General Rules
1. GENERAL RULES
1. 1. Rules to be Used
All persons on facilities utilized by the Midwest Karting Association (hereinafter MKA) or at any MKA event will follow all rules, regulations and safety requirements set forth by the MKA. Current World Karting Association (WKA) rules pertaining to safety, kart and engine specifications will prevail for kid kart, four cycle and two cycle karts unless otherwise specified in these rules. Also, current WKA fuel rules and testing procedures will apply to all classes. Current TAG USA rules pertaining to safety, kart and engine specifications will prevail for all TAG Classes. Current Super Kart U.S.A. (SKUSA) rules pertaining to safety, kart and engine specifications will prevail for all shifter kart classes.
1.2. Membership Requirements
All members, drivers, and participants in general, are required to understand and be fully conversant with these rules and regulations, as well as any supplemental rules, regulations or instructions imposed as necessary. 1
1.3. Violation of Rules
Any competitor determined to be in violation of the rules as set forth, with the intent to compete illegally or with the intent to defraud officials or other competitors by such modifications, unsportsmanship‑like driving or conduct, or flagrant violation of a rule to gain an unfair advantage, may be subjected to appropriate disciplinary action as determined by the Race Director or MKA Board of Directors.
1.3.1. Violation of Requirements
Any competitor not meeting requirements for legality will be restricted from and/or disqualified from competition. Competition in subsequent heats will be permitted once the rule violation is corrected. All questions concerning violations or alleged violations of a rule by a competitor shall be referred to the Race Director for determination if the competitor then meets class rules. All heat points for the day up to the time of disqualification for any engine tech or performance related items shall be forfeited.
1.3.1.1. Disqualification Penalties
Any competitor found to be in violation of requirements for legality at the conclusion of a race days events will be disqualified for that day, in that class.
1.3.1.2. Exceptions
Failure to complete a heat race due to breakage, collision or as a result of a mechanical black flag due to a collision or mechanical breakdown, will not be considered a disqualification.
1.3.1.3. Required Board Review
Following the fourth disqualification of a competitor in a season, the competitor's violations shall be reviewed by the MKA Board of Directors.
1.3.2. Suspension
Any competitor who is in constant violation of the rules as set forth will be subject to suspension upon review of all evidence by the MKA Board of Directors.
1.4. Disciplinary Actions
The MKA Board of Directors may, at it's own instigation or that of a recommendation from any of it's officers or appointed officials, initiate disciplinary actions against any participant's infraction(s) of the MKA Rules and Regulations as listed herein.
1.5. Protests
Any competitor has the right to protest any action by another competitor or race official. Protests, in order to be considered, must meet the following requirements:
All protests must be submitted by a legal entrant in the class the protest concerns (See Rule 4.3)
All protests must be accompanied by a $50.00 fee, refundable only if the protest is upheld or found valid.
2 All protests must be written and clearly define the offense with respect to the rule as listed in the current W.K.A. rules (or as specifically superseded herein) allegedly violated. No videotape/photographic images will be allowed to be used as evidence for protest.
All protests must be submitted to a member of the Race Committee of the event within 60 minutes after the protested infraction occurred.
The MKA Board of Directors or Race Committee is not required to consider any protest in an open meeting.
A decision on the protest must be made by the Race Committee before the completion of the day's activities. The only exception is if the Race Committee notifies the protestor, before the completion of that day's activities, that the protest is being referred to the MKA Board of Directors for final decision, at it's next regularly scheduled meeting.
The decision of the Race Committee, or Board of Directors on any protest is final, subject to appeal (see 'Appeals' Rule 1.6).
1.5.1
Technical challenge rule:
A technical challenge may only be made by another competitor in that same class.
The challengers kart and equipment can be subject to inspection.
All challenges must be made within 60 minutes of the completion of the race day and must be accompanied by a $75.00 fee. Of that cost $25.00 will go to cover costs incurred by the club for tools, supplies & tech man. If the challenger wins their challenge they will recover their fee and the loser of the challenge will pay the $25.00 club fee.
Any entrant losing a tech challenge will receive a disqualification 0 points for that race day.
A disqualification must be used in MKA’S championship and may not be used as a throw away. Head tech person and Race director will be the governing body for tech challenges, appeal of their ruling may be made to the Board of Directors immediately upon loss of a challenge. The board of directors shall consider an appeal At their next scheduled meeting . The board of directors decision will be final. Challenges must be submitted In written form stating the exact challenge to either the legality of the kart or it’s driver & equipment.
