registration begins when the gates open at 5:30pm.  Registration ends 15 minutes before the scheduled time of the event.  * Any driver not registered by the official registration completion time – hot laps at 6:30 – will start scratch in ANY and ALL qualifying events.  Entry fees for special events may differ.  * Please read how heats are determined (race procedure). 

Racing Program

A normal racing program will consist of 2 qualifying events and 1 feature event per class. The novice division will run 2 seven lap heats and an 8 lap feature.  Junior classes will run 8 lap heats and 15 lap features.  Senior classes will run 10 lap heats and 20 lap features.  Specific events may differ and will be posted. 

Pit Area

No vehicles other than karts, tow vehicles or emergency vehicles allowed to drive on the track.  No driving of karts while under power in the pit area. 

Payoff Procedure

Payoff will be at the completion of the last event.  Only driver or designated agent with membership of driver is permitted to receive payoff.  No payoff distribution will occur until tech inspections are completed and all protests resolved. 

Year End Awards

In order to receive year-end awards and points in a class or series, the participants MUST be current Merrittville Speedway Kart Club members. 

Rainouts

An event will be considered rained-out if all qualifying heats have not been run.  Rainchecks will be honoured at the next regular show.  You must keep your wristband, and present it when you sign in.  There will be no exceptions. 

TECH ITEMS

Engine

All engines will be teched per World Karting Association (WKA) rules if said rules exist for the current season.  Management reserves the right to tech at their own discretion.  Please see the current year WKA Technical Manual for engine tech regulations for all classes.  Any karter wishing to run an IKF engine MUST declare such to the Race Director EVERY time raced.  They MUST also run the class with an extra 15 lbs. 

If an engine (or component of said engine) or carburetor is found to be illegal, tech officials reserve the right to identify (mark) and re-tech the item before allowing it back in competition. 

Restrictor Plates

If a restrictor plate is found to be illegal, it will be confiscated by Merrittville Speedway Kart official and will be destroyed. 

Tires

Tires for all junior classes will be Burris SS11 or Hoosier D10 with the option of Burris SS22 or Hoosier D20 on the right rear (or comparable Burris compound).  

Seniors – Burris or Hoosier Tires ONLY – any compound.  Compound number (eg. SS11) must not be ground or unreadable. 

In all cases the karts must be equal to or under the WKA maximum width requirements from outside tire to outside tire.  The use of tire warmers at regular club race events is NOT PERMITTED.  Heat guns used to remove tire build-up are allowed. 

Oil & Fuel

Oil and fuel may be teched at any time during race day.  No flammable or dangerous additives of any kind are allowed in the crankcase.  Any means of testing may be used including smell and appearance.  A competitor may be disqualified if his fuel does not smell the same as a clean fuel sample supplied by the track.  Three track officials must perform the ‘smell’ test and all three must agree that the sample in question is different from the track sample. 

Pump around will be used for features at the Race Director’s option. 

*** Anyone disqualified for oil or fuel infractions will forfeit

all points for the event plus an 25 additional points*** 

Karts

All bolts must be safety wired or secured with lock nuts.  Brakes must be fully operational.  Add-on weight must be bolted securely and coloured white – MANDATORY. 

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Karts will be safety checked at the beginning of the season, and could be re-teched for safety on a random basis throughout the year.

Head Gear

Full coverage (full face) helmets designed for competitive motorsport use and complying at minimum with Snell Foundation 1995 specifications are mandatory.  Helmet must be in good condition and is subject to pre-tech inspection.  It is recommended that participant label or letter rear area of helmet with blood type and any special medical information such as specific drug allergies. 

Eye Protection

Eye protection is mandatory, whether goggles designed for motorsport use or of a full visor integral with helmet.   

Neck Brace

Collar type, unaltered neck braces designed for motorsport use is mandatory in all classes. 

Driver Apparel

Drivers are required to wear jackets of leather, vinyl or abrasive resistant nylon or equivalent with full-length jeans or protective race pants to prevent or minimize abrasions.  High top sneakers, racing shoes, socks and gloves are mandatory. 

