Welcome to the Lucas Oil Formula Race Series

Transcription

1 OFFICIAL RULE BOOK

2 Welcome to the Lucas Oil Formula Race Series The Lucas Oil Formula Race Series is designed for Drivers who want to pursue racing at higher level and for Drivers who desire to run the Series as an avocation. Our goal is to provide the best driver development environment where the emphasis is on safety and fun. The Lucas Oil Formula Race Series is a series meant for the enjoyment of all its participants, and the rules and regulations are written to support that intention. Drivers are expected to compete in a spirit of fair play, with respect for the rules, their fellow competitors, event staff, Series Officials, and cars. Drivers are expected to be good sportsmen, and to place fair and safe competition ahead of finishing position. Drivers who fail to respect this philosophy may be excluded from the Lucas Oil Formula Race Series. Driver conduct at each event will be under the control of the Series Officials, whose duties include overseeing all event activities. They may assess penalties as required under these rules & regulations. The Series Officials decisions are not subject to appeals or protests. The Lucas Oil Formula Race Series is organized by the Lucas Oil School of Racing and is selfsanctioned. The Lucas Oil Formula Race Series and Series Officials reserve the right to update the rules and regulations as needed. Issues regarding the Lucas Oil Formula Race Series should be addressed to Series Officials. 1. ADMISSION OF DRIVERS & REQUIREMENTS 1.1. Drivers with a current license from SCCA, NASA, IMSA or FIA are eligible to enter all Lucas Oil Formula Race Series Practice and Race Days (Race Event) All non-licensed drivers must be approved by Series Officials and proof of prior racing experience at a comparable level (F1600, F2000, etc.) must be provided prior to participating in a Practice Day and/or Race Event Without proof of racing experience a driver must complete a minimum of two Lapping Days with the Lucas Oil School of Racing and be approved by Series Officials. To enter a Lapping Day, a driver must have successfully completed either the Lucas Oil School of Racing Basic 2 Day Racing School, or equivalent, in the last 5 years. 2. PAPERWORK 2.1. Rulebook. To compete in a Practice or Race Day each Participant must sign a copy of the rulebook acknowledging that they have read and understand the rules & regulations Damage Liability Form. All Participants must sign the Lucas Oil Formula Race Series Damage Liability Form Confidential Medical and Emergency Contact Form. All Drivers must fill out and have on file a current Confidential Medical and Emergency Contact Form Release. In order to attend or participate in any Lucas Oil Formula Race Series event each Driver, Participant, and guest must read and sign the Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement. A parent or guardian must sign the separate Parental Consent and Minor s Assumption of Risk forms if applicable. Page 1

3 Drivers and guests must also sign any forms required by the track or facility at which the event is conducted. 3. SAFETY EQUIPMENT 3.1. Listed here, are the minimum safety requirements to participate in a Lucas Oil Formula Race Series Practice and Race Day: Race Suit It is required to have a suit that covers the body from the neck to the ankles and wrists and is manufactured of fire resistant material. We highly recommend that participants wear multi-layer suits and top-and-bottom fire resistant underwear. Sparco single-layer suits are available from Lucas Oil Formula Series for drivers to use at no additional cost Helmet - A full-face helmet with an impact resistant visor and a Snell 2010SA rating is required. It is strongly recommended that the back of each driver s helmet be labeled as follows: name, date of birth, blood type, allergies, date of last tetanus immunization and other pertinent medical history. Bell helmets are available from Lucas Oil Formula Series for drivers to use at no additional cost Gloves Are required and need to be made of leather and/or fire resistant materials Shoes Are required and need to be made of leather and/or nonflammable materials Socks Highly recommended and made of fire resistant materials Balaclava Highly recommended and made of fire resistant materials, specifically for Participants with a beard, mustache or hair protruding from beneath the helmet Arm Restraints Highly recommended Hans Device (or similar) Highly recommended. 4. CALENDAR AND EVENT FORMAT 4.1. Calendar. The Fall/Winter Lucas Oil Formula Race Series schedule is as follows: August at PittRace in Pittsburgh, PA. October 3-5 at Lime Rock Park, CT. November at NOLA in New Orleans, LA. December at Sebring, FL Event Format. A Race Event consists of one Practice Day followed by two Race Days. Drivers that have previously raced with the Lucas Oil Formula Race Series are not required to do the Practice Day Practice Day. A Practice Day consists of two 40-minute practice sessions for each race group. Additional Practice sessions can be purchased when available Race Day(s). Each Race Day consists of one 30-minute practice session; one 30-minute qualifying session and one 30-minute race preceded by a 10-minute recon session for each race group All sessions and races are based on time, not laps. The number of race groups running in the event will determine the overall schedule Driver Briefings. Prior to any on track session there will be a Driver s Briefing with one of the Series Officials. The Series Official will cover any changes in track Page 2

