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MRA GENERAL RULES 2009

GENERAL AND SAFETY RULES FOR 2009 ---------------------------------------------

GENERAL RULES
1. All competitors must be at least 16 years of age with a valid driver’s license to participate. Under 18 competitors must provide written parental consent and can compete in MRA Sportsman classes only.
2. No alcohol or drugs permitted. This policy will be strictly enforced and presence of alcohol or drugs will automatically disqualify the driver and vehicle from competition.
3. No riders permitted in vehicle.
4. All participants and crew members shall present themselves in a neat and professional manner (shirts and pants mandatory) at all times during the event.. (Driving suits, overalls or matching crew uniforms (Shirts or shirts and pants) recommended.

5. The appearance of your vehicle should be presented in a clean and professional manner. Offensive Graphics, pictures, lettering are not acceptable.
6. In the event of disqualification of vehicle, no refunds will be allowed.
7. It is mandatory that a licensed driver be seated in the normal driving position any time the engine is running, including pit area, staging lanes, turn around and return roads. Failure to follow this procedure will result in disqualification.
8. No high-speed driving or “hot-rodding” will be tolerated anywhere except on the race track. NO WARNING WILL BE GIVEN. These actions are grounds for immediate disqualification.

9. The tracks “Tech Official” will have finial approval of a race vehicles legality and safety for any and all classes. The tech official will have the right to call for a re-tech OR disqualify any vehicle that they feel does not meet the safety requirement. (Refusal to comply with a re-tech - will be automatic disqualification).

Protest Procedures
1. Participant protests may only be filed by the driver or registered vehicle owner competing in the same event, in the same class as the vehicle being protested.

2. Any protest must be made within 30 minutes of class competition. The protest must be made in writing and must specifically identify in detail the nature of a single violation and must be accompanied by the protest fee of $200 cash.

3. The Tracks Tech Official - present at the event will investigate and decide the protest as promptly as possible and shall inform the parties of the protest his decision.

4. If the protest is sustained, the protested racer will be disqualified from that class only. Adjustments in pay and standings will be made, and the protest fee will be returned to the protesting racer.

5. If the protest is over-ruled, $150 of the protest fee will be awarded to the racer who was protested and $50 will be given to the Race Promoter.
6. The Tracks Tech Official reserves the right to reject any protest that it determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, is frivolous or intended to harass another participant or to otherwise gain some unfair competitive advantage.

SAFETY RULES

For the purpose of safety rules the following classes will be referred to as “Pro classes“

Fast Track classes --- Open Paddles, Open Cuts, Modified Paddles, Modified Cuts, Outlaw Pro Stock, Pro Stock, Outlaw Super Stock and Super stock classes, Will be considered as Pro classes.

Pit classes #3 through #9 ------ will be considered Pro-classes.

Hill and Hole Classes #3, #4, #6 and the Tractor Tire classes, Will be considered Pro-classes.

For the purpose of safety rules the following fast track classes will be referred to as “Sportsman Classes“ - Hot Street, Street Stock and Consistency) NOTE: All Pro-Class vehicles running in Consistency class must comply to the safety guidelines of the Pro-class they fit into as per tech.

For the purpose of safety rules, All other classes in the categories of Pit and Hill and Hole - will be considered as Sportsmen classes.

Drivers Safety
1. Sportsman classes require each driver to wear a safety approved SFI 31.2 or newer helmet. Long pants, and sleeved shirt and leather shoes. (No open foot wear allowed). To maintain safety and professionalism a SFI 3.2A-1 fire suit, gloves, neck collar and shoes are highly recommended for all sportsman classes.
2. A SFI 3.2A-1 approved fire suit is mandatory in all pro classes. Including, gloves, shoes, neck collar and helmet. All Nitrous and alcohol classes require the addition of a SFI approved two layer fire suit and head sock).

3. All race vehicles in the “Pro and Sportsman classes” are required to have attached to the vehicle, in plain view, a fully charged, 2 1/2 lb. minimum dry chemical or CO-2 fire extinguisher with a dial gauge, approved by ICC, UL or Coast Guard, and equipped with a suitable quick-release bracket. Extinguisher must be securely mounted within driver’s reach (in front of or to the side of driver). Behind the driver is not acceptable.

4. (A) All open cockpit vehicles in the Pro classes (Mod and Open) running alcohol and / or nitrous are recommended to have an onboard fire system (Hy-lon or cold fire) with at least 1 nozzle directed towards the drivers feet and a 2^nd nozzle directed at the engine away from the driver) Activation must be accessible by the driver while secured in the drivers seat with a 5 point harness.