1.6. Appeals
Any member may appeal a decision MADE ON A PROTEST that they feel has been made in error or unjustly. This Appeal will be made to and resolved by the MKA Board of Directors. An Appeal, in order to be considered, must meet the following requirements:
Any member may appeal the decision of a protest whether they are directly or indirectly affected by that decision. Only the decision of the protest may be appealed. It is intended that the appeal process take place only after the full protest process has been exhausted.
An Appeal must be made in writing and presented to a member of the MKA Board of Directors at least one week prior to their next regularly scheduled board meeting. If the time of the appeal occurs less than one week prior to the next regularly scheduled board meeting, the board will hear the appeal two (2) regularly scheduled board meetings from that date.
The written Appeal must describe the issue in detail and include all necessary considerations. The Appeal must request in detail any and all actions the petitioner requests.
The MKA Board of Directors, by it's own decision and for what ever reasons, may refuse to consider an appeal.
No videotape/photographic images will be allowed to be used as evidence for an appeal.
The MKA Board of Directors is not required to consider any appeal in an open meeting. An appeal can only be made to the Board of Directors and the Board's outcome of any appeal is final.
1.6.1. Exceptions
The only exception will be where a disciplinary action has been taken directly by the Race Committee or the Board of Directors. In this case an appeal will be allowed directly to the Board of Directors, without the 'protest process', providing all provisions listed above (rule 1.6) are followed.
1.7. Age Definitions
1. 7. 1. Legal Competition Age
The legal competition age for kart drivers under the age of 18, will be determined by the rules set forth in the WKA rule book. However, the MKA board reserves the right to modify the rules concerning age on a case by case basis allowing qualified racers to move into and out of classes. This process first requires a written request by the parent or guardian of the under age driver. Then, the race committee or a committee designated by the MKA board will evaluate the drivers skill and make a recommendation determining whether the driver should move up in class or not.
With the exception of the "Kids Kart drivers;" No individual less than 7 years old may operate a kart in an MKA event.
A participant's legal competition age , with the exception of 7 year olds, can be the highest age that they attain during that calendar year. For example, a 15 year old who becomes 16 during the calendar year may be considered 16 for that competition year (MKA events only).
1.7.2. Junior Age Option
A junior driver who reaches an age, during the calendar year, making him/her eligible for another class may take the option of remaining in the lower aged class for the remainder of that year. If a junior class driver changes to a senior class he/she may not continue to compete in both classes, or return to a junior class after taking part in any senior class event (MKA events only).
A 2‑Cycle Junior or Briggs Junior driver who chooses to move up in class (engine Formula), may not continue to compete in both classes or move back to 2‑Cycle Junior or Briggs Junior class without approval of the Race Director.
1.8. Parents Permission All MKA participants, up to the age of 18, must have their parent’s or guardian’s written permission. This will be validated by the parents signature on an insurance waver.
1.8.1. Adult Required
During the operation of a kart at any MKA event, any Kid, Rookie or Junior driver under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, 18 or over. This person must also purchase a pit pass in order for the junior driver to be on the track.
1.9. Waivers and Fees
All competitors must sign any and all waivers of liability and pay any and all required fees before operating their equipment at any MKA event, at all times ‑ be it for a race or for practice.
1.10. Refunds
1.10.1. Race
No Refunds on Race Day.
1.10.2. Practice
No practice refunds will be made.
1.11. Use of the Facilities
All MKA participants will abide by any rule or regulation, permanent or temporary, imposed on the MKA, at any facility, by: Federal, State, County or local municipality. Any deviations from these rules will be grounds for refusal of any future use of the facilities.
1.11.1. Camping
Any participant who chooses to stay overnight at the MKA Raceway will see that he/she and his/her guests conduct themselves in a quiet and respectable way so as to not disturb local residents and other campers.
1.11.2. Consideration for the Neighbors
All participants at MKA Raceway will conduct themselves in a quiet and respectable manner, both at the track, on the way in and on the way out, as well as anywhere in the area, so as to respect the neighbors and other local resident's privacy.
1.11.3. Extended Usage
No vehicles, trailers and/or campers will be allowed to park more than three (3) consecutive days on the MKA Raceway premises without specific authorization.