GATOR MOTORPLEX

GENERAL RULES & PROCEDURES

PRESENTED HEREWITH ARE THE OFFICIAL RULES OF GATOR MOTORPLEX.  ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO ALL RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS AS SET FORTH HEREIN.  THE RULES ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FOR THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF RACING EVENTS AND TO ESTABLISH MINUMUM ACCEPTABLE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH EVENTS.  THESE RULES SHALL GOVERN THE CONDITION OF ALL EVENTS, AND BY PARTICIPATING IN THESE EVENTS, ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE DEEMED TO HAVE AGREED TO AND ACKNOWLEDGE COMPLIANCE WITH THESE RULES.  IN THE EVENT OF ANY POINT ARISING WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY THESE RULES, THE MANAGEMENT OF GATOR MOTORPLEX SHALL HAVE THE SOLE POWER TO DECIDE THE SAME AND ANY SUCH DECISION SHALL BE FINAL.

THE PARTICIPANT BY ENTERING AN EVENT CONDUCTED AT GATOR MOTORPLEX AGREES THAT ALL DECISIONS MADE DURING AN INCIDENT  TO AN EVENT ARE FINAL AND MAY NOT BE APPEALED OR MADE THE BASIS OF LITIGATION AND AGREES TO RELEASE AND WAIVE FROM LIABILITY AND NOT TO BRING ANY ACTION AGAINST THE EVENT DIRECTOR, HIS DESIGNEES, THE TRACK OPERATOR, EVENT SPONSORS AND ALL OTHER EVENT OFFICIALS FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, OR INJURY CAUSED BY DECISIONS, ERRONEOUS OR OTHERWISE, OR DECISIONS BASED ON MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRONIC OR MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, WHETHER DUE TO NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE.

RULE BOOK DISCLAIMER

NO EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM PUBLICATION OF OR COMPLIANCE WITH THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS.  THESE ARE INTENDED AS A GUIDE FOR THE CONDUCTING OF THE MOTORSPORTS EVENTS AND ARE IN NO WAY A GAURANTEE AGAINST INJURY OR DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT, SPECTATOR, OFFICIAL, OR ANY OTHER PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN, WORKING AT, OR VIEWING ANY PORTION OF THE RACING ACTIVITIES.

GENERAL RACE TRACK RULES

General Rules:

All participants shall be subject to all the rules and regulations of Gator Motorplex as hereinafter set forth, as well as such rules and regulations which may be added during the season.  All drivers, mechanics, pit crew, family members and friends are subject to these rules and regulations.  All drivers are designated as the responsible parties for all actions of their mechanics, pit crew, family members, and friends.

Gator Motorplex management and officials reserve the right to refuse entrance to any person or persons into the pit area or the grandstand area.

Anyone entering the racetrack does so at his/her own risk.  Everyone entering the pit gate must read and sign the release/waiver form.  Everyone entering the pit area must wear a valid pit pass to be covered by insurance.  Parents must sign a minor’s release form for children under the age of eighteen.  No one under the age of thirteen (13) will be allowed in the hot pit area, or allowed on the racetrack surface.

Anyone not wearing a valid pit pass will be removed from the pit area and will be required to purchase a pit pass or grandstand pass to re-enter.

Anyone involved in an accident while on Gator Motorplex premises must report the accident to an official before leaving the premises.  Failure to do so will result in denial of insurance coverage, as well as possible suspension from Gator Motorplex premises.  Any person who is injured and unable to report the injury should have a crew-member, family member, or friend report the incident to the proper official.  Gator Motorplex is not liable for any claim that is in excess of the track’s insurance coverage.

All drivers must be a minimum of sixteen (16) years old in all classes except the Pure Stocks. Pure Stock drivers must be a minimum of thirteen (13) years old. A minor release will be required for anyone under the age of eighteen (18).

Anyone driving on the racetrack under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be suspended for one (1) calendar year.  Anyone injured while under the influence of alcohol or drugs will forfeit all claims to any insurance benefits.  Gator Motorplex officials have the option to request drug and/or alcohol testing for any driver involved in an accident.  If drug and/or alcohol tests are positive, insurance benefits could be withheld and legal action could result.