5. In the Sportsman classes, Stock factory seat belt and shoulder belts allowed. It is highly recommended that vehicles equipped with a racing seat (or seats) will incorporate the use of a 4 point harness for the driver).

6. A 5 point safety harness is required for the driver in all pro classes. Arm restraints and / or window nets highly recommended)

Vehicle General Requirements

1). Vehicle must have rigid front and rear hitching point.
(A) Tow hook retaining clips required.
(B) Hitching point must be easily accessible and of substantial construction. No chains, straps, cables, or frame rail holes permitted.
(C) If you are using your stock or add-on bumper, the mounting brackets must be at least 1/4” thick.
(D) A rear axle hitching point is acceptable on vehicles with 3 or 4-link suspension, subject to Tech approval.
(E) A pintle hook (rather than a clevis) will pass as long as the top jaw locks and releases.

2. With the exception of the “Modified” and “Open” classes which may use a separate (detached) battery pack and / or a funny car style starter. All other vehicles must have adequate battery power and starter on board to start the vehicle while the driver is securely fasten in the drivers seat.

3. Vehicle batteries must be securely fasten to the vehicle with proper hold downs to prevent it from coming loose in the event of an accident (No straps, bungee cords etc.) allowed. Batteries shall not be mounted in the drivers compartment. (An approved battery box or enclosure is highly recommended)

NO VEHICLE SHALL BE STARTED OR LEFT RUNNING WITHOUT A LICENSED OPERATOR IN THE DRIVERS SEAT.

4. All fuel lines, coolant lines, belts and hoses must be in good condition.

5. Every vehicle must have an ignition kill switch.

(A) The ignition kill switch must be within driver’s reach while he/she is fastened securely in harness. (A stock ignition switch is adequate for Sportsman classes).
(B) The kill switch must be clearly labeled “KILL SWITCH” or “ON” and “OFF”.
(C) Kill switch must shut power off to all electric pumps, nitrous and ignition systems.
(D) Pro Class vehicles must have a master kill switch mounted at rear as close to centered as possible (accessible when vehicle is on side or upside down) This switch must disconnect all battery power and shut off engine. Switch must be clearly labeled.

(A second master switch within the drivers reach is highly recommended).
(E) - Magneto powered vehicles will need a relay to comply (these can be supplied through many high performance parts outlets).
6. No engine or transmission cooling devices or lines will be allowed inside the driver’s compartment of the vehicle.
7. With the exception of OEM fuel systems in the Sportsmen classes - No electronic controlled fuel injection systems, clutch management or traction control devices are allowed in the Pro classes).

8. The use of electronic, digital or programmable ignition boxes for ignition and nitrous control in the Pro-classes are allowed.

Engine

1. All supercharged vehicles are required to use aluminum blower studs, belt shield and SFI approved blower restraints. (Blower and hat blanket and fuel line shield highly recommended).
2. All Pro Classes must use 3 return springs on throttle: 1 on pedal (or a toe loop ) and 2 on carburetor or injection.

3. Vehicles with (mechanical) aftermarket alcohol fuel injection systems must have a fuel shut off valve. The fuel shut off valve shall be securely fastened within the drivers reach while they are fastened in the driver’s seat with a 5-point harness. - NOTE: A separate shut off is not required for stock OEM fuel injection systems in sportsman classes).
4. SFI approved balancer is highly recommended on all modified engines in the sportsmen classes. (NOTE: Stock harmonic balancer allowed as long as the pulley diameter exceeds balancer diameter).

5. All Pro classes require a SFI approved steel harmonic balancer.

Drive train

1. All vehicles must have driveshaft loops.
(A) Driveshaft loops must be of substantial rigid construction. All mounting bolts must be a minimum of 5/16” diameter.

(B) Each driveshaft must have a minimum of 2 loops. If a vehicle has a shaft no longer than 24”, 1 loop, properly centered, will suffice.
(C) Loop location is to be no less than 6” and no more than 12” on the solid end of the shaft, and 1” past slider on end with slip joint: or 3 loops must be evenly spaced so that if the slip joint breaks, shaft will not drop.
(D) In addition to the above - All pro-class vehicles are required to have u-joint guards or shielding around all exposed u-joints. . Guards will be 360degree, 3” wide. Guards will be made of ¼” aluminum or 1/8” steel, secured with minimum 5/16” hardware

2. Transmissions must be properly shielded. (NOTE: Non Planetary - gear driven units do not require shielding or blankets (I.e. SCS or Pro-fab units etc.).
(A) Mechanical clutch equipped vehicles must have SFI approved bell housing with block saver plate. Must be installed with approved manufacturer’s hardware.

