GENERAL RULES

The intended purpose of this rule book is to make for an even playing field for all competitors competing at Thunder Mountain Speedway. The promoters and officials will strive to the best of their abilities, to enforce all rules fairly and with respect. The nature of the sport has proven that questions concerning rules and procedures will arise from time to time. The promoters and officials will deal with these concerns in an orderly and fair manner. ALL COMPETITORS, CREW MEMBERS AND OFFICIALS SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THE RULES AND PROCEDURES OF THIS BOOK.

RULEBOOK DISCLAIMER: 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 for such events. By participating in these events, all participants are deemed to have complied with these rules. NO EXPRESS 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 participant, spectator or official.

The Promoters shall be empowered to permit minor deviation from any of the specifications herein or impose further restrictions that in their opinion do not alter the minimum acceptable requirements. NO EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM SUCH ALTERATION OF SPECIFICATIONS. Any interpretation or deviation of these rules is left to the discretion of the promoters and officials. Their decision is final.

Tech inspector and track promoters reserve the right to check and deem any car unsafe or illegal based on the following rules. If you do not read a specific rule in this rule book, you will need to check with tech inspector and/or speedway promoters before assuming something will be legal. Items not covered in this rule book will be at the discretion of Thunder Mountain speedway officials and promoters.

Any time the word “stock” is used in this rule book to describe cars, parts or components, means available over the counter from GM, Chrysler or Ford authorized dealers (Also to mean stock from the aftermarket).

 

INSURANCE

1. Any person who enters the pit area and has signed the waiver release form at the pit entry is entitled to benefits arranged by the speedway. All children entering the pit area must have a minor waiver release form signed by a parent.
2. It is highly recommended that all competitors carry additional life and medical insurance.
3. Anyone involved in an accident while on the racing premises must report the incident to the promoters before leaving the facility that night (if they are not able, someone from there team must report it). Incidents not reported that night, these benefits will not be available per the insurance company.
4. The minimum age to enter the pit area may be changed at any time.
5. Driver’s minimum age is fourteen (14) with properly signed waiver release form by a parent.

 

SPEEDWAY FACILITY

1. There will be NO drinking of intoxicants by anyone entering the pit area prior to or during any racing event. Anyone in the pit area suspected of drinking alcohol before or during an event will be removed from the pit area and possible suspension.
2. At all racing events, driver and owner assumes the responsibilities of not only their own actions, but also the actions of their crew. This goes for actions anywhere on speedway premises. The driver and/or owner shall be the only spokesperson for the team.
3. In the event of a disagreement, anyone taking physical action for any reason will be subject to suspension and/or fines. This will include the person and the car they are associated with. Suspension and/or fine will be determined by the speedway promoters.
4. There is local law enforcement on the speedway grounds at all times during a racing event in the case any arrest needs to be made.
5. NO one shall enter the tower or flag stand during or after the racing event other than track officials. Anyone doing so will face suspension and fines for themselves and the team they are affiliated with. Anyone wanting to discuss a scoring decision must report to the pit steward to contact the appropriate official.
6. Anyone deliberately disobeying an order from any track official is subject to suspension and/or fine as well as the car they are affiliated with.
7. Any driver and/or owner found violating any of the rules or procedures of this rule book shall be subject to suspension and/or fines.
8. Any fines need to be paid in full before that person is able to enter the pit area again.
9. The promoters have the right to prohibit anyone suspended from another race track from entering the pit area for the length of their suspension.
10. Live feed of all speedway events is STRICTLY prohibited. Anyone found streaming live will be removed from the premises. Race teams will lose points and pay.

 

SAFETY

DRIVER:

1. Driver’s seat must be securely fastened to frame or cage in at least six spots, (4 bottom 2 back) with minimum 3/8” bolts. Seats mounted over drive lines must have minimum 1/8” steel plate under and up the back 4” at least the width of the seat.
2. Seats must be high back aluminum racing seat .090 minimum thickness. No fiberglass, plastic or bucket seats.
3. Mandatory shock resistant roll bar padding on all bars that the driver’s head or other body parts may come in contact with while strapped in the seat. On cars with center steering, both housings must be covered with same type padding.
4. Mandatory while driving: Full face helmet, Snell approved, no older than 5 years old from production date. Must be in good condition and no hard-hit marks. Fire suit: Minimum SFI 3-2A/1, 1 or 2 pieces. Must be in good condition, no tears, holes or broken zippers. Gloves: Must be minimum Nomex single layer and in good condition. Neck support: either collar type or SFI rated neck support system. Recommended: Nomex underwear, socks, hood and fire proof driving shoes. BELTS: Must be SFI dated and tagged by manufacture, cannot be older than 5 years from the production date. Any belts not tagged will be considered expired. Recommend replacing all belts after any strong impacts. Any belts in an unsafe condition must be replaced regardless of age. Must be minimum 5-point harness and with minimum 3” wide lap and shoulder belt and 2” wide submarine belt and quick disconnect. All belts must be mounted as per manufactures instructions to the frame or cage.
5. All crews must have operable fire extinguishers capable of putting out fuel and oil fires.

 

CAR:

1. All cars are subject to inspection at any time and must be free from mechanical defects and be in safe condition.
2. Drive Shaft Cover is mandatory. All cars with open shafts must have a tunnel, min. 1/8” steel from 2” under front edge of seat to back of transmission covering shaft and “U” joint on top and both sides down to floor. It must be held in place with at least four (4) 3/8” bolts minimum, to a substantial cross member. A 360-degree aluminum tubing of no less than ¼” wall 6061-T6 material will be accepted providing it covers complete shaft and “U” joint back to seat. No cast or welded tubing. The drive shaft cover must be solid, no cutaways for lightening purposes. Drive shafts must be painted white. NOTE: Closed drive type cars, torque tubes or bells that already have a 360-degree covering from “U” joint to seat will be accepted.
3. Any car that has a suspension link such as a torque arm, coil over or trailer bar in the driver’s compartment, must have a steel cable (min ¼”) or clamp around it to limit its range should it break loose from its mount. Should be free of sharp edges and padded if possible.
4. All classes require a drive shaft loop that must go completely around the drive shaft made of substantial material.
5. Mandatory windshield screen of substantial material (no chicken wire or aluminum) must cover the entire windshield area. Full fender cars must have a center windshield post connected to the cage.
6. All cars MUST have a fuel shut off within reach of the driver and clearly labeled ON and OFF. All fuel lines running through the driver’s compartment should be run in a safe manner. Braided fuel lines recommended. Lines should be run through rubber or steel conduit. No cast fittings.
7. All wheels must have minimum of five (5) lug nuts.
8. Exhaust must be safe from driver and exit past the driver’s seat. All cars must have mufflers.
9. No mirrors.
10. All cars should be neatly painted with bold neat numbers on both doors and the roof minimum 16” tall and numbers on the front and rear of car.
11. Inspector reserves the right to request body sheet metal to be replaced and painted if it has been badly damaged.
12. Fuel cells must be securely mounted by at least two (2) steel straps, each 1” wide minimum. Each strap must be mounted with at least two (2) 5/16” bolts. Fuel system must have tip over safety and breather valves. A reinforcing cage or chassis bar must be installed behind the fuel cell.
13. Must have two (2) throttle return springs and a steel toe loop on the gas pedal.
14. All cars will have an ignition switch and master disconnect switch within reach of the driver boldly labeled ON and OFF.
15. All cars must be equipped with a quick release steering wheel.

 