* Important Note – If hair extends appreciably from beneath helmet level it is mandatory that the participant wears a ‘balaclava’ or head-sock retaining hair from extending outside the helmet.  In addition, no apparel items such as bandanas, sweater hoods, loose belts, etc. will be permitted * 

Safety Tech

All driver personal safety equipment is subject to a pre-tech inspection.  There will be a safety inspection required each week for ALL KARTS before being allowed to enter the racing area of the track.  Any kart not passing safety tech will not be allowed on the track. 

Steering Wheels

Steering wheels may be completely circular, minimum of 10-inch diameter and minimum of three spoke design or may be butterfly style with 10-inch minimum diameter, four spoke design with minimum of 5-inch grip length on opposing sides. 

Side Panels

No metallic side panels will be allowed on any kart – if you have them, you will not be able to compete until they are removed or replaced.  Side panels with sharp or pointed edges must be radiused or rounded off before being allowed to compete.  Side nerf bars, if used, must be bullnosed or bent round to side panel. 

All Junior Division karts must run a full double hoop rear bumper.  Bumper must not extend past midpoint of either tire.  Maximum width – 34”, minimum width – 30”.  For clarification, see Slack Performance or Bicknell Racing Products depending on kart make. 

Fire Extinguishers are recommend in every pit - Please keep them visible

& easily accessible not only for yourself, but for others not familiar with your pit.

OTHER ITEMS

Anything not covered in the rules will be up to the discretion of the tech inspector and/or Race Director without recourse from any owner, driver, crew member, or spectator.  Anything not covered by the rules will be acted upon by the track officials as situations arise and will be added to the rules. 

The rules and regulations set forth and contained herein are designed to provide for the orderly and SAFE conduction of racing events and to establish minimum acceptable standards and requirements for said events. 

HOT PIT

Only driver, kart and one (1) person to start the kart will be allowed in the Hot Pit Area.  Any unauthorized persons found in this area may be ejected from the pit area. 

FLAG DESCRIPTIONS AND RACE PROCEDURES

There will be seven coloured flags used by the flagman to control the races.  They are: green, yellow, red, white, blue/yellow, checkered, and black.  It is the flagman’s job to relay information regarding the status of the race to the drivers by waving the various flags.  It is the responsibility of the drivers to observe the flagman’s motions each time he/she passes by during the race.   

Green Flag – Begin racing.  When it has been determined that all karts are lined up in the proper position and the track is clear, the flagman will wave the green flag when the karts pass by the start/finish line.  On caution lap restarts, the race will resume immediately when the green flag is waved. 

Yellow Flag – Caution on the track – slow down and HOLD your position.  The yellow flag is also known as the caution flag.  The caution flag will not be thrown unless there is a dangerous situation on the track usually resulting from a disabled kart or multi-kart collision.  On a caution, karters are to get into single file position as soon as safely possible.  If a karter persists in trying to grab/fight for a spot, he/she will be put TAIL.  The scorers will refer back to the last completed lap by all karters in order to set the line-up for restarts.  The track officials will then indicate where karters should start. 

Red Flag – Signifies automatic halting of the race.  Karters must come to a complete stop in a safe and orderly manner.  The race is scored according to the last complete lap under green.   

White Flag – Signifies 1 lap remaining in the race or 1 lap remaining in caution laps before ‘going green’ again. 

Blue/Yellow Flag -  Signifies competitor is about to be lapped.  Karts about to be lapped MUST MOVE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRACK.  During features, karters not responding will be black flagged on their third lap. 

Checkered Flag – End of the race.  The checkered flag is waved when the person leading the race crosses the start/finish line at the completion of the last lap.  The first person to complete the designated number of laps for the race is declared the winner.  

Black Flag – Pull off the track immediately in a safe and cautious manner.  If the flagman waves the black flag ad points to you while you are racing, you must slow down using caution as to not interfere with other racers and exit the track in a safe manner.  Reasons to be black-flagged could be – an unsafe situation has developed with your kart while racing; your speed is off pace to the point where it is a danger to other drivers; reckless driving; unsafe or unsportsman-like conduct. 

Track Officials

All practice and competition activity on the track are under the immediate control of the Race Director, Starter, Pit Steward, Flagmen, and Scorers.  All competitors shall adhere to their direction. 

LINE-UP PROCEDURE

When the flagman signals the field to line-up, the kart on the pole (first) position has one lap to slow down, raises his/her hand and starts the line-up. 

