2024 Flat Run Speedway Rules
WE URGE ALL RACERS TO CAREFULLY READ THE RULES.
General Disclaimer Statement
Individuals entering Flat Run Speedway as kart owners, drivers, spectators and all others are required to familiar with these regulations and rules.
When you enter Flat Run Speedway, you agree to all rules written or amended. Also, you agree and abide by the decisions of the promoter and officials. No express or implied warranty of safety shall result from publication of, or compliance with these rules and 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.
Competitors are independent contractors, not employees of the speedway and assume full responsibility of any and all taxes or charges on any funds received from the speedway.
Promoter reserves the right to refuse or accept the entry of any kart or participant.
General Regulations
Every driver must inspect the racetrack area to learn of any defects, obstructions or anything in which the drivers opinion is unsafe. Any driver entering any racing event is considered to have inspected the track and determined that all the conditions are satisfactory and safe to race. If a driver does not feel that the conditions are satisfactory, then the driver shall not race. The driver further acknowledges that racing involves risks and that by competing in an event the driver assumes these risks with full awareness and knowledge.
All track officials are basically volunteers- they give their time because they enjoy racing and the opportunity to help racers and fans. Respect and appreciate them for helping to provide an evening of organized fun.
Anyone getting hurt that requires medical attention must notify the promoter the day of the event. Flat Run Speedway holds no liability on any injured party once they leave the track facility unless the officials are notified before departure.
If the injury appears to be minor, please let us know as it may have the potential to develop more serious problems in the future.
It is not the duty of Flat Run Speedway to determine the health status of each participant. Our insurance company will not be held liable in the event there is an additional injury from any medical condition.
No one is permitted in the pit area without purchasing a pit pass. The purchase of a pit pass assures your signature for verification of insurance protection.
Insurance pit pass arm bands are required at all times in the pit area. Anyone caught in the pit area without a pass will be given a warning to obtain one immediately. If that same person is caught in the pit area again without a pass, he/she will be banned from the pits indefinitely.
Any driver that has someone in their pit area that does not have a pit pass will not be allowed to race. If anyone enters the pit area after the races have started and does not have a pit pass, the driver will lose his/her points for the event.
Confrontation with any track officials can result in disqualification and loss of points for that event or for the season. *This includes TEXTING track officials during an event.* Anyone approaching the flagman or scorer during a race will be automatically disqualified for the day. This includes drivers, pit crews, family members and spectators. All drivers and owner are responsible for their pit crews.
NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!!
If you have any complaints, wait until after the completion of the nights events to consult with the officials. At that time they will be able to explain and discuss any decisions. However, the promoter will settle all disagreements and answer questions.
Social media is a part of our daily lives. These posts should not contain materials that could be deemed to be threatening, harassing, bullying, illegal, obscene, defamatory, slanderous or hostile towards any individual, teams or officials at any Flat Run Speedway event.
DO NOT at any time during the races come to the tower to voice your complaint. This could and will result in your disqualification. (If you have a complaint, please come tell us. Don’t scream at us.)
It is the right of track officials to remove anyone from competition or to place them in a more appropriate class for their skill level, should they determine it necessary for their safety and the safety of other competitors.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages in the pit area or being under the influence is prohibited during an event. An event is considered complete when the final checkered flag of all the races is shown.
Track opens at 3:30PM. Warm-ups start at 5PM. Anyone arriving after 5PM will be added to the rear of the lineup. NO EXCEPTIONS
Any driver ages five (5) through seventeen (17) must show proof of age if requested.
Driver must be a minimum of five (5) years of age. ALL drivers must satisfactorily demonstrate driving capability to speedway officials when requested to do so.
Conduct: the following will be reason for immediate ejection from Flat Run Speedway. Abusive language, fighting, arguing with track officials and unsportsmanlike conduct. This includes everyone entering Flat Run Speedway.
Any participant directly involved with any physical altercations on the premises at any time will result in automatic loss of points up to the date of the infraction.
All calls by the flagman and/or track officials will be final. (keep in mind that these people are human and try to make calls as they see them. They cannot watch everything that is happening on the track. We cannot change bad calls but can try to make improvements.) Suggestions and comments will be considered if presented in a calm and reasonable manner.
