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ARTICLE
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| DR01:
VEHICLES GENERAL |
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1.1
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All vehicles must satisfy the
scrutineers of the meetings as to their suitability for Racing, taking into
account all details of their design and construction. In addition, it must
be evident, both from a static examination from its behaviour on the track,
that a vehicle will present no hazard to the driver or to the other competitors
or to spectators. |
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1.2
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Appearance: Vehicles participating
in Drag Racing events must be presentable in appearance at all times. At
any sanctioned event, the scrutineer may reject vehicles that are considered
improperly prepared. |
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1.3
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The appearance of personnel
attending contestant vehicles is equally important and each member of a
participant crew must be fully attired including shoes when present in the
staging, starting and competition areas of the racetrack. It is the Chief
Start Line Marshal's responsibility to police the appearance of crewmembers
that venture into the abovementioned areas. |
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1.4
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Component Substitution:
Any component of a vehicle may be replaced (except the chassis) during competition
provided that the new components are inspected and passed by the scrutineer
if liable to alter that vehicle's class or affect its safety. The onus is
on the competitor to be ready on time for each new run. The vehicle must
still comply with regulations of its originally entered class at that event. |
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1.5
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Ground Clearance: All
vehicles competing are required to maintain a minimum of 75mm ground clearance,
measured from the front of the vehicle to 300mm behind the centre line of
front axle and 50mm for the remainder of the car. Wheelie bars are exempt.
All vehicles will be checked for correct ground clearance during scrutineering.
Subsequently, any staging problems should be the fault of the startline
equipment and if a problem occurs, both vehicles should be backed out and
the fault investigated. If the fault is found to be with one of the vehicles,
it will be excluded immediately. |
| DR02:
RACING: GENERAL REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL COMPETITORS |
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2.1
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In the interest of safety, before
a vehicle proceeds onto the strip, a check shall be made that the scrutineers
have passed it. |
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2.2
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Only the entrant shall drive
a vehicle onto the strip during pre-race practice and the racing, except
with the specific permission of the Clerk of the Course. |
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2.3
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Normally, no vehicle may be
driven or pushed in any direction, except in the direction of the course,
either during unofficial or official practice sessions or during a race
meeting. Vehicles may be reversed (backed up) after a burnout. |
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2.4
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Any driver stopping on the strip
or its verges, whether voluntarily or involuntarily (such as through stalling
the vehicle), shall remain there until it is safe to move as directed by
an official. |
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2.5
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Any driver who refuses to voluntarily
reduce speed or stop in the event of his/her vehicle not handling properly
(i.e. excessive drifting of the vehicle towards the centre or edge of the
track), or any driver who "fishtails" or weaves with undue regard
to the safety of himself, other drivers or spectators renders himself/herself
liable to disciplinary action. |
| DR03:
BURNOUTS |
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3.1
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A maximum of two burnouts are
allowed. Only vehicles equipped with racing slick-type Tyres are permitted
to cross the startline. Maximum time for this will be two minutes, of which
the period starts when the first burnout to be performed by either competitor
commences. |
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3.2
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At the end of the two minute
period or once a vehicle is staged, the remaining vehicle will have a maximum
of 30 seconds to stage. It will be the Chief Startline Marshal's responsibility
to enforce these requirements unless by prior arrangement with the parties
involved. |
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3.3
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Burnouts must be of an UNASSISTED
NATURE, i.e. no holding of vehicles under any circumstances at
any track. Once again it will the Chief Startline Marshal's responsibility
to police the burnout procedure and to halt any handling of vehicles |
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3.4
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Crossing the centre line during
a burnout is not an automatic exclusion unless such action is deemed by
the startline officials to be careless or hazardous to the vehicle in the
opposite lane. |
| DR04:
ALTERNATES |
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4.1
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In order to ensure paired competition
during all elimination series, the following rules shall apply. Where an
elimination bracket needs to be filled, an alternate or alternates shall
be drawn from non-qualifiers in order of their qualifying times. The use
of alternates is restricted to the first round of Racing and no substitutes
will be brought in after the first round of Racing other than in Top Eliminator. |
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4.2
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If an elimination contestant
is unable to complete the following round they must notify race control
as soon as possible so that seeding sheets can be adjusted accordingly and
ensure paired runs continue. |
| DR05:
STAGING |
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5.1
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Once a vehicle reaches the front
of the staging lanes for a run it must be prepared to fire
and race. The onus is on the competitor to make sure both he and his opponent
are ready for each new run. If a competitor is on the startline and his
opponent does not appear within the prescribed two minutes that competitor
must then make use of the 30-second board. |
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5.2
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If a competitor notifies both
his opponent and race control that he is not ready, the pairing
can be slotted in at the bottom of the present elimination's round. However,
if all races have been completed in the respective elimination round, a
bye run, directly after the last pairing is required by the racer who is
ready and his missing opponent is eliminated. |
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5.3
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In order to be a legitimate
race winner, a contestant's vehicle must start and self stage.