HANDICAPPING

1. The number of cars to be qualified through each heat and consi will be determined by the handicapper and posted on the pit board before the first heat.
2. If a driver qualifies more than one car, he must drive the last qualified car in the feature. The other car is not eligible. On postponed events, the driver qualified may run a different car without losing his position.
3. All driver changes MUST be reported at pit check in or to the pit steward. Failure to report a driver change will result in a one-week handicapping penalty and no points or money for that race.
4. Any handicapping and scoring inquiries must be made to the pit steward. NO person affiliated to any race team is allowed in the scoring tower. Failure to abide by this rule will result in suspension and fines for that race team and individual.
5. Finishing order, money and points are considered official when posted at the pit board after the feature. Drivers have ten minutes to protest the finish once it’s posted at the pit office. Any questions regarding the finishing order must be directed to the pit office. Any discrepancies must be taken care of before leaving the speedway that night.
6. No car can compete in two (2) classes without prior approval from the promoters.
7. Drivers competing in more than one class must pay a $50 registration fee for each car. Must not run the same car twice.
8. The first two (2) weeks of a new season will be a draw for heat starting positions in all classes. Feature line ups will be a redraw based on the number of cars. The number to redraw will be posted on the pit board before the first heat race. Regular handicapping will start on week three.
9. Starting in week three, if any of the top five (5) in track points fail to qualify for the feature they will be offered the opportunity to “buy in”. Only two (2) spots will be taken starting with positions 1 – 5 in points. They must have attempted to qualify. If the top five in the current points standings all are qualified, the “buy in” will be offered to the previous seasons top five (5) in points.
10. Bubble cars will be used if there are qualified cars that cannot make the feature and there are no “buy in” cars, to fill the field at 24. They must be ready and on the track before the field takes the white flag for the original start.
11. Drivers must take the original green flag to receive points and pay. Any qualified car that does not take the original green flag will be considered “DNS” did not start.
12. All restarts will be lined up based on the last completed lap.
13. Handicap points will be based on points earned over the past three complete features. Cars not entering those events will be handicapped as a win plus one point.
14. The number of cars to qualify and be handicapped for the feature will be determined by the number of cars entered that night. It will be posted on the pit board before the first heat.
15. MyLaps transponders are MANDATORY for ALL classes. Anyone without a working transponder will be scored last for pay and points.

 

PITS

1. No excessive speeding in the pits. Penalties will be issued for speeding.
2. All cars must be staged before their event goes on the track or will have to start in the rear. If a car will not start in the staging area, it may be pushed started and keep their original starting position as long as they do not hold up the start of the race. If they hold up the start of the race they will have to start in the rear.
3. We will not wait for any cars to start a race. Must be ready when your race comes on the track. If not on the track for the original green flag you will not be able to run.
4. When entering or exiting the race track you must keep your car under control, to avoid other cars and crew members in the pits.
5. There is NO use of the track other than crossing over it when entering the pits and exiting the track. Except for the winner to visit victory lane in front of the grandstands.
6. No drums of fuel allowed it pit area.
7. During feature events only, we will try to give a race team two (2) caution laps to change a flat tire or make a minor repair. We will NOT give a car 2 laps if they stop on the track to bring out the caution flag. This rule is in effect as long as there is allowable time due to curfew.
8. Final finishing orders will be posted on the pit board shortly after each feature. A ten-minute protest period is in effect once the finish is posted at the pit office. Any discrepancies must be made then to the pit office to get resolved. Payoff is at the pit office.

 

TRACK

1. The flagger’s lap count is official.
2. Flagger has complete charge of track while racing. No protest allowed on flagger’s decision.
3. Only track officials, safety and wrecker crews will be allowed on the track in the event of an accident. NO crew members are allowed on the track. Violation may cause disqualification and/or suspension.
4. No repairs can be made on the track. You must report to the pit area and return to the rear of the field.
5. Under caution, any car that goes to the pits must return to the rear of the field.
6. All cars must take the initial green flag in the feature to be eligible for points and money.
7. Any car that is involved, spins or stops to avoid an accident is considered part of the caution and must start in the rear.
8. If the caution comes out for an accident in turn one and someone spins in turn three after the original caution has been displayed, they are not considered part of the caution and can remain in their position.
9. Anytime the red flag is displayed all cars are to stop as soon as safely possible. No cars can enter the pits or be worked on as long as the red is displayed.
10. Any car causing three (3) cautions in the same event will be sent to the pits. The flagger may black flag any car causing unnecessary delays or for safety reasons. If given the black flag report to the pits immediately or be disqualified.
11. Any driver violating any of the flag rules will be penalized.
12. Rough riding WILL BE penalized. If occasion warrants, driver may be fined and/or suspended. All fines and suspensions are at the discretion of the track promoters.
13. All starts are at the cone in turn four (4). All cars must stay in line to that cone. Anyone jumping the start will be penalized. First penalty for jumping any start is two (2) positions either at the next caution or at the end of the race. Second time to the rear, third time to the pits.
14. In the event of a caution before one (1) lap is completed, it will be considered an original restart except for the car(s) involved in the caution. Any cars in the caution must go to the rear.
15. All restarts will be double file until the halfway point of the race. After half way, restarts will be single file. If during double file restarts the field does not complete a lap in two (2) tries, field will be lined up single file for the remainder of the event.
16. The race leader has choice of inside or outside on restarts. NOT the original start. The leader paces the start either on the inside or outside.
17. When the caution comes out all cars are to get single file. This is so the scorers can review the line-up and to make it easier for safety and wrecker crews to attend to an accident.
18. The scorer will communicate with the drivers and track officials as to what the correct line up is. Anyone that challenges their position will be sent to the rear.
19. No driver is permitted to stop at the flagger stand for any reason. The only time a driver should communicate with a track official during a race is for debris on the track or some other unsafe situation. Pull to the inside of track and talk to one of the corner flaggers.
20. There may be a time limit put on feature events for curfew or threatening weather reasons. You will be notified before the start of your feature if this is going to be enforced.
21. Any competitor that uses their car at any time for retaliation purposes will be disqualified for that event and possible suspension and/or fines.

