Rules And Regulations Download

The rules and/or regulations set forth herein are designed to provide for the orderly conduct of racing events and to establish minimum acceptable requirements of such events. These rules shall govern all conditions of all events, and by participating in these events, all participants are deemed to have complied with these rules. NO EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM PUBLICATIONS OF OR COMPLIANCE WITH THESE RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS. They are intended as a guide for the conduct of the sport and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death to a participate, spectator or official.

The league/race director, or designated ARA Advance Racing Association Official, shall be empowered to permit minor deviation from any of the specifications herein or imposed any further restrictions that in his or her opinion do not alter the minimum acceptable requirements. NO EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM SUCH ALTERATION IN SPECIFICATIONS. Any interpretation or deviation of these rules is left to the discretion of the ARA League/Race Officials, and their decision if final.

All ARA Licensees are and shall be independent contractors and shall use their own methods in performing their duties in accordance with the ARA rules as they may be amended from time to time. Licensee shall furnish any tools, supplies or materials in which he deems necessary to perform his duties. Licensee assumes and takes full responsibility for reporting and paying to the appropriate authorities all charges, premiums and taxes, if any, due or payable on any funds the licensee may receive as a result of his duties and/or activities as a ARA member, driver or owner.

Regulations and specifications set forth herein is automatically amended by directions contained in subsequent Official Entry forms and Official Technical Bulletins issued by ARA.

All drivers must be a minimum of sixteen (16) years of age, and have a valid drivers license issued in the state they reside in. Drivers may compete at the age of fifteen (15), providing they have a minimum of three (3) years prior racing experience in other sanctioned events, a valid learners permit issued in the state they reside in, and they have been reviewed and approved by ARA and deemed eligible to compete in ARA Events. Any driver under the age of eighteen (18) years of age must have a properly executed parental consent form signed and notarized for admission to any events. Any driver under the age of eighteen (18) must be emancipated and approved on an individual basis by ARA and each racing venue.

All drivers, car owners, and mechanics must secure Licenses from ARA before taking part in any sanctioned event. Anyone who has obtained a license is automatically a member of ARA. Temporary licenses may be secured in the case of renters. Fees for all licenses are listed on the License and Registration Forms. (A car owner is not required to secure a mechanic’s license.)

Rookie of the Year Qualifications: Rookie may not have previously competed in more than five (5) ARA sanctioned events. Rookie candidates may not have raced at a level above the ARA Ltd. Late Models and Pro Trucks series. All “Rookie” candidates must have a yellow piece of tape installed on the rear bumper, and start at the rear of the field for a minimum of three (3) sanctioned ARA events, unless otherwise determined by the ARA Race Director/Official.

All license applicants are subject to the approval or rejection by ARA. Only the member of whom it is issued can use that license. Any member attempting to allow another person to use his/her license in any manner shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Any driver, racecar owner, or crewmember that fails to notify ARA Race Officials of any change in driver, or permits a racecar to be driven in a race event by an unlicensed person, shall be subject to immediate disqualification, suspension, and/or fines.

ARA expects and requires that all who participate in any racing event conduct themselves in a respectable manner and display proper sportsmanship.

Any participant who, in the judgment of the ARA Officials, is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct during a race event may be subject to any or all of the appropriate penalties. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unsportsmanlike conduct shall include reckless and overly aggressive driving endangering the safety of participants.

The driver will be held responsible for the actions of all who are associated with his/her race team, including but not limited tom the owner, sponsors, crew members, family members, etc., and can be penalized accordingly, and may be subject to removal from all ARA racing activities.

All participants (drivers, crew, etc.) will be required to adhere to the local track rules regarding conduct, pit speeds, and any and all other such rules. Any conduct deemed detrimental to ARA will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly, and with possible penalties.

Any driver, owner, or crewmember who participates in any demonstration, confrontation with other teams deemed by ARA officials to be threatening or out of line, or fight on the track premises before, during, or after a race event shall be subject to suspension, loss of winnings and points, and/or fines, and expulsion from the pit area and/or track premises. ARA has the right to review any incident at a later date, and enforce penalties post race event.