This rule also applies to bye runs. It isn't allowable to push start a vehicle
or to push stage a vehicle. Staging must be done under the vehicle's own
engine power in the direction of the Racing line. |
| DR06:
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BYE RUNS AND SOLO RUNS |
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6.1
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BYE RUNS |
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Bye Runs are
compulsory and are awarded in progressive order, e.g. if a field produces
three Bye runs, the Top Qualifier would receive the first Bye, the No. 2,
the second, and the No. 3, the third. On an uneven field, the Top Qualifier
always receives a Bye run. The breakout rule does not apply during a Bye
Run. Red Lighting does. In situations where a driver is making a single
run, he is considered the winner once he stages and receives the start signal.
If a competitor crosses the boundary line on a single run, the elapsed time
is voided for lane choice determination. |
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6.2
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SOLO RUNS |
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If one competitor
fails to report to the start line, the other competitor will perform a solo
run. This is not a Bye Run, merely the result of a "no show" and
the breakout and red light rule will apply. |
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6.3
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NO SHOWS |
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The onus is
on the competitors to ensure they are ready for each new run. If a competitor
is on the start line and his opponent does not appear within the prescribed
two minutes, that competitor must then make use of the 30-second board. |
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6.4
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CROSSING
THE CENTRE LINE |
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It should be
noted that during a BYE or SOLO run, crossing the centre line does not constitute
an infraction. However, if this occurs, i.e. if the competitor started out
in the left hand lane and crosses the centre line, the competitor must correct
the vehicle and revert back to and complete the run in the left hand lane. |
| DR07:
BREAKOUT RULE |
| To prevent competitors from
nominating a "soft" dial-in time and then running quicker in competition,
a breakout rule is enforced which eliminates a racer running below their
nomination. If both competitors breakout the racer who infringes by the
largest margin is the loser and the one who infringes by the least is the
winner. Points / remuneration will be allotted as if both competitors legitimately
won/lost the race concerned. If a competitor chooses to dial-in on the applicable
class record, then the breakout rule does not apply. |
| DR08:
EXCLUSION - EXAMPLES OF GROUNDS FOR EXCLUSION |
| If a driver is excluded for
any reason, he cannot be reinstated at any time during the event and will
only gain points/remuneration up until and including the round of exclusion/elimination. |
| 8.1 |
"FIRST" OR "WORST"
RULE |
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The ideal outcome of any race
is to have one winner and one loser. In cases where both competitors are
guilty of an infraction during the same elimination race, the 'First or
Worst' rule will apply. This rule applies in all circumstances such as in
the case where a competitor red lights, then their opponent breaks out.
The red light would be classified as the first/worst infraction. |
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The 'First' ruling applies when
both competitors are guilty of an equal/same infraction. The 'First' offender
will be excluded. |
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The 'Worst' ruling applies when
both competitors are guilty of a different infraction, then the following
order of infractions will apply. The 'Worst' offender will be excluded,
starting from Number 8.1.1. |
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ORDER OF
INFRACTION: |
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8.1.1
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Failing to report
to the startline on time. |
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8.1.2
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Crossing or
touching the strip centre or boundary lines other than leaving the strip
intentionally. (In all instances the run is to be aborted and no E.T. or
speed will be recorded). |
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8.1.3
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A red light
start. |
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8.1.4
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Breaking out
of the dial-in nomination where applicable. |
| DR09:
PASSENGERS |
| A passenger may be carried in
a Drag Racing vehicle subject to the following conditions: |
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9.1
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Approval shall be at the discretion
of the Clerk of the Course. |
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9.2
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The vehicle must be of a sedan
(or truck) type nature. |
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9.3
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The passenger must sign a form
indemnifying the respective track and MSA from any misfortune. |
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9.4
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The passenger must be afforded
the same measure of protection as is afforded the driver for the class of
vehicle in question, i.e. helmet, driving suit, multi-point harness, seat,
etc. |
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9.5
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Restricted to solo passes only. |
| DR10:
PROTESTS AND APPEALS |
| Refer to Part IX of the MSA
Handbook. |
| DR11:
START PROCEDURE |
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11.1
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FULL TREE |
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11.1.1
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Approach, pre-stage
and stage lights are controlled by the racer's vehicle. |
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11.1.2
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The standard arrangement of
lights will be three amber lights, one green and a red light at the bottom
of the Christmas tree. |
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11.1.3
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The timing sequence is variable
from 0.3 seconds between lights to 0.5 seconds. This sequence is adjustable
from the tower and once established at the start of official practice cannot
be varied. |
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11.1.4
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The green light
coming on is the signal to "GO" |
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11.1.5
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A red light may be caused to
light by either rolling forwards or backwards from the stage position during
the start sequence of lights or trying to leave the line too early so as
to gain an advantage on an opponent. |
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11.1.6
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This technique is usually referred
to as "AMBER GAMBLING". If a red light is shown in either lane,
the race must be completed. |
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11.1.7
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There is no re-run on red light
starts. |
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11.2
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PRO TREE |
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11.2.1
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The call up, pre-stage and
stage light operation remains the same.