Class Advancement: will be allowed if the driver turns required age within the current calendar year, providing the driver can demonstrate driving ability to track officials if requested to do so. Once a driver has moved up a class for two (2) weeks, they are not permitted to drop back down to a lower class. They can move up in a class during the season but they may not carry over accumulated points.
Karts must be numbered on all four (4) sides. Numbers must be six (6) inches high and contrast with background.
*Remember, if scorer cannot see your numbers, they cannot score you.*
Once you register to race, if hot laps are started no refunds will be given due to mechanical issues or un-sportsmanlike conduct.
Sportsmanship- it shall be the responsibility of every person to conduct himself in a sportsmanlike manner. Anyone using threatening, vulgar language and gestures or harassment can and will be disqualified from the event, even if the event is over. Any un-sportsmanlike conduct after the checkered flag WILL result in disqualification.
Absolutely no oil is to be dumped on the ground. All used oil must be disposed of in the designated barrels provided by the speedway.
Any driver that intentionally harms another person on the racetrack or on the Flat Run Speedway grounds will be immediately asked to leave the property. No refunds or pay-outs will be awarded to the offender.
Rain-out policy- in the event of rain, the race will be counted as complete once all heats are completed. Feature points will be awarded per finish order of the heats. If the heat races rain out, no points will be awarded for any class.
Year-end Awards- in order to receive year end awards in a class or series, the participant must have been registered for a minimum of 60% of the events available for that class or series.
Must have at least 3 karts on a weekly basis to be eligible for year-end points championship jackets.
Regular weekly races will consist of one eight (8) lap heat and a twenty (20) lap feature.
Fifteen (15) laps for Rookies.
(classes with three (3) or less karts will run a fifteen (15) lap feature.
Drivers meeting at 5PM. All drivers must attend.
The racer is responsible for registering for the class he/she is legal for.
The racer is responsible for the legality of his or her racing equipment.
Flag Descriptions and Race Procedures
There will be seven (7) colored flags used by the flagman to control the races. It is the flagman’s job to relay information regarding the status of the race to the drivers by waving various flags. It is the responsibility of the drivers to observe the flagman’s motions each time he or she passes by during the race.
Green Flag: begin racing. When it is determined that all karts are lined up in the proper position and the track is clear, the flagman will wave the green flag at the green cone in turn four (4).
On the initial race start, any karts involved in a caution will go to the rear of the field.
Yellow Flag: caution on the track. Slow down and hold your position. The yellow flag will not be thrown unless there is a dangerous situation on the track. Any kart involved in three (3) cautions will be asked to exit the speedway for that particular race.
If a track official determines a kart spun to avoid an incident, that kart will restart where last scored. Drivers and crew members do not determine if a kart spun to avoid. WE DO!
Red Flag: karts must come to a complete stop in a safe and orderly manner. The race is scored according to the last complete lap under green.
White Flag: signifies one lap remaining in the race.
If a wreck occurs after the leader takes the white flag and all karts and drivers are safely out of danger, the race will continue under green to the checkered flag. If any kart or driver is in danger, the caution will come out.
Blue flag/orange stripe: signifies competitor is about to be lapped. Any karts on the verge of being lapped will move to the top of the track. Violators are subject to immediate black flag.
Checkered Flag: End of the race. Take one slow down lap before entering into the pit area.
No contact after the checkered flag.
Black Flag: pull off the track immediately in a safe and cautious manner. If the flagman waves the black flag and points to you while racing, you must slow down using caution and exit the track in a safe manner. Reasons to be black flagged could be: an unsafe situation has developed with your kart while racing; your speed is off pace to the point where it is a danger to other drivers; reckless driving; unsafe or unsportsmanlike conduct.
If you are black flagged and do not exit the track, you will not be scored at all and forfeit all points for the days event. Any unsportsmanlike actions resulting from this situation could also result in suspension from Flat Run Speedway.
Please line up at the grid when your class is called. A kart will have three (3) laps to make the field PROVIDING THE LINEUP PERSON HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE KART IS PLANNING ON RACING. No kart will be permitted to enter the racetrack after the green flag is shown.