Until a suspension is lifted, the racecar to which the suspended member is registered may be restricted from competition at the discretion of ARA Race Officials.

Any abuse, assault, use of improper language, or threat thereof by any driver, owner, or crewmember towards any ARA Official, or any person operating under orders to any ARA Official, or any track official; shall be subject to suspension and/or fines and expulsion from the pit area and/or track premises.

ARA reserves the right to withhold any prize money, driver points, purse money, and official finishing position, stemming from penalties and/or other violations preceding or following post race inspection.

ARA Race Officials may, at their sole discretion, forfeit any accumulated Driver’s Points earned by an offending driver to that date.

Fines may be deducted from the prize money of an entrant. All fines shall belong to ARA. No fine assessed shall be removed or modified except by order of the Owners/President of ARA, after consultation.

Fines are payable within three (3) weeks. Any delay in making payment shall entail suspension during the period the fine remains unpaid.

Only the Owners/President of ARA, may pronounce a sentence of suspension. The period of suspension shall be limited to a maximum of one year. A suspension shall apply to all divisions of racing unless otherwise specified.

A sentence of suspension so long as it remains in force shall entail the loss of any right to take part in any capacity whatsoever in any ARA sanctioned competition held within the territorial United States.

The use or presence of alcoholic beverages or illegal substances of any sort is strictly prohibited on the course or in the pit during the conduct of a race meeting, and may result in disqualification, suspension and/or exclusion.

Each situation that requires punitive action by the ARA Officials will be dealt with on an individual basis. Every attempt will be made to attain continuity in official decisions but the punishment will be drafted to fit the particular violation in question. Repeat conduct violations will be handled with increasing severity. Penalties can include but are not limited to: disqualification from the event, fines, probation, suspensions, or permanent expulsion from ARA.

Before entering the racing area (or take the track for PRACTICE), at each event, the participant’s Entry Fee MUST be paid, unless other arrangements have been made with only the “Administrative Manager”. Failure to do so WILL result in the participant starting scratch.

Drivers, owners, and mechanics shall have no claim against or cause of action for damages, expenses or otherwise against ARA Officials or promoters, by reason of disqualification or damage to racecar/truck, driver, or both.

ARA Officials and track officials will establish the length, frequency, and administration of all events.

Any and all racecars/trucks may be subject to ARA inspection before, during, and after any race events.

ARA reserves the right to confiscate any part and/or equipment found to be improperly modified or illegal during an inspection; at which time, the confiscated part and/or equipment shall become the property of ARA and will not be returned.

Each competitor is solely responsible for the effectiveness of personal safety equipment used during an event. ARA is not responsible for the effectiveness of any personal safety equipment.

Each competitor is expected to investigate and educate himself/herself fully with respect to the availability and effectiveness of personal safety equipment.

Driver is required to wear for competition, a one piece, minimum two-ply, full coverage, and flame retardant fire suit. Full coverage, fire retardant undergarments are recommended.

Driver is required to wear for competition, fire retardant driving shoes. Fire retardant socks are recommended in addition to the driver shoes.

All roll bars and other hard surfaces around the driver’s seat must be padded with impact absorbent material acceptable to ARA.

All roll bars and corner post around the driver’s head must be padded with SFI approved roll bar padding.

It is the responsibility of the driver and crewmember, not ARA to insure that he/she maintains, wears and properly uses protective clothing, and all safety equipment.

It is mandatory that in each vehicle, securely strapped within the driver’s reach, a currently dated, fully charged Halon 1211 or equivalent fire extinguishing equipment, with a visible operating pressure gauge, B or C types dry chemical, minimum 2.5 lbs. capacity. It is highly recommended that each vehicle have an on-board, automatic fire extinguishing system!