4 conditions, car assignments and cover the procedures for that session or race. It is mandatory to attend the Driver Briefings. If you miss the Driver Briefing, you need to meet with the Series Official before being allowed in to the session or race Recon Session. The Driver may do Recon laps using pit lane. Once the Driver brings their car on to the front/pit straight they will be required to take their starting position and their Recon session will be concluded Grid and Pace Lap. The qualifying session will set the grid for the race, based on the fastest time achieved in the qualifying session. Unless directed otherwise, the front straight will be used to grid the cars for the pace lap. Lucas Oil Formula Race Series uses a standard 2 by 2 rolling start formation for all races (unless directed otherwise by the series official during the drivers briefing) with one pace lap Race Start. Cars must not overtake the Pace Car until it has exited the racetrack. After the Pace Car has exited the racetrack, Drivers must maintain their pace and positions as on the formation lap and must remain in formation until the display of the green flag by the Starter. The pole sitter has earned the right to start the race. Cars must maintain the speed of the Pace Car until the pole sitter reaches the start zone. The start zone is indicated by cones, stripes, and/or as instructed in the Driver Briefing. The car in the second starting position must maintain position alongside the pole sitter. The pole sitter may accelerate upon reaching the start zone and the green flag shall be displayed while the pole sitter is within the start zone No Start/Wave Off. If the Starter waves off the start of a race, no flag may be displayed at the starter stand. The Starter may also call no start on the radio and may shake their head indicating no and all flag stations shall display a motionless yellow flag. Cars must continue at a reduced pace, reform into the side by side, twocolumn formation in their original grid positions as directed, and anticipate a start on the next crossing of the starting line Jump Start. A jump-start occurs when a Driver deviates from the instructions given at the Driver Briefing and/or the position assigned to them before the starting (or restart) signal is given. Gamesmanship, brake checking or manipulation of the pace or procedure is prohibited. The Series Officials may assess a penalty for a Jump Start. 5. DIVISIONS, POINTS, PRIZES AND AWARDS 5.1. The Lucas Oil Formula Race Series will consist of two divisions Championship: All Drivers will compete in the Championship Division and will earn points to determine the overall Champion at the end of the season Masters: Drivers that are 40 and older prior to the start of the season will automatically be eligible for the Masters Championship, which will be awarded based on finishing position in the overall Championship Points. The below chart will be used for calculating the Championships. Finishing Positions 1st 20 2nd 15 Points Page 3

5 3rd 12 4th 10 5th 8 6th 6 7th 4 8 th 3 9 th 2 10 th 1 11 th to last Awards. For each race there will be trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Championship class. The highest finishing Masters Driver will receive a 1st place Masters Championship trophy Prizes. At the end of the season, the following prizes will be awarded: Championship Division First place One Day Test in either a USF2000 car or an F4 car* Set of 4 Cooper street tires Big Green Egg Large EGG barbecue Sparco race suit with Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series Champion logo Championship trophy Name added to the Lucas Oil School of Racing Hall of Fame plaque Second place Set of 4 Cooper street tires Big Green Egg Medium EGG barbecue Second Place trophy Third place 2 Cooper street tires Big Green Egg Small EGG barbecue Third Place trophy Masters Division (age 40 and older) First place Sparco race suit w/lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series Masters Champion logo Bell helmet w/masters Champion logo Lucas Oil School of Racing jacket w/masters Champion logo Sparco long sleeve Nomex T-shirt w/masters Champion logo Championship trophy Name added to the Lucas Oil School of Racing Hall of Fame plaque Second place Lucas Oil School of Racing jacket with Masters logo Sparco long sleeve Nomex T-shirt with Masters logo Page 4

