Race Procedures
4.0 RACE PROCEDURES AND RULES
4.1. Event Considered Official
An event is considered 'official' (for purposes of awarding season championship points) when one or more of the following has occurred:
An official 'rain out' has been declared. The event canceled for safety reasons.
All classes that complete the second round of heats will be considered official for the awarding of championship points if the final heat is not able to be carried out.
Any classes that do not complete the second round of heats will be awarded rain points. (Rain points are defined as 200 points plus a point for each legal entrant in the class.)
4.2. Rain Out
The Race Director may at his/her own discretion consider any MKA event a 'Rain-Out' if he/she feels inclement weather conditions would preclude a proper day's racing activities.
All legal entrants shall receive rain points if a “Rain-Out” is declared.
If the event's activities have not been started (e.g., qualifying or heat races) the Race Director must call a “Rain-Out” by 1:00 PM.
4.2.1. Wet Track
Raceable wet conditions are defined as a wet track but without deep standing water or heavy running water on the track surface. Heavy rainfall or the presence of an electrical storm are not acceptable raceable wet conditions.
If raceable wet conditions are declaired by the race director during an event, competitors must mount rain tires on their karts in order to continue racing. Only production-type rain tires can be used. These are tires manufactured specifically for wet weather racing. Any brand of rain tire is acceptable.
If the race director deems wet track conditions have passed, subsequent races on the program will revert to the same tires that were on the kart before raceable wet conditions were called.
4.3. Legal Entrant
A legal entrant is that person (and legal guardian where appropriate) who meets in good faith, all requirements as set forth in MKA Rulebook and the 2008 W.K.A. Competition Rulebook and any and all other requirements made by the MKA for reasons of legality and/or safety.
In order to be considered a legal entrant a competitor (and legal guardian where appropriate) must: pay all necessary fees and sign all waivers of liability.
A Legal Entrant may only enter once per class in any MKA event.
Only Legal Entrant's may practice on race day.
4.4. Pre-Tech Safety Inspection
All competitors are required to have their racing equipment, including mandatory safety driving gear (helmet, gloves, jacket, neck collar, etc.) pass a pre-race tech safety inspection "Pre-Tech'. (See Kart & Equipment Specifications Rule 7.4).
NOTE: Passing this test is in no way a guarantee of class legality or technical compliance. Furthermore this test in no way guarantees ANY rule legality and is intended solely as a cursory safety inspection.
4.5. Drivers Meeting
All drivers are required to attend any and all drivers meetings, at each event, as scheduled by the Race Director. Special conditions and or regulations may be established by the race director at that time. Drivers would be responsible for knowing these.
4.6. “One Pace Lap Rule”
A one pace lap delay shall apply for all starts where a kart or karts are unable to join the class for a race.
4.7. Race Details
A 'Race' shall be made up of those heat races concluded wherein the accumulated points awarded in those heat races (see 'Heat Race Scoring' rule 4.10.2) will determine the overall race results.
4.7. 1. Griding Positions
4.7.1.1. 1st Heat
The first heat will be gridded according to a blind draw with the low number going to the pole.
4.7.1.2. 2nd Heat
The second heat will be gridded with the inverted draw order of the first heat.
4.7.1.3. 3rd Heat Feature
The Feature line-up will be based on points earned from the first and second heats. High point driver will start on the pole with the lowest point total to the rear of the field.
4.7.1.4. Exceptions
Unfilled track starting position shall be filled by moving straight up. With the approval of the race director, a driver may elect to start in the rear of the field.
4.7.1.5. Disqualification
In the event of a disqualification (i.e., safety and/or equipment violations), last place points will be awarded to that participant. In the case of technical or conduct violations, the participant receives 0 points during that heat.
4.7.2. Heat Race Scoring Scoring will be based on the points, listed below, awarded per finish in each heat race:
2nd 300
3rd 225
4th 169
5th 127
6th 95
7th 71
8th 53
9th 40
10th 30
11th 22
12th 17
13th 13
14th 9
15th-20th 1
4.7.2.2. Tie
In case of a tie, the better draw position shall determine the higher placing.
4.7.2.3 Non-Heat race Scoring
Timed practice will establish the grid for a pre-final race. The best time starts on the pole. Finishing positions of the pre-final race sets the grid for the feature race. The results of the feature race only, determines the finishing positions for the day.
4.7.2.4. Race
If, on any race day, there are four or fewer entries in any given class, the race director will have the option to run that class with another class. The starting procedure of the joint class will be determined by the race director and that formation will be given to the flag, pit and scoring personal if required.
4.8. Weigh-In
After each heat/feature race, each kart and driver must proceed directly to the scales to be checked for minimum class weight legality (see section 6). No weight of any kind is to be added to a kart or driver between the finish of competition and weigh-in. Any kart and/or driver leaving without such checks is disqualified for that heat. If a kart and driver does not make weight they may be immediately reweighed one time to recheck weight.