All race vehicles must be equipped with a 5-point belt system: a minimum of three (3) inches wide, two piece shoulder harness with each side fastening separately and independently of the other with the harness at the proper angle over the drivers shoulder with a lap belt, crotch strap harness system with metal-to-metal central quick release latch. Belts must be replaced every two (2) years, or two racing seasons. ARA Officials can deem any faded or worn belts illegal.

Driver side window nets are mandatory. All window nets must be nylon mesh or web type. All nets must fit tight and be secured with a quick release type latch, and not be more than tow (2) years old. ARA Officials can deem any faded or worn window nets to be illegal.

Driver’s seat must be fastened to the frame and must be a factory manufactured aluminum safety-racing seat. No fiberglass seats will be allowed. A minimum of 6 (six) bolts (3/8” or larger w/large washers) is required. Four (4) bolts in the bottom and two (2) bolts in the back to secure the seat.

Head restraint must be fully flexible, aluminum, and not reinforced. Tech inspectors must approve all installations.

Fuel Cells are mandatory. Fuel cell must be enclosed in a separate container made of minimum 20-gauge steel with a 22-gallon maximum capacity. Fuel cell must be located in the original location. Relocation of the fuel cell is prohibited. All fuel cells must have a rear fuel cell guard attached to the frame. Fuel cell guard must be a minimum of 1.75” diameter, and .095” thickness, steel tubing. The minimum fuel cell to ground height is 8 inches, measured ready to race with driver.

A main battery power switch must be easily accessible to the driver, and to outside access from the driver’s side window. Switch must be clearly marked for “on” and “off” positions.

Two-way radio communication between driver and crew permitted and highly recommended. This will be mandatory in 2008!

Drivers must wear a helmet carrying at least a valid SA 2000 Standard Snell Sticker at all times on the racetrack.

The driver must wear the helmet in accordance with the directions provided by the helmet supplier and/or manufacturer. Any modification to the helmet for any purpose should not detract from its effectiveness and will be deemed unusable.

At all times during an event (practice, qualifying and competition), drivers must connect their helmet to ARA approved head and neck restraint device/system. The head and neck restraint device/system, when connected, must conform to the manufacturer’s mounting instructions, and it must be configured, maintained and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

It is the responsibility of the driver, not ARA to insure that his/her device/system is ARA approved, correctly installed, maintained and properly used.

The following are the current ARA approved Head and Neck Restraint Devices/Systems: HANS Device, Hutchens Device, Impact, and other brands upon ARA Approval.

Attendance at the ARA Driver’s Meeting prior to Qualifying is Mandatory. Roll call will be done by driver name; any driver not present at that time will start scratch for the Feature Event.

Time trial qualifying, handicapped point system, order of registrations, and/or random draw will determine starting position. ARA reserves the right to invert any line-up. ARA Race Official will determine the method used. A driver must compete in a preliminary heat to be eligible for the feature event, unless otherwise noted. ARA reserves the right to have all competitors draw for qualifying.

When a race is stopped after completion of a race lap, race cars shall be lined up in the order they were running at the completion of the last lap, except for those involved in an accident, of any, which shall be established according to distance traveled and in the order in which they were running at the completion of their last lap or last scored lap. This rule shall apply unless a local track rule is declared to prevail at the driver’s meeting prior to the race event.

The only people permitted on the racetrack are racing officials. Everyone must stay away from the racetrack at all times unless requested to assist for some special reason by an official.

Do not enter the racing surface without express authorization; ARA or track officials will approve your entry at the track entrance and signal for you to proceed.

In such circumstances that a race event is halted due to rain or other adverse conditions, ARA may reserve the right to refund competitor’s mkney. No prize money and points for the race in question shall be issued.

In the event circumstances prevent completion of a race, the race will be considered officially completed after the halfway mark has been reached by the lead car/truck and it is deemed unsafe or impossible to continue the race within a reasonable amount of time after the event has been stopped.

Any car/truck causing a caution three (3) times during a race will be black-flagged. Any car/truck observed by ARA Officials to be operating in a manner that could be hazardous to other cars/trucks will be black-flagged.