Touching an official with force or the intent to harm will cause the individual(s) to be suspended from the Gator Motorplex premises for a minimum of two completed race events in which the individuals races.  If excessive abusive language has been or is being used, all track officials have the option to eject the individual(s) from the pit or spectator area.  If a driver is ejected he or she will lose all points accumulated for that (series) event(s).  The track manager’s decision will be final.

Gator Motorplex reserves the right to change the race program and / or race procedures at any time for the improvement of the racing event.  No rules have ever been written that cover every possible situation.  In those particular events, the track manager will make the decision to cover the situation.  Gator Motorplex reserves the right to amend any rule at any time in the interest of safety or to rewrite the rule for clarification.

 NO SPEEDING IN THE PIT AREA.  If any official observes speeding and / or reckless driving in the pit area, you will be disqualified and lose all points and money won for that racing (series) event(s).  There are a number of children in the pit area.  These may be your children.  Injuring anyone, especially children, due to lack of control of the driver’s temperament will not be tolerated.  This rule will be strictly enforced.

All drivers and pit crew need to maintain constant control of the children in their pit area.  A discussion of safety needs to be held in each racecar pit area with the children, and those who act or behave like children.

All cars must be in the pit area and checked in by the time the scorers are completing the line up.  Failure to do so will result in starting the heat race, B-main or A-main at the rear of the field.

Due to insurance regulations, you must be in full racing gear (driving suit, helmet, neck brace, glove, firmly belted into race seat, etc.) any time you are in a racecar on the racing surface.  No exceptions.

Each car must be able to start, move forward and back up under its’ own power.  The only exception is push start cars as defined by class rules.

All drivers must be ready to compete in their assigned event(s) and have their cars lined up according to the lineup posted before each event enters the track or they will start on the rear.  You are responsible for knowing the time of your race.  Do not rely on the PA system.

Anyone (Driver, crew member, Family or friends) going to the flag stand or score tower with a complaint may be disqualified (along with the race car) for that event(s) and will forfeit all money won and points for that (series) event(s).  If you have any comments about your race see the track manager or Race Director.

Special events may be governed by different rules and / or racetrack procedures. 

RAIN POLICY:

In the event of race cancellation due to rain, our policy is as follows:

If the first feature race does not take the green flag, everyone’s pit pass will be good for one (1) month. You must present the original pit pass in order to redeem a new one at no charge. Spectator tickets will be refunded that night at the ticket window, or will be rainchecked for the next weekend only with proof of purchase. No refunds will be given on coolers.

Once the first feature race takes the checkered flag, then the night is will be declared a complete night of racing. No pit passes and/or spectator tickets will be refunded.           

DRIVER REGISTRATION:

Drivers must be registered in each class that the driver participates.  This is a driver registration, not a car registration.  If a driver participates in three classes at Gator Motorplex, the driver must be registered in all three classes with a valid completed registration form accompanied by the appropriate driver registration fee for each class.

DRIVERS PARTICIPATING IN MULTIPLE CLASSES:

Gator Motorplex does not require an entry fee for the primary car for a registered driver.  Gator Motorplex does allow drivers to participate in multiple classes, except in Pure Stocks. (See Pure Stock Rules) In order to keep each drivers entry fee into each race the same as other drivers, a single driver participating in multiple classes in a single race night at Gator Motorplex will assess an entry fee of $25 for each additional class driven beyond the primary class for that driver.

For example, a Limited Modified driver has raced each night at Gator Motorplex since the season began (Primary Car).  Later in the season, a Street Stock car owner asks the Limited Modified driver to drive his Street Stock.  The Limited Modified driver would pay his pit pass at the pit gate upon arrival with his Limited Modified.  Once the driver is in the pits, he must then check in at the pit board (see “Driver Check-in” below).  The driver must let the scorers know that he is driving in two or more classes.  The driver will not be charged for the Limited Modified check in because it is his primary car and his pit pass has covered his primary car fee for the night, but will be charged a $25 entry fee for the Street Stock at check in.  This fee will apply to each and every class above and beyond the primary class normally driven by the driver.