Anyone leaving the track surface and going under the rope for any reason will not be permitted to re-enter the track for that race.
If you purposely wreck another kart to gain position, you will go to the rear of the field. The non-aggressive kart will maintain position.
If in the judgment of the flagman or track officials, racers who are intentionally or unnecessarily creating contact by intent or over driving into the turns and causing loss of position or a caution, the driver causing this will be sent to the rear of the field and possibility black-flagged.
General Race Procedures
Any kart/driver involved in three (3) cautions will be given the black flag. The definition of “involved” will be determined by track officials. We will take consideration for kids, especially new drivers.
Rough driving will not be tolerated. First offense is a warning. Second offense is black flagged and no points for that event. Turning down into a kart (BLOCKING) that has position on you to stop momentum is considered rough driving.
Jumping of starts (passing another kart in front of you before the green is thrown) will result in a rear of the field position. The second offense will result in disqualification.
All karts must weigh in after both heats and feature. Failure to make weight will result in a disqualification.
NO TOLERANCE AT THE TRACK SCALES. Make sure of your weight.
Anyone causing a disturbance at the scale area will be disqualified. Our scales are the weight we go by. Please make any adjustments to your kart to make the necessary weight.
If you change a kart or engine after it has already been qualified, you will automatically start at the rear of the field. Failure to report this to officials will result in automatic disqualification.
No swerving on race starts. All karts must drive in a straight line. First offense , you will be moved to the rear. Second offense is at the track’s discretion.
During a red flag, no tools or working on the karts allowed. No air pressure changes. If you see something that is a potential safety issue, show us. Safety comes first.
When the first place kart crosses the finish line under the checkered flag, the race is complete and anything happening on the track will be scored as final.
If a class is black-flagged, it will be run at the end of the program according to the last lap completed. If there are one or more laps completed, no one in the pit area may restart. If no completed laps then the original lineup starts.
All drivers must have a way to shut off their motors while sitting in the drivers seat.
All race starts and restarts are at the green cone at turn four (4) and go according to the flagman’s discretion. All classed have two (2) restart opportunities- after that we will go single file.
When the yellow flag is displayed, the field must slow down immediately to a reasonable speed behind the leader and position must be maintained.
NO CONTACT UNDER CAUTION
When the checkered flag is shown, complete one (1) additional slow lap and proceed to exit slowly to the scales.
Shut your kart off before you enter the scales. This insures proper weight on the scales. No driving through the pits. This is for everyone’s safety. Any driver found driving their kart in the pits will lose their points for the event. If it happens during a heat race, the driver will start the feature at the rear of the field.
All weights must be bolted and cotter pinned or double nutted. ALL WEIGHTS MUST BE PAINTED WHITE.
Mufflers and wolf plates are mandatory.
Substitute drivers are allowed for two (2) weeks. If points are involved, all points go to the original driver until the two (2) weeks are up.
Under no circumstances are racers to stop at the flag stand or go to the flag stand. This WILL result in disqualification and zero points for the race and/or ejection from the track.
Open flames can only be used outside in a well ventilated area and not as a heating source for tires. Fire extinguishers must be within ten (10) feet of the open flames when being used.
Radio communication to and from drivers and crew members is prohibited. This will result in disqualification.
Safety Equipment
Head Gear: full coverage (full face) helmets designed for competition motor sport use and complying at minimum with Snell Foundation 2010 specifications are mandatory. Helmet must be in good condition and is subject to pre-tech inspection. If damage is visible, it will not be allowed to be used. Racing helmets are designed for one significant impact.
In the event a driver is in an “on track incident” that results in helmet contact with any other hard surface, the helmet must be presented for inspection before the driver is allowed to return to the track.
Improper securing of the helmet strap may result in a black flag and/or disqualification.
On-kart cameras: must be hard mounted and NOT affixed to the helmet in any way.
Neck brace: collar type, unaltered neck braces designed for motor sport use are mandatory in all classes.
Driver Apparel: drivers are required to wear jackets of leather, vinyl or abrasive resistant nylon or equivalent along with full length jeans or protective race pants to prevent or minimize abrasions. High top sneakers or racing shoes, socks and gloves are mandatory. NO hooded sweat shirts are allowed to race in.