4. 9. Designated Driving Areas
There will be no driving of karts on any area of the Raceway except on paved areas designated for races.
4.10. Loss of Exhaust System
If a driver loses his/her muffler or exhaust system or if it becomes inoperable after the start of a heat race, he/ she will automatically be given a mechanical black flag (See 'Exceptions' rule 1.3.1.2).
4.11. Finish Restrictions
No kart shall be pushed, pulled, or otherwise propelled to the finish line other than by means of its own power or momentum.
4.12. Driver Restrictions
There will be no switching of driver in MKA race in the same class during an event.
4.13. Equipment Restrictions
4.13.1 Kart
There will be no switching of kart (chassis) in any MKA race in the same class during an event.
4.13.2. Accident Caused Chassis Switching
If, during a heat race, a competitor's chassis is damaged he/she shall report this damage to the Race Director. The Race Director may then allow the competitor to install the motor and exhaust system on a different chassis and start at his/her gained position (see exception Rule 4.17.2.1.1).
4.13.3. Engine
Any changes or alterations of engines or engine components marked by the tech personnel must first be approved by the technical director. Both the original and replaced / altered engine or component will be considered marked and subject to tech. This includes broken components. The only exceptions will be non-tech items.
4.14. Accident Requirements
4.14.1. Inspection
Karts involved in accidents may be required to stop for inspection by officials.
4.14.2. Red Flag
If at anytime an incident causes a red flag or a kart overturns (flips), the red flag will be displayed promptly. If the race is half completed, the finish will revert to the last lap scored and the kart or karts involved in the incident which caused the red flag, shall be scored in last place. If the race is less than half way through, there will be a restart, reverting to the last lap scored, with the kart(s) involved in the red flag incident being moved to the rear of the pack.
A kart that has been involved in a red flag incident cannot continue to race until it has been checked by a race official.
4.15. Loss of Brakes
If a kart's braking efficiency is lost, it will be the driver's obligation to safely pull clear of the track and discontinue racing.
Any competitor's failure to comply with this rule will be subject to immediate disqualification.
4.16. Fuel / Oil & Other Fluids
4.16.1. Spills
Any competitor knowingly spilling oil or fuel on the track or starting grid will be subject to suspension for the entire event.
4.16.2. Fluids or Waste Material Collection and Disposal
Fluids or waste materials must be disposed of by the user. It is the user's responsibility to dispose of all items in compliance with all or any Federal, State or Local laws while on MKA Raceway property. Anyone not complying with this policy cannot use the MKA facility Raceway for six (6) months from the date of infraction.
4.17. Flags Displayed by the Flag Person
Each MKA competitor is responsible for the knowledge of and adherence to the following flag signals:
Green Flag: In practice the green flag declares that the track is open for practice. It may be used to start a race and indicates that the track is clear for racing.
Yellow Flag: Tells you to slow down and do not pass. This is a caution flag. It warns of possible danger ahead. If the yellow flag is shown at a corner it only pertains to that corner. A waving yellow may indicate conditions leading to a red flag.
Red Flag: When the red flag is shown the race is stopped. It will be displayed at three or more locations. When it is displayed, you must slow your kart, carefully proceed to the edge of the track and then stop .
Blue Flag Yellow Strip: This flag indicates that you are being lapped by one or more fast karts. You must hold your line but let the faster kart or karts by. Blocking may result in disqualification.
Black Flag: The head flagman will use this. If the flag is rolled and directed at you, this indicates that you are on the borderline of being disqualified. This is a warning of rough driving or un-sportsman like conduct. If the black flag is open or furled, you must slow and proceed to a place pre-designated by the race officials. This flag indicates a severe driving violation, A race official will talk to you about the situation.
Black Flag with Orange Circle (meatball Flag), When displayed, you have a technical or mechanical problem that must be fixed before you resume practice or the race. You must proceed to the hot pits. Again a race official will talk to you about the situation.
White Flag: A white flag indicates one lap to go in the race.
Checkered Flag: When this flag is used in practice, it indicates that practice is over and you should proceed to the pits. When used during a race, it indicates that the race is over and you must proceed to the scale area to weigh the kart.
4.18. Transponders
All participants must use an AMB transponder. It is the competitors responsibility to ensure that the transponder is securely and correctly mounted as well as being operational, before entering the track for racing. If a kart does not have a transponder in place during a heat race, they will not be scored and will receive zero points for that heat. If the transponder fails or falls off of the kart and the finishing position of the kart can be verified by the race officials and scoring tower, it may be awarded its position.
4.18.1 Transponder Location
The leading edge of the transponder must not be located closer than 10 inches to the rear of a line connecting the center of each king pin.