(B) - All vehicle are required to have a SFI approved Flex plate or Fly wheel)
(C) - All automatic transmission equipped vehicles are required to have a SFI approved transmission safety blanket, SFI approved transmission shield Or SFI Approved transmission case. (It is also recommended that all pro classes install a SFI approved flex plate shield or bell housing).
3. The running gear of each vehicle will be inspected to verify the safety of such critical parts as steering, brakes, welds, tires, and body condition.
4. All chain driven vehicles must have a shield or guard of 1/8” steel (minimum thickness) or ¼” aluminum covering the top and ends of the unit. All Shielding must be securely mounted to the engine or frame structure to contain chain in the event of breakage. (Stock Frame can pass as end cover subject per tech approval).
5. All weight added to race vehicles must be securely attached per tech approval. Added weight must be brought to the attention of the Tech Inspector. (NOTE: All added weight shall be painted white )

Fuel
1). All fuel tanks must be isolated from driver’s compartment by a firewall.
(A) - All sportsman classes - gas tanks must be in stock location. NOTE: Stock in cab tanks may be relocated - But must be mounted under the body of the vehicle isolated inside the frame perimeters. Pro classes - Fuel cells allowed as per class rules

(B) Fuel lines must be isolated from driver’s compartment by sub-floor.
(C) Tanks must have adequate latching gas caps.
(D) Tanks must have sufficient capacity to make full runs.
(E) - Engine MUST be turned OFF while refueling).

(F) Fuel tanks (or Fuel cells) must be securely fastened with a minimum of 2 metal straps, (1” minimum width) secured with the proper hardware (3/8” minimum).

(G) NO pressurized fuel systems allowed. All fuel systems shall be operated by mechanical or electrical means only.

Nitrous
2). Nitrous Systems must be commercially available and installed per manufacturer’s recommendations.
(A) A 1/4 turn ball valve within driver’s reach must be used to shut off bottle.
(B) If two bottles are used, both must have ball valves and must be on 1 cable to shut off flow.
(C) The electrical power source for fuel pumps and nitrous switches must pass through
the master kill switch..

(D) The Nitrous activation switch must be loaded button (momentary switch).
(E) Nitrous filter is mandatory.
(F) Heating of nitrous bottles by any open flame (Torch) is NOT permitted.
(G) The use of any agents other than nitrous oxide as part of, or mixed with, is prohibited.

Brakes
1). All vehicles must have working and adequate brake systems. ( Dual reservoir master cylinder required.

(A). Four (4) Independent wheel brakes required for all classes for the 2009 season . (B). Braking systems will be inspected and tested during tech inspection.

(C)  All Brake rotors will be inspected for heat cracks, Rotors found with heat cracks will not pass tech inspection.
(C) Steel brake lines recommended. (Flexible steel braided brake lines allowed as long as they are securely fastened).
(D) Stock flex lines to calipers are acceptable. (Steel braided flex lines recommended in all Pro classes).

Tires
1. D.O.T. tires must have raised D.O.T. stamping on the sidewall.

2. Tires will be sized by manufactures, raised lettering on the sidewall.
3. No recapped tires will be allowed.
4. Tires must be mounted with NO missing lug nuts.

Body & Chassis
1. Firewall and floorboard must be of adequate construction to protect driver from engine and driveline components. (.060 steel or aluminum minimum)
2. All Sportsman class vehicles with a soft or removable top must be equipped with a roll bar and two (2) support bars (a 4-point cage is highly recommended). Securely fastened to the vehicle with .060 steel plates at mounting points. Roll Bar mounting plates must to be “welded to” or plates bolted through body with at least 4 ea. Of 3/8” bolts and hardware at each mounting point (4 required). Bars to be a minimum of 1 5/8” x .123 wall mild steel tubing.

3) Manufactured or purchased “show” or “dress” bars mounted in the cab or bed are unacceptable.

4) All roll cages will be made of a minimum of  .090 wall steel tube with a minimum diameter of 1 ½.(Exhaust tubing will not be acceptable) Bends must be continuously round with no sharp corners or edges.

5) All pro classes will have a roll cage that will be attached to the frame at a minimum of 4 points. Open cage vehicles will be required to have a cage attached by 6 points to the frame

6) Frames and roll cages will be substantially constructed and designed and must meet approval by the tech officials .

7) All weld joints must conform to approved welding procedures and standards set forth by the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)

Firesuit and safety reqiurements

by Fred Kowalik » Sun May 10, 2009 9:41 am