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11.2.2
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The start sequence is limited
to one amber light and the green light start.
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11.2.3
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The only allowable time
sequence between lights is 0.4 seconds.
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11.2.4
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This format is optional
depending on the Drag meet organisers.
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11.2.5
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If the meet organisers choose
the Pro-tree for eliminators for the entire meeting, this fact must be
made clearly known to the racers at the drivers briefing.
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11.3
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LANE CHOICE |
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11.3.1
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It is not for Race
Control to decide lane choice. |
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11.3.2
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The competitor with the higher
qualifying position shall be granted lane choice up until he starts his
burnout procedure. |
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11.3.3
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After the first round of competition,
the driver/rider with the lowest ET as against his applicable class record
will be given lane choice up until he starts his burnout procedure. |
| DR12:
NATIONAL DRAG RACING RECORDS |
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12.1
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The standard of excellence of
performance in South African Drag Racing is the National Record. In a sport
where records play such a vital role, every effort will be made to maintain
their accuracy and validity. |
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12.2
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With major changes to class
regulations for various categories taking effect on 1 January 2004, all
present records held by vehicles fitting into the new classes will be carried
over to the new class. If any competitor fails to run within 2% from this
record within a period of 3-months (not later than 31 March 2004), the record
will become null and void. Until such time as a new National Record is set,
minimums will be set in the appropriate classes. |
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12.3
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Elapsed Time records will be
recorded to the thousandth of a second while Terminal Speed records will
be recorded to the hundredth of a kilometre-per-hour. |
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12.4
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If a lower class of the same
type and aspiration has a National ET record quicker than its equivalent
higher class, then those classes without a record or those with a slower
ET record will become "Minimum's" utilising the figure posted
by the lower class (i.e. C/S ET record is quicker than B/S record), then
the B/S ET record becomes a "minimum" using the same ET record
set in C/S). |
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12.5
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All competitors who officially
break National Records, both Elapsed Times and Terminal Speeds, will be
presented with a National Record Certificate. Once the record ratification
has been finalised the National Record Certificate will be forwarded to
the competitor's mailing address as well as held on file at the MSA Head
Office. |
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12.6
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Official National Drag Racing
records may ONLY be set at "National" classification events or
meetings designated by MSA in writing as a record setting event provided
that: |
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12.6.1
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The track has been certified
in writing by MSA for record run performances. |
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12.6.2
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A MSA Official is in attendance. |
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12.6.3
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The competitor holds a current
Drag Racing competition licence. |
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12.6.4
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In order to ensure their validity,
all new records must be backed up with another run within ONE PERCENT during
the periods eligible for record setting at that event. A run that is faster
or quicker but outside the one percent can be used as a backup for a record.
The record then becomes the slower figure. |
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12.6.5
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Records may be set or broken
during qualifying and racing ONLY or until a driver is eliminated from further
competition. A competitor will be allowed to do one back-up run if he/she
is eliminated from competition and if time/safety permits it. |
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12.6.6
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Previous runs allowable as one-percent
backup. |
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12.6.7
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Separate records will be recognised
for ET and KPH performances. |
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12.6.8
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Records will only be issued
in the class entered on the day, i.e. competitors may not enter in one class
and claim a record in another. |
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12.6.9
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Before any backup run and immediately
after a record setting performance, a fuel and weight check will be required
as well as a cubic capacity certification after the vehicle's last run in
competition. Failure to report to the Clerk of the Course for post race
or spot checks will be considered an admission of illegality and will be
grounds for immediate exclusion from the event and/or suspension from Racing. |
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12.6.10
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Exhibition records (Top Fuel
and Jet Dragsters - unofficial results). |
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12.6.11
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Any vehicles running as exhibition
vehicles (i.e. Top Fuel, Jets, etc.) will be awarded unofficial records
only with one run being completed, however, official records may be claimed
if a back-up run is being made as per all other classes. |
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12.6.12
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Competitors who claim records
must fill out forms. |