6 Second Place trophy Third place Sparco long sleeve Nomex T-shirt with Masters logo Third Place trophy 6. USE OF IMAGES Each Participant by entering an Event, grants to Lucas Oil School of Racing, its duly authorized agents, assigns and licensees, the right to use and sublicense in perpetuity, Participant s name, likeness and performance, in and out of uniform, including photographs, images and sounds of Participant, any Crewmember and/or any Car(s) with respect to which Participant participates in the Event(s), in any way, material or medium for promoting, advertising, or reporting Lucas Oil School of Racing. Participant hereby relinquishes to Lucas Oil School of Racing exclusively and in perpetuity all rights thereto for such purpose. 7. DRIVER CONDUCT The Lucas Oil Formula Race Series is designed to provide safe, professionally organized, FUN, economical way to go racing. Our goal is to teach a measured approach to driving a racecar at the limit. This measured approach allows the driver to learn at a faster, safer and less expensive rate. Our staff and Series Officials will work with drivers to achieve the ultimate lap time in a progressive manner Down on Course/Egress. During an Event, if a Car is involved in an incident and/or is stopped on or near the racing surface and unable to continue to make forward progress, unless extenuating emergency conditions exist with the Car (i.e. fire, smoke in cockpit, etc.), the Driver should take the following steps as a FCY, or Red Flag is declared: Shut off electrical power. Communicate to Officials by giving a thumb up and/or opening your visor. Keep all Driver personal safety equipment on and secured until directed by Series Officials or Course Marshals. If an emergency situation, after exiting the Car the Driver should only move directly to a protected location behind a wall or other barrier and should stay away from the racing surface and other moving Cars. 8. ON-TRACK PROTOCOL, PENALTIES AND INFRACTIONS There are situations where a Driver s conduct in, or out, of the racecar is deemed unsafe, unfair, unsportsmanlike or not in the best interest of the Lucas Formula Race Series. Drivers may be penalized in these situations at the determination of the Series Officials. For on track race penalties the Series Officials will make their best efforts to have the penalty served during the race. If the penalty cannot be served during the race a time penalty will be added to the Driver s total elapsed time and may affect their finishing position On-Track Protocol Passing. It is the responsibility of both the overtaking Driver and the Driver being overtaken to assure safe overtaking. Where two Cars are reasonably alongside each other, each must permit the other racing room. A Car traveling alone may use the Page 5

7 full width of the racetrack. Overtaking may be either right or left depending on prevailing conditions Blocking. Any Driver who, in the sole opinion of the Series Officials, moves in reaction, altering their line based on the actions of pursuing Competitors, or who selects a defensive line and then returns to a racing line between corners or sections of the racetrack may be warned or penalized Unjustifiable Risk. Any Competitor who, in the sole opinion of the series officials, engages in any behavior deemed to represent an unjustifiable risk or reckless endangerment may be warned or penalized and such decision is Final Serving Penalties A Competitor must serve any penalty only under Green Flag conditions and must cross the Start/Finish line under Green Flag conditions prior to entering the pit lane to serve any such penalty. Such penalties must not be served if the Car has started its last lap of a Race and shall be applied as a post-race penalty. Such application and calculation of post-race penalty is Final. Post Race Time Penalties Drive Through = 30 Seconds Safety Check = 35 Seconds The Driver must maintain a safe speed in to the pits and stop at the designated penalty box area, if required, followed by maintaining a safe speed out of the pits to rejoin the session or race Penalties Spins Any spin on OR off the racing surface during Practice and Qualifying will require a stop in pit lane for a Safety Check and instructor feedback A spin during a Race where the car does not leave the racing surface will not require a Safety Check Any 4 wheels off the racing surface will require a stop in pit lane for a Safety Check Contact. Any contact with another car or any solid object (tire wall, guardrail, etc.) requires a stop in pit lane for a Safety Check Qualifying. If during a qualifying session a Driver has: a spin, 4-off, contact or causes a stoppage of the session (Red Flag) they will lose their fastest qualifying lap from that session Reversing to avoid 4-off. The reverse gear on a racecar should never be used to avoid driving off in to the grass to go race direction. Reversing is only allowed when you absolutely cannot go forward (i.e. nose first at a guardrail, tire wall, other car, etc.). Reversing to avoid a 4-off will result in a Drive Through Shortcutting. Shortcutting the course to gain either a speed or time advantage may result in a Drive Through Unsafe re-entries. Drivers must only use the racetrack. The racetrack is defined on both sides by painted verge lines and/or the edge of the paved surface. A car not on the racetrack must reenter safely, gain no (time or position) advantage and must not Page 6