Anyone passing the pole sitter after his/her hand is raised will be sent to the tail of the line-up.  If the pole sitter does not comply with the line-up rules, he/she will be sent to the tail. 

The pole sitter will set the pace for the start of the race under the direction of the track officials. 

The flagman will control the start of the race at the start/finish line. 

Caution Flags – The caution flag will not be thrown unless a DANGEROUS SITUATION is created.  In cases of multi-kart collision causing a caution flag, racers who stall or lose chains will be permitted, in a timely manner to restart at the tail end of the field.  After the field is reformed and any kart not ready to race will be given two (2) laps to join the field.  If you are not ready, move to a safe location and let the race resume.  You will be scored appropriately based on the number of karts remaining in the race. 

Stalled or disabled karts not under caution (become disabled while the race is underway) will not be permitted to restart the race unless there is another caution.  Scoring stops at the point kart became disabled.  If you spin out and are still under power, and capable of continuing, the caution flag will not be thrown.  Single kart spins where kart is ruled NOT to be in a dangerous position WILL NOT cause a caution to be thrown.  Anyone charged with three (3) cautions in any race can be black-flagged. 

Black Flags – If you are black-flagged for any reason you MUST leave the track within two (2) laps.  You will be scored in last place based on the number of karts starting the race. 

If you do not leave the track in specified time, you WILL NOT be scored and will forfeit all points for the event.  Any unsportsman-like actions resulting from this situation could also result in suspension. 

Restarts – Restarts are under control of the flagman.  There will be no passing until the green flag is waved.  Anyone charged with ‘jumping’ the start two (2) times in the same race (not necessarily in the same start) may be disqualified from that race. 

RACE PROCEDURE

Practice

Practice session begins 20 minutes before race time unless otherwise scheduled.  No practice will occur without ambulance, starter and flagman present.  Length of practice is determined by available time NOT by number of practices per class. 

Heats

Heats are set up according to the draw at the pit gate.  It is the driver’s responsibility to make sure that he/she draws.  The second heat will be lined up in reverse order from the first.  That is, if you start on the pole in the first heat, you will start last in the second heat.  In the event of ties from the heats, the karter with the initial lowest heat draw number will start ahead of the other.  AGAIN MAKE SURE YOU DRAW. 

Line Up

Line up is based upon the number drawn by the driver at the time of registration at the pit gate.  Any entry not in lineup chute when previous race has ended is subject to start scratch for the race.  Once white flag is shown, no entry will be permitted on track.  This rule subject to Race Director’s discretion. 

Start

All karts must stay in line and maintain pace.  No acceleration until reaching the designated starting line.  On initial start, no passing until past the start/finish line.  All karts attempting to pass before this point or driving to the outside of cones will be black-flagged and put to the back of the pack.  Inside pole kart sets the pace.  Before completion of 1 lap, original position is assumed, except karts involved in incident – those will start in the rear of the field.  If virtually the whole field is involved in the incident, a complete restart with original positions will occur.  A single file restart may be signaled at the Race Director’s discretion.  In the event that a karter does not start any race, they will be scored with last place position for that heat.  It is the karter’s responsibility to be ready to start his/her heat. 

If a karter scratches on the grid, we will cross-over the positions.  If a karter pulls off the track and the field has not taken the green, that line only moves up.  If a kart pulls off the track for any reason (during heat or feature) that kart will go TAIL.  This does not include a stoppage on/off track for a civil discussion with officials, or the Race Director indicating he should check your kart on safety issues. 

A karter stopping on track for a red flag, or during a caution MUST stay seated.  You stand up – you go tail.  Common sense is to be used (eg. getting out to assist in an accident). 

Restart After One Lap Complete

During the initial start of any race, one re-start will be allowed.  If for any reason the front two karts can’t get the start right, they will fall back to positions 3 & 4 and the next two karters will start the race – if they have problem, karts in position 5 & 6 will replace them and so on.  Line-up is in the order in which the karts were scored on the last completed green flag lap.  If sufficient laps have been completed, the race may be called with points and payout according to the position to be held for restart.  After 1 lap, restart is single file. 

Incident

Any kart causing a caution or stopping due to mishap and not driven immediately in the caution lap or to the starting line will be considered involved in the incident. 