If a driver only participates in one class on a race night, and that class is not his “primary” class, no entry fee will apply as long as the driver only participates in that one class for the race night. His/her pit pass will serve as if it were the primary car fee for the night.

DRIVER CHECK-IN:

All racecar drivers must check in (face-to-face) with the scorers at the pit board on race night.  The driver must check himself in, as race officials will not seek out drivers to ensure they are checked in.  If a driver is in the pits, but fails to check in, that driver will start in the rear of the first qualifying race due to failure to check in.  There will be no exceptions to this rule.  This is the DRIVER’S RESPONSIBILITY!

RULES FOR RACING:

Flag and light rules:

All drivers must know and understand the starter’s flags. The Flagman is in charge, and has complete control of procedures while the race is going on.  The Flagman will use several different flags to communicate with the drivers and control the race.  You will notice five (5) signal lights, the same type you see at street intersections, positioned around the track.  The Flagman controls these signal lights.  Failure to obey the flags or lights may result in disqualification.  Failure to see a flag and / or lights will not be considered a valid reason.

The race will be started by the car on the pole between the apex of turn three and four and the exit of turn four.  A white chalk line will indicate the starting point.

Green flag: Start or continue racing

All cars must stay in their line-up positions and cannot move out of line behind the car being followed and cannot pass any cars until the Flagman waves the green flag and turns on the green light.

On the initial start, all cars must stay in a tight double file (this means nose to tail) until the Flagman displays the green flag. Racing and /or passing may begin immediately upon display of the green flag/light.  Do not pass or move out of line behind the car being followed before the green flag/light is displayed. 

Yellow flag: Caution - Slow to pace speed

When the Flagman displays the yellow flag, the yellow light comes on and it is not safe to race.  There is absolutely no racing back to the start/finish line! Slow down in a safe manner and stay directly behind the car you were following during the last green flag lap.  Passing or jumping positions under yellow conditions will not be allowed and you may be penalized.

A-main only: Any car repairs made during a caution period must be done in the designated race hot-pit area.  Any car that goes to the designated hot-pit area during a caution or a yellow period will restart at the rear of the field even if no work is done.   Any car leaving the track surface to go to the pit area will not be allowed to return to the track surface for that event.

Notice: Any car driving through the infield area under green or yellow flag will be scored or line up at the rear of the field upon re-entering the track surface.

If a track official notices a safety hazard, he may remove it from a car if he deems necessary, without penalizing the driver.

Red flag: Danger - STOP!

Stop as quickly and safely as possible and remain stopped unless directed to move by safety / fire crews or track officials.  The race is stopped until the safety / fire crew and ambulance crew reach and clear the accident area.

If you have a flat you may ease your way into the designated hot-pit area to repair it.

Infield pit crews may attend to their car as long as it doesn’t interfere with the safety crew and officials.

Red with yellow: You may move the car, watch for officials directions.

When the accident has been cleared and the race is ready to resume the yellow flag and lights will be displayed.  You will be lined up in the in the order of the last completed lap. 

Black flag: Leave the race surface immediately

A black flag usually indicates disqualification for that race unless otherwise notified.  The car will cease to be scored immediately after receiving the black flag the first time it is displayed. 

Failure to yield to the black flag will result in disqualification for that specific race or the entire event and may possibly involve a suspension.

Anyone black-flagged in the heat will start in the rear of the B-main or the A-main.

Blue flag with yellow stripe: You are about to be lapped. Do not race the leaders. The proper procedure is to hold current position and racing line to allow the leaders to have the racing groove.  Do not make sudden moves to left or right.

If a slower car is blocking the way for the leaders, the Flagman may show the blue & yellow flag.  This flag indicates to the driver that he/she is about to be lapped by the leader(s). 

Halfway: Race is half complete

When the race leader reaches the halfway point the Flagman will hold out two flags.  The Flagman holds the flags so they are furled and crossed in an X.

Two to go: Two laps to finish

When there are two laps remaining, the Flagman will signal the racers by holding the white and checkered flags so they are furled and displayed vertically and parallel to each other.

White flag: Last lap

Last lap, one final racing lap until the race is complete.