8 interfere with a car properly on-track. An unsafe reentry may result in a Drive Through Unsafe Pit Lane Speed. Speeding while coming in, going through or going out of pit lane may result in a drive through penalty Passing under Yellow. Any Driver that passes under the yellow flag may receive a drive through penalty during the race. Safely undoing a pass under yellow within 1 lap that was inadvertent, may avoid a later penalty. When approaching a yellow flag it is sportsman like practice to raise you arm to notify drivers behind you of the situation and all overtaking in the yellow flag area should stop. The prohibition of overtaking starts at the point on the racetrack perpendicular to the point of the first displayed yellow flag. A waving yellow flag indicates potential track blockage and the ability for you to be able to safely stop your car if necessary. Passing under the yellow is defined by not having all four wheels of your vehicle past all four wheels of the vehicle you are passing prior to a perpendicular line from the displayed yellow flag Jumping the start. Any Driver that advances their position (passes the car in front of them) prior to the green flag may receive a drive through penalty. 9. SPARE CARS, FLATSPOTTING AND LIMITED DAMAGE LIABILITY 9.1. Limited Damage Liability. While the Lucas Oil Formula Race Series owns the Cars; our goal is to impart ownership and respect for the Cars to every Driver. We offer an included limited damage liability with your entry fee, reducing your financial risk to $6,000 per incident while sitting in and/or driving our Car. Similar to higher forms of racing the Driver is responsible for any damage regardless of how the damage occurs or who may have been at fault Spare Cars. One of the many benefits of the Lucas Oil Formula Race Series is having spare Cars available if there are any mechanical or unforeseen issues with the Driver s primary car. Spare cars may not be available to Drivers under the following conditions: Crashing out- Driver Error. If the Driver has an on-track incident resulting from Driver error, as determined by Series Officials, during any practice or qualifying session that renders the car no longer drivable, Driver will not be given a spare Car to complete the session. In no circumstance will a spare Car be given during a race Crashing out not Driver Error. If Driver has an on-track incident determined to be no-fault by Series Officials the Driver may be given a spare Car to complete the practice or qualifying session. In no circumstance will a spare Car be given during a race Mechanical failure. If during any practice, qualifying, or recon session a Driver has a mechanical issue that is verified by Series Officials, they will receive a spare car to complete the session. In rare situations where the qualifying session ends and the Driver is not able to complete the qualifying session, he will be allowed to finish his qualifying in a separate group, or individually, if the track conditions remain consistent Tires All Cars will run on the same tire for all sessions. Changing of one or more tires prior to a session due to wear, etc. will be the sole decision of the Series Officials. Page 7