Do not pass the pace car/truck unless clearly directed to do so by a track official. Violations will result in a one (1) lap penalty.

Race vehicles entering the pit area must adhere to local pit and paddock safety rules. No speeding or unsafe driving will be allowed. Unsafe driving in the pit area will result in penalty and/or fine.

Refusing to obey track or ARA Race Official will result in being penalized laps, finishing positions being taken away, the race stopped, the driver black-flagged, and a possible suspension and/or fines by the track and/or ARA.

No work can be done to a racecar/truck while it is on the track. All work must be done in the designated pit area.

“ANY INVOLVEMENT RULE” will be in effect at all times. Any driver or drivers involved in a caution must restart at the end of the longest line. Additionally, the driver or drivers may be black-flagged if the ARA or the race officials determine that unnecessary rough driving caused the accident. If race officials or ARA makes this determination, the guilty driver/drivers may be subject to suspension, and/or fine, ns well as, loss of points and purse.

ARA Race Officials in charge of a race event shall determine the method and extent of a race vehicles inspection, and reserves the right to impound race vehicles competing in a sanctioned event.

Pre-race technical inspections will be at the discretion of the ARA Race Officials and conducted in a designated area or manner. Any car/truck or equipment deemed to be illegal by ARA Officials must be corrected prior to competition, unless otherwise stated by ARA Officials.

After making a qualifying attempt, or after completion of a heat race, you could be subject to a technical inspection.

The top three (3) finishers will go directly to the designated tech inspection area immediately following the main event, unless otherwise stated by ARA Officials. A failure to follow these procedures will result in loss of points and purse for that event.

There are not to be any more than two (2) peoples with the racecar/truck in the tech inspection location at any time following the feature event.

Any and all racecars/trucks shall be subject to an ARA inspection before, during, and after any race event.

ARA reserves the right to establish an impound area, with not more than two (2) people with the racecar/truck are permitted. ARA Officials assume no responsibility for impounded vehicles.

ARA reserves the right to confiscate any part(s) and /or equipment illegally used or found during an inspection, or that ARA believes may be improperly modified or illegal; at which time the part and/or equipment becomes the property of ARA, and will not be returned to the racing team.

Any vehicle, part, or component found to be illegal at post race inspection, will be subject to but not limited to: disqualification, suspension, loss of points and/or purse, fines or a combination of any of the aforementioned penalties.

A protest must be in the ARA Official’s possession no later than 15 minutes after the feature event. Must be in cash and a written statement of what you want to protest. A driver or owner of a racecar/truck can only make protest. The protestor must be in the top ten and on the lead lap. ARA Official’s reserve the right to determine a valid protest.

The first $100 of each protest will go to the Tech Official or ARA approved Engine Builder. The next $100 will go to the ARA series. If the driver that the protest is made against is found to be legal, that driver/owner will collect the remaining money. If the driver that the protest is made against is found to be illegal, the protestor will be returned the remaining money, and the illegal driver will face disqualification and other possible penalties, deemed by ARA Officials.

At the discretion of ARA Officials, a competitor’s engine may be claimed at any time, for any reason, during the race season for inspection.

To receive driver show-up points (100 pts.), a driver needs to have paid an Entry fee; driver does not have to make a qualifying lap or take the green flag in a heat/feature race.

To receive driver points for a heat/qualifying race, a driver needs to have paid an entry fee, and have taken the green flag in a heat/ qualifying race.

To receive driver points and prize money, a driver needs to have paid an entry fee, made a qualifying lap; taken a green flag in a heat/qualifying race; and have taken the green flag in the feature race.

The point system will officially end for all ARA events on December 31st of each year or at the end of the official ARA race series season, whichever comes first.

All decisions by ARA Officials in establishing and awarding the point funds shall be final and binding.

Any postponed race, if re-scheduled, shall be run on the same season point’s breakdown, unless otherwise stated prior to the event.