Repairs

No kart may be attended to on the track.  Only the driver may attend to his/her kart in the infield.  If repairs are necessary and the yellow or red flag is displayed, a kart will be permitted to pull into the pit area.  They will have 2 caution laps during features only to fix/repair kart and return to the race.  All entries returning to the track shall start in the rear in the order of return to the track.  Once the white flag  is shown signifying one lap before restarting, no entry will be allowed back on the track (refer to line up rule). 

* Only authorized personnel shall be in the infield or on the track at anytime during the race program * 

Any participant, driver, pit person or other individual going onto the track uninvited will cause the kart they are associated with to automatically go tail whether it is a heat or feature.  This person’s demeanor will determine if they and/or the karter is suspended for at least that race.

 Competitor Performance

Continual ill handling or rough riding will result in disqualification.  Any kart that leaves the racecourse must return in a safe manner only.  Any kart leaving the race surface starts in the rear if caution is thrown.  If no caution, karter will be black flagged if not fully under control while re-entering the race surface. 

POINT AND HANDICAP SYSYTEM

Points

Points are awarded for feature races based on the DIRTCar Points System (ie. 60 points to win, 56, 54, 52, 50, 48…).  No points awarded for heat races. 

At the end of the season the track statistician will drop the 3 lowest points races or 3 ‘no-shows’ or any combination of those from all competitors’ points totals to determine the official final point standing.  DISQUALIFICATION FOR UNSPORTSMAN-LIKE CONDUCT WILL NOT COUNT AS A DROPPED RACE.  In all cases of season ending ties, ties will be broken by using the greatest number of 1st place finishes in events counting toward that position.  If a tie still exists, the 2nd’s, 3rd’s, etc. will be considered until the tie is broken.  Points count each week except for noted non-points events. 

Point Allocation

All points are awarded to the principal driver registered upon entering the pit area.  Any driver changes must be registered prior to the beginning of the race.  If any change is made during a race, the new driver will start scratch in all remaining races.  Points and purse will go to the original driver ONLY if the original driver has taken the green flag in at least 1 qualifying race, otherwise points will go to relief driver. 

Handicap

All heat races are lined up according to the draw number order.  First heat – straight up; second heat – reverse draw order except for straight up Championship races.  New drivers and/or rookie drivers or a driver disqualified, may be asked, at the Race Director’s discretion, to start scratch in each race of the first complete program in which the driver participates. 

Starting Position

Feature starting positions will be determined by the finishing position in the two qualifying heats with best finishing positions starting in the front.  Heat qualification ties will be broken using the AMB Timing and Scoring system times from the heat races.  The driver with the fastest time in either heat will start further ahead. The driver qualifies, not the kart.  Driver must drive last kart qualified if operational.  Use of a backup kart MUST BE PRE-APPROVED by the Race Director.  If backup kart is used, driver will start scratch in his/her next scheduled race.  Registered number must be used.  Dividing heats into slow and fast karts at discretion of Race Director. 

Feature Qualification

A pre-determined number of karts qualify through heats for the feature.  Drivers not qualified will start scratch or qualify through a consolation race if necessary.  The number of karts qualifying will be determined by the size of the field and the number or heats.  The balance of the field (if any) will be lined up straight up according to handicap rules with non-qualifiers in the rear. 

Scales

The TOP 3 and TOP 5 finishers in heats and features respectively must go directly to the scale and stay with their kart in line until weighed.  

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY KART CLUB RESERVES THE RIGHT TO

ADD, DELETE, AND/OR COMBINE CLASSES AT ANY TIME

IF KART COUNTS DICTATE SUCH ACTION.

FURTHER PROCEDURAL AND

TECHNICAL RULES CAN BE FOUND

IN THE 2008

WORLD KARTING ASSOCIATION MANUAL.

THE RACE DIRECTOR MAY,

IF THE OCCASION WARRANTS,

DISCUSS ANY DECISION WITH THE

TRACK OFFICIALS AND CONVEY RESULTS TO THOSE INVOLVED. 

ANY CALL MADE BY THE CHIEF FLAGGER IS AUTOMATICALLY CONDONED.

THE RACE DIRECTOR IS A COMMITTEE OF

ONE

AND HIS DECISIONS ARE FINAL. 

2008 MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY GO KART DIVISIONS 

All divisions follow WKA rules and use Methanol for fuel 

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