9 Flat spotting. If a Driver continues to flat spot tires (locking one or more tires for long periods of time and distance) during any Race Event session, the Series Officials reserve the right levy a Flat Spot Fee, to be paid immediately, by the offending Driver. This Flat Spot Fee is for the manpower and resources used to mount and balance a new tire(s). 10. FLAG DESCRIPTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCEDURES Flag Signals. The following signals are used both to advise Drivers of various conditions and to direct Drivers to obey various specific instructions. Cloth flags are normally used but may be replaced with similarly coded rigid signaling boards or with lights. Steady light is equivalent to a motionless flag; flashing light to a waved flag Green Flag Start or restart of Race or Session, or cancellation of a danger previously signaled. Racetrack is clear May be waved at the first flag station past the point of the incident signifying that the racetrack is clear and overtaking may resume Blue Flag (at certain racetracks the blue flag may incorporate a yellow diagonal stripe) Motionless: Another Competitor is following you and may be trying to pass you Waved: Be aware that another Competitor may be rapidly overtaking you. Blue flags are normally used where the Driver being overtaken may be unaware of the following Car or is clearly obstructing another Car Yellow Flag Motionless: Danger, no passing, slow down. Motionless yellow flag is generally used to advise of an obvious danger or to forewarn of a more serious danger Waved: Extreme danger, no passing, slow down, be prepared to stop. Waved yellow flag may mean imminent and serious danger such as a partial racetrack blockage, fire on or near the racetrack, or a crowd control hazard. Drivers should use caution and be aware that safety vehicles may be dispatched on the racetrack Double motionless yellow flag: Full Course Yellow (FCY) or Safety Car period. SC boards may also be displayed at the start line and other stations for a Safety Car period. The prohibition on overtaking starts at the point on the racetrack perpendicular to the point of the first displayed yellow flag. Overtaking may resume at the point on the racetrack perpendicular to the first displayed green flag. However, any time a yellow flag is displayed at any point on the racetrack it is the responsibility of the Competitor to use additional caution. Failure to use such caution may be penalized regardless of position relative to the flag White Flag A white flag waved at the S/F line indicates the last lap. The starter may also indicate the last lap by displaying one finger A stationary white flag displayed anywhere on the racetrack denotes an ambulance, fire truck, wrecker or other service vehicle is on the racetrack, or a slow-moving Car is ahead Yellow Flag with Vertical Red Stripes Slippery surface and/or debris on-track. Page 8

10 10.6. Black Flag Waved: Stop in the pits for a consultation next lap. This flag is usually displayed along with the number of the Car concerned for an infraction If a Competitor fails to obey the black flag within four (4) green flag laps of its display the Race Director may instruct Timing & Scoring to stop scoring the Car Black Flag with Orange Disk. Indicates a Car with a mechanical fault. Check your mirrors for smoke or fluids coming from your car. If need be, slowly and safely pull off the racing surface, preferably by a corner marshal station. Otherwise proceed to pit lane Red Flag This flag is used exclusively at the discretion of the Race Director to stop a Session or Race and is displayed by the Starter and all corner stations Upon a red flag, Drivers must decelerate to a safe speed and be prepared to stop at any time. Drivers should use caution and be aware that safety vehicles may immediately be dispatched on the racetrack; the racetrack may be blocked; or weather conditions may have made the racetrack un-drivable at Safety Car speeds. No passing. Unless otherwise directed by the Race Director or marshals, Cars must proceed in a line, slowly and carefully around the racetrack to the pit entrance where they will be directed further. The pit exit is closed Upon a red flag, lap times in progress are void, reverting to the last completed officially timed lap for each Car. 11. INSURANCE Participant Accident Insurance. Lucas Oil Formula Race Series provides participant accident insurance coverage at all events as follows: $5,000,000 General Aggregate Per Event $1,000,000 Personal injury Injuries. Any Participant involved in an incident in which there is an injury, must report such incident to a Lucas Oil Formula Race Series Official prior to leaving the Event on the day the incident occurred. Where there is significant damage or injury, or at the direction of any Official, a Participant MUST present himself or be transported to the medical facility for evaluation. Participant accident insurance coverage may be declined by the insurance provider if an Official is not notified and/or the Participant is not evaluated by the on site medical staff. The Participant is solely responsible for all medical costs, including any costs associated with off-site medical transportation, for injuries not covered by the insurance provider Assumption of Risk. Automobile racing is an inherently dangerous sport and each participant assumes that risk of bodily injury, death, or property damage when participating in an Event. The risk of serious injury or death cannot be eliminated and is always present at a high level. Participants are required to advise their spouses and next of kin, if any, of this fact. 12. PAYMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS By the time of morning registration full payment will be required for the scheduled event. All payments must be made in US Dollars and made by Visa, Master Page 9