Checkered flag: Race is complete

Other:

The drums in the pit area next to the fuel container are for used oil, transmission fluid, and grease.  Please use them.

Personal vehicles are not allowed in the pits, except employees and appropriately designated handicapped vehicles

Drivers are not allowed out of their cars, while the car is on racing surface, unless directed by the fire / safety crew or an official

Infield pitting is not allowed during heats, D-main, C-main or B-main events. 

Regardless of the number of laps completed when the checkered flag is displayed, the race will be considered complete. 

POINTS:

A-main races will be lined up according to heat race and B-main finishes.  The A-main starting lineup may be inverted each night.  Invert procedure used may include the following:

NUMBER 0 – No invert.

NUMBER 2 – First two (2) rows inverted followed by regular lineup.

NUMBER 3 – First three (3) rows inverted followed by the regular lineup.

NUMBER 4 – First four (4) rows inverted followed by the regular lineup. 

Race procedures for this year:

Minimum Car Counts: If a class is represented by 10 cars or less on a given race night, the “A” main may be modified as to length of the race. This will be done at the sole discretion of the Race Director.

Heat races:       The number of cars entered each night for each class will determine the number of heat races.  The number of heat races will be as follows:

B-mains:           The maximum number of cars that will start the feature will be 24.  When a B-main is run for a class, the cars qualifying from the heat races will be as follows. Starting positions for the B-main will be determined by the finishing position from the heat races.

A-mains:           All A-mains will be 20 laps in length.  No yellow flag laps will be counted toward the completed lap total. 

The Race Director reserves the right to make alterations to the schedule at his sole discretion. 

POST RACE PROCEDURE:

Winners:

A.        Heat race and B-main winners will pick up their checkered flag in turn 2 and display the flag for the fans in a safe manner to the track exit, in turn 1. 

B.         A-main winner and second place finisher are to go directly to winners circle on the front straight away for the victory presentation and recognition. 

TECHNICAL:

Technical helpful hints:

A.        All classes must have a battery disconnect installed and operational throughout the race season.  This disconnect is to be mounted on the driver’s side of the car, mounted securely to the deck or roll cage bracket. 

B.         All classes as defined in class rules are required to have the correct tires on their car for racing and technical inspection.

C.        OEM means original equipment manufacturer for the make of car in question.  Ford does not make OEM parts for GM, and GM does not make OEM parts for Ford.

D.        Stock means stock – unaltered in size, not lightened.  If the part needs an adaptor to fit it is not OEM.

E.         Minimum means minimum.  Zero tolerance is allowed on the minimum side of the specification.  Your tolerance is on the greater than side of minimum.  If you take the risk of running on the minimum edge, be prepared to take the hit if / when you are less than the minimum allowed.

F.         Maximum means maximum.  Zero tolerance is allowed on the maximum side of the specification.  Your tolerance is on the short side of maximum.  If you take the risk of running on the maximum edge, be prepared to take the hit if / when you are greater than the maximum allowed.

G.        If you finish the race without parts, you will weigh without the parts.

H.        Any suspect wires will be traced back to the source.

Technical inspection area:

Please be aware that the post race tech inspection is not the place to find out your car is illegal.  Please study your class rules, and know them by heart.

All cars with weight rules may be required at ANY time to go over the scales. 

The cars as designated by the track manager, in each class will go to the tech pad for inspection.  Other finishing positions may be added at the discretion of the track manager or other designated officials.  Failure to directly report for technical inspection will result in disqualification of the car and will be penalized any money or points awarded for that event (see below).  Gator Motorplex reserves the right to inspect any car at any time for rule violations to ensure equal competition and in the interest of safety.

ANY CAR FOUND TO BE TECHNICALLY ILLEGAL WILL BE DISQUALIFIED AND WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY MONEY OR POINTS FOR THAT EVENT (NIGHT). 

Protests:

Protests will only be accepted for performance items: Engine, drive train, tires, wheels, fuel, and / or all suspension.