Chest and rib protectors- all drivers under the age of 13 are required to wear a chest protection device any time they are on the track.
IMPORTANT: if hair extends from beneath the helmet , the competitor must retain it. No hair is allowed to be visible when the driver is “race ready”.
Points System
In order to receive points for an event, the driver must take the green flag in the feature race. Twenty-five (25) show points will be given to any driver that shows up for an event with the intent to compete in but is unable due to mechanical problems. In the event of a tie in the year end total, the tie will be broken by the highest finishing position of the last race that both drivers competed in.
If a driver gets disqualified for any reason (including 3 spins) they will receive 0 points for the night.
Points standings will be posted every Saturday night. If there is a problem with your points or someone else’s, you must inform speedway officials the Saturday that the error was posted. (please don’t tell us on the last race of the season that someone’s points were wrong in the first race).
ANYTHING NOT COVERED IN THE RULES WILL BE UP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE SPEEDWAY OFFICIALS AND TECH INSPECTOR WITHOUT RECOURSE FROM ANY OWNER, DRIVER, PIT CREW MEMBER OR SPECTATOR.
Tech Procedures
The racetrack has the right to tech (tear down) anyone’s kart at any time. This includes but is not limited to, inspections after qualifying or heat races. If your kart is found illegal after a tear down, you will be disqualified from the days events and will not receive any points.
THE TECH MAN'S DECISION IS FINAL.
All illegal parts or components discovered through tech (tear down) shall be confiscated by track officials and forfeited by the participant.
All engines will be teched per WKA specifications. The clone division will be teched per AKRA tech specifications.
Oil and fuel may be teched at any time during race day. No flammable or dangerous additives of any kind are allowed in the motor. Any means of testing may be used.
Tech area is off limits to everyone, excluding track officials, kart owner and/or engine builder of engine being teched.
Protesting
All protesting must be done before the kart being protested leaves the scales. You must be a driver of the named class and pay the protest fees up front. Cash only.
Protest fee for engines is $200. Money will be refunded to the protestor is the motor is found to be illegal. (less $50 tech man fee). If legal, owner and tech inspector will each receive $50 of the protest fee. Driver with an illegal motor or kart will receive no pay-out and lose points for the night.
Any competitor caught with a drilled out restrictor plate will lose all points up to and including that nights event.
If there is a 2nd occurrence of being found illegal; the competitor will lose all points up to and including that nights events.
Time Limits
Heats- 10 minutes; Features- 15 minutes
If the races are still continuing when the time limit is reached the one (1) lap signal will be given.
Red flagged events will not count towards the time limit.
TIME LIMITS WILL NOT BE ENFORCED UNLESS IT BECOMES AN ISSUE.
WE EXPECT COURTEOUS CONDUCT FROM ALL PARTICIPANTS AT ALL TIMES. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU HAVE AN IMAGE TO UPHOLD FOR THE FANS, SPONSORS AND THE NAME OF FLAT RUN SPEEDWAY.
UPDATES TO RULES FOR 2018
~If a wreck occurs after the leader takes the white flag and all karts and drivers are safely out of danger, the race will continue under green to the checkered flag.
If any kart or driver is in danger, the caution will come out.
~If TRACK OFFICIALS determine a kart spun to avoid an incident, that kart will restart where last scored. Drivers and Crew members do not determine if a kart spun to avoid. WE DO!
~On the initial race start any karts involved in a caution will go to the rear.
~Injuries- anyone injured while at the racetrack must report the injury immediately to proper personnel. If severe, contact our EMT immediately! If the injury appears to be minor, it still must be reported as it may have the potential to develop more serious problems in the future.
~THE TECH MAN'S DECISION IS FINAL!!
~Anyone causing a disturbance at the scale area will be disqualified. Our scales are the weight we go by. Please make any adjustments to your kart to make the necessary weight.
~Fighting, violent threats or other acts of violence will result in loss of points for the ENTIRE YEAR and/or suspension.
The driver will be penalized for the behavior of ALL persons associated with the kart.