WEIGHING

1. At the end of each feature event the top five (5) cars are to report directly to the scale area in the infield. Cars that are supposed to report to scales and do not will be disqualified. Scorer will notify the cars that need to report to scale area.
2. On occasion there could be a random finishing position drawn to be weighed at the end of the feature also. That car will be told on the radio after the race or may be determined before the feature events start.
3. Any car tampered with before weighing will be disqualified.
4. All weights are dry with driver, just the way you finished the race. If car is underweight, we will weigh the rest of the cars and give you a second chance without leaving the scale area. If underweight on second reading you will be disqualified.
5. Track scales are official. NO tolerance. No protest or appealed allowed.
6. Any car can voluntarily be weighed when the scales are open, preferably before heat races start. Voluntary weights will only be shared with the driver.
7. The first car to cross the scales must be the winning car before going to victory lane.

 

RADIO COMMUNICATION

1. One-way radios are MANDATORY in ALL divisions racing at Thunder Mountain Speedway.
2. Radio frequency used by the speedway for drivers is 454.000
3. Cars not equipped with one-way radios will not be able to compete.
4. One-way radios are used by scorer and track officials to communicate with drivers, for line ups and cautions. Also, for any driver that is to be penalized for an on-track incident.
5. Under caution ALL cars are to get single file, track scorer will radio any wrong positions. Any drivers protesting their restart position will be sent to the rear.
6. Any car stopping on the track to protest a restart position will be sent to the rear.
7. Radios are considered a working part of the race car. Be sure that they are working. Track will run periodic test.
8. No two-way radio communication between driver and crew.

DUMPING OIL AND TIRES

1. The law prohibits the dumping of oil or leaving old tires on the speedway premises. Track will supply a barrel to dump used oil in at the pit shack.
2. Any race team found dumping oil on the grounds will be fined $500, disqualified and turned over to local authorities for prosecution. Any team found leaving old tires on the grounds will be fined $200 per tire. Team is suspended until fines are paid.

PROTEST

1. Only a driver and/or owner may file a protest.
2. All protest must be in writing and given to the pit steward within ten minutes of the conclusion of the event. The written protest must state exactly what is being protested on the car in question. Only one (1) particular part per protest. Written protest must include money.
3. Any crew member interfering with the protest process will cause the protest to either be disallowed or disqualification of the protested car depending on which car the crew member is from.
4. Results and findings by track officials will be final.
5. Depending on the infraction, car may be disqualified and scored as such. Also, will have to be re-inspected and any fines paid in order to race again.
6. If a formal protest is made, the payoff may be delayed until the protest is satisfied.
7. Any finishing order discrepancies must be made within ten (10) minutes of official posting at the pit board to the pit steward. A check of the scoring will be reviewed and the official finish will either be recertified or corrected.
8. Any protest deemed retaliatory or lacking substance may be disallowed at the discretion of track officials and/or promoters.
9. Visuals inspections and protest must be done before the event begins.
10. Protester must be in top 5 finish and state what is being protested.

PROTEST FEES

1. Internal Motor Part: $1000 ($500 to protested car if legal, $500 to drivers point fund)
2. If protesting the crank, rods will be included.
3. If protesting the heads, intake will be included.
4. When heads are removed, if pistons aren’t illegal the head protest will include them.