Protest must be filed with the Head Tech Official, and the protesting driver must be registered in that class and must be competing in that particular feature.  The protest fee must be in cash and be accompanied by a fully completed Protest Form.  The completed Protest Form and the appropriate fee in cash must be in the possession of the Head Tech Official prior to the start of the A-main and cannot be withdrawn.  The protested car must report immediately after the race to the tech pad.  Any car not submitted for tech or protest inspection will be disqualified.  This disqualification will be treated as a Technically Illegal Disqualification.

POINTS AWARDED:

Points:

Points will be awarded for the heat races and A-mains.  Every driver that signs in and drives his race car on the track will receive 10 Show-Up Points.  Points will be awarded based on the driver’s official finishing position in each class.  Official finishing positions are based on verified finishes, plus successfully passing post race technical inspection.

Heats:

Heat race points will be awarded as follows:

1^st place – 4 points

2^nd place – 3 points

3^rd place – 2 points

4^th place – 1 point

A-mains:

1st place – 60 points

2nd place – 58 points

3rd place – 56 points

4th place – 54 points

5th place – 52 points

6th place – 50 points

7th place – 48 points

8th place – 46 points

9th place – 44 points

10th place – 42 points

11th place – 40 points

12th place – 38 points

13th place – 36 points

14th place – 34 points

15th place – 32 points

16th place – 30 points

17^th place – 28 points

18^th place – 26 points

19^th place – 24 points

20^th place – 22 points

21^st place – 20 points

22^nd place – 18 points

23^rd place – 16 points

24^th place – 14 points

Non-Qualifier Features will also be awarded points.

At year-end, in case of a tie for any points position, the driver with the higher point average will win the tie-breaker.  If the point averages (calculated to three decimal points, rounding up) are also a tie, the driver with the most A-main wins will win the tie-breaker.  In the event that this does not break the tie, the tie-breaker order will be: most second place finishes, most third place finishes, most fourth place finishes and so on until the tie is broken.  In the exceptional event that there is still a tie after all 26 other tie-breaker methods are followed, a coin flip will determine the winner.

SAFETY:

Safety Inspection identification tags will be required on all cars before they are allowed on the track for practice or racing.  The safety inspection tags will be valid until December 31st Each year. They will be available at each test & tune session, as well as throughout the season.  Items inspected will be: helmet height versus roll cage height, seat belt attachment, seat belt date, seat attachment, roll cage placement / attachment, driver safety apparel, plastic or sharp items in the driver’s cockpit, steering wheel quick release, window net installation / arm restraints as required, drive shaft loop, door plates, wrecker pick up points, sharp body parts / nerf bars, driver exits: left & right, routing of fuel line, attachment of fuel cell, fuel cell protection bar, attachment of ballast, and chassis welding.  If any safety items are not approved, you will not be allowed on the racetrack.  Any violation of these rules will not be tolerated.

All cars must have approved three-inch (3”) racing seat belts not more than three (3) years old with date of manufacture clearly visible.  All seat belts must be securely attached to the frame or roll cage with minimum 1/2” bolts.

All drive shafts must be painted white or silver, so as to be clearly visible when lying on the racetrack.

No mirrors, two-way radios, scanners or cell phones allowed in racecars.

All cars are subject to a technical inspection at any time and must be in compliance with all rules and be in acceptable racing condition and be free of mechanical defects.

No liquid ballast.  Approved ballast must be welded or bolted.  The bolted weight must have one ½” bolt per 50 pounds.           

Sharp edges are not allowed anywhere on the car that could damage another car.  Pay special attention to bumpers and nerf bars.  No open tubing allowed - must be capped or rolled. 

FINAL NOTE:

Racing is a sport that enhances family involvement; therefore everyone must be aware of his/her actions at all times on the race track and/or in the grandstands to ensure you are exhibiting role-model attributes for our children that are learning and gaining an interest in this great sport. Track officials, racers, and spectators join together every Saturday night to share awesome experiences throughout the season. So, let us all come together as a team at Gator Motorplex to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience every race event at the complex.  

All drivers are responsible for reading the General Rules and their class rules. If you have any questions regarding the rules and regulations at Gator Motorplex, please contact us.

Track Phone: 936-588-6127

E-mail: information@gatormotorplex.net  (Be sure you include a contact phone number within your E-mail.)