11 Charge, American Express, or Discover credit card or by a check drawn on a US bank. This includes any outstanding invoices due from car damage from the preceding day or event CREDIT AND REFUND POLICY Medical Emergency. If a Driver has to leave during an event due to a family medical emergency they may be eligible for a credit, or refund, for the portion of the event that they miss. A Driver that has an on-track incident that results in personal injury that keeps them from completing the event may not be given a credit, or refund, for the portion that they missed Any other situation resulting in a Driver not being able to complete the event will be reviewed and considered for credit and/or refund. Any refund and/or credit issued will be at the sole discretion of Series Officials Refund. If a refund is determined for a Driver, the refund will be processed within 30 days from the event. 13. LEGAL IN ORDER TO FAIRLY AND EFFECTIVELY PROMOTE THE SPORT OF AUTO RACING AND TO ACHIEVE PROMPT FINALITY IN COMPETITION RESULTS AND IN CONSIDERATION OF RECEIVING NUMEROUS BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THEM, THE RECEIPT AND SUFFICIENCY OF WHICH ARE HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED, ALL PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING DRIVERS, GUESTS, FAMILY MEMBERS, OFFICIALS, OR OTHER COMPETITORS, EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT DETERMINATIONS BY LUCAS OIL FORMULA RACE SERIES OFFICIALS AS TO THE APPLICABILITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THESE RULES ARE NON- LITIGABLE, AND SPECIFICALLY COVENANT THAT THEY WILL NOT INITIATE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OR MAINTAIN LITIGATION OF ANY KIND AGAINST LUCAS OIL FORMULA RACE SERIES OR ANYONE ACTING ON BEHALF OF LUCAS OIL FORMULA RACE SERIES, TO REVERSE, OR MODIFY SUCH DETERMINATION OR TO SEEK TO RECOVER DAMAGES OR OTHER RELIEF ALLEGEDLY INCURRED OR REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF SUCH DETERMINATION UNLESS THE LUCA OIL FORMULA RACE SERIES OFFICIAL MADE SUCH DETERMINATION FOR NO PURPOSE OTHER THAN BAD FAITH INTENT TO HARM OR CAUSE ECONOMIC LOSS TO THE PARTICIPANT. IF A PARTICIPANT INITIATES OR MAINTAINS LITIGATION IN VIOLATION OF THIS COVENANT, THAT PARTICIPANT, DRIVER, OFFICIAL, OR OTHER COMPETITOR AGREES TO REIMBURSE LUCAS OIL FORMULA RACE SERIES FOR THE COST OF ALL SUCH LITIGATION, INCLUDING TRAVEL EXPENSES AND ATTORNEY S FEES. EACH PARTICIPANT, FURTHER COVENANTS THAT IN ANY LITIGATION BROUGHT AGAINST LUCAS OIL FORMULA RACE SERIES FOR ANY REASON, IF THE LITIGATION IS NOT DISMISSED PURSUANT TO THIS COVENANT, THE MATTER WILL BE TRIED BEFORE A JUDGE OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION AND HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN SUCH ACTION. LUCAS OIL FORMULA RACE SERIES RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION HEREUNDER, INCLUDING SUSPENSION, REMOVAL OR TERMINATION OF PARTICIPANT, FOR VIOLATION OF THE COVENANT NOT TO SUE. Page 10

12 DRIVER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I,, have read the Lucas Oil Race Series Rules and Regulations and by signing I understand and agree to abide by all rules and regulations stated therein. Driver signature Date Page 11